Chapter 4

Samantha’s Pov

“I worked as a maid for Alpha Killian—the children are the result of my affair with one of the servants,” I lied.

There was no way I would tell him that I was in a relationship with Killian or that we were mates. I was standing before Alpha Luca—the Alpha of Sin and ruthless king of all nine lands. He would slit my throat if I told the truth.

“Why do I feel like you're lying to me? If you are lying and I find out, I will punish you.”

I swallowed silently. The stories I had heard about Luca Taghd were terrifying. I knew about his infamous parties filled with sin and debauchery. Killian always said Luca wasn’t fit to be an alpha, among other things.

“I work in the Blood Rose Pack because I am a maid. I wash Alpha Killian's clothes and serve his meals—so I would naturally have his scent on me since I'm constantly near him or his belongings.”

Luca paused, seemingly considering my words. “That is true,” he said, stepping back in defeat.

“Why did you leave your pack, then?”

“I ran away. I couldn't bear the torture they subjected me to.” Another lie.

“Don’t you have any family? Siblings?”

“I have no one.” One truth.

“And you want to leave? You can stay. Felix said you needed rest due to the amount of blood you lost,” he said softly. I expected to see a scar or a frown on his face—it always matched the descriptions in my mind from those stories. But Luca was simply handsome, with a strong jawline and grayish hair that resembled mine.

“If you consider staying, you can use this room as yours.”

I studied the dark red interior of the room. It appeared untouched but suited his taste perfectly.

“I suppose we are done here,” he said as he walked toward the door.

“But—”

“I will come in later tonight to check on you. The maids will bring food and,” his gaze trailed down my body, “a change of clothes for you. If you need anything else, ask them.”

And then he was gone.

‘Why did you lie to him?!’ Aldrina screamed.

“Why wouldn’t I? If he knew the truth, he could kill me.”

—----------------------------------------------------------

I was jolted from my sleep by the second knock on the door.

“It's open,” I said, and Luca came in.

He looked at me for quite some time before coming over to the bed. “You look better. Have you had anything to eat?”

“Yes, thank you for your kindness—King Luca.”

“Luca is just fine. You can just call me Luca,” he said, tilting his head to the side. “What is your name?”

‘Don't lie to him, Sam’.

“Samantha,” I said.

“Samantha.” The name rolled off his tongue easily.

“Are you ready to leave like you wanted? I gave you some time to think about it.”

Am I? I have no place to go. I've been banished from Blood Rose, and Killain's rejection still hurts. I have no family—not even a guardian anymore—and I'm all on my own.

“You can stay here if you want. At least, until you find a place for yourself,” he said, answering my unspoken question. I looked at him; he had on a red satin shirt with a pair of trousers—a complete opposite of the robe he wore initially. The shirt had the top two buttons undone, revealing his chest, which made it difficult to think straight.

“Why are you helping me? I'm from an enemy pack. I could do anything to you, even in your sleep.”

“You can't do anything, by the way,” he snorted, and every ounce of attraction I had dispersed into thin air.

“Concerning my reason for helping you, for one, I do not trust you. I'm just being hospitable and polite as it is the kingly thing to do. I must exude the same character as my enemy pack.”

Rude. Disdainful. Curt. How dare he talk to me like that?

“I understand and I appreciate your hospitality towards a commoner.”

Without giving me another glance, Luca waltzed out of the room. Coming to this pack was a terrible idea—I wish I hadn't been saved by this annoyingly gruesome king. Who does that?!

He is implying that he hates my guts and would rather see me dead, but to fulfill all righteousness or kingship duty, he “spared” my life.

I might have been cast out of my pack, but I am still an Alpha, and Luca Taghd must be joking if he thinks he can talk to me that way! I knew what I had to do.

I needed to leave Silver Rose Pack by sundown.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

                           Luca’s Pov

“You what?!”

“Drop it, Melissa. She's just staying here for a while until she finds another pack to join.”

I knew Melissa wouldn't take the news well. After her fiancé left her at the altar and ran away with a lady of the night from Blood Rose, she vowed to hate anything related to Blood Rose Pack. I never liked the guy anyway; he was a tosspot—although Melissa didn't have to worry about her royal status or his social standing.

“How could you let her stay here after what their Alpha tried to do to you?”

Killian Black was like his father, Rick—a lummox—who had tried to kill me during an ambush. Of course, I am smarter and always one step ahead of them.

“Was she close to the Alpha? Have you made any findings? As an Alpha, you can detect scents; were you able to get their Alpha's scent on her?”

I didn't answer any of her questions but acknowledged her with nothing more than an eye roll.

“I want to see her.”

“No.”

“What do you mean no? The lives of Silver Rose people are in your hands, yet you allow someone from an enemy pack to stay with us. You know how forbidden that is!”

“I am the King; I make the rules.”

“Tell me, why did you bring her into the Palace? You could have dropped her off at the royal health center or found a random healer. Why didn't you let her go?”

Melissa can't know the real reason, and it's not because of persuasion from Cillian, but because I was physically attracted to her, and even in her rabid state, I was able to scent her. Samantha is not leaving this castle until I make sure she is my real mate, like I truly believe—or all this is just an unhealthy coincidence.