Chapter 22 Is It True?

Chapter 22 Is It True?
Verona

The moment those words left his mouth, gasps rippled through everyone around us once again. Were they blind? Couldn’t they see it—he had found no fault in me. Yet I had found one in him, clear as day. Another woman was still clinging to his side, even while he stood before me.

“You’re frowning,” he said suddenly, lifting a brow.

So much for hiding my expression.
“I did try to bow,” I admitted quietly.

His head turned at once, his gaze snapping to Evan. “Why are you standing there like a statue? Come, welcome us inside.”

Then he looked back at me. “And I would prefer you show me in yourself,” he added, his voice deep and commanding. I immediately looked away, my pulse betraying me.

“Well… come in,” I said, turning to lead the way.

Evan and the others followed behind us in silence.

“Where is your room?” the Alpha King asked as he walked beside me, his long strides perfectly matching mine.

“And why do you want to know where my room is?” I asked, glancing up at him. He was smiling—as though he found me endlessly amusing. Then, without warning, he stopped. The others halted too.

“So we can have a little privacy,” he said, turning his head toward them.

“I shall speak privately with her,” he commanded.

Immediately, they bowed and began to retreat. I watched Evan closely, trying to read his face, but his thoughts were hidden—just like Obed’s, Tori’s, Lydia’s, even the head maid’s. Only one face was clear to me. Ina. If looks could kill, I would already be dead.

Just as he had ordered, I escorted him to my room, Katara still cradled in my arms. The moment the door closed behind us, he didn’t even allow us to step fully inside. He moved forward, effortlessly cornering me against the door. His gaze dipped slowly to Katara.

“I see you have a liking for your pet,” he said.

I nodded at once. “Yes, I do. I love her,” I murmured, stroking her hair as she purred softly beneath my touch.

“Love is a strong word,” Soren said.

I lifted my head sharply, meeting his eyes for the first time with full clarity. Was that… jealousy?

“As a child, I mean,” I added quickly.

His hand rose immediately, cupping my face. My eyes widened.
“Good. Next time, specify,” he said calmly. “I was about to chop off her head just now.”

I should have been offended—furious, even—but instead, I stood there staring like a fool.

Get a hold of yourself, I told myself. Do not look at him. Do not admire him.

I lowered my eyes. “Why would you say something like that?” I asked, my voice firm as I looked back up at him.

He smiled. “And why did you look away before asking?”

Before I could answer, he closed the small space between us. He lowered his head, bringing his face to my neck. I didn’t know why—but I let him. I gave him access without resistance.

He inhaled slowly, like an animal scenting its prey, and a sharp bolt of electricity shot straight through my core. I bit down on my lower lip.

“You smell nice.”

Katara immediately leapt from my arms, as though she understood, giving us space. Soren continued breathing me in, slow and deliberate, before finally lifting his head to look at me.

“Tell me, Verona… do you love me?”

The question caught me completely off guard.

“Are you obsessed with me?” he asked again.

I raised a brow. “I barely know you, so why would I love you?”

He leaned closer, his face inches from mine. “That day,” he said quietly, “was the first time anyone ever ran from me. And you—you are the only one who has ever looked into my eyes with something normal. So forgive me if I do not understand you.”

His golden eyes bored into mine, intense and searching.

“I suppose there’s a first time for everything,” I muttered.

“Hm,” he rasped, his breath fanning over my lips as his hand settled firmly on my waist, pulling me closer—while my hands found him too.

I rose onto my toes as he bent down; that was how much bigger he was. His strong arm held me securely, leaving no doubt of his control. I lifted my head, meeting his gaze without looking away.

“Call my name like you did last time,” he said, his voice no longer soft but rough, dangerous.

“Soren,” I whispered.

The instant his name left my lips, his mouth replaced it—claiming mine in a breathtaking kiss that stole the air from my lungs.

He kissed me like a starving man, and I kissed him back just as desperately. Our mouths moved together in perfect rhythm, as though this wasn’t our first kiss together, but also it was my ever first.
And yet… Why did his lips feel so familiar?

I hadn’t awakened my wolf yet, but I could smell him—every inch of him—his presence wrapping around me, overwhelming my senses.

The room was quiet, filled only with the sound of our breaths colliding, the little noises our kiss made.

My hand, resting on his chest, clenched the fabric of his clothes as though holding on was the only thing keeping me upright. My hair spilled down my back while his arm locked me firmly in place, leaving no room for doubt or escape.

I didn’t know where the boldness came from, but suddenly my arms slid up and around his neck. I was completely lost in his kiss, my breathing turning frantic, uneven.

His shaft brushed against me—hard, unmistakably hard because of me—and it sent a shiver straight through my body. Still, I knew better than to cross that line. Yet it frightened me how easily he had this kind of hold over me, without even trying.

Then, abruptly, he broke the kiss.

I dropped my head forward, breathing hard, struggling to steady myself. His arms never loosened. He kept me right where I was, solid and unyielding.

Unlike me, he wasn’t even breathing heavily.

“Tell me,” he said.

I lifted my head slowly to look at him.

“Would you like to be my Luna or not?” he asked.

I blinked, completely caught off guard—and instead of answering him, I responded with a question of my own.

“Is it true you know nothing about technology?” I asked, my eyes widening slightly.

He only stared at me for a moment—and then, before I could process it, he broke into laughter. It was deep and unrestrained as he lowered his forehead to rest gently against mine.

“Technology?” he repeated between chuckles. “What did Evan tell you?”

I looked away, suddenly shy, and when he straightened, the smile was still lingering on his face—soft, almost boyish.
“What do you think he told me?” I asked.

He released me then, allowing me to stand on my own. Taking two slow steps backward, he looked straight into my eyes and spoke calmly.

“That I am a mad king,” he said, “one who locked himself away for a century.”

I kept my eyes on him—on his imposing, almost unreal form.
“Is it true?” I asked quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded once.
“Yes,” he said simply. “It is.”