FOUR

LUCIEN’S POV.

“The bride is here. She’s waiting for you in the room.” Called said as he entered the room, his head dipped in a bow.

Disgust churned within me.

I didn’t care for the bride.

I didn’t care for any spoiled princess that this alliance had to offer. I wanted her alone, the ginger haired girl with slim fingers.

Why couldn’t she feel me? Why..

“Did you find her?” I eyed my beta as I stood up, exiting the room with him after me.

“Unfortunately, there’s no one with the description you gave me.” He replied.

I clenched my jaw together, shutting my eyes for a split moment and allowing the image of her to take up my mind.

I had seen her. She was real.

I could still smell her- smell the wild jasmine and honey scent. It was filling my nostrils, invading every cell of mine.

“Do you need me to..

“Goodnight Callen.”

Lines etched into my forehead as the scent grew heavier- her scent. My wolf churned in excitement as I approached the door.

The same room that Callen had said my bride was waiting for me.

I opened the door, my entire being swallowed by the sweet smell of my mate.

The excitement within me doubled as I set eyes on that ginger-brown hair of hers, the word ‘mate’ hanging in my mouth.

“It’s you.”

ISLA'S POV

The robe they gave me was thin. Too thin. The silk clinged to my skin, doing nothing to make up for the lingerie beneath it. It didn’t feel like protection—it felt like a mockery. I felt naked. I felt ashamed. I felt fear.

I shouldn’t be here.

But I was.

And my heart was pounding so violently I thought it would burst out of my chest and shatter against the cold, polished floor of Alpha Lucien's bedroom.

Under the cover of the night, they'd delivered me to his home like an offering, as if I wasn’t even human, just a tool. I didn’t speak, couldn’t speak. Just stood there as the guards exchanged quick nods with the butler who led me up to the Alpha's bedroom and left me to myself.

Alone.

The room was vast. Masculine. Dominated by shades of gray and dark wood. It was too big, too cold. Masculine in a way that felt heavy. There was a leather scent in the air, and something wild beneath it—his scent, maybe. The bed was enormous, carved from dark wood and draped with black sheets. I didn’t dare sit on it. I’d taken up space on the fluffy black rug beside it, knees pulled into my chest.

I haven't moved since I assumed that position, the growing cramp in my joints a testament to it. I ignored it, my mind racing with thoughts of more important things.

I was supposed to seduce him—the Alpha. Sleep with him. Make sure he couldn't back out of the engagement once the act is done. Those were Serene’s orders.

Make him want you. Make him take you. Once he does, he’s bound. Even if he realizes it’s you and not me… he won’t be able to undo it.

The price of failure?

She'd sworn to tell everyone. About me. About the secret I’d buried so deep it had almost rotted inside me. If I fail tonight, she’ll reveal everything. And I'd never survive it.

But I didn't know how to do what she wanted, any of it. I didn't know how to make myself something someone would want. Not like this.

I’d turned the lamp off earlier, hoping to be braver in the dark. Maybe I could pretend I wasn’t doing this. That it wasn’t me. Maybe if I couldn’t see him, I wouldn’t feel as scared. Maybe if he touched me first, I could survive it.

But nothing had happened. No one had come. And the shadows were too loud with thoughts, so I got up, balanced myself when my knees didn't cooperate then dragged my weight over to the bedside lamp. Soft, golden light bathed the room the second I clicked it on, and I returned to my spot on the rug, my thoughts resuming immediately.

I was so lost in them that I didn't hear the door open until it’s too late.

Click.

I froze.

My eyes flew to the door.

And there he was.

The infamous Alpha Lucien.

Tall, dark, and just as dangerous as the stories say. His presence filled the doorway like storm clouds rolling in. His dark hair was tousled. His shirt undone at the throat.

I rose to my feet at once.

His gaze locked on mine, and something resembling surprise flashed across his face. Surprise and a second thing, one I couldn't put a name to.

A breath caught in my throat.

He knew.

I could see it instantly. He knew I wasn't who he expected.

He took a step inside, and I got a closer look at his face.

At those eyes…

Shock washed over me as recognition kicked in—I'd met him before.

He was the man I’d bumped into in the hall earlier today. His hand had caught me before I could fall, and his touch had burned like lightning. I’d run off before he could say something else, my heart stammering from the contact.

His voice cut through my flashbacks like a knife.

“It’s you.”

The sound of his voice- low deep and calm made my stomach clench, fear gnawing at my very sides. He took another step forward, his face more visible to see his lips twist up in a sick smile, and recognition dawn in his eyes.

“It’s you. You’re my bride.” He repeated again.

He knew.

He knew.

Panic clawed my chest as he stared at me, the shock in his deathly eyes too raw and a chill snaked down my back. My heart was thumping in my chest as I carefully stood up from the bed, my hand trembling as I brought them up to sign at him.

“You can’t talk?” He cut in, a frown settling in the middle of his head.

I shook my head slowly, Serene’s word clawing in my head.

I swear, Isla, if he doesn’t want you, everyone would know. I’ll find him and make sure he haunts you. That’s the only way you’re getting out of this.

I searched my brain for things to do, words to put together before he does something. Before he decides to throw me out. But all I could think of was his eyes.

Beautiful yet frightening.

I didn’t know what to make of his stare, what he was thinking.

What if he was contemplating punishing me? What if he had figured it out and was just waiting for me to do something?

What if he decided to kill me?

Panic flooded my chest.

No no no. I'd rather he locked me up here and threw away the keys. I’d rather he cut off my head and add it to the collection he's rumoured to have. I’d choose anything, anything over returning home and having Serene spilling my secrets to punish me for my failure.

My legs moved before my mind caught up. I rushed to him, fell to my knees and grabbed at his leg, the silk of my thin robe twisted as I shook my head in a silent desperate plea.

He went even more rigid at my touch.

And I could feel his confusion—his hesitation—but it wasn’t enough.

I needed him to understand. To care.

A sob escaped my lips. A silent plea in my eyes, begging him to not please send me away. To not kill me.

My heart froze as he crouched down to my level, the frown on his forehead deepening as he stared into my eyes, raw and deep, like he understood everything I was saying.

Like he cared.

Everything stopped as he brought his thumb close to my face, his touch sending the exact lightning I felt when our hands touched earlier in the afternoon.

He wiped off a tear slowly, eyes burning into mine, as he said words shocking and jarring to my ears.

“Don’t cry. No one can harm you here.”