CHAPTER 8: ON YOUR KNEES

SORAYA’S POV

It was as though time had frozen still. The girls had completely abandoned their work to stare at me like I was some fool.

They giggled amongst themselves, trying their best to suppress it.

And then, the Alpha spoke.

“The five of you. Out. Now.”

Shock struck their features, but they knew better than to question their Alpha.

They quickly got to their feet and made their way out of the room, making sure to hit me with sarcastic looks of pity on their way out.

Once the door was shut, I turned back to the Alpha—only to find he was no longer on his seat, but right in front of me.

“Ah!” My feet stumbled backward as my heart leapt all the way to my throat.

The speed and stealth of his movements were unreal—I didn’t even see or hear him move at all.

He stood face to face with me. His minty breath, mixed with whiskey and a touch of raspberries, fanned my face as he spoke.

“The next time you disobey me, I won’t ask twice. I’ll bend you over, shove your pretty little ass down on my cock, and fuck the fight right out of you. I paid a fucking fortune for you—more than your bloodline’s ever seen, and more than they ever will. So don’t test me.”

He took another step until he was only a breath away—close enough for the heat of his skin to kiss mine, close enough to smell the dark mix of spice and sin on him.

His gaze was intense, unwavering, the kind that pinned you in place without even trying, as he added—

“I own every part of you.”

A shudder ran up my spine, but I refused to let him see it.

When he didn’t find the reaction he was looking for, he tilted his head slightly, letting out a low, mocking chuckle.

“Hmm. Or maybe you’re just miserable here. Poor thing.” He leaned in, voice dipping to a dark, heated rasp. “I could send you back to your darling husband. I’m sure you’d be thrilled to spend the rest of your pathetic little life bouncing on his cock instead.”

Horror struck me faster than lightning at the mere mention of going back to Ragnar.

The very second I’m in his clutches, I’d be stuck with a madman—a man obsessed with a dead woman. A man who doesn’t deserve to be called the father of my child.

I can’t let my life—or my child’s—go to waste like that.

Khai grinned from ear to ear when he finally saw the emotion he’d been trying to provoke.

Fear.

With that smug grin, he turned his back on me and made his way back to his chair. He raised his hand—a signal for me to come forward—and begrudgingly, I did.

Once I was close enough, he wrapped his fingers around my wrist—possessive, like he owned the bones under my skin—and yanked me down, planting my ass on his thigh like I was nothing more than a plaything to be positioned.

The heat of our skin pressed in, and my cheeks heated at the contact—too much, too bare, too close.

Yet it felt... oddly nice.

Khai watched me in a way that made the hairs on my neck stand. And as if he could see them, he brought his finger up to my neck and gently traced it down my spine.

Goosebumps erupted across my skin as he spoke, his tone far gentler than before.

“How about I make you a deal,” he began, catching my attention.

“I’ll keep you safe from Ragnar’s clutches and give you the life of your dreams. You’ll be my mistress—paraded as my lover. You’ll roam the castle in silk dresses, wear jewelry made of pure gold, and bathe in the most expensive perfumes. You’ll have whatever your heart desires. And in turn, you belong to me in every sense. I fuck you when I want, however I want, and you do not get to say a goddamn thing. How about that?”

What kind of bloody deal is that?

Under normal circumstances, I would never agree to such a thing. What on earth does he mean he’ll fuck me whenever and however he wants? I’m not some fuck toy.

But then again, this is bigger than me.

I can’t afford to go back to Ragnar. That’s not even an option.

A sigh left my lips, and a choice was made.

If Ragnar comes barging in, I’d need more than willpower to fight him. I’d need a man like Khai King on my side.

I’ll agree to Khai’s terms—just long enough to gather gold and escape. But I’ll have to make it convincing. I can’t let him get the slightest idea of what I’m planning.

Otherwise, everything will be ruined. I’ll be trapped here forever.

And my child will endure an even worse fate.

I can’t let that happen. I’ll just have to play the part.

And just like that, a slow grin crawled up my lips as I gently brushed his face with my fingers.

“We have a deal, Alpha Khai.”

I could’ve sworn something flashed in his eyes when I said his name. His gaze darkened—if not with hunger, then something close.

“If that’s so,” he said, “then prove it.”

My brows knitted with confusion—and a bit of fear.

The last time Khai asked me to prove something, he manhandled me in front of my ex-husband and a room full of people.

This time wasn’t far off.

He pulled the sheet from his waist with deliberate ease—like he wanted me to look, to take in every inch of what he was offering.

His cock stood thick and proud, veined and heavy with heat, and for a second, my breath caught.

My heart pounded at the sight of it—but it nearly burst at the Alpha’s next words.

“Get on your knees.”

Goddess, give me strength.