The first thing he noticed was the lights. It was way too bright.

The lights?

His eyes shot open instantly, taking in the moment. It was bright. Morning bright, and he was just waking up.

What the…?

Did Caelum's herbal tea help so much that he slept through the night and woke up this late?

He sat up, his whole body so relaxed from just a night of full sleep. Was this how it felt to be normal?

He glanced at the bedside table where a cup of herbal tea lay untouched and paused… the tea was still there, full and untouched.

The memories came crashing down.

Freya in his room.

Adina who allowed her in, and him, who had hugged her and slept off?

What in the world? He, who hadn't been able to sleep for days, suddenly slept off so easily?

Was he losing his mind… or was it… her?

Was it the bond?

No. That couldn't be. He had rejected her. Every chance he got, he reminded her—and himself—that this bond meant nothing. That it was a mistake. That she was not his mate. He hadn't even let her wear his mark, hadn't sealed the connection.

So how… how the hell was this happening?

It was the second time he would sleep so easily and calmly in her presence.

Thorne shook his head as he got off the bed. He needed answers to the questions bugging his mind.

_______

He was buried in reports before Caelum even entered—mostly to distract himself so he'd stop thinking of what he'd done the previous day.

Grain stockpiles, border conflicts, council meetings… none of it could hold his attention. He kept thinking about her. He was failing to distract himself. Instead, he found himself constantly obsessing over what had happened. The way her body had fit against his when he hugged her. The way her breath hitched. The way she stiffened.

He dropped the quill in his hands, groaning. This was a mess. He was a mess.

He barely noticed Caelum step in until the Beta cleared his throat pointedly.

"Your Majesty," he greeted, placing the reports from the day before on the table.

Thorne glanced at him, nodding. "Any complaints?" he asked.

"Nothing too much to worry about. The realms have been peaceful for the past few days," he replied, and Thorne hummed.

That was good… the realm wasn't in any imminent trouble or danger… it was peaceful.

And yet… it wasn't good for him. No, not when his job was lesser now, which gave his mind the opportunity to think about yesterday even more.

Oh, this was truly messed up.

Caelum watched the man intently. He didn't know what he'd been expecting when he entered the office, but it certainly wasn't this.

Thorne was well-rested. The bags under his eyes were fewer, and his face was calmer. Caelum shook his head… the Thorne he knew couldn't sleep without the herbs, and even then, he barely got an hour's sleep before he was awake again.

This Thorne, though… this was different.

"You slept well," he said, but it sounded like a question.

Thorne paused. "Yes," he replied curtly.

"Without the tea?"

Thorne said nothing.

Caelum blinked, then muttered, "Damn… She really is something else."

Thorne looked up sharply. "What did you say?"

Caelum shook his head, removing what he had walked into last night. He took a step forward. "What exactly are your plans with her?" he asked, going straight to the point.

Thorne blinked, startled. "What?"

"With Adina. What are you doing? It's just you're doing so much that contradicts your first stance. What are you doing—" Caelum continued, but Thorne had already tuned him out.

He had no answer because he didn't know.

He was the king. He was meant to be in control. But ever since that girl entered Obsidian, his entire world had been tipped over. His Lycan ached for her more than anything… and the more he refused it, ignored it. The more it burned him internally. The bond he'd sworn wasn't real now dragged tight around his chest, suffocating him.

It was almost like every single thing, including his own heart, was working against him.

Finally, he exhaled, shook his head. "I don't know."

Caelum didn't press. He never did.

And Thorne didn't say anything more. Instead, he turned to Caelum. "Freya came into my room last night. She claimed Adina let her in there…"

Caelum nodded thoughtfully, thinking back to what he had seen last night. He was just stepping out of Thorne's room when he saw Lady Freya come out of Adina's room. He had paused, confused. He didn't think the lady knew Adina, who was a slave, but alas…

"You don't believe her?" Caelum replied.

That was it about the Beta. He always seemed to know whatever it was that Thorne was thinking.

"I don't. Adina wouldn't allow her in, that much I know," he replied confidently. Meaning when Thessara had barged into the office saying Adina was looking for a way to nullify the bond. It happened right after the concubines came.

He might be oblivious to a lot of things, but this—this one he knew. She wouldn't go through such an extent if she wasn't bothered by it, right? So why would she ask Freya into his room?

