Chapter Five

TWO DAYS LATER…

“Surprise!”

My bedroom door burst open before I could finish tying my robe. Aiden and Liam stood in the doorway wearing matching grins that immediately set off alarm bells in my head.

What were they up to this time?

“We brought gifts,” Liam announced.

Fuck.

Before I could protest, the parade started.  Maids filed in carrying designer shopping bags with logos I’d only seen in magazines Tom couldn’t afford. Gucci. Prada. Versace. Box after box of jewelry that probably cost more than my adoptive parents’ house. Shoes in every color, heels so high they looked like weapons.

“What is all this?” I backed against the wall as my room transformed into a boutique.

“Your wardrobe,” Aiden said, like it was obvious. “Can’t have our sister walking around in—” He gestured at my borrowed sweats. “That.”

A maid opened a velvet box. Diamonds caught the morning light, refracting rainbows across the ceiling.

“This is too much.” My voice came out small. “I don’t need—”

“You deserve everything.” Liam squeezed my shoulder. “And we have nineteen years of birthdays and Christmases to make up for. This is just the beginning, little sister.”

Oh my God.

I was still in awe as I stared at everything - things that I never dared to dream of…all within my reach.

It thrilled me and scared me at the same time…because everything was just too much..way too much for my brain to process and catch uo wit without spinning.

“Come on.” Aiden grabbed my hand. “Breakfast is ready. You can look through everything later.”

I let them pull me down hallways I still got lost in, past servants who bowed so low I wanted to tell them to stop. 

The past few days had been…crazy to say the least.

My brothers had been hell bent on spoiling me, and my mother was no different.

They seemed so excited, happy but me? I still had no idea how to feel about the strange and drastic turn my life had taken overnight.

In fact I have never had space to actually process everything - with everyone all over me every second. I wish they coulkd just give me the time to think about everything. But I had no idae how to explain that to them without sounding rude so injust went with every flow.

The dining hall was massive, with antable that could seat thirty and enough food to feed an army.

Why was every single thing here so…exxagerated.

I mean I get that they are rich bjut since it was just the three of us - was all these really necessary?

I shook my head, as I took a seat beside Aiden.

They had no value for materials, splurging and wasting because it came easy for them. I bet there are people in this kingdom who cannot afford to eat three square meals a day.

I picked at scrambled eggs while my brothers watched me like I might disappear if they blinked.

“You barely ate anything yesterday.” Aiden hadn’t touched his own plate. He just sat there, monitoring my fork like it was his job.

“I’m fine.” I forced down another bite, but it tasted like sawdust, “Just not used to eating this much.”

“Not used to—” Liam’s fork clattered against his plate. “What did those humans feed you? You’re too thin. Mother’s right, we need to—”

“Liam.” Aiden’s voice dropped an octave. “Don’t interrogate her.”

“I’m not interrogating!” Red crept up Liam’s neck. “I’m concerned! She’s our baby sister who was raised by strangers who clearly didn’t take proper care of—”

“They took great care of me.” The words came out sharper than I meant. “Tom and Sarah loved me. They gave me everything they had.”

My brothers exchanged a look, before Aiden smiuled and picked up his own fork.

“Of course.” Aiden’s tone was careful, measured. “We didn’t mean to imply otherwise. We just want to make sure you have everything you need now.”

“What I need is space to breathe.” The words came out before I could stop them. But I couldn't take them bacl. I have been meaning to say this for days.

Liam flinched like I’d slapped him and Aiden’s expression went blank—that practiced royal mask I was learning to hate.

“We’re just trying to protect you.” Liam said, “We lost you once. We’re not losing you again.”

“I know. I’m sorry. This is all just… a lot.”

“We understand you, Elara and trust me there is nothing we want more than your confort. If distance is what you need then….”

“Thank you Aiden.” I gave him a grateful smile which he returned with a small one of his own, “I am thinking I can actually give myself a tour. It feels like ive been locked in here like a prisoner. I want to see the kingdom…everything.”

‘That can be arranged,” It was Liam who spoke now, “But you are not living without an escort. It’s not safe. Morgana could have spies anywhere—”

“Morgana?” I set down my fork. “Who’s Morgana?”

Another look passed between them, but this time it was heavier. 

