Chapter-5 "Entalia"

Alice POV 

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Beautiful high mountains are covered with greenery; the river water is as lustrous as a mirror, illuminated by the golden and blue lights of Entalia’s sun.

The outskirts of the capital are surrounded by a dark, thick forest with sky-high trees and a shiny magical protection fence. The landscape contains four main areas: Royal High, Downtown, the Officials’ Quarters, and the Royal Court Hall.

Royal High is where the royal members live in a luxurious and beautiful palace—a glass castle perched at the top of the Black Mountain Heights. The area also includes servants' quarters for royal staff, surrounded by the endless beauty of waterfalls and lush greenery.

The Officials’ Quarters are designated for Alphas, generals, commanders, and other ranks—Betas, Gammas, Deltas—and their families. These quarters are luxurious, with accommodations suited to their ranks, but most of them prefer to stay within their packs and use them only when they are in the capital.

Downtown is home to non-officials and lower-ranking Wolves, featuring well-built houses, markets, clinics, schools for children, training arenas for wolves, and other essential facilities.

The Royal Court Hall contains a court building, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. The outskirts are lined with royal penthouses built atop giant sky trees and guest quarters nestled on high hills.

Standing on the balcony of my luxurious queen’s suite, I admire the breathtaking beauty of Entalia from the high vantage point of Royal High.

“Welcome back, sis,” a familiar voice calls out from behind me. I turn to find my dear cousin, Ellyn, her beautiful smile lighting up her whole face. It's been a long time since I saw her. We grew up together, so practically, we have never been separated for this long.

We hug each other tightly.

“I am so excited for the ritual tonight,” she says, taking my hands in hers, meeting my eyes with a warm smile. “I missed you, Alice.”

“I missed you too, Ellyn,” I reply, squeezing her hand and returning the smile.

“I hope you’re ready for this,” she asks, searching my eyes for an answer. Like Dad, Ellyn supported me unconditionally but also couldn't help but worry about me.

“Indeed, I am,” I replied confidently.

---

After meeting so many people, I was exhausted. I let out a yawn. It’s already afternoon, but I still have some time before the midnight ritual begins. I decided to take a nap.

I quietly open the door and step inside, careful not to make any noise. I glance around the room—it’s empty. Letting out a sigh of relief, I walk toward the coffee table near the couch and place the food tray down. Still no sign of the devil.

Thank goodness! I can do my work quickly and leave.

I pick up the clothes scattered on the floor from last night, change the bedsheet, and head for the door with the clothes and sheets tucked under my arm.

As I step outside, closing the door behind me, I bump into someone. I look up to meet the dark green orbs of the devil incarnate. A shiver runs down my spine as I see the wheels turning in his mind, undoubtedly plotting something that won’t end well for me—I can tell. His lips curl into a smirk, confirming my guess.

Clenching my fists, I stare at him with anger and hatred boiling in my veins as he smirks devilishly, daring me to start something.

Deep down, I am afraid. What will he do next? But I refuse to let him win. I won’t submit to my fear or to him.

Seeing my defiance, his eyes flicker between gold and dark green before settling on his greens—his wolf, Damon, is fighting for control, but he won't let it happen.

He sneers at me. “Where do you think you’re going, little slave?”

I want to scream at him that I’m not his slave, that he’s an asshole, but I bite my tongue and look away. No good will come out of cursing him.

When I don’t respond, he grabs my arm. I flinch, dropping the clothes in the moment. He yanks me back inside the room, slamming the door shut before throwing me onto the cold floor and walking away.

He sits on the couch and starts eating his breakfast like nothing happened.

What a psycho!

Now, he’s ignoring me? What’s wrong with this man? I pick myself off the floor and dust off my clothes. I glance at him one last time before stepping toward the door. He wants to mess with me, that's all. He’s done—now he won’t care if I leave, right? Wrong.

My hand barely touches the doorknob when I hear him growling from his seat. “Dare to take one more step,” he says, sending shivers down my spine. Yet I turn around and glare at him.

How could he speak to me like this? I won't let him.

He approaches me with slow, deliberate steps, like a predator stalking its prey. Stopping in front of me, he sneers. “Kneel.” His command makes my blood boil. How dare he? I am the princess of this realm.

I clench my fists and punch his jaw hard, but he doesn’t even flinch. Realizing my mistake, panic floods me. In the next moment, his fist is in my hair. He twists my arm behind my back at a brutal angle, closing the gap between us, my chest pressing against his.

His hot breath brushes my neck, making me shiver.

“You royal bitch, always love to play, huh?” he whispers softly and bites my earlobe. A whimper is about to escape my mouth, but I bite my lower lip to stifle it, refusing to give him any satisfaction.

He continues. “Didn’t you learn anything from the other night?” Right—last night, I refused to obey him, and he punished me by chaining me with silver in the torture room.

My wolf, Rhea, curls up in a ball, whimpering. She hates the way our mate treats us but doesn’t want to fight him. This makes me furious. I can’t stand this anymore.

I free myself from his grip and kick him hard in the crotch, fueled by adrenaline. As he doubles over, I punch his nose, drawing blood, and kick his stomach. I’m about to strike again when he recovers, grabbing my leg mid-air and pulling me down. I lose balance and crash down.

He pins me, crushing me under his full weight. Pinning both my hands above my head, he glares at me with his pitch-black eyes. Excitement, anger, and lust swirl in their depths.

He lets out an animalistic growl, and his lips clash into mine in a harsh, punishing kiss. He nips at my lower lip, demanding entrance. I clench my teeth, denying him, but he persists. The taste of blood fills my mouth—my blood.

I snap, biting his lip with equal force. The metallic taste of his blood fills my mouth.