4: You're coming with me!

Natasha's POV

Throughout the rest of the ceremony, he sat quietly by the side of the stage, where the other dignitaries were seated. But his eyes—his eyes never left me. Heavy, intense, like they were stitched to my skin. Every time I looked up, they were on me— Unblinking.

I forgot how to do everything.

I missed three names being called before I realized they were already ahead in the program. Lani nudged me, whispered something, but her voice sounded far away. I couldn't focus. My palms were sweaty, knees a bit wobbly. I smiled when I needed to. Walked when I had to. But it was all muscle memory, not me.

Even when I sat down, the weight of his stare followed. It crawled down my back, wrapped around my arms, settled in my stomach like a knot. I tried to look away. Pretend he wasn’t there. Pretend the Lycan King— wasn’t in the same room as me. But that was a lie, and I knew it.

I was supposed to feel proud today. I had five plaques now. I was the talk of many families and the pride of my mother who had droped a few tears while I was being called to the stage for my awards.

But all I felt was... scrambled. Like someone had picked me up, shook everything inside me, and placed me back down with everything in disarray.

I didn't even wait for the crowd to clear.

As soon as the final speech was over, I squeezed Lani's hand, gave her a weak smile, and slipped out. Took the back exit. Let the cool air hit my face cause I so much needed that.

By the time I got home, the sky had started to change color. My heels clicked against the stone walkway of the servants’ quarters. I didn’t stop to say anything to anyone. Just walked straight in, my awards tucked under one arm, dress crinkled, and face still sticky from makeup and confusion.

As soon as I got into my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. For a second, I just stood there with eyes closed. My heart was still beating fast— too fast.

Then finally— I moved.

I kicked off my heels. Tugged the earrings out. Pulled every pin from my hair like they were burning me. Each curl fell out in a loose, tired wave. Then the dress. That beautiful pale gold dress, clinging like it belonged to someone else—it slid off in one breath, like it couldn’t wait to leave.

I pulled on my maid uniform. The plain black dress. White apron. Hair tied up in a bun. No gloss. No mascara. Just Natasha.

Normal again.

Everything from graduation was off me now, except for one.

The Lycan King— his stare. The way he walked in like he owned the air around him. The way he looked at me. Not just once, not twice. The whole time. All of it remained stuck in my mind like they weren’t planning to leave anytime soon.

I remember our first encounter like it happened seconds ago. I sincerely had no idea who he was then, the Lycan King wasn’t someone you just see anywhere and anyhow, so how the hell was I sopposed to know.

Today, I barely escaped him. If I hadn’t run out when I did—

I shook the thought away.

No time for that now.

I folded the dress neatly. Placed the plaques on the small desk by my bed. Tied my apron. Took a deep breath. Then left for the kitchen.

But the moment I stepped in, I paused.

The air was thick with scent. It smelt totally different, rich. Not like the Alpha’s family didn’t eat good food. But today, it felt like an extra effort was put into the meal. Like it was meant to impress. There was roasted herbs and marinated meats, fresh bread. Some kind of stew that smelled expensive. My stomach twisted. I hadn’t realized I was hungry until now.

Kendra turned to me from the stove. Her brows lifted. "You're back?"

I nodded. "What’s going on here? Why does it smell like a royal banquet?"

"We were told to prepare a full dinner. All ten courses."

"Ten?"

She pointed at the trays, the silver pots, the polished plates. Everything was spotless. Every dish looked like something from the Alpha’s annual feast.

"Are we expecting a guest?"

She shrugged. "We don’t know. But Luna Stella gave the instruction. She said it came from the young master. Everything had to be ready before sunset."

I swallowed the lump rising in my throat and moved to help them. Set the cutlery. Re-checked the glasses. My hands moved, but my mind didn’t. It was caught up somewhere else.

We finished just as the sun dipped behind the trees. The whole pack house felt different. Tense. Like the walls were holding their breath. We lined up by the entrance. I stood between Kendra and Mira. Back straight, hands behind, eyes down, just like we were taught.

Then came several footsteps from behind the door.

The doors fell open and a certain familiar aura enveloped the room. It wasn’t Jace’s but then Jace stepped in with some elders of the pack.

Could I have mistaken Jace for someone else? Nah, that’s almost impossible.

I expected Matilda to come in next, but instead— The Lycan King did.

My legs wobbled.

My lungs forgot what they were supposed to do.

He looked the same as in the party, followed by the same set of huge dudes. And again—those eyes found mine. Instantly, like he had come here just for this. For me.

I looked away, quickly.

"Dinner is ready, I assume?" Came Jace’s voice.

