Chapter 11
I wasn’t sure if I had been drugged again or if I’d simply passed out. The latter seemed like a probable option since my wolf needed me unconscious to fully heal me. Then again, I had been on the verge of losing awareness right after I’d witnessed Alpha Koen rip the warrior’s heart out…
A repeating, high–pitched creaking sound pulled me toward consciousness. My body bounced on the hard and smooth surface, causing me to slide from side to side. Once more, I was lying on my stomach, but the thing I was lying on was far less comfortable than the settee in the merchant’s office. It might have been a bench since my one arm kept falling from the hard edge while my other arm constantly hit against something hard. On the bright side, I felt no pain. I considered it progress.
I opened my eyes and blinked. Well, I was right about lying on the wooden bench. Now I also knew that the bench was inside a carriage. I could see a small window and a simple curtain tied on the side. The carriage was on the move…
The surge of restlessness caused me to draw a deep breath. The second my lungs filled with air, I felt it–felt HIM. Gasping, I pulled myself to sit, noticing Alpha Koen on the opposite bench. His one ankle casually rested on his knee, his eyes half–closed. “Glad to see you awake, little mouse.” His sapphire eyes landed on me, a wicked smile forming.
I swallowed, my gaze instantly dropping to check my clothing. I was still wearing the golden–green costume I’d been given before the auction. I touched my bare arms, only now realizing how cold my skin was. Alpha Koen watched me as I rubbed my hands together, trying to warm them. Then he sighed and shrugged off his jacquard jacket. “Wear this,” he murmured, giving it to me.
I blinked, half–wondering if this was a trick. For a few heartbeats, I stared at it, at his extended hand. Then, slowly, I reached out and grabbed the jacket before quickly wrapping it around me.
A breathy chuckle escaped him. “You truly resemble a little mouse now… a scared one.” He leaned back in his seat, the movement exposing a bit of his chest in a partially unbuttoned shirt.
I tried not to stare, not to remember how his body had looked in the light of the moon that night. Finally, I summoned enough courage and found my voice. “Can you blame me?” I looked at the window and saw the setting sun, gleaming among the densely growing trees. “Where are we going?” I asked quietly, uncertain whether or not he would answer.
“To my army camp,” he said simply.
My muscles tensed. “Army… camp?” When he nodded, my mind began to race. “Why would the King’s army
“I’ve never mentioned that the army belonged to the King.” A sly grin stretched across his far–too–handsome
face.
I could feel my ribcage shrink. “Then why-”
“You seem to ask the wrong questions, little mouse,” he purred, leaning back in his seat. His face seemed relaxed, but I didn’t miss the threat hidden beneath the even tone.
I tried to steady my breath before I managed, “Then… What am I doing here?”
8:00 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 11
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He dragged his teeth over his lower lip. “You’re here for my entertainment.”
87
55 vouchers.
My chest clenched slightly, and a bitter taste filled my mouth. Was I hoping for a different answer? Struggling to keep my expression blank, I drew a deep breath. “So… I’m your slave,” I said carefully.
His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Have you expected anything different?”
I had… or at least, a part of me had, not that I would ever admit it. Nonetheless, his words certainly pulled a string, triggering a daring side of me. “Not at all.” I locked my eyes on his. “I wouldn’t dare expect an ounce of kindness from the Shadow.”
His brows rose. “And by kindness you mean…?”
“Letting me go,” I said quietly.
He ran his thumb over his lower lip, as if considering my words. Then a cold smile appeared. “That’s a bold idea, little mouse, but I certainly do not have kindness in my heart since I intend to keep you by my side.”
“Why?” I blurted, frustration ringing in my tone.
He held my stare long enough for all my fears to surface. “I don’t believe I owe you an explanation… Miss Solamen.” He spat out my name as if it were an insult. I had never heard such hatred contained in a single word. He leaned forward, and suddenly, I felt exactly like the little mouse he called me, and I was desperate to flee. “So, tell me, princess,” he crooned. “How was your life before our… unfortunate encounter?”
His words ignited something within me. My wolf spirit snarled, my anger shadowing my fears. “Which encounter do you have in mind?” I gritted out, my lips twisting into a sarcastic smile. “The night when I saw you swimming in the lake, the night when my father was murdered, or when you killed the monster who was about to rape me?”
His eyes blazed red, and I flinched. Had I crossed the line? I had seen this man ripping another warrior’s heart out, after all. I should have known better than to challenge his temper…
I might have stopped breathing. I could feel the rage radiating from him, but I was no longer certain it was aimed at me. The silence between us seemed to last for eternity. Then he closed his eyes, and when they opened, the fire within them faded. “Your father wasn’t the one who arranged your marriage with Bretomosa,” he murmured as if to himself.
“My father hated Varian Bretomosa,” I whispered, lowering my head. “He would have never…” A tear slid down my cheek. I hadn’t even mourned him. I had no time for grief, and this wasn’t the right time to let the sorrow take over either.
Wiping the tear, I lifted my head and saw him studying me. Any traces of his smug smirk were now gone, replaced by cold seriousness. There were a few beats of silence before he said, “The remaining women are in a wagon behind us. We will reach the camp soon. All of you will be given responsibilities, according to your skills.”
My chest tightened. “What kind of… responsibilities?”
His eyes narrowed, and a flash of amusement appeared. “What do you think? What do you think women CAN do in the army camp?”
8:00 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 11
87
55 vouchers
Nausea coiled within me, and helpless rage followed. “You’ll be giving us… to your soldiers?” I choked out.
“Not all of you.” His eyes fixed on mine. “You’ll be staying with me.”
“Why?” The word slipped before I could stop it.
His brows inched up. “Would you rather stay with my soldiers?”
“No,” I said…a little too abruptly. Of course, I had no intention to submit to him. I had to escape, and I would claw my way out if I had to, but for now, the intimidating man before me still remained a safer option.
A wicked smile curved his lips. “Thought so.” He leaned forward, his eyes trailing up and down my body. “It would have been a waste to give you to those bastards.”
I heard his low growl, and a surge of heat flooded me whole. Even my damn wolf seemed to push me toward him, as if he weren’t the most dangerous predator I had encountered. Breathing deeply, I shifted my gaze to the window, forcing myself to think of anything other than how my body reacted to him.
Finally, my thoughts switched to where we were heading. Why would the King’s relative need his own army? Was it a part of King’s plan? Had the King ordered Alpha Koen to build new forces? Then again, was the notorious Shadow secretly working for the King? Honestly, that last part made little sense to me. I didn’t know a lot about politics, but I was certain that killing those loyal to the King was the rebels‘ doing. And if the Shadow was one of the rebels, then-
The carriage stopped, and Alpha Koen rose to his feet. “We’ve arrived, little mouse. Time to see your temporary home.”
I blinked. “Temporary?”
He chuckled. “In three days, my army will be heading back to the Ardens Mountains, to the castle.”
The door opened, and he exited the carriage first. Trembling slightly, I sucked in a breath and moved to the door. He extended his hand to help me out. “Thank you,” I murmured, carefully placing my bare feet on the
cool sand.
Then my eyes drifted to what was in front of me. The carriage stopped on the hill. My heart thundered as I slowly walked to the gentle slope and looked down at the valley. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the camp Alpha Koen mentioned.
Hundreds. There were hundreds of tents below. I wasn’t sure what Alpha Koen’s plans were, but I knew that no one would have formed an army without intending to use it. The man beside me was going to wage war, and should I not escape, I would end up in the middle of it…
