Chapter 17

That night, while I lay in bed, I caught myself gazing at the ceiling, my thoughts reliving the instant I spotted *him.* The defined contour of his jaw, the way his tumultuous eyes met mine, the electric tension that had drained the oxygen from the space.

Kai.

I writhed restlessly, gripping the blanket as if it could protect me from the turmoil my life had turned into. My body deceived me whenever I thought of him, a dull pain coiling in my chest and something fiercer, more instinctual, bubbling underneath it.

I cursed the Goddess for this bond, for binding me to a person who regarded me with such contempt. *Why him? Why at this moment?*

As dawn approached, I hadn’t slept at all. My image in the mirror verified what I was already aware of—I resembled death. Shadowy rings surrounded my hollow eyes, my skin muted and grayish. Even Astra, typically outspoken about her annoyance, was quiet, offering me nothing to support myself.

A knock jolted me out of my stupor. Before I had a chance to reply, Ellie stormed in, her typical whirlwind of energy.

“Good morning, Miss!” she exclaimed, shutting the door behind her with a bang. She sat herself on the bed's edge, swinging her legs. "You missed quite a bit of excitement last night." Claire was doing it again, picking on one of the new maids. Evidently, she—”

Her voice suddenly ceased, and her eyes expanded in terror as she turned to confront me completely.

“Goddess above!” she exclaimed, grasping her chest as if she had just encountered a specter. "What occurred to you?!"

I closed my eyes briefly, my lips forming a tight line. “I’m okay,” I replied, although my voice was raspy and hard to hear.

Ellie wasn't convinced. She hurried off the bed and seized my arm, pulling me toward the vanity. "Okay?" Alright? Have you examined yourself? "Because you appear as if a bear has attacked you—or even worse, Claire."

I gazed at my image and grimaced. Ellie was correct. I appeared terrible. "Alright," I conceded, my tone soft. "It's not good."

“Bad?” Ellie responded theatrically, walking around the room as though my presence were a personal insult. "It's a catastrophe!" "Thank the Goddess that you have me."

Before I could prevent her, she rushed out of the room and came back a few minutes later with a small bag. With a dramatic gesture, she unveiled a remarkable collection of cosmetics.

"Take a seat," she commanded, gesturing toward the chair situated in front of the vanity.

I complied, too exhausted to contest, while she began her task. Brushes glided over my skin, with concealers and powders masking the traces of my restless night. Her talking was unceasing while she worked, saturating the quiet with remarks about the castle and rumors regarding the other maids.

However, her tone changed, becoming more serious. “What's the matter, Sia?” she inquired gently, her gaze locking onto mine in the reflection. "And refrain from saying 'nothing.'" "I'm not a fool."

I paused, my heart racing. Ellie's stare was intense, far too intense for my comfort. “It’s nothing,” I replied, though my tone was not persuasive.

Ellie raised an eyebrow, doubtful. “Is this related to Kai in any way?”

My heart skipped a beat, and my face flushed. “Absolutely not!” I stumbled over my words, too fast.

Ellie grinned, moving in nearer. “Seriously? You froze like a deer in headlights when we returned yesterday and found him with Lucas. "You nearly ceased to breathe."

I began to speak but hesitated, struggling to find a reason. "I was simply… taken by surprise."

“Uh-huh,” Ellie replied, her voice steeped in skepticism. Her smirk grew into a playful grin. "Rest assured, I will keep your secret."

"Whatsecret?" I inquired cautiously.

Ellie gave a wink. "You have feelings for him." No need to stress—it's typical. Take a look at him! A deity among mortals, with those defined cheekbones, those intense eyes, that physique—”

I sighed, shielding my face with my hands. "Ellie!"

She chuckled, unashamed. "Come on now!" I’m not exempt from his allure either. However, I would like to offer you some guidance: Kai is not similar to his dad. He doesn’t glance at girls a second time. Nobody has ever succeeded in capturing his attention, regardless of how much they try to attract him. "The man is nearly celibate."

I stared at her, astonished. “celibate?”

Ellie agreed, her face becoming serious. "I'm telling you, he's a wall." Women have attempted all sorts of tactics—flirting, wearing revealing outfits, and even sneaking into his room—and still nothing works. He doesn’t even flinch.”

