I was going to die. Without an ounce of doubt, the General was going to kill me. I should have shuddered with fear, cried, and begged for mercy, instead… I felt aroused. There definitely was something seriously wrong with me because I couldn't force myself to stop looking at him, at his gloriously naked body. Normal people shouldn't feel excitement when they're about to be ripped apart by a deadly predator!The curve of General's lips stretched, forming a sultry smile. “I usually am not against women on top of me, but I prefer them naked by the time it happens.” Then his head dipped, and those fiery eyes locked on mine. “I also prefer when they are not trying to put a blade to my throat.”I gasped. “I wasn't trying to—"“Liar,” he purred, and a wave of shivers rushed through me.A part of me was still oddly aroused, but the other was in absolute panic. “Please,” I breathed out, but then realized he didn't even restrain my hands. Instinctively, I reached for the dagger in the sheath of

I stared at the long line of chained prisoners standing several steps away from me. How many were there? Forty? Fifty? How could I possibly choose a mere twelve and sentence the rest to die?!A knot formed in my throat as my eyes caught Ellaria's. Even from a distance, I saw her trembling and shaking her head. She must have been confused and terrified to see me stand next to Alpha Kaan himself. I tore my gaze away from her and stepped closer to the General. “Can I”—I swallowed, staring into his dark eyes—“talk to them?”One side of his lips curled up. “Go ahead, little one.” He gestured, allowing me to walk toward them.Goddess… I wished I could use the mind link. Even though I was allowed to approach them, I was fully aware that everything I said might be overheard. Alpha Kaan raised his hand, and the whole field turned silent.Cursing under my breath, I stepped forward. The General's army watched me like hawks, ready to strike and kill their prey. Ellaria's eyes widened as I walked

Restlessness paralyzed my body, forcing me to sit on the damn bed and stare at the door. My stomach growled a few times already, reminding me that I hadn't eaten for... Actually, I wasn't sure when the last time I had eaten was, and the apple the old woman had given me during the whole beautifying process didn't do much to silence my overly loud stomach.The voice at the back of my head kept repeating that I would be safe in Alpha Kaan's presence, but the rational part of me didn't seem convinced. Of course, Caspian words rang in my head as well, and that didn't help me lessen my worries either.I had already checked the windows and any other route of escape twice, and I knew that my chances were nearly nonexistent, especially without any weapon. Shit. This entire place had been built like a fortress, and with those freaking magical wards and soldiers guarding almost every wall, I'd have better chances of running away from the center of the crowded battlefield than from this chamber o

ASENAEyes widening, I pulled the sheets closer to my chest. Why did he want me to witness all that cruelty?! I didn't think I could stomach watching innocent people die while I sat and did nothing. Not to mention that I would observe it all from the side of our enemies. I felt sick just thinking about it. Goddess knew that if I only had my bow and arrows, I would have gladly shot every fucker from Kaan's army.“Please… don't force me to go there,” I whispered.His features hardened as if it pained him when he said, “I have to. I know that it is hard for you to understand it all, but the safest place for you is by my side.”I lowered my head and swallowed a thick knot that rose in my throat. A sudden burst of anger spread a searing wave throughout my body. It felt almost like an itch that rose until it began sneaking through the pores of my skin. “Why are you loyal to that tyrant? Do you have a conscience at all?” I strained through my teeth, mustering my coldest glare.He moved back

“I will not ride with you!” I mustered my best glare while my heart began to thunder at the sole thought of being so close to him for countless hours of riding.“That's not up for discussion, little one,” he said curtly, taking Than's reins from Caspian and turning him toward the main gate. “You can climb on his back on your own, or I will put you there.”Frustration within me rose. “Please, can we just—”Kaan scooped me from the ground and settled me on Than's back before I could even gasp, leaving me with no choice but to grab the pommel of the saddle and swing my leg over the horse to sit astride. He joined me a heartbeat later, quickly positioning himself behind me, so close I could feel his warmth on my back. Then he leaned forward, grabbing the reins with one hand and placing the other on my stomach. My whole body turned rigid.A soft chuckle escaped him, his breath fanning the shell of my ear. “It'd be much more comfortable if you relax and lean against me.”Relaxing was curren