Chapter 6

MIRA’S POV

“Come with me,” Mason kept that warm, knowing smile on his face as he walked beside me.

I don’t know if he thought that was a reassuring smile because all it did was make me feel terror.

He did not use force, but his large frame completely blocked any path back toward the western stone wall. He guided me politely but firmly away from the borders and escorted me all the way back through the grand corridors of the palace, stopping only when we reached the door of my bedroom.

His face was blank for a moment, and two omegas appeared from the adjacent hallway instantly, their arms filled with gowns. He has called them through the pack mind link.

"Dress her up for the evening, girls," he instructed them smoothly, giving me a final polite nod before he turned on his heel and strode down the hallway.

The two maids hurried into my room, closing the doors behind them. They immediately went to work on my body. One of them began running a golden comb through my long, silver-black hair, untangling the knots from my walk in the wind.

The other maid brought over a stunning dress from the large wardrobe. It was a formal silk evening gown the color of deep midnight blue. They pulled it over my head, and the fine fabric slid against my skin like cool water. It hugged my waist perfectly and dipped into a modest neckline that showed off the pale skin of my collarbone.

Once they finished pinning my hair into an elegant half-up style, the taller maid gestured toward the mirror in the corner.

I walked over and took a long look at my reflection. I completely failed to recognize the girl staring back at me.

“I look really nice,” I gasped as I failed to find the disheveled omega from the Silver Crest kitchens.

She was entirely gone and, in her place stood a beautiful, elegant woman.

My blue-violet eyes looked strikingly bright against the dark fabric of the silk dress, and my pale skin seemed to glow under the light of the crystal chandelier. I touched my cheek softly, my fingers trembling slightly. I looked like a noble guest, not a low-ranking worker.

“Yes, my lady. You look really beautiful.” One of the omegas said and the other nodded in agreement.

“Thank you,” I said gratefully.

The maids led me down to the grand banquet hall where the evening party was already in full swing. The massive room smelled intensely of roasted meats, expensive red wine, and sweet vanilla candles. I looked around at the large crowd of well-dressed men and women talking and laughing in small circles.

A strange sense of relief washed over my chest.

For the first time in my entire life, I was standing in a pack house as an invited guest rather than a servant scrubbing the floorboards. I picked up a small glass of sparkling cider from a passing tray and sipped it, enjoying the sweet, crisp taste.

Then, I noticed that the entire atmosphere in my corner of the room had shifted.

The nearby conversations suddenly died down into quiet whispers. I looked up from my glass and realized that nearly everyone in the immediate area was staring directly at me.

Some of the women glared with blatant envy, while the male warriors scanned my petite frame with curious, intense eyes.

Before I could figure out why they were staring, the crowd parted cleanly down the middle.

Alpha King Asher walked through the gap. He looked absolutely magnificent and terrifying. He wore a tailored black tunic that emphasized his broad shoulders and his full height.

The small scar cutting through his left eyebrow made him look incredibly lethal and had a dark seductive appeal.

My chest almost jumped straight out of my throat as he stopped right in front of me.

"How are you enjoying your time in my pack, little wolf?" Asher asked, his deep baritone voice rumbling low in his chest.

I swallowed hard, gripping the stem of my glass tightly to hide the tremor in my fingers. "The accommodations are very comfortable, Your Majesty. Thank you."

Asher took a slow step closer, his eyes glinting with a dangerous, playful light.

He leaned down slightly, his lips brushing close to the shell of my ear. "Are they? Because my Gamma tells me you were spending your morning measuring the perimeter of the border. I heard a small rumor that you were planning to escape my territory."

My stomach turned completely inside out with sheer panic.

I forced my face to remain completely blank, though my heart was pounding furiously against my ribs. "That is not true at all. I was simply taking a morning walk to get some fresh air. I have no intention of running away."

A low, dark chuckle vibrated in his chest. He straightened up, his golden eyes scanning my face with amusement. "Do not lie to me, Mira. It is quite endearing that you think a small, wolf like you culd actually outrun my border patrol warriors. If you want to climb the walls, at least wear something that would allow you run."

His teasing tone caught me entirely off guard. A sudden, intense heat flushed across my cheeks, making my face burn red.

I was simultaneously terrified by his knowledge and deeply flustered by his physical proximity. He was mocking me, but his gaze was heavy and entirely focused on me.

Before I could find my voice to snap back at him, the royal Gamma hurried over from the entrance, his face tight with urgency. "Your Majesty, we have an urgent report from the northern border patrol. Your presence is required urgently.”

Asher’s playful expression vanished instantly, replaced by the cold, calculated look.

He gave me one last lingering look. "We will finish this conversation later, Mira." He turned on his heel and strode out of the banquet hall with his guards following closely behind.

The moment his heavy presence left the room, I finally let out the breath I had been holding. I decided to roam about the banquet hall for a little bit, taking care to mingle quietly and stay completely out of the King’s way in case he returned. I did not want him to notice me again.

As I stood near a massive stone pillar, a very pretty girl with long, curling chestnut hair and bright brown eyes walked up to me.

She wore a lavish gown and held a glass of dark wine. "You must be the girl sent from Silver Crest," she said, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness as she eyed my silk dress.

"Everyone is talking about how the King kept you in his private quarters for days."

I did not want to prolong this conversation at all. I could see the hidden malice and curiosity in her eyes, and I had no energy for pack politics.

"I am just a guest," I replied briefly, keeping my voice entirely flat.

"Excuse me, I am feeling quite tired."

I turned away before she could speak another word. I rushed out of the banquet hall, my shoes clicking rapidly against the marble floors as I fled up the grand staircase.

I ran down the hallway, burst into bedroom, and slammed the heavy oak double doors shut. I turned the brass key in the lock with a sharp, final click.

I leaned my back against the hard wood, my breathing ragged in the quiet room.

I pulled off the dark silk gown and changed into a simple cotton nightshirt. I climbed into the bed, pulling the heavy purple sheets all the way up to my chin. I lay there in the dark, staring up at the ceiling as the wind howled outside the window pane.

“Dear moon goddess please keep Asher carried away so he completely forgets I am existing here until imI can get enough leeway to escape. I really don't want to die and not by his hands.” I closed my eyes and began silently praying to the moon goddess.