Chapter 4

Liora’s P.O.V.

The graveyard was quiet, wrapped in the whisper of morning. A thin veil of mist clung to the earth, curling around the forgotten stones, but I only saw one name: my mother’s. I knelt in the damp grass, my fingers shaking as I traced the carved letters, the grooves worn out with time.

Eluvia Ebonshade.

Pressing my palm flat against the cold stone, I felt like a child again after a long time, yearning for her love. Usually, I had no time to visit my mom amidst endless tasks. But today was an exception. They gave me freedom because I was already condemned.

Tonight, I would be sent to serve King Cassian!

Just a few hours and then I would die in his bed, ending up beside my mother’s grave. The empty space before my eyes was going to be my home, a place where I could finally be with my mom.

My shoulders shook as the grief came in wet, hot waves, streaming down my cheeks in the form of tears. I reminisced about the short time I spent with my mom, reliving the memories I cherished the most.

In the quiet between sobs, a memory rose, reminding me of her bedtime stories. “You know, Liora. Silver wolves are rare. They are special due to their blood’s healing ability.”

My mom narrated the stories of the silver wolves, like how they saved the world with their gift. One night, she revealed a secret. “Your grandparents came from this rare bloodline, Liora. So, your wolf’s fur will be silver like moonlight. Your blood could heal people, shocking them with its powerful strength.”

I had held that secret like a talisman, clinging to the image in my mind, until I saw my own reflection wrapped in silver. But birthdays passed, and I waited for my shift, hoping that my sixteenth birthday would change my life. I even ignored the fact that I didn’t have sharp senses like other girls of my age, waiting anxiously.

However, the endless wait hollowed me out. Wolf-less and voiceless, I was left standing on the shore while the tide took my every dream slowly!

My anguished sobs echoed in the surroundings as I pressed my forehead to my mom’s name, swearing in my heart.

“Mom, if I survive tonight, I will leave. I will go and find Grandma and Grandpa.”

It wasn’t that I hadn’t thought about leaving before, but the hope of my dad’s approval chained me to this place. But now, when I was just a bargaining chip for him, I wouldn’t stay here to be sold again.

The chill seeped through my bones as the icy wind brushed my cheeks, strengthening my resolve. I wanted to run away right now, leaving behind all the inconveniences. But unfortunately, numerous guards were posted like hawks everywhere.

They were ordered to watch me since yesterday, following my every move closely. Even if desperation pried my feet from the earth, there would be no gap long enough for me to slip through.

The crunch of boots on gravel stirred the calm air, breaking my trance. A guard stopped before me, his voice firm.

“Time to return to your dorm, girl. You aren’t allowed to linger.”

My heart clenched at the mention of leaving, clinging to the last comfort I had. But his sharp gaze left no room for defiance.

With a shaky breath, I rose to my feet and cast one last glance at my mother’s grave, my vision swimming with tears.

“Bless your daughter, Mom.” I prayed in my heart. “I need your blessings tonight.”

…

I remained locked in my small dorm throughout the day like a prisoner waiting for the death penalty. By the evening, the door creaked open, and a maid entered, avoiding my eyes.

“Come with me.”

She said, grabbing my wrist firmly. I took a deep breath and followed her, my heart pounding. She guided me into the guest room’s spacious bathroom, its warmth and scented air so foreign that it made my skin prickle.

A large bathtub steamed in the center, filled with rose petals. Before I could ask any question, a group of maids surrounded me. Hands tugged at my worn clothes, stripping me bare, despite my silent protests.

I fought to cover myself, but they all acted like robots, their movements precise. They lowered me in the warm water, forcing me down.

As I was too powerless, I had no choice but to sit still. They scrubbed my skin until it tingled raw, poured fragrant oils down my hair, and dabbed perfumes onto my pulse points like I had become a princess now.

It all felt wrong. Every gentle touch was a reminder of what was about to come!

When they pulled me out from the bath, I didn’t get any clothes to wear. Instead, they laid me on the bed, naked, wrapping me tightly in a thick blanket like a treasure. I could feel my heart thrashing inside the cocoon, desperate to escape.

A maid opened the room’s door and called. “She is ready!”

In a jiffy, the guards appeared, their hands swift as they picked up the bundle I had become: a wrapped offering!

My body trembled in their arms as they carried me through the halls, my heart hammering against my ribs in panic. At last, the door opened to a room specially decorated for King Cassian. It was vast and luxurious, bathed in golden light from the expensive chandelier spilling across the velvet drapes.

The guards set me down and left without another look, the room folding itself back into silence. Staring at the white ceiling, I lay there under the blanket, every breath a loud scream in the hush. Every passing second felt like a century, tormenting me with the fear of my approaching death.

Time melted into the bed linens, swelling the dread stronger. I was counting the stitches of the quilt to keep my mind from looping ahead to the worst when the hush was broken by the door’s creak, tensing my every muscle. I curled deeper, trying to be anything but visible.

The measured footsteps approached the bed, knocking the air out of my lungs. I closed my eyes so hard that the world went dark, hiding me from shadows.

Begging my goddess, I heard the heavy tread draw closer until it stopped beside me. My heart slammed like a trapped bird as suddenly the blanket was ripped away, shaking my body. Cold air hit my bare skin, and I jerked, my quivering arms failing to cover myself.

Just as I expected that ugly monster’s cruelty, a familiar voice rolled over me, deep and edged with surprise.

“It’s you?”

My eyes flew open in shock, only to be struck by the lightning out of nowhere.

The man standing in front of me wasn’t that scary beast from the stories.

It was him!

The stranger from my dad’s office!

For a moment, all I could do was just stare, wide-eyed. He was devastatingly attractive, undoubtedly the most handsome man in the world.

My lips parted soundlessly as the truth struck me like a blow, a shiver running down my spine.

“That stranger Alpha… He is the Lycan King, Cassian Veyraith?”