13

ALINA

“My name’s Lisa, by the way,” the blonde said, tossing a smile over her shoulder as she led the way.

I blinked, caught off guard, and nodded too quickly. I should say something back, right? That’s what normal people did in social settings.

“I’m—”

“Alina. Yeah, pretty much everyone already knows.” She shrugged like that was common knowledge.

“Oh,” I replied, voice flatter than I intended.

I hadn’t expected anyone to know who I was. Even if Alexander had made it his mission to let the world know I belonged to him.

“Don’t worry,” Lisa added, slowing her pace a little. “I haven’t heard anything bad.” Her smile said that was supposed to make me feel better.

She came to a sudden stop, turning to face me fully. Her eyes shimmered with warmth in a way I didn’t expect anyone from this place to have. She seemed kind. “The only thing I heard is that you’re really pretty. And I’ve gotta say… they weren’t wrong.”

Heat rushed up my neck and I ducked my gaze, trying to keep my voice steady. “Thank you.”

I patted my shoulder mentally, for not stammering or completely falling apart. That had to count for something. Maybe I was getting the hang of this socializing thing. I might even make a friend.

“The door’s just up ahead.” She pointed toward the hallway’s far end.

We walked a little more, twisting through turns I barely registered. I’d been too wrapped up in thoughts to pay attention. Now I had no idea how to retrace my steps back. Smart, Alina. Very smart.

“Are you not coming with me?” I asked, pausing when she did.

She shook her head, expression apologetic. “We’re not allowed near that room. It’s the king’s private drawing room. Only members in his inner circle get in. Unless I’m with the housekeeper, I’m not allowed past this point.”

A cold tingle rolled down my spine, settling in my stomach. It made me nauseous.

“Relax,” she chuckled, trying to ease the tension she clearly saw on my face. “It’s just protocol.”

I nodded, even though my nerves were tightening by the second. I made a mental note to find her later. First to ask her about the rules no one bothered to explain to me. She was the first person who had spoken to me like I was actually human.

“So… I should just go in?” I asked carefully.

The last thing I needed was to make a dumb mistake and draw more attention to myself. The more Alexander saw me, the more chances he had to realize I wasn’t like them. Not a lycan. Not theirs. And if he ever figured that out…

He’d peel my skin off in layers. And I’d never live long enough to carry out what I came here for.

Right. Revenge.

I had almost forgotten.

Jamie’s voice came back in my head, along with the sound of his laughter filled with bitterness. I could still hear the way they mocked me when I said I would avenge my parents.

No one believed me back then. I hadn’t even shifted yet. I was just some powerless omega with nothing but a promise.

A promise to bring down the most feared man alive.

When I thought about it like that, I couldn’t even blame them for laughing.

But I’ve always believed nothing is impossible. And here I am. Inside his palace. Breathing his air. Under his protection. Even if it’s more of a cage than a shelter. I never thought I’d get this close. And maybe, just maybe, that means I have a real shot.

“Hey, where’d you go?”

I jumped as her hand touched my shoulder, instinct reacting before I could stop it. Back at the camp, that kind of touch meant danger. Pain.

But when I looked up, it was Lisa again, her face apologetic and kind.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I forced out a breath and shook my head. “It’s okay. I’m just… being silly.”

She looked like she wanted to say more but chose not to. I appreciated that.

“You should head in before the Alpha arrives. He won’t like that you kept him waiting.”

The words made my stomach twist. That feeling again.

“What do I even say?” My voice trembled, barely a whisper. Inside, I was shaking like a leaf stripped bare in the dead of winter.

“Nothing complicated,” she replied, giving a little shrug. “Just introduce yourself. Let them do most of the talking.”

Her eyes darted over her shoulder, checking the hallway behind me like she was expecting someone. I didn’t ask why. Maybe paranoia was normal around here.

“I heard he’s Alexander’s only real friend. They get along well. He’s supposed to be… nice.”

She paused.

“Well, as nice as anyone can be if they’re close with him.”

She motioned me forward, hurried now. “Go, go, go.”

I didn’t understand the rush. Until I heard the steady echo of footsteps behind me.

My body took over before my brain could. I sprinted to the door.

At the threshold, I paused, casting a glance back at Lisa. I didn’t know why I trusted her so quickly. Maybe because she was the only one who didn’t look at me like I was something to scrape off their shoe.

She gave me two enthusiastic thumbs up.

‘You’ve got this’. Her look said.

I hadn’t “got” anything.

Still, I didn’t have the luxury of panic. So I knocked once and stepped inside.

The door shut behind me with a soft, ominous click.

It felt like locking myself in a cell.

I looked up and froze. My breath caught the moment our eyes met.

Black. Almost entirely black, swallowing all light.

Then my gaze moved from the eyes to the man they belonged to and holy shit.

He was beautiful.

“Who are you?” a woman’s voice cut through the moment.

I blinked, pulling my eyes away.

That’s when I noticed her. Sitting beside me like a perfectly dressed statue. She looked me over like I was a puzzle missing all its pieces.

I might as well have been naked.