Chapter 6

AYLA BAILORE

Colton's eyes shifted a little behind me and it was like he was a second from passing out. That was a first. For someone as dangerous and wicked as Colton, this sight was a little bit terrifying.

But I guess I should speak for myself, I couldn't see my own reflection but I was sure it was just as bad as Colton.

I knew who that deep, seductive voice that held a subtle charm in it belonged to. The stranger I had openly insulted. It was King Lucian.

Colton immediately let go of me, head bowed to the King, but unfortunately, I was still having great difficulty breaking from my frozen state. I didn't even know how Colton disappeared and the King had now taken his position.

Warmth flowed into my body as King Lucian held my hand, and a tingling, utterly disturbing sensation ignited when he touched me on my waist, breaking me out of my frozen state.

He tugged me closer to him. Too close for my liking. And too close that everyone was now sparing glances at us. If the King noticed, he didn't show he cared. “We meet again, clumsy wolf,” He lowered his head slightly as he spoke, his hot breath burning my cheek and earlobe.

“Your majesty,” I decided to speak, and to my surprise, it came out ragged, breathless even like I'd run a marathon. The proximity of the man in front of me was clouding my mind, his intoxicating scent of winter forest with a hint of pine was overwhelming and he was exuding a kind of power and dominance I hadn't felt before.

I pursed my lips under the heavy gaze of the King, and frankly, this felt awkward and uncomfortable, as if he was expecting something from me, was it an apology for the way I spoke to him earlier. My cheeks flushed at the memory.

Well as much as I regretted calling him those names, I wasn't sorry at all. And didn't even have the strength to pretend. It has been a long night already.

I dragged my bottom lip between my teeth, briefly, trying to form the right words. I lifted my eyes and to my surprise, his golden gaze took in that brief movement, something in his eyes darkened.

“Although, I regret some choice of words, I'm not going to apologize,” I broke the silence, warning him if that's what he was thinking.

King Lucian didn't give any emotion away, instead, the King chuckled, dark amusement dancing in his eyes. “I wasn't going to ask you,”

His response surprised me for a second. “Then what are you doing here?”

“I believe I was saving you from a situation you didn't seem to want to be in,” He said, making me swallow nervously.

Had he heard the conversation between Colton and me?

I tried to stay calm, but it wasn't so easy in the King's presence. And it also did not help that he was offensively good-looking. No man should ever look this good, royalty or not. He made emotions rise inside of me and I did not like it.

“Why would you—” I started but he shook his head, cutting me off.

“I have a question for you, Ayla,” Just the call of my name made my heart pounding delightfully. The way my name rolled out from his lips was beautiful. I didn't know my very own name could sound so beautiful. Perfect even. “Where is your wolf, Ayla?”

I stiffened in shock at the sudden unexpected question and I regretted it because that single detail didn't go unnoticed by him. He could probably sense my wolfless state, he was an Alpha King for the goddess's sake.

“Your majesty—”

“Lucian,” His gaze locked with mine, hot and searing.

“Excuse me?” I could barely hide my surprise. Was he really serious?

“Call me Lucian,”

“I'm sorry, I can't, you're King and I—”

“Fine, it's an order then. Call me Lucian,” He wasn't joking, leaving no room for arguments.

Startled, I gaped at him, “Alright then,” I paused. “Lucian, What do you mean ‘where’? She's right here, within me,” That was another big, terrible lie in one night that could get me killed. But I couldn't tell him I was wolfless. I would be out of here immediately and that would only put Emily and I further in danger with Arnold.

The King stared at me. Probably trying to figure out if I was lying or not. I couldn't read his face or begin to decipher what he was thinking, but it couldn't be anything good.

He swirled me around briefly, before bringing me deeper into his chest in one pull. I almost gasped at the contact, it was as if my very body was lit in flames. I felt a burning sensation everywhere he touched me which was surprising, pleasant even, and disturbing at the same time.

I schooled my face into an emotionless mask, trying my hardest to hide my nervousness, and most importantly, the unexplainable shiver and series of pleasantly terrifying sparks that shot through me. I did my hardest to hide them, but one glance again at him and it felt like he felt it too. Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me and how my traitorous body was reacting to him.

Before I could embarrass myself further, the music died, and our dance came to an end.

“Thank you for the dance, Lucian,” I gave a small curtsey bow, simply because I caught the couple nearby doing it, and somehow it did seem respectful.

“The pleasure is all mine,” He took my hand and placed a soft, surprisingly pleasant yet modest kiss on the back of my hand. At the instant contact, I felt an electrifying sensation shoot through my entire body, making me gasp without warning.

My eyes widened, and Immediately, I withdrew my hand, my body burning with unexplainable emotions and sensations.

King Lucian's eyes were on me, studying me with guarded eyes that bore deep into my soul, almost as if he was trying to take a peek into my deepest, darkest secrets.

I knew I needed to escape, without another glance at him, I hurried out of the dance floor, ignoring the stares sent my way.

I was heading to my seat when I was stopped with a hand on my arm. Arnold turned me towards the exit doors of the hall, his footsteps overly impatient. Something was up. For a second fear clogged my chest and all I could think of was Emily. Had something happened to her. Before I could ask, Arnold spoke.

“Plans have changed, buttercup,” He said the instant we stepped outside the hall. “Your mission begins tonight,”

I felt the blood in my body turn cold. My face instantly paled as understanding gradually sunk in. “I… I just got here. He doesn't even trust me yet, how on earth would I be able to kill the King,” The words left me in a whisper.

Arnold pinned me with a stare like I'd been spewing rubbish. “I want the bastard dead more than anything but not tonight. He'll get to see another day, but there's something else you have to do,”

My heart thundered, beating hard and fast.

“What is it?” I asked and the second the words left his lips, hell, I regretted it.