Chapter 2 FALL INTI THE TIGER KINGDOM

Pain.

That was the first thing Alina felt when her consciousness returned.

Not the pain of falling. But a dull ache. Like every bone in her body had been crushed and put back together again after that night from hell. Especially after her body was thrown into this ravine.

But strangely... she was still alive.

A strange scent filled her nose. The smell of wet earth, moss, and something wild. The smell of animals. The smell... of tigers.

Alina opened her eyes slowly.

The ceiling above her was not a house roof. Nor was it the sky.

It was stone. Huge black stones carved with symbols of claws and tiger skulls. From the gaps, golden light streamed in. Like sunlight filtered through crystal. Around her, blue torches burned without smoke.

She was lying on something soft. Not a mat. Not a bed.

Fur. The thick, warm white fur of a giant tiger, covering the cold stone floor.

Her body... was clean.

Her red kebaya was gone. Replaced with a thin ivory-colored gown that was too big for her body. The wound on her temple was gone. The thorns in her feet too. All that remained were purple bruises on her wrists and neck. As if someone had cleaned and treated her.

Alina's heart pounded.

_Where am I?_ she whispered.

She tried to sit up. Her whole body protested in pain.

"Don't move."

That voice boomed. Low. Raspy. Like a growl being held back. Not a human voice.

Alina looked up with difficulty.

At the end of the room stood a man.

Tall. Very tall. His shoulders were as wide as a palace door. Long black hair fell to his waist, tied carelessly with a leather cord. His face was hard. Jawline sharp as if carved. A straight nose. And eyes...

Golden eyes. Liquid gold. The same eyes she saw at the bottom of the ravine last night. Predator eyes.

The man was not wearing a shirt. His chest was broad, covered in claw marks and old scars that had turned white. He only wore black leather pants around his waist. On his wrist was a bracelet made of tiger fangs. His aura was oppressive. Hot. Dangerous.

He was not human.

Or... he was human, but not.

"Y-y-you..." Alina's voice caught. Her throat was dry. "The King?"

The man stepped closer. Every step made the stone floor tremble. Dust fell from the ceiling. His predator aura filled the room, making Alina's hair stand on end and her breath catch.

He stopped right in front of Alina. Too close. Alina could smell him. The scent of the forest after rain, dried blood, and something savage.

His gaze swept over Alina's body. From the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Studying. Assessing. Like he was examining something he had just found.

"You’re alive," he murmured. His voice vibrated in his chest. "I thought you would die at the bottom of that ravine."

Alina clutched the fur blanket to her neck. "Let me go. I want to go home."

The man smirked. His fangs showed slightly. Sharp. "Home?" his voice was mocking. "Go home to the village that threw you into this ravine? To the village that let you scream until your voice was gone, but not a single one came to help?"

Alina fell silent. Tears welled in her eyes. She couldn't argue. Her chest hurt. Not from physical wounds.

"My name is Draven," he said. Every syllable was heavy. "King of the Black Tiger Clan. Ruler of this ravine for 300 years."

300 years? Alina covered her mouth with her hand. Impossible. That wasn't human.

Draven crouched down. Now he was eye level with Alina. But his savage aura still pressed down, making it hard for Alina to breathe.

He raised one finger. Black claws, 10cm long, slid out with a _shing_ sound. With unexpected care, he touched Alina's cheek. His touch was cold, but not painful.

"Remember this well, little girl," he whispered. His breath was hot on Alina's face. "You fell into my territory. You bled on my land. And you screamed for help in my forest."

His claws slowly moved down to Alina's neck. Stopping right above her pounding pulse.

"Therefore, according to the law of the forest... you are mine."

Alina trembled violently. "I don't belong to anyone! Besides, I'm already... already ruined!" Alina said softly, her voice breaking.

Draven lifted Alina's chin with one finger. Forcing her to look into those golden eyes. There was no mercy there. Only ownership.

"You screamed. No one came."

"You fell. No one caught you."

"You almost died. I was the only one who found you."

His growl grew deeper. His broad chest vibrated. "So yes. You are mine. Alina."

Her name. How did he know her name?

Before Alina could answer, the huge stone door behind them slammed open with a roar that made the entire cave shake.

Three people entered. No, not people. Men over 2 meters tall with golden eyes and fangs peeking from their lips. Their muscles were covered in scars. They wore clothes made of animal skin and bone jewelry.

They immediately knelt when they saw Draven. Their heads bowed to the floor.

"King," they said in unison. Their voices echoed. "Hunters from the village have come. They carry torches and spears. They are looking for the girl."

Draven didn't look away. His gaze never left Alina. As if afraid she would disappear.

"Tell them to leave," he ordered coldly. "Tell them. This land is mine. And she is mine. If they dare to take one more step into my forest... I will be the one to come to them."

"Yes, King."

After they left with heavy footsteps, Draven stood. He walked to the stone throne at the end of the room. The throne was made of bones and black stone. He sat there like a war god from hell.

"Sleep," he said without looking at Alina. "You need strength. You lost a lot of blood."

"What bond?" Alina asked with a trembling voice. Afraid, but curious.

Draven closed his eyes. His jaw tightened. "A bond of blood. A bond of claim. A bond of mates that you cannot refuse, even if you want to."

Then the room fell silent again. All that could be heard was Draven's heavy breathing, like a beast holding itself back, and Alina's terrified heartbeat.

Outside, above the ravine, Raka was shouting at his soldiers.

"GO DOWN! GET HER!"

But no one dared to go down.

Because they all knew the legend was true.

The last Tiger King had awakened.

And he had found his queen.

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*TO BE CONTINUED -