CHAPTER 1---Empty Promises

NEIRA

“Neira, you know what I am going to do? When I become Lycan King, I am going to build you a secret passage, with a giant moon crest lock and a chain over it.”

Our lips had barely parted when I looked at Keiran in surprise. I was still lying on top of him beneath the large duvet, my palms resting against his chest as I tried to catch my breath. His arm was wrapped around my waist, keeping me close, and I could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath my hand.

“A secret passage?” I asked, pulling the duvet higher around my body.

“Yes. From my study to your room.” His mouth curved into a smile. “It would be our secret code.”

I lifted my head and studied him. He looked completely serious.

“When I want to see you,” he continued, brushing my hair away from my face, “I can come straight here without anyone noticing.”

I stared at him for a moment before a smile slowly pulled at my lips.

“You want to build a secret passage just to sneak into my room?”

He nodded, his fingers moving lazily along my cheek. “I mean it. I am not joking about it.”

I laughed and lowered myself against his chest again. “You are insane, Keiran.”

He leaned closer and bit my ear gently. A tingling feeling ran through me, and I couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped.

“You like me ridiculous, don't you?” he whispered.

His hand moved slowly along my back, and for a moment, I let myself enjoy it. How could one man be so impossible and still have me wrapped around his finger so easily?

This was the side of Prince Keiran no one else knew.Outside these walls, he was ruthless and controlled. People lowered their heads when he walked past them. Soldiers listened when he gave an order. Even the elders watched every move he made with trembling eyes.

But with me, he was different. He teased me until I laughed, he knew when I was pretending to be annoyed. Sometimes he would pull me into his arms for no reason at all, and for those few moments, I could forget everything outside the room.

Then my eyes drifted toward the wall. A secret passage sounded romantic when he said it.

But what would it really be? Another way to hide me?

The smile slowly left my face. I looked back at him. “Is that how much you want to hide me?”

Keiran lifted my chin so I would look at him, his brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”

“A secret passage from your study to my room.” I touched his chest lightly. “So you can sneak in whenever you want.”

His mouth curved again. “What? Wouldn't it be more fun that way?”

I watched him, but the tight feeling in my chest only grew. Of course, I was a fool to think I could be anything more than what I was.

I had once been a princess from a kingdom his people conquered, I had been dragged into his kingdom and brought to him like some trophy he and his entire army had won.

Then my status had been raised from captive to concubine. It sounded better when people said it politely, but I knew what it meant.

I was still the captured omega who had been given a place in the palace because Prince Keiran wanted me.

I swallowed and looked at him again.

“Keiran, I really want to know.” My fingers tightened around the duvet.

“I have warmed your bed for three years. What am I to you?” The smile disappeared from my face.

Keiran's hand went still against my back, he only looked at me for a while, then he leaned forward and kissed me.

My eyes widened, he was avoiding the question. I pulled back and stared at him.

“Your Highness...” My voice became quieter as I looked down at the duvet. “Are you trying to avoid the question by kissing me?”

“Neira.” He took my hands and pressed them against his chest. “Why do you want to spoil the mood now?”

He reached toward my face, but I moved back slightly. My eyes burned.

“Do you still see me as the war captive who was captured and given to you as a concubine?” I asked.

His hand stopped between us, he looked at me for a long moment before cupping my face.

“You know that's not how I see you, Neira. You matter to me, and that's all you need to know for now.”

I stared at him. What? Was that even an answer?

Something inside me sank. I pressed a hand against my chest, trying to hold myself together.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then Keiran looked toward the window.

“You know I leave tomorrow. I would be away for three years. I was expecting you to keep me company, and now look at what you are doing.”

He looked back at me, and there was frustration in his eyes. “You're ruining the moment on purpose, isn't it? You know how much I cherish being around you, and you just had to ask this now.”

My chest tightened.“I just wanted to know—”

“I'll be gone for three years, Neira. To war and training as the next Lycan King.” He held my hands tightly. “I want you to wait for me.”

I looked down at his hands wrapped around mine. I wanted to promise him I would, but how could I wait three years for a man who couldn't even tell me what I meant to him?

“Neira?” His voice softened. “What is it? Are you planning to leave me?”

He lifted my hands and kissed them.

“Don't even think of leaving me. If I find you, I would kill you and kill myself.”