“Mother’s twin sister.” Aiden leaned back, arms crossed. “It’s complicated. Everything about her is complicated. We’ll explain more when you’re settled, but for now, you need to understand that there are people who might want to hurt you.”

“So I’m a prisoner?” I shoved back from the table. “I went from a jail cell to a palace cage?”

“It’s not like that—” 

“Then what is it like?” I stood with a force that made the chair scrap against marble. “Because it feels like everyone here wants to control me. Dress me up, teach me to be some perfect princess, keep me locked away—”

“We’re trying to keep you alive!” Aiden rose too, and the air thickened with tension, “You have no idea what dangers exist in this world. What Morgana is capable of. She’s the reason you were taken in the first place!”

I froze.

“What?”

“Morgana orchestrated your kidnapping.” Aiden’s jaw clenched. “Jealous that our mother became Queen instead of her. She’s been gathering followers for years, building power, waiting. If she learns you’re alive—”

“We suspect she already knows.” Liam cut in. “She’s demanding an audience with Mother thiis afternoon. We have no idea what it is about.”

My stomach dropped. “Then I should be there. If this is about me—”

“Absolutely not.” They spoke in unison, their voice hard and stern but I'd be damned if they thought they could intimidate me with all that macho Alpha nonsense.

“She’s…”

“Youn need to listen and trust us, Elara. We need you here…hidden and safe. Morgana will not lay an eye on you until we understand fully what she is planning.”

“You can’t just decide—”

“I can and I am.” My brother snapped, “As your Alpha and your brother. This isn’t up for debate, Elara.”

My vision blurred, and I clenched my fist hard to stop myself from flowing. I dont care who they think they are or what power they think thet had ober me but I would not give them the satisfaction of watching me fall apart.

“I’m not a child!” My voice cracked.

“Then stop acting like one!”

My wolf surged in defense and rage flooded my vision. I felt my claws extend on their own and for a fleeting moment the rage was back.

“Don’t use that fucking on tone on me ever again.”

“Somebody needs to, since you clearly don’t understand—”

“Hey!” Liam shoved between us. “Both of you, stop. Elara, he’s not trying to control you. He’s scared. We both are.” His voice cracked. “The thought of losing you again—we can’t go through that. Please.”

The fight drained out from me  like someone pulled a plug. 

But it didn’t make the walls any easier to breathe through.

“I need air.” I moved for the door before either could stop me.

-----

The gardens were too perfect—manicured hedges, flowers that probably had their own servants. I collapsed on a stone bench, fighting tears I refused to let fall.

“Running away already?” I jumped at the sound of Thorne’s voice.“That’s got to be a record.”

I spun, and my heart lept in joy when I saw him leaning against the trunk of an old oak tree, arms crossed and his expression unreadable.

“I’m not running. Even though thatb is the best thing to do at this point.” I’m escaping.”

“You think the best thing is to run from your brothers who love you?” One eyebrow arched. “Tough life, princess.”

“Don’t.” I pointed at him. “Don’t call me that. And don’t pretend you understand.”

“I don’t.” He pushed off the tree, closing the distance with slow steps, “But I heard the shouting from the training grounds. Pretty sure the whole pack did.”

“Great. Perfect. Now everyone knows I’m a disaster.”

“Everyone knows you’re adjusting.” He stopped close enough that I caught his scent—pine and smoke, “That you’re scared and overwhelmed and lashing out because you don’t know how else to cope.”

“I’m not scared.”

“Liar.” But his tone was gentle.

“It’s overwhelming,” I whispered. “Everything. I don’t know who I am anymore. Human Elara died in that alley. Wolf Elara is a stranger. Princess Elara doesn’t exist yet. And this—” I gestured between us. “Whatever this is, it’s one more thing I can’t control.”

Thorne closed the remaining space. His hand cupped my cheek, thumb catching a tear.

“You’re still you. Human, wolf, princess—those are just labels. Underneath, you’re still the girl who survived nineteen years alone. Strong enough to handle whatever comes next.” His other hand found my waist, pulling me closer. “Including this.”

The bond flared, golden and demanding. My hands pressed against his chest, feeling his heart thunder.

“Thorne.”

“I know.” His forehead rested against mine.

He tilted my chin up. Our lips were inches apart, breaths mingling.

I whispered his name again, but it was desperate…not a protest.

And I saw his eyes flash before he crushed his lips on mine in a mind numbing kiss.