Chapter 176 Chapter 175
Loud, pained howls and whimpers cut through the heavy silence, and something twisted in her chest. They sounded so painful, so anguish-filled, it felt like someone was stabbing her chest with a thousand knives.
"He's in so much pain..." she heard herself say out loud. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back.
"We've done everything these past three days to have him revert back. Even poisoning him."
"Poison!?"
“Even poison,” Morvan said flatly, still staring at the door. “Nothing has worked. This is the last thing we have left to try.”
Rayena drew a shuddering breath. “W-what am I supposed to do?” she stammered, sounding braver than she felt.
Now it was Morvan who looked uneasy. Sweat gathered at his temples as he scratched his neck.
A deep bark erupted from within the chamber, followed by hungry growls. Rayena stumbled back, pulse stuttering. “What happened?” She rushed out, her eyes widening.
“He must have scented you,” Morvan murmured grimly. “Now he wants you.” His gaze snapped to hers. “Listen to me carefully. Do you still want to do this?”
She hesitated, heart pounding in her chest... then nodded. “Yes.”
"Then you're going to have to pay attention to every word I say. You can't let him get so agitated he breaks free and tries to have penetrative sex with you. I'm guessing you haven't been intimate with anyone before, and the king is not just a regular man. Trust me, it. will. not. end. well!"
Her throat went dry but she swallowed. "What do I do then?"
"Anything else. Use your hands, mouth, anything else. Do not let him hunger to the point where he breaks free to take you."
"Wait here!" he ordered as he rushed out of the hallway to heaven knows where. When he returned, he was holding a small jar. "This contains a gel that should make things easier. I'll see if I can restrain him further."
Right in front of her, Morvan morphed into a half-shift, growing several meters taller, his build more imposing, dark-blonde hair covering every part of his exposed skin. He marched toward the steel doors, unbolted the many locks, and strode in.
What followed were angry snarls, growls, and grunts, as well as the clanking of chains and bolts being hammered down. Rayena flinched at every thud, her grip on the jar Morvan had given her tightening. When he stepped out, he was covered in more scratches, his clothes torn, breath ragged.
The dread inside her multiplied.
All the strength in her legs disappeared, and it took everything she had to remain standing. Had she lost her mind? Was she really considering this?
Cold sweat broke out over every part of her body as Morvan made his way toward her, and she was tempted to give up and run away. Something in Morvan's expression made her stop, though. Maybe it was the pain and exhaustion hidden behind the grim mask he always wore. This whole situation must be weighing down on him more than he would ever admit.
"I've strengthened his binds and fed him potions that should weaken him further. He shouldn't move around as much," he croaked, his lower lip trembling.
Rayena glanced at the steel door, swallowing tightly. Logic and emotion warred within her, but with the King's growls shaking her to the core, her emotions took the lead.
"Take me to him," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Rayena didn’t notice Morvan’s stare; all she was focused on was the man who was drowning in his pain. Eventually, he let out a sigh, taking a step forward and leading the way.
They reached the large steel doors, and Morvan stopped several inches away from her. "You'll have to go in alone now. I'll be out here. If he attacks or breaks free, scream my name, and I'll come hear you."
"Okay," Rayena answered, her hand already reaching for the handle. Morvan jolted forward, a pleading look in his eyes.
"Please, don't die," he begged, his voice thick with emotion. Rayena stared at him dazedly before bobbing her head. Opening the door, she squeezed through it, finally entering the cell-like room.
The indistinguishable smell of copper hit her nose first, making her grimace. A low, threatening growl followed after. Rayena lifted her gaze, staring directly into the eyes of a very angry—and horny—wolf. A shudder rippled through her.
She couldn’t tell if her memory was hazy, but the animal before her seemed bigger than the one that had attacked her. Every limb and joint had been chained, and dried blood coated his immaculate fur where spikes dug into his skin. It bared its teeth at her, the same hungry look he had given her that night mirrored in his eyes.
A rumble began at the back of his throat, and he took a deep inhale, growling in satisfaction and need. A new musky scent permeated the air as he roared, and her body grew warm, responding strangely to the beast in front of her. Unbiddenly, her gaze dipped lower, and she choked on her breath at his hardened arousal pointing at her—purple, swollen, painfully rigid.
That thing was supposed to be inside her?! No wonder Morvan had quickly dissuaded her from any sort of penetration. It definitely would not end well. Still, heat gathered at her most intimate regions at the lewd sight. She gasped, horrified at herself. How could she be feeling this way when he was in this state?
"Is everything alright in there?" Morvan's voice filtered through, and she nodded before realizing he couldn’t see her.
"I'm fine! He hasn't tried to attack... yet!" she called aloud.
Holding the wolf's gaze, she made to speak. "Hey there... how are you?" she asked, trying to stave off the fear blooming in her chest.
It snarled, his lower half jerking forward. Rayena recoiled, squirming. "Not good. I can see that."
Softly, she added, taking a step forward. "I came to see you. I was so worried about you. You must know me—I'm Rayena. But you... you can call me Raye."
It snarled again, though this time the sound was slower. She took another step forward. That odd scent filled the air again, and the heat simmering beneath Rayena's skin flared. She subconsciously licked her lips, taking several deep breaths.
Focus, Rayena.