Chapter 4

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“No! Alpha…” I say softly, forcing a smile I don’t feel, trying to remain calm. “Please. Allow me this small mystery for tonight. I promise our next encounter will be different.”

He studies me for a long moment, his gaze heavy with suspicion. I can feel the decision forming behind his eyes.

Then, slowly… he lets go.

I let out a discreet sigh of relief when he releases me. I take a few steady steps back and sink into a deep curtsy.

“Greetings, my Alpha,” I whisper.

“Rise,” he says.

I stand and meet his eyes. My lips curl faintly. Maybe he’s not what I expected.

“Walk with me,” he says.

“Of course, my Alpha,” I reply, slipping my hand into the curve of his arm.

We walk deeper into the garden, moving toward a secluded grove where the lamps don't reach. My grip on his arm tightens. I have always been afraid of the dark. It is where the worst things happen in the Beta's house.

“Scared when you are right next to me?”

I look up at him and think. That’s right. Whatever is in the dark should be afraid of this brutal monster.

His steps stop.

Slowly… he turns his head toward me.

“Brutal monster?” he mumbles, as if testing the words. The blood drains from my face. I said it out loud.

“My king, I deserve to be…”

“Punished,” he finishes for me. “Tell me… what punishment would keep that mouth of yours occupied?”

I shake my head, unable to find an answer.

“I have no idea, Alpha Kieran.”

He holds my gaze, then his eyes move low, fixing on my lips with a dark intensity that sends shivers down my spine.

He leans down, and this time, I don't move.

I know the cost, but he is mine—my mate. We are deep in the shadows. No one can see us here.

Our breath mingles. His hand slides behind my neck, pulling me closer.

Our lips are only an inch apart when a flicker of light catches my eye.

“Goddess… is that a firefly?” I ask, my voice rising with genuine excitement.

He stops, stepping back and turning to look.

“There are many in this part of the garden,” he says. They are everywhere, tiny stars drifting through the darkness.

“This is beautiful. I have never seen them before. I've only ever heard the others describe them,” I whisper, almost afraid to touch the moment.

Because nothing beautiful in my life has ever lasted.

“I find it hard to believe the daughter of the Beta has never walked her own gardens at night,” he says.

I stiffen. Goddess—I just gave myself away. Steadying my voice, I lie.

“Yes... Father is quite protective. He thought a proper lady shouldn't be out in dark places after sunset.”

I watch his face, praying to the moon goddess that he buys the story. He looks around the garden, his gaze softening.

“The fireflies dance for us,” he murmurs.

I nod.

“Our secret,” I whisper back.

...~...

Minutes pass. I know it’s time to end this. The weight of my lie is becoming unbearable. Every second I spend in his presence is a second closer to my execution.

But why do I feel like he doesn't want this to end?

“I should go back now,” I whisper, my heart breaking as I begin to pull my hand from his.

“Yes,” he nods.

He seems distant now. I must be wrong about him wanting this. He is a king, and just like he said, this was just a political debt. He likely thinks the bond was a mistake after I denied it.

Tears sting the back of my eyes as I turn to walk away, each step feeling like I'm tearing my own heart out, like I'm walking away from something I shouldn't leave behind, but I force my feet to move.

One step.

Then another.

I reach the edge of the lamp-lit path and stop. The bond is a physical weight, a chain that pulls me back toward him.

The logic of a servant tells me to run. But the soul of a mate... it demands finality.

If I'm to die for this lie, I want to know what it feels like to truly live, if only for a heartbeat.

I turn back.

Alpha Kieran is still standing where I left him, his intense gaze watching me with a look of profound longing. I must be wrong again, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I've made up my mind.

If I walk away now… I will never know what this feels like. And I think that will haunt me more than death.

I walk back to him, my pace quickening until I am standing directly in his space.

He looks at me with interest, like he wants to know what I'm up to.

I reach up, my hands trembling, but determination burning within. I grab the collar of his dark shirt and pull him down.

I don't wait for permission. I press my lips to his.

The world dissolves.

The garden, the blood moon, and the threat of Silas all vanish into a blur of heat and hunger.

It's a desperate, forbidden act, a crime of the highest order.

“Is that all you were taught?” His voice is hoarse against my lips.

I look into his eyes at a loss. I’ve never… done this before. I’m only a servant. No one has ever taught me how to please a man.

“I... I don't know what else to do,” I admit as his arm wraps around my waist, pulling me so close I can feel the frantic, heavy beat of his heart against my own. His fingers intertwine in my hair, tilting my head back, and he captures my lips properly this time.

I shudder as sparks travel through all the nerves as his lips move against mine with a hunger that leaves me breathless.

I should stop this. I don’t. My lips part… and he takes that as permission and slips his tongue inside.

Goddess, the kiss tastes of freedom—rain, leather, and something ancient.

This is how I die. And I don’t stop.

One touch is a crime. One kiss is a death sentence.

But in this moment, I am a woman being claimed by her mate.

I push him, pulling away before I lose my resolve entirely.

He looks breathless, his eyes burning, but there is something darker beneath it. Something possessive. Something that has already decided I belong to him.

And that hurts more, because this isn't meant to be.

I don't give him a chance to speak. I turn and flee into the shadows, the silk of my dress catching on the rosebushes as I run back.

~~~

The moment I step into the enormous living room, something feels wrong. The air is too still. Too cold.

Then I see her.

Lady Victoria is waiting for me, her face a mask of pure fury.

The magic of the garden dies, and I'm met with the cold, hard reality of my life.

“My lady.” I whisper, bowing my head as I come to a halt.

Victoria sneers, her arms crossed over her chest as she strides toward me. My fingers clutch at the silk of the dress as the familiar fear returns like a storm.

She reaches me and leans close, sniffing the air around me. Then, with a sudden, violent movement, she yanks the gold mask off my face and brings the heavy mask down across my cheek.

Pain explodes. My vision blurs.

“You're just a lowly servant!” she screams. “How dare you touch my Alpha? How dare you kiss him with your filthy mouth?!”

The world spins. She had someone spying on us... I'm doomed.

I drop to my knees, my pulse pounding in my chest as the shadows crawl in…

Ready to swallow me whole.

Ready to erase me completely.

And this time… I know I will not survive it.