Chapter 2
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Chills ran down my spine as I felt the power radiating from the man before me. I had been taught to sense the strength of my opponent, and I knew he wasn’t just some ordinary rogue. He was a predator, one I should flee from. And yet, my wolf pushed me toward him, as if she had a death wish.
The man inched forward. “I’m waiting for your answer.” His low purr sounded much like a command. “What is a lonely omega doing here in the middle of the night?”
“I’m not an omega!” I snarled, earning myself a cold laugh from him. My irritation sparked, and I moved closer, stepping onto the shallow water. “I am the daughter of―”
My eyes drifted to my bare chest, and I gasped, lowering myself and hoping to hide from his sight. He shamelessly leaned closer, his gaze dropping to the crystal–clear water. I followed his line of sight and muttered a curse. With the moon illuminating the lake, most of my curves were quite visible. A low hum of appreciation sounded. “Then again,” he went on, “you may be here to seek adventure… or clients.”
My hands fisted into balls. First, he called me an omega, and now suggested I might be a courtesan?! The mix of embarrassment and anger coiled within me. “How dare you!” I hissed, lunging forward. I raised my hand, trying to summon my claws.
He caught my wrist and pulled me through the reeds. I dug my heels into the lakebed, halting inches before his chiseled body. Dark amusement curved his lips. “My little mouse wants to play?” he crooned.
His grip wasn’t strong enough to induce pain, but more than enough to keep me in place. I tried to free myself, but couldn’t. Where did all my strength go? I tried again, but he didn’t even budge.
“Let go of me…” My voice came out weaker than I intended.
“But you don’t really want that… do you?” he whispered, and my body began to melt. “I can see it in your eyes. You like to play, little mouse. And you enjoy being caught…”
I looked into his dark sapphire eyes, then my gaze dropped to his full lips. What the hell was I thinking? Did I want to kiss him? Gods, I must have lost my mind completely…
He shifted his grip on my wrist, and his thumb began to stroke the sensitive skin of my palm. “It’s dangerous to roam alone in those woods,” he murmured, pulling me closer. “What if you encountered a spiteful rebel… or an assassin?”
His arm found its way to my waist, and another shiver coursed through me. “I’m a warrior… I–1 can protect myself.” Gods, my voice had never sounded more pathetically weak!
Amusement danced in his eyes. “I sense no strength in you, little mouse. Then again…” His eyes dropped to my bare breast, and a low growl sounded. “I bet you could bring many powerful wolves to their knees with that body of yours.”
I gasped at his shameless comment. “I’m not like that!”
Sheer mischief curled up his lips. “Of course you’re not… Why else would you be swimming naked in a lake with a stranger?”
7:58 Mon, Sep 22
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Chapter 2
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Gods! I wanted to punch him… or kiss him… or both. He pulled me closer, and for some dumb reason, I didn’t resist. I wanted to melt into his warmth, his strength, his power. Every inch of me pulsed with need. My reason drowned in the depths of heat within me. I climbed to my toes as he leaned over, and-
The sounds of horns echoed from the side of the castle, and everything within me froze. I turned toward the sound, barely realizing the stranger had released me from his grip. The pounding horse hooves and wolves‘ howls followed.
“The castle guards… They’re heading to the forest,” I mumbled. But why were they coming? Had something happened in the castle? “I have to get back to…” My voice faded as I turned around and realized the spot where the stranger stood was now empty.
Where did he go? I squinted my eyes, scanning the shore, but saw no trace of him or the black wolf. How could anyone move so fast and soundlessly? It was almost as if he had dispersed into the night’s darkness.
I clasped my cheeks, summoning my composure. I had no idea what had caused this commotion, but perhaps this distraction happened at the right moment. Those horns and guards had surely pulled me back to reality.
Drawing a deep breath, I hurriedly climbed up to the shore. I barely managed to shift into my wolf form when another horn sounded. More guards entered the woods. Were they chasing someone?
A wave of anxiety clenched my insides. Had someone attacked our pack? No. The Lumeria Empire was at peace, surrounded by weak tribes who wouldn’t dare cross our borders. Of course, my father had enemies, like Alpha Varian Bretomosa from the Dark Shades Pack, but we were King’s loyal subjects; going against us equaled treason…
I stormed to the edge of the forest, shifted back, and hurriedly put on my undergarments and a linen tunic. I left my shoes and gown in the woods and ran toward the castle. I entered through the hidden passage, and a few heartbeats later, I was darting through the courtyard.
The eerie silence welcomed me. More than half of the torches were put out, flooding the corridors with darkness. Swallowing hard, I spun around, restlessly scanning the countless alcoves and the nearby watchtowers. They were all empty. “Hello?” I called out. “Is anyone here?”
No response. I tried using a mind link, but it felt as if something blocked it. My restlessness grew by the second. What could possibly block the pack’s mind link?
I drew a sharp breath and ran to the ballroom. My heart thundered as I pushed the massive doors open and looked around. Empty. The ball was over. Everyone left, and nothing but a few decorations remained. Why had they ended it so quickly? I hadn’t been gone for that long, had I?
I spun around and headed to the stairs. This wasn’t right. If someone had attacked the castle, the warriors should have been stationed at every corner. Yet there were none.
I quickly ascended the steps and ran to my father’s study. I was halfway through when the coppery scent hit my nostrils. My stomach churned.
I halted before the study, where the blood stench was coming from. Swallowing hard, I opened the door, frantically scanning the dark room. My voice trembled as I called out, “Father?”
He didn’t answer. My ribcage shrank, turning every breath into a struggle. Slowly, I walked inside the room
7:58 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 2
and nearly slipped on a puddle of something warm and sticky…
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“Blood,” I choked out, hectically surveying the room. Cautiously, I stepped deeper, and tears coated my eyes. “Father?”
“O… Orelia…” A weak groan came from the corner, behind his massive desk.
I lunged in that direction and fell to my knees as I saw my father with deep cuts on his chest and stomach. “Gods,” I croaked, surveying the wounds. “You’re bleeding out…”
A tear slid down his cheek. “O…relia…”
“Don’t try to speak.” I pressed my hands to his bloodied chest, trying to summon my powers. I drew a deep breath, then another one… Nothing happened.
Panic rose within me. I looked at my hands, now covered with blood. “I… don’t understand. My powers… Why aren’t they working?” Frustration and dread coiled in my stomach. This couldn’t be happening. Not now! Not when I needed my powers the most!
I pressed my hands again, inhaling sharply and trying to focus. “Please… gods, please…” A bile rose in my throat.
“The… poison,” Father choked out.
“What poison?” I could barely focus on his words, not when he was on the verge of death, and I was still pressing my trembling hand on his stomach.
“Leave… me,” he breathed.
I shook my head. “Don’t give up… I’ll try again.” I sucked in another breath, praying for any spark of my powers to appear. Nothing.
“Orelia…” I looked at the fading light in my father’s eyes. He was dying, and I couldn’t save him. I was failing him. Suddenly, Father drew a breath and locked his eyes on me. “Run.”
AD
