Chapter 72 The New Maid
Kira’s POV
We made it to the royal wing in no time.
Adrian kicked the door open with his boot like he was storming a battlefield. Victoria trailed behind us, her footsteps hesitant and quiet, like she was trying to blend into the wallpaper.
He didn't say a word the whole way despite my protests, just marched on while I dangled over his shoulder, my face hot from the blood rush and the sheer embarrassment of it all.
Finally, he set me down on the plush rug in the middle of the room, gentle enough that I didn't stumble, but firm like he was planting a flag. I straightened up immediately, smoothing my dress and glaring daggers at him.
"What the hell was that?" I snapped, hands on my hips. "You think after one quick screw in the woods, I suddenly belong to you? Parading me around like some trophy in front of the whole town, saying all that possessive crap publicly? And don't get me started on the wrong message you're sending to your baby mama…she's the one you should be listening to, not playing house with me!"
He opened his mouth to respond, but before I could even finish my rant, he lunged forward without warning, yanking me against his chest. His arms locked around me like steel bands, and his lips crashed down on mine, hard and demanding. It was the kind of kiss that stole your breath and scrambled your thoughts…senseless, yeah, that was the word.
For a split second, my body betrayed me, heat flaring up from earlier, but then reality kicked in.
I struggled, pushing at his shoulders, twisting in his grip. No way was I letting him bulldoze me like this again.
I bit down on his lower lip…hard enough to taste a hint of blood. He jerked back with a sharp hiss, his eyes widening in surprise, but there was no anger there, just that infuriating spark of amusement.
I stood there, chest heaving, fists clenched at my sides. If he came at me again, I was ready to swing, even though I knew he'd overpower me in a heartbeat. "Listen to me, you overgrown mutt," I growled, pointing a finger right in his face.
"What happened earlier was a mistake. A huge, heat-of-the-moment, never-again mistake. That's the last time you ever get to see me naked, got it? I loathe you, Adrian. You let those pack idiots bully me for years, stood by while they treated me like trash. Don't for one second think I've forgiven you or forgotten any of it. I know how to hold a grudge better than anyone. And let's not forget…you already have a mistress and a kid. Go be with them. Fix your mess. And try your absolute best not to show your face in front of me again!"
He wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, looking completely unbothered, like I'd just commented on the weather.
A slow smile tugged at his mouth, and he stepped closer, crowding my space without touching me. "I deserve every word of that, Princess. Every damn one. I know I screwed up…big time…and I'll spend the rest of my life making it right. But here's the thing…the more you push me away, the closer I get. Until there's no space left between us at all. You're mine, whether you like it or not. Whether the kingdom likes it or not. Hell, whether the whole world likes it or not. I'll mark you over and over if I have to, claim you in front of every wolf from here to the borders. You're the only one who sets my blood on fire, the only one who makes this crown feel worth wearing. So fight me all you want…I'll just hold on tighter."
His voice dropped low on that last part, all gravel and promise, the kind of words that made my toes curl despite myself. Damn him for knowing exactly how to say that stuff.
I shoved down the unwelcome flutter in my stomach and met his gaze coldly. "Give me space, Adrian. I want to wash you off me…right now."
He exhaled slowly, a flash of real pain crossing his eyes, like I'd punched him in the gut. But he recovered quickly, leaning in just enough to brush his breath against my ear. "The more you wash me off, the more I'll imprint on you. Every time I don't smell myself on your skin, I'll fix it…gladly. Throw every stone you got at me, Princess. Yell, bite, push. I'll take it all. As long as you stay by my side, I'm good."
I crossed my arms, sulking hard, refusing to let him see how his words were getting under my skin. "Just leave. Now."
He stared at me for a long beat, then nodded once. Grabbing a shirt from the nearby chair, he pulled it on in one smooth motion, covering up that ridiculously delicious chest of his. Before I could react, he dropped a quick kiss on my bare shoulder…soft, almost tender…and walked towards the door without another word, shutting the door quietly behind him.
I waited a few minutes, just standing there back to the door, listening to the silence. Then I exhaled, slumping against the bedpost. What the hell am I even doing? Playing queen in this messed-up werewolf world? I need to get out of here, back to my real life. Back to LA, to reclaim everything that was stolen from me…my company, my reputation, all of it. No more distractions, no more—
I turned toward the bathroom, ready to scrub away the day, and screamed, my hand flying to my chest. Victoria was standing by the door, silent as a ghost, her eyes downcast. I hadn't even heard her come in fully or realized she was still there.
"You scared the crap out of me!" I gasped, trying to catch my breath.
She flinched, keeping her head bowed in total defeat. "I'm sorry…Abby…sorry…Your Highness."
I forced a smile, settling on the edge of the bed. "Come here, Victoria."
She started to move forward on her feet, but I held up a hand. "Nuh-uh. Get on all fours and crawl to me like the good dog you are."
She bit her lip hard, shame flushing her cheeks red. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, voice trembling.
I glanced at my nails, pretending to inspect them. "You're wasting precious time."
A tear slipped down her cheek as she dropped to her hands and knees, starting to crawl across the floor. I watched triumphantly, leaning back on my hands…yeah, this felt good. Payback for that lie that started this whole nightmare.
She was almost to me when a sharp knock echoed through the room. I smirked. "Go fetch, Victoria."
Another tear fell as she turned, humiliation written all over her face, and crawled back toward the door. She nudged it open with her shoulder…it was one of the guards, holding a small package. He looked confused as hell but handed it over without a word, and Victoria took it carefully between her teeth before turning and crawling back to me, the package dangling.
I took it from her mouth and patted her head like she was a puppy. "Good girl."
She stayed there on all fours, not daring to move, as I ripped open the parcel. Inside was the phone I'd requested..finally, a lifeline to the real world. I jumped up in excitement, nearly knocking her over. "Yes!"
"The guard said everything has been set up and it's ready for use," Victoria said humbly, still on the floor.
I raised an eyebrow. "Make that statement more respectful, maid."
She swallowed hard. "The guard said everything has been set up and it's ready for use, Your Highness."
I patted her head again. "Good. Now stay right there."
I didn't even glance at her anymore, too excited as I tore into the box fully. Pulling out the sleek phone, I turned it on…yep, all set up, just like he said. I went straight to Google, typing in "trending news in LA" and then "Summer's Group."
The first headline that popped up on my screen had me chilled to the bones, anger flaring up.