Chapter 005

Lucian’s POV

I watched as the strange lady kneeling before me was hauled up from the floor by two guards and dragged to the exit.

She didn't pose any form of resistance as they pulled her along, but just as I was about to avert my eyes from her, she suddenly stopped, causing my brows to furrow in confusion.

"I would prefer to be executed tonight. Besides, I have nothing else to live for," she stated emotionlessly, with a hint of stubbornness in her tone.

Her words sliced through the heavy silence in the hall like a blade and I felt something ignite inside of me. My eyes roamed her fragile frame as I tried to decipher where this boldness came from.

Usually, other prisoners will fall to their knees and begin to plead for mercy on hearing my orders. They would beg to be spared while confessing their crimes or revealing the identity of those they work for, but her case was different, she was strange.

Her words made me feel uneasy and the fact that she was indifferent about being executed piqued my interest. Does she even realize the weight of her request?

When she was brought in here, she looked scared and confused but now that had dissipated and was now replaced with a detached, tired look. She had accepted her fate without a second thought and I couldn't help but wonder why she was so eager to end her life.

The guards, who were equally stunned by her outburst and had released her for a split second, immediately grabbed her again, intending to drag her away as I had instructed, but I raised my hand, causing them to halt on the spot.

The woman turned around immediately, her bright blue eyes lifeless and fearless as she stared directly at me. I cocked my head to the side, curiosity filling me.

Who was this woman and what was her mission here? Why was she ready to die for the one that sent her?

Slowly, I stood up from my seat and walked stealthily towards her, my eyes trained on her. She lowered her gaze as I got closer. The guards stepped away immediately and a look of confusion crossed the lady's face at how close I was standing before her.

Her eyes darted around the room frantically before she hung her head low, squeezing her eyes shut in nervousness. I placed my finger on her chin and roughly lifted her face to meet mine.

"Look at me," I ordered in a stern voice. Slowly, she carefully squinted her eyes open, her gaze meeting mine as I stared intently at her. I could not miss the look of defiance in her orbs, but at the same time, they held weariness and helplessness.

As we gazed at each other I couldn't help but wonder why her life meant nothing to her and why she was ready to give it up easily.

I studied her features closely, she was indeed beautiful with eyes like the vast ocean hidden beneath her long dark lashes and lips red and plump as a juicy fruit. I swallowed hard as my eyes refused to leave her lips. My wolf stirred in my head, growling with want as he inhaled her scent.

'I want her," his hoarse voice sounded at the back of my mind and I was instantly snapped back to reality. I wondered what it was about her that had me drawn to her, but one thing was certain: whatever it might be was forbidden, and I was going to kill it before it sprouted.

'Let's keep her,’ my wolf added and a frown etched on my features at his words.

'Dumbass, she's not innocent,' I snapped and shut him out immediately as I was not interested in whatever plans or ideas he might have regarding this woman.

Her eyes held no fear as she stared back at me and that seemed to excite me. A cynical smile tugged at my lips at her boldness.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked coldly. Her brows furrowed slightly in confusion. "Do you think you can walk away from this by asking to be killed? Are you seeking an escape from your crimes through death? You think you will find peace when you die?"

For a moment, a look of defeat crossed her eyes but she quickly masked it, pursing her lips stubbornly, as she stared back at me in silence.

The taunting smirk was still on my face as I studied her reaction. She might be a strong, but I knew

it would not be long before she reached her breaking point and her resolve cracked.

Her eyes turned misty with sadness and I felt something twitch inside of me. A strange emotion settled in the pit of my stomach as I peered into her eyes.

Pity.

Something I hadn't felt in ages, I felt pity for this strange lady and I hated it. Without warning, I let go of her chin aggressively, causing her to stagger backward.

One of the guards grabbed her before she fell and steadied her on her feet.

"Stupid lowlife," I spat with venom, angered by the emotion she stirred inside me. How dare she appear pathetic?

"You trespassed into my land, refused to confess and apologize for your actions, yet you stand before me and speak of death so easily, wanting me to bestow such a gift on you.”

Anger surged through me. "That's not happening. Prepare yourself to live longer in agony and suffering under my roof. I will make you miserable, you will live as though you were a dead person.”

With that, I stepped away and dismissed the guards with a small nod. "Get her away from my sight. Lock her back up in the cell and make sure no living thing is in there with her, just her. See to it that no harm comes to her until I say otherwise."

"Yes, Your Highness," The guards chorused and grabbed her again but she remained rooted to the ground, refusing to comply.

"Come on," one of the guards growled, pulling her roughly. But she fought against him, lifting her gaze to mine.

With a voice raw with desperation, she yelled, her words slicing through the air. "Spare me your mercy and get on with whatever plans you have, I am not afraid!"

Her voice dripped with bitterness and I felt the muscles in my jaw tighten in anger. My fist clenched in rage, fighting the urge to grab her and snap her neck.