Chapter 4: She is mine

The palace rose like a mountain carved from moonlight and shadow. With towers that scraped the heavens and marbled walls. It pulsed with ancient magic of the first bloodline. The birth place of the Alphas of Alphas.

The sprawling palace grounds shimmered in the morning dew, gardens stretching into the mist, guarded by black ironed gates etched with ancient runes and below,nestled near the eastern wing, stood the royal kitchens. Where the scent of warm bread, spiced meat, and fresh herbs danced through the corridors.

Athena, stood at the basin near the window, wearing her maids uniform. She rolled her sleeves as she scrubbed the porcelain dishes, the water now tepid and flecked with soap and oil.

But her hands moved without direction.

Her mind was far away lost in the memory of last night.

Prince Lucian.

She had never know a prince to be so…gentle.

Their conversation last night in his bedroom. Their proximity. The way he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close. The feeling of his breath on her cheek. The hunger in his eyes.

He asked for her name. Her background.

She hadn’t expected the Prince to show such interest in her.

She blushed innocently. Recalling his rather brazen question.

“Athena… have you had sex before?”

Crash

The plate in her hand slipped, shattering against the polished floors. The sound echoed like thunder.

Athena’s heart stopped.

The bustling kitchen fell silent. All eyes turned.

Before she could say anything—

SLAP

“You useless girl! This is the third plate you have broken today! You’ve lost yourself in that clouded head of yours.” Ysolde hissed

“ Your relieved of your kitchen duties. But don’t think your free. You’ll serve your punishment where even pigs smell sweeter than you. The stables.”

She didn’t argue.

She only bowed her head, whispered. “ Yes, madame.” And quietly walked out, holding her burning cheek.

——————

Later that morning….

The stables were nestled at the far edge of the palace grounds, where wild flowers met the forest, and the scent of hay, sweat, and horses lingered thick in the air.

Athena entered the stables, with a broom in her hand. She had never worked here before.

The horses were enormous. Powerful war beast. Bred for royalty. Most were wild blooded, trained only by Elite handlers. Her eyes landed on one in particular—a black stallion, his coat gleaming like midnight silk.

He stood apart from the others, nostrils flaring, eyes proud and watchful.

They called his Onyx. And he belonged to the prince. He had been with the prince ever since he was little. They had a strong connection. The prince took him to Russia with him. And brought him back.

Ever since the onyx’s return, no Elite handler has been able to get close to him.

Athena approached him slowly. Whispering soft words.

“Easy… I won’t hurt you.”

She held out her hand. The stallion neighed, stomping and tossing its head violently.

Athena gasped startled and stepped back. Her boot catching the edge of the hay pile.

She fell.

But didn’t hit the ground.

Arms caught her. Strong and Familiar.

Her breath caught in her throat.

She looked up.

Prince Lucian stood above her, dressed in fitted black slacks tucked in leather black boots, and a black dress shirt open just slightly at the collar.

His long Raven dark hair was pack to a low ponytail, a few strands falling across his high cheekbones and sharp jawline. His blue eyes bore into hers. Fierce and unreadable.

He hadn’t shaved. The faint shadow traces his jaw. He looked every inch of the Royal Alpha. Regal. Dangerous.

And Devastatingly beautiful.

She looked down avoiding his gaze.

“ Your Majesty.” She bowed

“It was foolish of me. I’m here as punishment. I broke some plates in the kitchen.”

Lucian tilted his head “And they sent you here for that?”

She nodded “I accepted it.”

Silence stretched.

Lucian stepped closer “They strike you for accidents?”

“It’s not my place to to question it. My Prince.”

He studied her. Really studied her. She felt the heavy weight of his gaze on her.

“Tell me Athena.” He said slowly “ Do you often accept punishment that aren’t deserved?”

She blinked “I… I don’t have a choice.”

Lucian was silent.

Then he did something unexpected.

He reached out tugging a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingertips grazed her cheeks, and she flinched slightly, her skin still tender from Ysolde’s slap.

His eyes darkened. “Who struck you?”

She didn’t answer.

“You shouldn’t be treated like that.” He whispered. His breath fanning her face.

He was too close now. Too near. And she was just a servant. His gaze fell to her lips.

He looked at her like no one else in the world mattered.

His lips was merely inches away from hers.

She whispered stepping back

“ I should return back to work.”

But Lucian gently caught her wrist. His voice was low. “Stay a moment.”

She met his gaze.

And for one trembling heartbeat. Neither of them looked away.

——————

The scent of pine and horse hair still lingered on the air as Athena leaned against the outer fence, a soft smile curving her lips. The wild ride through the outer palace had left her wind tossed and breathless. Not just the speed of the stallion beneath her.

