Chapter 23 23

Chapter 23 23
ILYANA’S POV

Nothing could have prepared me for the sight in front of me. The box in my hand dropped to the floor with a dull thud as I stood there, frozen in time.

Lucienne’s head snapped toward us, her face twisted with visible irritation. The alpha king looked shocked, like he had not expected us to enter. My heart tightened painfully in my chest, the hurt spreading through every corner of me until it felt difficult to breathe.

The cars that drove into the market square turned out to be just the beta and some guards. They had been looking for us for a while since the alpha king wanted to see me. We had rushed here, my heart in my chest, scared that I had offended him, only to be met with this.

A part of me wanted to scoff and laugh. 

Stupid, stupid Ilyana.

“Ilyana…” he called out.

The sound of my name from his lips only made the anger rise higher inside me.

“Why didn’t you knock?” Lucienne cut in sharply. “Is it a new thing now to enter the alpha king’s room without knocking?”

“I’m sorry,” I replied in the same tone as she did as I bent down to pick the box. 

“The beta said you wanted to see me. I didn’t expect…” I met the alpha king’s gaze, my anger and hurt deepening, “this.”

I pressed my lips firmly as I bowed. “I’ll leave both of you to it.”

I turned to go immediately but his voice cut through the room again, cold and commanding.

“Stay.”

My hand tightened around the box as I stopped. I shut my eyes briefly, trying to tame my irritation and anger. 

Why would he ask me to stay after he had Lucienne? Wasn’t she enough? I could hear her mocking voice in my head.

“He knows where home is and he’ll be back.” 

And now he was back to her, with me on the side, lesser to nothing.

“The rest of you out.” He ordered and I turned back to see Lucienne’s sharp gaze now directed to him, staring like she had just been slapped by him. 

“But Kael, I just got here. You just got back. Let me spend the night—” 

A glare from him cut her words short, and she clenched her jaw angrily. She picked her robe from the floor, slipping it on as she stormed away from him.

She stopped in front of me, anger rolling off her in waves and her eyes blazing. “You’ll pay for this,” she hissed out.

She stormed off, Carius following closely behind her and shutting the door, leaving just the alpha king and me in the room.

The silence that followed was, and felt heavy. He walked toward the bar without looking at me. He pulled out a bottle and poured himself a drink, downing it in one go.

I swallowed. The anger inside of me simmered dangerously, mixing with the ache sitting deep in my chest. He poured another glass and sipped this time, the room tensing more in unbearable silence. 

“Have you eaten?” he suddenly asked.

A frown pinched my face, surprised at the question. I met his gaze to see him watching me in his careful, assessing way.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Kael.”

I didn’t respond, didn’t act like I heard him. I didn’t want to be here anymore, not to mention calling his name. 

“I’ve been waiting for you for a while now,” he continued. “Where were you?”

I pressed my teeth together before answering. “I went out with Tina and Lady Misha.”

“Where?”

“Around the pack.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?” 

I clenched my jaw this time, my fist tightening on the box. He would ask all the right questions, act like he cared but still never want me. “Of course.” 

Silence followed again. I glanced at him to see his eyes drop to the box in my hand before lifting back to 

“What’s that?”

The anger in me burned hotter at the way he spoke, calm and unaffected, like he hadn’t just been kissing another woman moments ago. Didn’t he feel the bond between us? Or did he not feel weird about it and would try to say something? 

Or maybe he didn’t have to.

I was just here to bear his heir.

“It’s a gift,” I replied, matching his tone.

He frowned slightly.

“A gift? For me?”

He stood up and walked toward me, closing the distance between us until his presence surrounded me completely.

His scent filled the air, warm and dangerous. My wolf stirred despite everything, a soft purr vibrating in my chest. I hated that reaction. I hated how my body responded to him even when my heart was hurt.

“Is it for me?” he asked again, his voice quieter now.

I nodded and held the box out to him.

He took it slowly and unwrapped it, his fingers moving over the paper before opening the box.

I watched his face carefully as he picked up the pendant, turning it slightly between his fingers.

“It’s a wolf,” he said simply.

I swallowed nervously. “Yes… I just thought it would go well with the…” my entire head blanked instantly, my hands getting clammy.

Why was I suddenly nervous? I should not be nervous. He should be.

I swallowed again. “The… mark on your chest.”

Suddenly, he reached for the necklace on his neck, pulling it off and removing the pendant on that one, dropping it carelessly to the ground.

He slipped the new one on and wore it again before looking at me, and I watched his face crack with a small smile at the corner of both his lips. My heart tightened painfully in my chest at the sight, making me wonder how he would look again without his mask.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful,” he muttered.

My cheeks flushed at his voice. I could feel my anger slipping away, giving way into something soft and warm which I didn’t want. 

“Can I go to bed now?” I mumbled. “I’m quite tired.”

“Oh…” he replied, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face before clearing his throat. 

“Sure… I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

My chest tightened more at his words. No explanation. No remorse. Just making sure I was okay to still give him his baby. 

“Of course I’m fine.” I forced a smile, “Goodnight.”

I turned to leave, my hands feeling empty compared to when I entered, and my heart heavier. I had just gotten to the door when he called back,

“Ilyana…wait.”

I turned back to see a flicker of unease on his face. My brows furrowed faintly. Why did it look like the alpha king was nervous? 

“I have something for you.” He forced out. 

He turned and picked something from the chair before meeting me where I stood. In his hand was a folded paper and a small box tied together.

“For me?” I stuttered.

“Yes.” His voice was hoarse, barely audible before he cleared his throat again, “I hope you like them.”

I took them from his hands, still unsure of it all. I eyed the box and paper in my hands. Did he really get me something? And if he did, why would he? Why didn’t he mention it earlier? Was this his way of apologizing? 

I shoved the thoughts to a pause as I faced him,  “Thank you,” I said. 

He nodded back at me without a reply and I turned back to the door, stepping out of the room. My fingers hitched to open it but I waited, making sure I was closer to my room before yanking the band off. 

My heart was racing in my chest in a way it never had before.

What was inside? What could it be?

I started with the paper, my hands fumbling with it as I unrolled it, and everything stilled. 

It was a drawing. 

Of me. 

It was from the jubilee party, my hair pinned in the messy bun, and the scarf and necklace sitting on my neck. It was beautiful and raw. I didn’t know how he did it or when this was. But it was the most beautiful I had ever seen myself, and something warm spread through me, slow and unfamiliar.

Every bit of anger melted away as I stared at it. And it made me even more eager to see what was inside the box.

I walked quickly, saving it until I got inside my room. I had just reached the entrance when my nose caught a strange scent.

I froze.

Slowly, I pushed the door open, and my breath caught. Every thought of the box and picture flying out at the sight in front of me.

The windows were open, the night breeze rustling the curtains gently. 

Lucienne stood right in front of them, still in the robe she wore from the alpha king’s room.

She turned to me as I entered, her lips curving into a cruel smirk as a table knife spun lazily between her fingers.

A chill ran down my spine at her voice.

“Welcome.” She said softly, “I’ve been waiting.”