CHAPTER SIX

Chapter 6

Elara’s POV

The Alpha’s words still rang in my ears almost a minute longer.

“Now go pack your things, we leave before dawn.”

My father opened his mouth, pushing his chair to stand up, protest written across his face, but before a single word could escape his lips, the Alpha’s voice cut through, his tone cold and commanding, leaving no room for argument.

“That is final!”

“You will obey,” he said simply, and that was that.

My father’s shoulders slumped, as he almost shamefully returned to sit.

I could see it in his eyes… he wanted to protect me, he wasn't sure, neither of us were of what the Lycan Kings intentions were, but even he had limits.

I sat there frozen still, my hands clenched at my sides, every instinct screaming to run and to hide.

But there was nowhere to hide, not from him.

Leaving my pack, leaving my family behind, it felt like the most difficult thing to do, and hey a small part of me in that moment was relieved, relieved that I won't see Jude’s face again, that the pain grips me everytime I see him will be gone..

Finally, we reached our home. My room felt impossibly small as I closed the door behind me.

My fingers trembled as I began to pull clothes from the wardrobe, throwing them into my bag almost recklessly.

My movement was mechanical and rushed… I barely even registered the items I packed.

It didn’t matter what I took, nothing could prepare me for what was coming.

Living with a Lycan King…

Just then, the door slammed open.

“Elara!! What the hell is going on?!”

I flinched at the tone of the voice.

I turned to face Jude. My heart slammed against my ribs the second I saw him.

His expression was a storm, his eyes dark and dangerous.

“You—” he started, his voice radiating with fury. “You’re leaving with him!?” His gaze burned into me, and I recoiled instinctively.

“Why you?!”

“I… I have to go,” I whispered, not meeting his eyes.

My fingers tightened on the strap of my bag.

I couldn't face him right now..

He took a step closer, anger radiating from him in waves. “Don’t lie to me! Don’t even think about pretending this is just some whim. You slept with him, didn’t you? That’s why he’s taking you!”

My blood instantly ran cold.

I felt a surge of anger at this wild accusation.

I snapped to him, firming my voice as best I could.

“No! I'm not like you.”

That ticked him off even more.

“Don’t lie to me, Elara!” he roared, stepping closer.

Then, his hands suddenly shot out and gripped mine, his hold tight. Pain shot up my arm as he refused to let go. “Answer me!”

“Let go!” I gasped, tugging frantically, but he wouldn’t. “You don’t understand, Jude! It’s not like that!”

“Stupid… stupid whore!” he hissed close to my ear, his breath hot against my skin.

“You always make everything about you!”

The words cut deeper than any blade, and I whimpered, trying to pull free from his grip.

And then… a calm and cold voice cut through the chaos

“Leave her… now.”

The sound wrapped around the room, filling every corner.

Jude stiffened, his hand on mine tightening for just a fraction of a second before he released me.

I stumbled back, gasping for breath, my mind barely processing what just happened.

I blinked, heart hammering, and my eyes found him.

The Lycan King.

He stood in the doorway, his presence swallowing the room.

His dark hair fell across his forehead and those piercing ocean blue eyes of his fixed on both of us.

My knees threatened to buckle. I wanted to look away, to shrink into myself, but I didn’t, I couldn't. It was like something kept me rooted in place.

My chest tightened, every inhale of breath I took was shallow and shaky.

I could not escape his attention even if I tried.

Jude, for all his fury and fire, looked small before him.

There was a tension between them, but the Lycan King’s presence was absolute. I could feel it pressing down on me, heavy and suffocating.

“I told you,” the Lycan King’s voice was calm, but every word struck like thunder, “she goes with me. Nothing more and nothing less.”

Jude’s fists clenched at his sides. I could see the struggle in his body, the desperate need to argue and to fight him. “You can’t… she…”

“She belongs to no one yet,” the Lycan King interrupted, his tone final.

“But she will. And she will be treated with respect until her time comes. Do not test me.”

The words left no room for negotiation. Jude’s face contorted with frustration and rage.

“This isn't over!!” his eyss snapped to him, making me flinch.

Then, he pushed off the wall and stormed out of the room, his steps loud on the floor.

I sank to the floor slightly, overwhelmed by everything.

All around me, the room felt heavy with tension, charged with a gravity I couldn’t explain.

The Lycan King took a step toward me, his steps slow and deliberate, and I instinctively shrank back.

My heartbeat raced, pounding loudly in my chest.

He stopped a few feet away, and for a moment, he simply looked at me, his silence speaking louder than any words could.

Then his voice softened, almost imperceptibly, thought it still carried that firm and commanding tone.

“Pack your things. You leave with me at first light and disobedience is not an option, Elara.”

I nodded, voice caught in my throat. “Y-Yes, your majesty.”

He studied me for a momentlonger, then finally turned to leave, the aura of power and danger fading slightly as he exited the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I sank onto my bed letting out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

Even as I was alone in the silence, the one thought still lingered in my head.

“...why me?”