Chapter 6

~SURI~

Three days later, I can barely move. So much for the Queen of Exploration. Instead of wandering around like a curious tourist, I have been stuck in bed fighting a fever that feels like it wants to cook me alive. It hit the same night King Ragnar left, which makes me think the universe hates me personally.

By morning, my back feels like someone poured fresh ground pepper on it. I somehow manage to rip off the plaster the Moonfang Pack doctor slapped on me, then sit in the bathtub for ages, hoping the cold water will numb the pain. Spoiler: it does not.

I keep everything to myself. I do not even tell the maids who quietly come in and out with food, clothes, and bathwater. I cannot risk anyone running off to the pack clinic. If they check me, Alpha Lawrence’s wickedness will be exposed, and the next thing I know, I will be dragged back to Moonfang like a wrong parcel that was not ordered.

I am stepping out of the shower when the bedroom door flies open. King Ragnar walks in without warning. I yelp like a startled goat and wrap my arms tight around my towel.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, stupidly.

His aura immediately fills the room, making me shiver. Then he steps further into the room, his nostrils flaring slightly as his intense gaze fixes on me.

“Try remembering this is my room,” he says in a deep, rough voice.

I stand there awkwardly. There is no way in hell I am going to change in his presence, and I cannot exactly ask the King to step outside so I can wear pants.

“I hear you have refused to eat,” he says.

“I am not hungry,” I reply, trying to sound calm even though I feel like I am about to fall over.

He removes his wristwatch and places it on the vanity table. “Eat. You need strength to take my seed tonight.” He shrugs off his jacket as if he just told me about the weather.

My heart spikes with fear at that thought, and I bite my lower lip. The thought of how he is going to claim me roughly fills me with dread. My head begins to feel dizzy, a clear sign that I am standing for too long. My back feels like a thousand needles have pierced me. I grimace a little but stand my ground. How am I going to get through tonight without him noticing the mayhem at my back?

“What do you care about my welfare?” I mutter under my breath. “I will wait for you in bed.”

He turns sharply. His voice drops even lower, and it is not the comforting kind. “You are my queen. Your survival and welfare are my responsibility. I will tolerate no defiance in that matter. Learn that now and accept it. It will make your life here easier.”

I do not have the energy to argue. I just nod and take one step towards the bed, but my head spins, and the next thing I know, I am tilting, and the floor is rushing up to meet my face.

I do not hit the ground. Strong arms catch me, but as they circle around my waist, pain explodes through my back. I howl in white-hot pain and jerk out of the King’s arms like he scalded me with his touch. Uncontrollable tears pour down my cheek.

King Ragnar’s brows pull tight together as he stares at me. “What is wrong with you? Your skin is burning.”

“Nothing,” I sob. “Cramps… I am having cramps.” I inch backward, trying to keep him away from me.

The look in his eyes tells me he did not buy that lie for a second.

“Cramps affect your back?” he growls as he steps closer. “You must think I am stupid, little wolf. I have claimed many women. I know where cramps take place.” He grabs my wrist.

“No!” I shriek.

But he spins me around with ease, and before I can even blink, he yanks the towel away, leaving me naked and shaking. My sobs get worse as the cold air hits my back like a slap.

For a moment, the King says nothing. He just stares at my back as if he is seeing death itself etched onto my skin for the very first time. I bite down hard on my lip, trying not to make a sound.

“What is this?” he asks. His voice is quiet but dangerous.

“It is nothing,” I cry, even though we both know that lie is weak.

He spins me around and grabs my chin. His grip is firm enough to make my pulse jump. I can see his Lycan pushing against the surface. The anger rolling off him feels like heat from a wildfire.

“Do not provoke me. Who the hell are you?” he snaps.

His aura hits me so hard my knees almost buckle. Now I understand why Lycans are feared. In this moment, I cannot even scrape together one drop of bravery. “I am your… I am Emily,” I whisper, my voice shaking.

“Liar,” he hisses, pinning me against the wall. “Explain to me how a spoiled princess has such angry whip welts covering her back?” His hand slides down to my throat. There is a dangerous, lethal glint in his eyes. “If you do not want to feel the life leave you, I suggest you start speaking.”

“My name is Suri,” I blurt out desperately, needing him to let go. “I… I am Alpha Lawrence’s daughter, but not his heir. He whipped me into agreeing to this entire plan. Please…”

His hand drops from my throat. He steps back, staring at me like I just turned into a different creature entirely. I push away from the wall and wrap my arms around myself, suddenly painfully aware that I am still naked.

King Ragnar stumbles back again, jaw tight, eyes losing focus as if his mind is racing through the whole story. I do not think he is a man that stumbles a lot.

“Bloody werewolves,” he mutters, his face twisting as pieces start clicking. “Bloody werewolves,” he repeats, his voice thick with horror, and he turns and walks out of the room, leaving me alone.

I rush for the towel and wrap it around my body. My hands are shaking so badly the knot almost slips. My vision blurs. The dizziness I have been fighting overwhelms me. My legs give out, and I drop to my knees with a small cry. I slowly lie down on the floor because holding myself up is no longer an option.

The door flings open violently again, but I do not look up or try to see who is there. I am too weak to care.

“Your Highness?” a woman calls, her voice tight with worry. Footsteps rush to me. “The King asked me to check on you.” She touches my arm and gasps. “Goddess, you are burning up.”

Someone else enters the room, and their voices blur together.

“Help me lift her… gently…”

That is the last thing I hear before everything fades into darkness.