Phoebe’s POV
The mont I entered the dining room, all conversation ceased. The king wasn’t alone—a young man with silver-blonde hair and electric blue eyes sat beside him. His eyes resembled the king’s, though softer in shade.
His eyebrows shot up when he saw walk in, making my stomach twist into knots. I hated being studied like this, and this stranger was watching with unsettling intensity.
I stood at the far end of the long dining table, my fingers fidgeting nervously while suffocating silence pressed down on us.
Like every other room in this place, the dining hall felt ancient—as if I’d been hurled back centuries. Everything scread of majesty, reminiscent of the Renaissance or the golden age when the Supre Kingdom of werewolves still ruled.
Back then, all werewolves bowed to one supre ruler. But three hundred years ago, that kingdom crumbled, leaving seven separate kingdoms scattered across the continent.
This palace had been the Supre Kingdom’s heart. I was certain little had changed here across generations.
"You can leave," Perry told the blonde man without bothering with introductions.
The stranger looked like he wanted to speak, then clamped his mouth shut and grinned. "Alright, I’ll head out now."
He walked past , his stare bold and shaless, before vanishing through the double doors.
"Co here." Perry jerked his chin toward the chair beside him, his gaze locked on , making each step feel impossibly heavy.
Every instinct scread at to run, but my rational mind knew better. That would only unleash his fury—the last thing I needed.
Despite my internal protests, my body moved automatically. I responded to his command like I’d been conditioned to do all year.
I settled into a chair two seats away from the king, but Perry growled low. "I said sit here." He nudged the chair directly beside him with his foot.
Shaking, I moved to the seat next to him.
I kept my eyes down, staring at my plate while my arms felt weighted with lead.
"What are you waiting for? Eat!" His annoyance cut through the air.
I ate in silence, not caring what passed my lips since everything tasted like cardboard. All I wanted was to finish this al and escape back to my room, back to solitude.
Lost in my own head, I wasn’t paying attention to what I was eating until Perry grabbed my hand, stopping mid-bite.
"Do you eat that?"
"Hm?"
Confusion clouded my thoughts until I looked at my spoon and saw what I’d scooped up.
A decorative candle garnish—definitely not edible.
My fear and distraction had blinded to the elaborate spread before us. Every dish was artistically plated with ornate garnishes.
If I’d been paying attention, I would have noticed this wasn’t a simple al. It was a feast—far too extravagant for just the two of us.
"Sorry," I whispered automatically.
Apologizing had beco second nature. It saved ti and pain.
Perry released my wrist but gripped my chin instead, forcing my head up though my eyes remained downcast.
"Look at when I talk to you!" His growl made flinch, which only irritated him more. His grip tightened painfully, nails digging into my skin.
I trembled violently, breath coming in short gasps as my mind went blank. But I obeyed. My body couldn’t help it—Kevin had trained too well.
"Why can’t I read your mind?" he snarled.
I swallowed hard, struggling to speak through my trembling and fear-clouded thoughts. Even the mate bond couldn’t cut through this terror. "Because I lost my wolf spirit," I finally whispered.
"You lost your wolf spirit?" He released my chin, and I felt the small scratch his nails had left. "How?"
Relief flooded through when he let go, allowing to speak more clearly. "Because of the rejection."
I gave him the condensed version of what happened, fighting to keep my voice steady.
anwhile, I noticed the scratch wasn’t healing.
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