Chapter 4: Eavesdropping

Dahlia's P.O.V

As I watched the Alpha king's retreating figure, I felt a mix of relief and suffocation. The ballroom, now seemed oppressive, the sympathetic gazes of the guests weighing down upon my shoulders. I couldn't bear the thought of their pitying stares, the whispers behind my back, or the awkward and awful attempts at consolation.

I slipped through the crowds, avoiding eye contact, and made my way to the large set of double doors leading out to the hallways. The hallways were empty and even though I didn’t know my way around here, I still felt relieved. I didn't need their pity or their questions; I needed solitude, a moment to clear my head and recharge.

As I walked farther from the ballroom, the music and laughter faded, and I breathed deeply, letting the fresh air fill my lungs, and felt my shoulders relax, my tension easing.

No regrets, I reminded myself. Cade had broken our sacred vows, and he deserved every ounce of pain I'd inflicted upon his cheating ass and his outrageous mistress. But the party... I hadn't wanted their pity, their sympathetic smiles, or their whispered condolences. I'd had enough.

With a deep breath, I turned back towards the hall, determined to retrieve my bag and leave this night behind. But as I walked, the path twisted and turned, and almost all the hallways felt the same. I frowned, confusion creeping in. This wasn't right. I could've sworn I'd come from that direction.

Panic’s icy fingers wrapped around my heart as I quickened my pace. Where was I? The hall had seemed so close, but now... now it was as if I'd stumbled into a maze. No matter where I turned, it ultimately led to the same path. I was walking in circles, not making any progress at all.

I spun around, disoriented. A shiver danced down my spine. This wasn't just a hallway; it was a labyrinth, designed to confuse and trap.

Where the heck am I?

As I wandered through the labyrinthine hallways, my frustration only grew. Every door looked identical, every corridor a duplicate. Just when I thought I'd lose my mind, I spotted a door with an intricate symbol etched into the wood. I halted; hope a fluttering bird trapped inside my chest.

The symbol seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint where I had seen it before. I stepped closer, tracing the curves and lines with my fingers. Suddenly, recognition dawned, and my heart skipped a beat.

This was the Alpha King's symbol.

My eyes widened as realization hit me like a ton of bricks. This was his room. The private quarters of the man I'd deliberately let interfere in my marriage issues.

I hesitated, torn between flight and curiosity. Part of me screamed to leave, to flee from the potential danger lurking within. But another part, a reckless spark within me, urged me to stay.

My hand hovered over the handle, hesitant to touch it. But my feet seemed rooted to the spot, when I started to hear hushed voices from the other side of the door. I recognized the voice instantly – the Alpha King.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself leaning in, ears straining to catch every word.

"...cannot agree to such a ridiculous proposal," he said, his deep voice low and measured.

Proposal? What was he talking about?

The Alpha's voice grew more urgent, though still hushed. "I will not ask that of someone for my own gain. It's unacceptable."

"I understand the benefits," he continued, "but at what cost? We cannot be that selfish."

My hand instinctively reached for the door handle, hesitating. Should I open it? No, I'll get in trouble for that… I had to listen. I had to understand what was going on.

The Alpha King's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'll find another way, one that doesn't require...such a terrible price."

Suddenly, a second voice spoke, softer and more melodic. "But, Your Majesty, consider the consequences of refusal."

The Alpha's response sent chills down my spine. "Some prices are too high to pay. I will not ask that of anyone."

Ask what? Of whom? The questions swirled in my mind and made me eager for answers.

But at the same time, I felt like an intruder, eavesdropping on a secret conversation. Yet, I couldn't tear myself away.

What proposal? What Consequences? What price?...

As I leaned in closer, the second voice spoke up again. "But, Your Majesty, the curse grows stronger by the day. We must find a solution, and quickly.. The age .."

"I've explored every option," the Alpha King snapped in frustration. "But I'll not resort to desperation."

"Desperation?" The other voice sounded puzzled. "I'm merely suggesting we utilize available resources. That woman has healing abilities beyond the ordinary. She would come in handy."

My heart skipped a beat. They were talking about me.

Healing abilities…I knew my healing powers weren’t well known, but I didn’t doubt that the Alpha King would have knowledge of it. But if they were talking about me…then why did the conversation suddenly turn so dire?

What exactly did they plan on using me for that seemed to trouble the Alpha King so much?

But the Alpha King's words sent a jolt of realization through my veins. I vaguely remembered my parents talking about the Alpha King being cursed, and that there was a vicious rumor circling around as to why he still remained unmated at such an age.

Even today at the party, when I was still reeling from my husband’s betrayal and drowning my sorrows at the bar, I had heard the hushed conversations, and the whispers from the crowd. "Poor king, cursed by the gods." "He'll never find love." "His line will end with him."

Now, it all started to make some twisted kind of sense. The Alpha King's isolation, his reluctance to take a mate despite his age…

But what kind of curse? And who would want to curse the Alpha king? Had he been searching for a solution all along?

And what did any of that have to do with me? I was a healer, but I couldn’t use my healing to lift curses…that was just…outrageous!

The other voice pressed on. "But, Your Majesty, consider the benefits. Your curse could be lifted. Your people would be freed from fear and those vicious rumors would die down. You can finally get mated"

The Alpha King's response was firm. "I'll find another way. I will not bind her to me with problems or debt."

Bind me? Problems? Debt?

My mind reeled with questions, but one truth stood out – the Alpha King needed my help. And I had unknowingly eavesdropped on his private conversation.

Lost in thought, I had somehow failed to notice the eerie silence, until the door began creaking open. And suddenly, the door disappeared from in front of me, and I stumbled forward, losing balance. My hands flailed, grasping for support as I fell.

Time slowed as I landed, my palm connecting with something solid. And then we were both tumbling to the floor.

Thankfully, I landed hard on top of someone, groaning in pain as I tried to stand up or at least remove myself from the person I fell on top of.

Just then, a startled gasp echoed through the room. I looked up, trying to figure out what had happened…only to realize the situation a bit too late. My eyes widened, mortified.

Realization hit me hard as I found my hand rested on the Alpha King's pants, inches above his...

Oh god…

His eyes locked onto mine, surprise and something else – something primal – burning within them.

Under my palm, I felt him stir, his body responding to my touch.

My cheeks flushed as I yanked my hand back, scrambling to stand.

"Your Majesty," I stammered, avoiding eye contact. “I…I’m so terribly-”

But the Alpha King's voice cut me off, low and husky. "Dahlia?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his voice and as my eyes locked onto his, I saw the hunger in them. A kind of desire that had a chill run down my spine.