Chapter 6: Her punishment

Hazel’s face went deathly pale and she retreated back explosively, eyes fixed on her initial spot where a menacing, but tall creature was standing.

Strong limbs, long and sharp fangs that glistened under the light and muscular frame that seemed capable of breaking through any fortress no matter how sturdy.

However, having moved too fast, her legs couldn’t keep up with her brain and she tripped on herself, making her whole being stumble backward.

Terrified, her hand stretched forward, desperately trying to hold onto something to stabilize herself. But the only thing around her were wooden book shelves.

She was able to hold onto one, but her hold was too strong and like that, her fall became inevitable. The shelf vibrated and the books began to fall without giving her any chance to react.

Just as she was just a few inches to the ground, firm hands wrapped across her waist and pulled her away from the chaos caused by the books.

Dust flew into the air and into her nostrils, making her cough and sneeze incessantly until she realized that she was in someone else’s arms.

And a man to be exact.

And what was even surprising was the first peculiar scent that wafted into her nostrils, one of pinewood and honey. A rare combination, but enough to push her into a daze that surprises her.

“Who…”

Before she could react, the man took a step back and turned around, hiding his face.

When he turned back to face her, what she saw was a familiar masked face with eyes so deep that it could swallow her.

Her breath caught and she took a step back.

“It’s you!” She exclaimed.

The alpha King was the monster she just saw, a creature completely different from the rumors. It was even more fierce and scary than she could imagine.

Alpha Damien glanced at Hazel and furrowed his brows, “What are you doing here?” He demanded, voice deep enough to show his anger.

Hazel swallowed, but was unwilling to back down in the presence of her enemy. She didn’t want to be deemed weak or make him feel that he could break her.

Moreover, it was never her fault that she was here in the first place.

“I could ask you the same thing, it can’t be that you just wanted a chance to parade your so-called majestic self in a public library, right?” She asked, a hint of mockery and defiance in her tone.

Alpha King Damien glanced at the audacious little thing, whose height didn’t even reach his shoulders and he scoffed.

“It seems you don’t know what is good for you. When did my study become a public library?”

Hazel almost choked on herself.

She glanced around the massive shelves and the enormous space of the room that made it seem like a library, then her lips twitched.

“Who would have such a large and varied collection of books in a study? Whose fault is it that I mistook it for a library? Moreover, I never knew the tyrannical Alpha King could read and write, I thought you were just one of those Barbarians with no sense of reasoning.” She mocked.

Hazel was unwilling to tell him that she had been deceived by one of his people.

However, contrary to the anger she was expecting, Alpha Damien suddenly chuckled.

He retrieved a wet fabric which Hazel did not know how he got and began to clean his hands like he had just touched something filthy.

Remembering how he held her earlier, Hazel linked the dots and her eyes became piercing. If she did not understand what he was doing, then she would be a fool.

“Then you should know that the punishment for trespassing into my private space is death by hanging. But for you, I can be lenient and kill you in front of your people, who probably still have plans on rebelling. Your death will set an example for them, don’t you think?” He spoke calmly, as though he was just talking about the weather and not about killing someone merely for trespassing.

Hazel swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.

She had no doubt that this monster would really do as he had just said.

Fear curled within her, but she refused to let it show.

“If you really think that my death could silence them, then you are even more foolish than the rumors had said. My people won’t break so easily.” She said, lifting her chin.

Alpha Damien paused.

Then, his gaze sharpened, like that of a predator who had zeroed in on its prey.

The study became silent and Hazel’s heart rammed against her chest, threatening to fly out of her chest.

Then, Alpha Damien took a step closer, then another and another.

It took Hazel all her willpower not to take a step back and meet his stormy gaze without backing down.

But when he became too close to her, his breath fanning her face, she took a tiny step backward, but that was enough to press her back against a shelf.

Alpha Damien leaned down slowly, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

“Careful there, little one.” He said, raising his hand to trace the contours of her face with his fingers. “Your tongue will be the first thing I cut off.”

Hazel did not retreat, and said, “If you really wanted me dead, you will not be speaking.”

Alpha Damien smiled, “Your death sounds too simple. How about we do something else?”

His gaze swept over her body and an ominous glint that made chill rise down Hazel’s spine flashed in his eyes.

“Since you are so unwilling to die, how about serving this sovereign in bed?”

Hearing that, Hazel’s eyes widened and her lips quivered.

“You…”

But Alpha Damien had no plans on listening to her this time.

“Who is there?” He called out, voice slightly raised and a middle aged woman walked into the study.

“Have her cleaned thoroughly and sent to my chambers. She will be attending to me tonight.”