Chapter 12

It was evening, the kind where even the gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of blooming flowers—unnatural in the heart of winter. A perfect opportunity, Sandra thought, to seize the king’s attention.

She arrived at Alpha Karl’s residence, the place he had secluded himself for over a month. He had not summoned her, not spoken her name, not even looked in her direction. Word in the palace was that he had buried himself inside his observatory, drowning in strange studies of science. On the rare occasions he emerged, it was only to train. Cold as ice, ruthless as a slayer’s sword—some whispered that Lois’s escape had driven him to this state, enraging him, humiliating him. A powerless girl had shamed the entire palace guard.

“My lady, the king was not expecting you,” the attendant said, bowing politely.

“Tell the king I want to see him,” Sandra ordered, her voice sharp, leaving no room for refusal.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot disobey the king’s command. No one is allowed inside unless we—”

The attendant’s words were cut short by the stinging crack of Sandra’s palm across her cheek. Without another word, Sandra barged into the observatory.

Alpha Karl’s head lifted sharply at the intrusion. His expression darkened instantly, rage blazing in his eyes at the audacity of someone trespassing his sacred space. But just as quickly, the fresh scent of Lois’s wolf—now clinging to Sandra—reached him. His fury faltered, his jaw tightened. The rage dissolved, replaced by a raw, consuming hunger.

Sandra saw it, and her lips curved into a small, triumphant smile.

“How are you feeling, my king?” she purred, her tone soft yet edged with seduction. “I’ve heard you do not wish to see anyone, that you want no disturbance in your studies. But I dared to come.”

She was clad in a long lace cloak, hiding what little she wore beneath. With deliberate grace, she slipped it from her shoulders. It pooled at her feet as she stepped forward slowly, sensually, revealing smooth skin, curves bathed in the glow of lantern light.

Alpha Karl’s cock twitched, hardening instantly at the sight—at the scent. He could not resist it. Lois’s essence, false though it was, called to him, clawed at him, begged him to claim.

“Strip, Sandra,” he commanded, voice low and reverberating with power.

She obeyed instantly, peeling herself bare until her breasts, full and flushed, rose proudly before him.

“Lie down,” he ordered, gesturing to the relaxation bed at the corner of the observatory.

Her heart fluttered wildly. He hadn’t touched her in months, hadn’t even looked her way, and now—finally—he wanted her. Butterflies tore through her chest as she obeyed, stretching out across the bed.

Alpha Karl moved closer, his steps heavy, predatory. He grabbed her legs without care, dragging her roughly toward him until she yelped at the sudden pain. Her cry was brief, quickly swallowed by the heat flooding her body.

At last, she thought, at last he wants me.

He parted her thighs cruelly, exposing her shaved cunt. His hand trailed slowly along her lap, a touch so deceptively tender it made her legs tremble. When his fingers brushed her clit, kneading with controlled pressure, Sandra moaned helplessly, her body betraying her.

Karl’s lips curled into a smirk. Without speaking, he bound her—tying her wrists to the bedposts, then her legs, stretching her wide, open, vulnerable.

Sandra gasped, but it wasn’t fear that surged through her—it was exhilaration. “Yes, my king…” she whispered breathlessly.

He pinched her nipples hard, twisting until she yelped, the sharp pain clashing with waves of pleasure that spread through her belly.

“Ahhh! Yes!” she cried, her voice breaking.

Three of his thick fingers plunged into her tight cunt. Sandra screamed, legs jerking against the bonds as the sudden intrusion burned her. The relentless rhythm made her grip the sheets until her knuckles whitened. Her walls clenched desperately around him as he worked her, stretching her open, driving her mad.

Karl’s mouth followed, his tongue trailing fire as he sucked her breasts, biting lightly, then moving down, lower and lower. He buried his mouth against her slick folds, thrusting his tongue deep while his fingers pistoned inside her.

Sandra’s back arched, her body convulsing as the climax ripped through her violently. Wetness gushed out of her, her thighs trembling, her screams echoing in the observatory.

And then—just as she thought he would finally take her—his voice cut through the haze.

“You may leave now, Sandra.”

She blinked, stunned. Her body was still trembling, her chest rising and falling in frantic breaths. “My king?” she asked weakly, shocked that he would dismiss her now, after reducing her to this mess.

“Go,” Karl repeated, his tone sharper this time, though still calm.

Sandra’s chest tightened. He was serious. He hadn’t even fucked her. Her pleasure meant nothing—his desire was not for her, it was for Lois.

Swallowing her humiliation, she gathered her discarded cloak, rising unsteadily. Wolfe entered as soon as she left the bed.

“My king,” Wolfe bowed, awaiting orders.

“Lois is five months pregnant,” Alpha Karl said coldly, “and she needs physicians. Spread word: any man who brings her to me will be rewarded three times the previous amount.”

Sandra froze at the door, his words striking her like a blade. He had halted their intimacy—no, cast her aside—to speak of Lois. Again. Always Lois.

Her humiliation curdled into venom as she turned and stormed away. If I cannot breathe in the same air as her, then she will not breathe at all.

When Sandra reached her residence, Rita was already waiting.

“Well?” Sandra demanded.

“Like you asked, I traced the physician visiting Lord Barbara’s mansion every day,” Rita said quickly. “He’s a private physician. I even followed him to his own home.”

Sandra’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. “Good. Watch him closely. Through him, we’ll end her once and for all.”