bChapter 203 /b

    ra’s POV

    I could feel the tension in my spine, every muscle stiffening. I didn’t need to look–he was watching me. I could feel his eyes on my back, heavy and unsettling.

    I turned slowly, my gaze meeting his. “You’ve been watching me this whole time?” My voice was cold, sharp like a de.

    Dorian grinned, that crooked, smug smile I hated. “Didn’t want to interrupt your little exercise routine,” he said with a casual shrug. “You’ve been asleep for days, thought you could use a stretch.”

    I clenched my fists, the urge to p him almost overwhelming. But I kept it together. “Why did I end up back here? I ran straight

    ahead!”

    “You think you did,” he mused, his tone dripping with amusement. “But the fog in these mountains has a mind of its own. Outsiders always get lost. Only Lycans know the way.”

    Frustration bubbled up inside me. Damn it. So that’s why he untied me.

    Now I couldn’t escape, not even if I tried.

    He shifted closer, his hand catching my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Speaking of which…” His eyes gleamed. “Did you Thorne just became the Werewolf King?”

    My breath hitched. “What?”

    know

    Dorian’s grin widened. “Yep. Got the news earlier. He crowned himself today. So much for the love he ims to have for you. As soon as you’re out of the picture, he’s eager to embrace that power.”

    My heart thudded in my chest, but I quickly regained myposure. “You’re wrong.‘

    The smile froze on his lips. “How’s that?”

    11

    “Werewolves can’t track Lycansi,” /iI said, my voice firm. “If Thorne wanted to find me, he had to be the King first. He didn’t do it for power. He did it for me.”

    Dorian’s face darkened. He stepped closer, his grip tightening on my chin. “You really believe that?”

    “I know it.” My voice didn’t waver.

    Dorian let out a derisive snort. i“/iiYou’ve /igot a lot of faith in him, don’t you?”

    “Of course, I do. He’s the man I love,” I said, meeting his gaze, challenging him to deny it.

    His expression twisted in anger, his grip on me tightening until it was almost painful. “Don’t you dare say that in front of me.”

    I didn’t flinch, staring back at him defiantly. “Why? The mighty Lycan King can’t handle a little truth?”

    Before he could reply, footsteps approached from behind us. A group of Lycans emerged from the mist, Alden stepping forward.

    “My King,” Alden said, bowing slightly. “The elders and Lady Amara are expecting you at the castle gate.”

    “Not now!” Dorian growled, his voice full of irritation.

    10:00 Sun, 24 Aug

    Alden lowered his head, his submission clear. Without a word, he and the others retreated back into the fog.

    I looked at Dorian, my voice icy. “You should go. Lady Amara is waiting for you.”

    ? . 69%

    His hand dropped from my chin, and for a moment, there was a heavy silence. Then, in a tone that was suddenly businesslike, he

    spoke.

    “Let’s make a deal, ra.”

    I rolled my eyes. “I’m not interested in making any deals.”

    38

    “You will hear me out,” he insisted, his tone firm. “When I bring you before the elders, you’ll behave. Pretend we’re in love, that we can’t wait to mate.”

    Iughed, the sound harsh and mocking. “And why would I do that?”

    “Because you have no choice,” he said, his voice growing darker. “Work with me, and iyou’ll /ihave my protection in the castle. Disobey me, and I’ll leave you to be torn apart by the Lycans. Some of my people… they’re not fond of werewolves.”

    I narrowed my eyes. His threat was clear. And it wasn’t empty. But there was one thing that stood out to me..

    “Why do I need your protection in your own castle?” I asked, my voice quiet, but sharp.

    Dorian clicked his tongue, his lips pressing into a thin line. He didn’t answer at first, but I could tell something was off.

    “Let me guess,” I continued, pressing him. “Your home isn’t exactly a paradise, is it? Someone’s a threat to you. Probably the elders?”

    He crossed his arms, his posture defensive. “Do you always have to be so damn perceptive?”

    “When my life’s at risk, I like to stay ahead of things,” I shot back.

    He let out a shortugh, shaking his head. “I’ll exin everything once we’ve made a deal. So, ra, what do you say? Do we have a deal?”

    I took a long moment, weighing my ioptions/i. Then, I nodded slowly,

    “Fine. Only temporary. I’ll y along in front of the elders. But you can’t force me to acknowledge any mate bond.”

    Dorian shrugged, clearly dismissive. “In the end, you’lle around.”

    His condescension was suffocating. He thought he had me cornered. But I knew better. The Lycan’s territory wouldn’t hold me forever. I’d find a way out. I always did.

    We shook hands, a brief but firm agreement between us.

    Dorian whistled, and Alden, along with the other Lycans, reappeared from the mist.

    “Let’s go,” Dorian said, motioning to the car.

    We climbed in, and the car began to move, cutting through the fog that thickened as we traveled deeper into the mountains. The air felt colder, fresher, the scent of pine trees mixed with distant wildflowers.

    The road twisted, clinging to the mountain slopes like a snake, and soon, a castle emerged from the mist–a magnificent structure

    69%

    that seemed to rise from the very rock itself.

    My breath caught in my throat.

    “Impressive, isn’t it?” Dorian’s voice cut through the silence.

    I didn’t answer right away. I didn’t want to admit it, but the sight of the castle was breathtaking. It was more magnificent than anything I had seen before. The stone walls seemed to rise effortlessly from the mountain, reaching for the sky, its towers piercing the clouds. The sun’s dying light bathed the structure in a golden hue, making it look almost magical.

    “Yeah, it’s…” I trailed off, my eyes fixed on the building. “It’s amazing.”

    Before I could say more, a figure emerged from the castle’s gates, rushing toward the car. A woman, tall, graceful, her silk andce dress fluttering as she moved. Her pale skin contrasted with the deep hues of the setting sun.

    “Dorian!” she called, her voice sweet and light.

    Dorian’s expression softened, and he opened his arms to greet her. “Amara,” he murmured, his voice tender. “I heard you were ill.”

    “Don’t listen to them,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “I’m fine. I just missed you.”

    She wrapped her arms around him, and for a moment, ra stood still, watching.

    So this was the woman Dorian cared about. The one who held his attention. I studied her carefully. She looked delicate, fragile even, but there was something in her eyes. Something that wasn’t quite as innocent as she seemed.

    She pulled away from Dorian and turned to me. “ra, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” she said, her voice smooth and weing.

    I nodded stiffly, keeping my guard up. “Thanks.”

    Before I could say more, she gestured for a maid to bring forward a jug of water. Amara smiled as she held it, but then, in a swift motion, she poured it all over me, soaking me to the bone.

    I froze, the cold water dripping off me in a cascade. The crowd around us gasped.

    Without thinking, I grabbed the jug from her hands and smashed it down on her delicate shoulder.

    The ss shattered with a sickening crack.

    She fell to the ground, her shock and pain evident on her face,

    Dorian’s furious shout pierced through the air. “What the hell, ra?!”

    But I ignored him, my voice low and fierce. “You were right about me. The rumors are true. I’m hot–tempered and ill–mannered. But let me make this clear–don’t mess with me/

    And just like that, the room fell silent.