"Yes, Master," Sina, an elderly maid answered quickly.

We all bowed slightly.

As they walked past, I could feel it. His presence. Like gravity. Pulling every part of me. I kept my head down, but I knew he was still staring. The others didn’t notice at first.

But Jace did.

He glanced between us, a bit of confusion in his eyes.

Since Jace was still yet to be made Alpha, it was the duty of the Eldest of the elders to address the table.

 Elder Reuben stood and every eyes followed him.

"The King’s visit is a... rare honor.” He started. “We are so glad to have him with us tonight, and hope that whatever he has come for would end up being a done deal.”

“With that I say, Let us begin."

Dinner started.

We served everything. Carefully. One dish at a time. No spills. No shaking hands. No mistakes.

The Lycan King didn’t speak much. Just observed. Every word he did say was short. Direct. Cold. Just like the stories. But whenever I came near, I felt the shift in the air. The way his gaze followed even my shadow.

The room felt smaller.

Hotter.

I kept moving. Kept serving. Counted the plates, the bowls, the minutes.

Everyone at the table seemed to be holding their breath, and everyone that spoke must have thought well of his speech before presenting it.

“Shadow Rock Pack,” He said finally, like he was finally ready to spill the words— his reason for being here.

Everyone froze, every clinking suspended and all attention turned to him.

And then—he spoke again.

“From my records, you’re still indebted to the Lycan Kingdom—”

“Yes, your majesty—” the elders said and nodded all at once. “—but we’re trying everything in our power to see that we pay up everything we owe as soon as possible.” Elder Reuben continued, almost holding his breath while he said that.

“Well,” the King said, his gaze returning to me like a command. “I’m not here for that. I came to clear your debt.”

Confused glances darted across the table. Forks hovered mid-air. No one breathed too loudly.

“Your Majesty?” Elder Reuben asked, cautious.

“You heard me.” The King didn’t blink. No further explanation. Just silence thick enough to choke on.

Luna Stella raised a hand, she gestured toward me and tapped her glass. I reached for the pitcher, but her voice interrupted the silence.

“And how exactly do we intend to do that, Your Majesty?” she asked, her voice trying to stay calm but tight at the edges.

The King ignored her entirely.

His eyes stayed on me.

“You there. What’s your name?”

I hesitated, confused, still pouring. Couldn’t be me. Could it?

“Are you deaf?” His voice was a low growl—enough to freeze my veins.

I looked up, then around. Everyone else had gone still.

“Me?” My voice barely came out. “I— I’m Natasha.”

“As I was saying,” he continued flatly, like none of that just happened. He lifted a hand, and one of the men behind him—probably his Beta—stepped forward with a file.

The King opened it.

“Your standing debt to the Dark Moon Pack is five hundred million dollars. You’ve paid one hundred million. That leaves four hundred.”

The elders nodded, visibly nervous. Elder Reuben cleared his throat. “Yes, Your Majesty. That’s correct.”

He made another gesture and another document was handed over.

“Sign this,” the King said, passing it across the table, “and Shadow Rock Pack’s debt is erased.”

The Elders took the file in confusion, their eyes scanning through it. But before anyone could make sense of what was actually happening, he spoke again.

"—And you."

Everyone paused, trying to figure the ‘You’ he meant.

My back stiffened when I realised his eyes were on me again.

He stood slowly. Chair scraping against the floor. Eyes still locked on mine.

"Gather your things. You're coming with me."

The room fell silent.

Everyone was probably still trying to process what was happening.

My mouth opened. No sound came out.

I looked around, everyone was watching. Maybe even waiting for someone to speak up. My hands trembled. My throat was dry.

Jace stood quickly. “Your Majesty, with all due respect—”

"You have till dawn to decide." The Lycan King said dismissively.

Jace’s fists clenched at his sides. His jaw moved like he was chewing words he wanted to spit but couldn’t. I’d never seen him look so unsure—so completely thrown off. He wasn’t used to being ignored, not in his father’s house, not in front of his people. But right now, no one was looking at Jace.

They were all staring at me.

Every elder. Every maid. The Luna. The guards by the door. And most of all—Him.

The Lycan King.

I tried to speak again but failed.

“You’re taking her to pay the debt?” Elder Reuben asked, his voice cracking just a bit. “Is that what this is?”

“Wrong,” the King said, voice like stone. “She’s already mine. The debt is just compensation.”

The words hit me like bricks.

Already his?

But how?

Thought we already established the fact that I wasn’t his type.

He didn’t wait for questions.

“Accept it or don’t. It changes nothing. She’s coming with me.”

His tone was heavy with finality.

No one spoke after that.

No one dared.