Chapter 3

All eyes in the room were fixed on the guy whom I had assumed was mute and couldn't talk.

"What's wrong, son?" the woman asked, gently touching his hand.

"Yes, what is it?" The man sitting near the woman impatiently asked, giving him a stern look.

"What, uncle? I just want to talk to her for a minute," he replied coldly.

"I'm sorry, but uncle?" My thoughts slipped out, earning me a side glare from my father, telling me to be quiet.

"Yes, dear," his uncle gave me a warm smile that didn't feel entirely genuine.

‘Calm down, Ashley. I know your imagination might have made him look bad, but don't let it cloud your judgment about him,’ my inner voice advised.

"So where is the lycan king?" I curiously questioned, ignoring my father's glares.

"He is dead," his mother replied sadly.

Before I could speak again, my father's voice interrupted me.

"Ashley, be quiet, okay?" My father finally spoke, shooting me a stern glance, making me realize how awkward my question sounded.

"You see, my son is going to be the next lycan king," his mother proudly stated, having a proud look on her face while caressing her son's hair.

"Yes, he will be crowned king after his marriage to this beautiful lady," his uncle added, clearly referring to me.

"Can I talk to her for a minute?" the soon-to-be lycan king repeated, his voice filled with command, showing no facial expression.

"Sure, love, you can talk to her," his mother calmly agreed.

"Go on, Ashley, take the prince to your room," my father sheepishly said, making the adults burst into laughter except for me and the prince, who had a frown on his face, showing he wasn't happy with the engagement, and neither was I.

"Ashley," my father called my name.

"Fine, let's go," I mumbled, urging the prince to follow me before walking away, making my father frown.

"She is really something," I heard the queen say from behind.

"I just hope she won't be a problem in the future," the uncle added.

I walked towards my room and stopped in front of my door. I could hear footsteps from behind, which made me turn to see the lycan prince standing in front of me.

I couldn't help but wonder why he wanted to talk to me before opening the door and entering inside, with him following from behind.

"Okay, what do..." My words were cut off by the heavy slamming of my door. What the heck!

"What's wrong with..." My words hung in the air when I saw his claws were now visible, and his eyes were glowing dark red.

"Oh my goodness, you're an alpha!" I exclaimed, totally stunned. My facial expression made him smirk evilly.

"Yes, I am," he growled, revealing his fangs, making me flinch a little, which made him sneer as if looking down at me.

"Now listen to me, little girl, you..."

"I'm sorry, little girl?" Yes, it was my turn to interrupt now.

"Don't interrupt me when I'm..."

"Who are you calling little?" His voice rang out, but I couldn't care less as I purposely interrupted again, looking straight into his eyes.

"Lower your eyes when I'm talking to you!" His voice was so commanding that before I could say anything again, he spoke.

"You dare speak again, and I'll slit your throat open," he threatened. I won't lie; his aura was intimidating, and the way he was breathing heavily indicated he wouldn't even blink before killing me.

I stood quiet for the first time in my life, with my gaze down for some reason.

"Good girl," he said, and I stood quiet, completely shocked by my new behavior.

‘What's going on? Why am I obeying him? Could it be because I'm scared of him? Why was I obeying this jerk in front of me?’ I thought inwardly.

I have never felt so weak in my life before, like the way I'm feeling now. No, I can't let him treat me like this. I raised my head to meet his gaze piercing into my soul.

"Who..." Before I could say anything, his words made me bite my tongue, stopping me from talking.

"Reject the engagement."