Chapter Four — The Enemy’s Table

Chapter Four – Behind Closed Doors

The applause and music in the ballroom faded the moment Adrian guided me through a side corridor, away from the stares and the whispers.

His hand was still at the small of my back, firm but not possessive—though the heat of it seemed to burn through the silk of my gown.

We passed two guards who instantly straightened at his approach, their eyes flicking to me with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. No one questioned where he was taking me. No one dared.

Adrian stopped in front of a tall set of oak doors and pushed them open, revealing a private lounge lit by the warm glow of a roaring fireplace. The air smelled faintly of aged whiskey and cedar—a scent I was quickly starting to associate with him.

He didn’t speak at first. He simply walked to a sideboard, poured himself a drink, and then glanced at me over his shoulder. “Wine?”

“No,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

His lips curved faintly. “You want to keep your head clear. Smart.”

I moved further inside, my heels silent against the thick carpet. “Why am I here, Adrian?”

He set his glass down and turned fully to face me. “Because you made a declaration in front of half the kingdom last night. And I don’t think you understand what that means.”

“I know exactly what I said.”

He stepped closer, the firelight catching the sharp lines of his jaw, the silver strands in his dark hair. “You threatened to use me to hurt my son.”

I held his gaze. “And you didn’t seem offended.”

His hand came up—not touching, just hovering near my jaw, as if testing whether I’d flinch. I didn’t.

“Offended?” His voice was low, deliberate. “No. I was… intrigued. But intrigue is not enough for me, Emma. If you want to play this game, I need to know you’re willing to see it through.”

I swallowed. “How do you plan to find out?”

His fingers brushed my chin lightly, tilting my head up just enough to make my pulse quicken. “By seeing how far you’ll let me go.”

The words were a dare, and my breath caught before I could stop it.

“Tell me, Emma,” he murmured, “are you here because you want revenge… or because you want me?”

The question hung between us like a live wire. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, could feel the tension coil tighter with every passing second.

“Does it matter?” I said, forcing the words out.

Adrian’s slow smile was the kind that could unravel a woman if she wasn’t careful. “It matters to me. Because if you choose me for revenge, I’ll make sure Lucas watches every moment. If you choose me for yourself…” He paused, his thumb brushing just beneath my lower lip. “…then I won’t let you go. Ever.”

My mouth was dry, my pulse erratic, but I managed to whisper, “And if it’s both?”

His eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur. “Then you’ll be mine in ways you can’t yet imagine.”

Before I could answer, the heavy knock of a guard’s fist hit the door.

“Lord Adrian,” a voice called from outside, “the Alpha King requests your presence. Urgently.”

Adrian didn’t look away from me as he replied, “Tell him he’ll have to wait.”

The guard hesitated. “It’s about Lucas, sir.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened, but his hand lingered against my face for one final second. “Don’t go anywhere,” he said softly. “We’re not finished.”

And then he was gone, leaving me alone in the firelit room, my heart still racing—wondering what, exactly, had happened to Lucas that could pull Adrian away… and how it might change everything.