"You want me to find out what happened yesterday?" Caelum asked, but Thorne shook his head.

"No. I want you to look into Freya instead," he said, remembering how she'd been at the library that day too.

'I heard his majesty likes his women well-read.'

He shook his head, something about her just didn't hit for him.

"I should look into Freya?" Caelum asked.

"Yes. Look into her," he paused, brows furrowing. "Come to think of it. All that we know about her is that she's Lord Carter's long-lost daughter."

"A sin from his past, apparently," Caelum said, thinking deeply. He then straightened up. "I'll look into her fully," he replied, pausing for a second.

"May I remind you of your individual dinner with each concubine?"

Thorne tensed. He had completely forgotten about that.

The individual dinners.

The council's brilliant idea to help him "nurture connection" with each of the chosen concubines.

He clenched his jaw. "When does it start?"

"Tonight," Caelum said, watching him closely. "The first one is Lady Verona."

Thorne shook his head. "Reschedule it."

"Your Majesty…" Caelum sighed. "You've already delayed this three times. They'll know you're dragging your feet on purpose."

"Well, I am dragging my feet on purpose. Reschedule it," he ordered, and the Beta sighed internally.

"As you command."

Thorne hummed, hands clasped behind him as he stared out the window. His gaze caught on someone familiar.

"Caelum," he called, and the Beta looked at him.

He turned to face him. "I'll be having dinner tonight with all twelve concubines."

At this, Caelum's eyes widened. All twelve of them? They all could barely get along with each other as it was… all twelve in the same space? It was trouble.

_________

Adina stood stiffly beside the king, her arms glued to her sides as if even breathing too loudly would trigger something. Her eyes flicked across the dining hall, trying not to make too much eye contact with any of the twelve elegantly dressed women.

Thorne sat at the head of it, like a carved statue—stoic, unreadable. The only thing alive about him were his eyes. They were sharp and watchful, and right now, they were on her.

Adina swallowed, feeling extra hot. She had prayed to the goddess to remove her from situations like this. One where she'd be surrounded by these women and Thorne, but it didn't look like her prayer was answered.

Thankfully, none of the women seemed to notice this. Not with them fawning over themselves. They giggled and fawned as they sipped their wine, complimenting the hall, the food, and especially the man they were all here for.

"Your Majesty, you look even more handsome tonight than you did yesterday," Lady Verona purred.

"Truly, your aura is so powerful—it's intoxicating," another gushed, batting her lashes.

Adina resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Thorne gave noncommittal nods, replying with a few low hums and the occasional "Thank you" that made them swoon even harder.

Adina forced herself not to shift on her feet. Her ankles were already starting to ache from standing still for too long.

But thankfully, their foods were done being served. She stepped forward, ready to be the king's poison taster, and just as she placed the spoon in her mouth, her stomach let out the most horrifying growl.

Adina froze, the spoon halfway into her mouth. She swallowed quickly, bowing her head. "I'm sorry."

"Oh dear," one of them said, dabbing at her lips with a napkin, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Did the royal taster forget to taste her own meals today?"

"How unfortunate," another chimed in, her tone sickeningly sweet. "Someone get the poor thing a scrap of bread, perhaps?"

Thorne's gaze flicked to her. His brows knit. "When was the last time you ate?"

Adina didn't answer. Not with all their eyes on her. She hadn't eaten since noon the previous day.

"I asked you a question," Thorne said again, louder this time, Thessara's words ringing in his ears. She wasn't eating. At all.

Adina looked at him, eyes wide. "I—I don't remember."

It wasn't entirely a lie.

Thorne's jaw ticked. He turned to a guard near the door. "Bring her a plate. And make sure it's full."

The room froze.

Full? For a slave?

One of the concubines, the same one who'd praised his aura earlier, scoffed under her breath. "Surely a taste-tester doesn't need a whole plate."

Thorne's eyes darkened, and his voice dropped into something colder than usual. "Did I ask for your opinion?"

The woman immediately dropped her gaze. "N-no, Your Majesty."

Adina's entire body locked up. She wanted to vanish. Melt into the walls. Anything but this.

When the plate was brought, Thorne didn't let her take it to the corner or eat standing by the wall.

Instead, he pulled out the empty chair beside him and ordered.

"Sit."

Adina blinked. "I—I can't—"

"Sit," he ordered again, his voice low and deep.

And so she did. Thinking… What's happening with the king?