But the closeness of the prince behind her, his arms steady at her waist, guiding the reigns with a quiet authority that made her heart ache in ways she didn’t understand.

Her laughter still echoed faintly in the wind, and her eyes shimmered with joy.

Lucian stood beside her now, brushing down onyx, who had miraculously allowed the ride.

She glanced at him smiling

“Thank you… Your Highness. That was… incredible.”

Lucian turned to her, one eyebrow raised, a subtle smirk at the corner of his lips. “I thought you might enjoy it.”

“I did.” She said, the words bubbling with genuine excitement. “Actually, it’s kind of perfect timing. Tomorrow is my birthday.”

Laura paused mid-rush.

“Your birthday.”

She nodded “Mhm. I turn eighteen tomorrow.”

His gaze shifted, watching her closely now.

“You’ll be able to sense your mate.”

Her eyes sparkled

“Yes. All the girls wait for it like the sun rising after a long winter. Tomorrow I’ll finally know who he is. My fated mate.”

She laughed lightly her voice full of innocence

Lucian smirked watching her. He thought

“She’s so innocent. I’m going to taint her innocence. I will be the first to touch her.”

“I’m nervous… but I’m excited too. I always wondered what it would feel like. That moment.” She said hoping for her mate to be like she’s heard.

Lucian smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Inside something twisted.

The idea of her looking at another man with that light in her eyes, touching him, belonging to him, igniting a slow burning ache in his chest.

He kept his tone easy

“And if he’s a boring scholar from the eastern hills?”

She laughed “Then I suppose I have to learn to love books.”

He forced a grin, but it faltered. He turned away briefly, hiding the shadow of his expression.

Without speaking he swung himself onto Onyx’s back, and then reached a hand down toward her.

She blinked “you want to go again?”

“No.” He said, the wind brushing the looses strands of his hair across his face. “I want to give you an early gift.”

She hesitated then took his hand.

The stallion snorted at her as she approached, still wary, his hooves pawing the dirt.

Athena froze “he doesn’t want me up again.”

Lucian leaned forward whispering something in onyx’s ear. Something low, commanding yet affectionate.

The stallion huffed then stilled.

Lucian turned to her “He’ll allow it just this once.”

She mounted slowly, trembling slightly and she settled in front of Lucian again, his arm as wrapped around her secure and protective.

They rode through the forests paths once more , this time slower as if he wanted the moment to last.

——————

The sky was bustling with shades of rose and gold as they returned. Lucian dismounted first, then helped Athena down. She landed lightly, brushing her dress off, her cheeks flushed and hair windblown. She looked up at him breathless.

“Thank you…. This—this was the best gift I could ask for.”

Lucian didn’t answer right away.

Instead he stepped closer, voice low.

“Do you remember the question I asked you last night?” She blushed “Would you like to know what it feels like?”

Her heart slipped a beat.

Before she could answer—

“ATHENA!”

The harsh voice of The head maid Ysolde cracked across the yard like a whip. She stormed towards them arms folded watching Athena with suspicion and disdain.

“Good evening. Your Majesty.”

Lucian’s jaw clenched he didn’t reply to her greeting.

Athena curtsied and said “ I have to go.” She stepped away from Lucian.

He watched her disappear through the stone archway.

——————

In the Kings office….

The Alpha king sat behind a vast Blackwood desk, the silver threaded robes pooling around him like smoke.

Lucian entered, his posture stiff. Face unreadable.

“You called for me, father?”

The king didn’t look at him, he continued reading the paper he was holding “you were seen in the stables.”

Lucian didn’t respond

The kings voice was calm, but heavy with meaning

“With a maid. Athena.”

Lucian’s jaw ticked “she was tending to the horses.”

“And you chose to take her on a ride.”

Lucian stepped forward “She was being punished unjustly. I offered kindness. Nothing more.”

The king looked up now. His blue eyes sharp, glowing faintly with Alpha power. “ When will you take a mate, Lucian?”

Lucian stiffened.

“Last night. We hosted every Alphas Daughter but you didn’t even look at them.”

“None of them interest me.”

The king Leaned back, dropping the paper and folding his hands “ your the heir. Just pick one. I don’t have much time anymore.”

“I know.” He said firmly turning toward the door.

But before he could reach—

“Stay away from the maid.”

The Kings voice dropped lower.

“That Athena girl. She’s an omega. If you need someone to warm your bed, pick one with standard.”

Silence.

Dead thick silence.

Lucian’s hands clenched.

In his mind he made a declaration even if he finds his mate. He would not stay away from Athena. He wanted her and he would most certainly get her.

She belonged to him.

And him Alone.