Her remarks had me dazed. The man I encountered at the black market was far from indifferent. He had chased me with a fervor that had taken my breath away. Yet that evening had been unique. I had been in heat, and perhaps that was the sole thing that had attracted his interest.

Ellie let out a dramatic sigh, leaning back as she reviewed her efforts. “It’s our destiny, isn’t it? "Sold to aging alphas while the attractive young wolves stay unattainable."

I produced a feeble grin, incapable of forming a reply.

“Done!” Ellie announced, twirling me to confront the mirror. "Goddess, I'm good. You seem to be full of life again."

I had to acknowledge that she had done an amazing job. My dark circles disappeared, my skin tone became uniform, and my lips had a gentle, natural hue. I appeared like my usual self, only improved.

"Thank you, Ellie," I expressed earnestly.

She gestured for me to leave. "Anything for my favorite friend who is both mute and non-mute."

We departed the room soon after, making our way to the dining hall for breakfast. Lucas was already there, his keen eyes softening as soon as he spotted me.

Lucas welcomed me with his typical warmth, his hand gently placed on my lower back as he moved in closer. “Good morning, little wolf,” he whispered, his tone soft and gentle. His gray eyes grew gentler as they glanced at me. "Did you rest okay?"

I nodded, giving him a slight smile as I swiftly typed on my phone. *Where are we headed?*

His lips curved upwards, a glimmer of amusement sparkling in his eyes. "You'll see," he replied, softly leading me toward the car.

Once we were both settled inside and the driver started driving, he finally provided an explanation. “Today we will have our meal at the pack house.”

I gasped in astonishment, swiftly composing a reply. *The pack house? I believed it was solely utilized for drills and emergencies.*

Lucas's eyebrows knitted subtly, and his expression intensified as he looked my way. “Who informed you about that?”

*He said that yesterday,* I inputted, raising my phone for him to see.

His face became rigid, his jaw clenching. His hand's hold on my thigh, initially gentle, turned considerably firmer. “Pay close attention to what I say,” he stated, his voice growing grim. "You must not talk to or even gaze at any other man, do you comprehend?"

I nodded swiftly, surprised by the ownership in his tone. My heart raced, and I glanced down, uncertain of how to reply.

Lucas eased a bit, his grip loosening as he provided more details. "The pack house serves more purposes than just drills," he remarked, his tone softer at that moment. “It serves as a main center for the group.

Significant announcements occur there, and meals are frequently shared in a group to foster unity. It would be inappropriate to convey significant announcements via the mind link, particularly with royal families and notable individuals in attendance. Some pack issues are also covered there, such as disputes or decisions that must be announced publicly.

I nodded once more, reflecting on his words. This wasn’t merely a meal; it was a component of pack life, a custom that united everyone.

As the car came to a halt, my breath caught.

The packing facility was enormous, an extensive building that covered hectares of territory. Its contemporary yet majestic design made it seem as if it were constructed for deities instead of wolves. Tall stone walls encased the structure, adorned with detailed carvings of wolves in transformation embellishing each arch and column. The massive iron gates displayed the emblem of the Lycan King, their dark surface glistening in the sunlight.

Within, the sheer magnificence of the location took my breath away. Shiny marble floors extended infinitely, mirroring the gentle light streaming in through large, floor-to-ceiling windows. Chandeliers were suspended high above, their patterns resembling twisting claws. The hall was split into two tiers—the lower level featured lengthy rows of tables occupied by pack members, whereas the upper level contained a raised area with decorative seating for the pack's top members.

As Lucas led me through the throng, I couldn’t ignore how the atmosphere changed with his movements. Wolves halted their conversation to bow or tilt their heads in respect.

“Alpha Lucas,” an older man welcomed with warmth, his voice rich and rough. He was stocky, with his graying hair tied back in a short ponytail. His presence exuded command, and I suspected he was an elder.

“Richard,” Lucas remarked, his voice just as friendly. "It's nice to see you."

The man's keen gaze turned towards me, his eyebrow lifting slightly in interest. "And who might this be?"

“Allow me to introduce Sia,” Lucas said smoothly, putting a hand on my back as he did so. "My mate."