Under Their Watchful Eyes

Bree’s POV

I couldn't believe my eyes. I stared at the people who had filled Lucien's chambers, wondering if I was trapped in some terrible nightmare.

The Alpha King, the Luna Queen, and several high-ranking members of the royal court were sitting comfortably in chairs arranged around the room.

They were actually expecting us to have sex.

Not just expecting it. They intended to watch until it happened.

My stomach twisted.

Until a few minutes ago, I had been worried about Adrian discovering that Lucien and I were lying. Now, I had a much bigger problem.

If these people refused to leave, I might actually have to sleep with Lucien.

I looked at him, hoping he would say something that would make this ridiculous situation disappear.

“Father, I don't think this is necessary,” Lucien said, sounding as uncomfortable as I felt.

The Alpha King raised an eyebrow.

“And why is that?” He asked.

“Because Bree and I can decide how we want to spend our wedding night. There's no reason for everyone to be here” he said.

I quickly nodded.

“Exactly. We would appreciate some privacy.”

The Alpha King laughed.

“Privacy? My dear, this is not about privacy. It is about ensuring that you two are not deceiving the royal family” he said.

“But we're not going to run away,” Lucien argued. “We're together. We can take things at our own pace.”

The Alpha King exchanged an amused look with one of the men beside him.

“Take things at your own pace?” he repeated. “Interesting.”

I didn't like the sound of that.

“Lucien, you have always been a difficult child, but I didn't expect you to be so hesitant about your own consummation night” he said.

“I'm not hesitant.”

“Then what is the problem?”

Lucien opened his mouth, but the Alpha King continued.

“Unless, of course, you are not confident that you can satisfy your bride” he joked.

A few people chuckled and my cheeks warmed. The Alpha King glanced in my direction, and his eyes briefly travelled over my body.

“After all, she is a rather big woman. Perhaps you need more time to prepare yourself” he continued.

The laughter around the room grew louder and I lowered my eyes.

I was familiar with such comments. I had heard them from the maids, the nobles, and even Adrian. But hearing the Alpha King make such a joke in front of everyone made something inside me ache.

I hated that my body had become a subject of amusement. I hated that people thought they could say anything about me simply because I was bigger than other women.

Lucien's expression darkened.

“Father, that's enough” he said.

But before he could say anything else, I sat up.

“Actually, I think there's no need for this” I said.

The room fell silent. Even I was surprised by how firmly my voice came out.

The Alpha King looked at me.

“What did you say?”

I swallowed, fighting the urge to lie back down.

“I said there's no need for everyone to be here. Lucien and I will decide when we want to consummate. It's our intimate night, not a public performance.”

The Luna Queen looked startled. One of the court members exchanged a glance with another.

I continued before I could lose my courage.

“Besides, we have been having sex for months. So why is there suddenly a need to prove something that has supposedly been happening all this time?” I demanded.

The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to cover my face.

Had I really just said that? In front of the Alpha King and Luna Queen?

My eyes widened slightly as I realized how boldly I had spoken, but it was too late to take it back.

Lucien turned to look at me, his expression was unreadable, then he nodded.

“She's right” he agreed.

I glanced at him.

“We have been together for months,” he continued. “I don't understand why everyone suddenly needs to witness what happens between us.”

The Alpha King wasn't impressed. Before he could respond, the bedroom door opened again.

I turned, hoping that whoever was entering would somehow bring an end to this madness. Unfortunately, it was Sandra.

Her eyes immediately found me, and a small, unpleasant smile appeared on her face.

“What is going on here?” she asked, pretending to be surprised.

The Luna Queen briefly explained the situation and Sandra's expression changed almost immediately.

“Oh, I see.” She looked at Lucien and then at me. “Well, I don't think there's any reason to delay this.”

I frowned.

“Excuse me?”

Sandra ignored me.

“If they really have been having an affair, then there shouldn't be any problem proving it. And if they refuse to do it now, perhaps it's because the entire story is a lie” she said.

My stomach dropped.

“That's enough, Sandra,” Lucien warned.

But she wasn't finished.

“Why should everyone believe them? They made a serious accusation against the Crown Prince and claimed to have been secretly involved for months. Surely they should be willing to prove it” she added.

Adrian, who had been standing near the door, finally spoke.

“I agree.”

I turned toward him. He looked uncomfortable, but there was a strange determination in his expression.

“As much as it will hurt me to watch another man touch Bree, I want the truth to come out. If Lucien is telling the truth, then he should have nothing to worry about” he said.

My heart sank. I couldn't believe Adrian was saying this.

He had rejected me, he had humiliated me. Yet now he was acting as though watching me sleep with his brother was some painful sacrifice he was making for the sake of the truth.

“Bring me a chair,” he ordered one of the servants.

The servant immediately hurried away.

Sandra smiled and moved closer to him. A few moments later, the chair arrived.

Adrian sat down, and Sandra settled beside him as though they had purchased tickets to some private show.

I felt sick.

The Alpha King looked satisfied.

“Excellent. Now that everyone is comfortable, I believe we can proceed” he said.

I glanced at Lucien. He was standing beside the bed, his jaw tightly clenched.

The Alpha King gestured toward me.

“Lucien, your bride is waiting” he said.

My throat went dry. I could hear my heartbeat pounding against my chest.

I had never felt so exposed in my entire life.

I looked at Lucien again, silently hoping he would find a way to stop this, but the Alpha King leaned back in his chair and repeated his command.

“Begin, Lucien.”

My heart thumped even harder, and suddenly, I realized we might have run out of excuses.