CHAPTER 4

ILYANA’S POV.

When I opened my eyes, someone was tapping me awake. I blinked and met the Alpha King’s gaze. I sat up immediately, apologies already on the tip of my tongue, but he beat me to it.

“We’re here,” he said as the door opened.

He stepped out first, and I followed. My eyes immediately widened, my body and wolf unable to mask my shock at the beauty of the house—or fortress, or castle—in front of me.

It was like stepping into a magical land. The Alpha house in all of the pack houses had been plain, nothing too small but nothing extravagant either. A gate, cars in the compound, and a two-story house.

But this… this was more.

A water fountain stood in the middle of the entire compound, water flowing from the mouth of a wolf and down into a pond. Colorful flowers circled the rest of the building, and a long staircase led up to the entrance.

“Carius will take you to freshen up. Follow him,” he said, breaking my trance before walking away immediately.

I turned to Carius, who I guessed was his beta. The man looked like he wanted to say something, as if making jabs at the back of the Alpha King’s head, before turning to me. He quickly softened and smiled.

“Don’t mind any of that, my lady,” he said with a wider smile. “Please follow me.”

I opened my mouth to tell him not to call me my lady, but I stopped. It felt… nice. Being addressed like that. Being respected.

I followed him into the house, and my shock doubled. Whatever I saw outside was nothing compared to what was inside.

Marble floors stretched endlessly beneath my feet, but they weren’t cold like I expected. They held a strange warmth that made every step feel lighter, almost unreal. The entire house cascaded in an angelic tone—soft and glowing, as if even the light had been carefully placed.

The beta stopped in front of a room and turned to me.

“We’re here.”

He opened the door. “You can use this room. All the maids are still at the ritual, so I’ll find something for you to wear myself. Maybe from the Alpha’s wardrobe, since that seems to look good on you,” he joked.

A blush crept up my cheeks. I was still in the Alpha King’s white shirt, and I immediately fidgeted with the hem.

“And Ilyana,” he called. I looked up.

“You don’t have to be scared here, or worried. You’re the Alpha King’s mate. He’ll protect you now.”

His words were warm and kind, and something heated my chest. No one had ever spoken to me like this before—not even other omegas. And now, a beta was being kind to me.

“Thank you,” I muttered softly, and he nodded.

“Freshen up. I’ll be back soon.”

I walked inside, and my breath hitched. The room was breathtaking. In the other packs I had been to, rooms were always small and cramped with omegas. This was nothing like that.

A large bed sat in the middle of the room. A sofa rested at one side. The room was painted in burgundy and decorated in wine-nude tones.

I made my way to the bathroom, only to be even more shocked. It was four times the size of an entire omega room.

I peeled my clothes off instantly and stepped into the shower, turning on the water.

This was bliss—like finally stepping into a life I had only seen from afar but never thought would be mine.

I let the warm water wash over me, closing my eyes, letting myself enjoy it. I would enjoy every bit of this.

When I was done, I wrapped a towel around my body and another on my head. I stepped out—only to freeze.

There was a woman in the room.

Her glare was sharp—too similar to Lady Selene’s, maybe even worse. She looked me over, disgust curling her lips.

“Who the fuck are you, and why are you in my room?”

My hands tightened on the towel. The comfort from the shower disappeared instantly.

“Don’t you have a mouth? Who sent you here, and why are you using my things?”

She walked closer, and I saw her properly now. An elegant gown, black hair slicked back, face perfectly made up, lips painted deep red.

“Are you dumb?” she snapped.

I jolted. “The beta brought me here.”

“Carius brought you here?” she repeated, scowling. “To my room?”

“Yes… I’m not lying. He brought me here.”

She looked at me again. “You look like an omega. Why would he bring you into the pack house? Aren’t you supposed to be at the ritual?”

My wolf stirred inside me—half pride, half defiance.

“I’m the Alpha King’s mate.”

Something shifted in her expression instantly. The venom in her eyes doubled.

“His mate? The Alpha doesn’t have a mate.”

I swallowed carefully. “He brought me from the full moon ceremony. I’m his mate. He—”

“You’re lying,” she cut in sharply.

“I don’t lie,” I said, firmer than I intended. “He brought me here and told the beta to bring me to this room.”

She stalked closer and grabbed my jaw, just like Lady Selene used to. I stepped back immediately.

I was the Alpha King’s mate. I wouldn’t let anyone bully me again.

“One more chance, you little slut, or I’ll call the guards. Who the fuck are you?”

“The Alpha King’s mate. He brought me here. Ilyana Crest.”

The room went still.

Then she laughed—low, hollow, and cruel.

When she looked at me again, her eyes were ice.

“Get out. Immediately.”

I grabbed my clothes from the floor and stepped out quickly. Before my second foot could even clear the threshold, she slammed the door shut.

The sound echoed through the hallway.

Great.

Now I was in the middle of a house I didn’t know, with no one to guide me.

I quickly changed back into my clothes and tried to find my way. I followed the path the beta had taken earlier, climbing stairs and turning corners, but it only led me deeper into the house.

The more I walked, the more fascinated I became.

Paintings lined the walls. Cold tiles stretched across every corner. The house was endless—luxurious and overwhelming.

Then I reached a door that stood out from the rest.

Most doors were gold or richly decorated. This one was brown, slightly dusty, and looked untouched.

I wasn’t a curious person—but something in me pulled forward.

“Unlocked,” I muttered as I turned the knob.

This was probably not a secret then.

The room was dark when I entered. I reached for the switch and turned on the light. It flickered twice before settling into a dull orange glow.

My stomach dropped in disappointment.

A part of me had expected something hidden—something that explained the Alpha King’s power.

Ten years ago, during the war between Lycans, vampires, and other species, it was said the Alpha King had defeated them all alone. No one knew how a single wolf could overpower them.

But this room wasn’t it.

It was a painting room. Abandoned. Dusty. Forgotten.

Was the Alpha King a painter?

Did he sell his art to the Moon Goddess to gain power?

Questions filled my mind, but there were no answers. I sighed and turned to leave.

The moment I switched off the light, a loud growl tore through the air.

Every hair on my body stood on end.

I turned the light back on quickly, eyes scanning the room. Nothing. The windows were shut. Curtains drawn.

Where did the sound come from?

My heart pounded violently. Fear crawled into my chest. I turned off the light again and rushed toward the door.

I shouldn’t be here.

I reached the hallway—

Then glass shattered behind me.

I screamed as a wolf slammed into the wall, blood staining it before it rose again.

I ran back inside, trying to shut the door, but the wolf lunged at me. The impact threw me backward into a canvas, and it fell with me.

The light flickered back on.

And I saw it.

Not just a wolf.

A creature standing on two legs. Black eyes. Large monstrous human body below. And his upper body, that of a wolf but slightly different.

My stomach dropped.

Fear flooded every vein in my body.

This… this was a Lycan.

And I was going to die.