prologue

Prologue

“Did he touch you here, Autumn?”

His voice was deep, smooth, yet laced with something dark—possessive. A shiver ran through me as his fingers hovered dangerously close to a place no man had ever touched. My breath caught in my throat, but I forced my body to stay still, unwilling to show weakness.

Slowly, I shook my head, my silence speaking louder than words.

Zane’s piercing gaze never wavered. The air between us grew heavy, thick with unspoken intent. “No?” he echoed, his voice a low growl.

I willed my voice to stay steady. “No, Your Highness,” I answered, barely above a whisper.

He tilted his head, studying me as if searching for the truth. “He is your fiancé. Why not?”

My fingers curled into the fabric of my dress, my knuckles tightening. “It was an arranged engagement,” I murmured. “We were waiting for our marriage.

His eyes darkened, his fingers grazing the edge of my thigh—not threatening, but testing. My body stiffened at the touch, but I refused to shrink away.

“And you never let him touch you?”

I swallowed, my pulse quickening. “I… I barely knew him,” I admitted, my voice firm despite the wariness coursing through me. “My father arranged the marriage… and my father never made mistakes.”

A silence stretched between us. Heavy. Unrelenting.

Then, the corner of his lips curled, his expression unreadable. “Then you were never his,” he murmured, his fingers lingering just long enough to make his meaning clear. “And now, Autumn… you belong to me.

He closed the distance between us in a heartbeat, his towering presence making my breath hitch. Before I could react, his rough hand cupped my jaw, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. His golden eyes burned with a dangerous desire — intense and possessive.

Then, his lips crashed against mine.

It wasn’t a gentle kiss. It was fierce, demanding, and all-consuming. His mouth moved with dominance, claiming me like I was something he had every right to own. A low growl rumbled from his chest as his fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer.

I felt the heat of his body pressing against mine, the intoxicating scent of him making my senses spin. My hands instinctively gripped his arms, the hard muscles beneath my fingertips reminding me of his sheer strength.

His tongue traced the seam of my lips, coaxing them open. The moment I yielded, he deepened the kiss, exploring me without restraint. It was a battle of wills, his desire clashing with my reluctance. Yet, a spark ignited deep within me, betraying the fear I tried to cling to.

When he finally pulled away, his lips hovered inches from mine, his breath mingling with my own. His thumb brushed over my swollen lips, a satisfied smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"May I go to my room, Your Highness?" I asked cautiously, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zane smirked, the amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "I'm not keeping you here for leaving, omega."

I clenched my fists, gathering what little courage I had left. "I'm Autumn, Your Highness. And don't call me 'omega' like it's all I am. I know my rank, but that title doesn’t define me."

For a moment, he said nothing. His gaze locked with mine, as if assessing the audacity behind my words. But instead of anger, a hint of intrigue lingered in his expression.

"Bold," he murmured, the smirk still playing on his lips. "We'll see how long that fire lasts, Autumn."