All Chapters of The executioner and the Alpha King: Chapter 41 - Chapter 43

Unknown Figure – POV The old oak door groans as I descend the final stone steps. The scent of damp stone and rot rises to greet me like an old friend. I inhale—not for pleasure, but for control. Down here, there are no lies, no masks, no titles or politics. Only stone, secrets… and her. The torches lining the corridor flicker as if recognizing my presence, casting long shadows along the damp walls. The flames bow in silence, just like everyone else should have. My boots echo with each deliberate step, a rhythm of inevitability. She doesn’t look up—not at first. She never does. She sits just as she always has: ankles crossed, back straight, a mockery of grace. As if she still holds dignity. A fool’s delusion. “I see the rats haven’t eaten you yet,” I murmur, voice flat, emotionless. “A shame. I had such high hopes for them this week.” Her head lifts, slowly. Her hair is tangled, wild, a mess that speaks of years stolen. But her eyes—those cursed eyes—remain unchanged. Defiant. B

Lily’s pov The walls are white. Always white. They say white is the color of peace, of purity. But to me, it’s the color of emptiness. I’ve been in this room for as long as I can remember. Father says I’m sick. That going outside would kill me. He says I was born fragile, different, delicate. The air out there would poison my lungs. The sun would burn my skin. The world… would destroy me. He only wants to keep me safe. Still, I press my forehead to the window glass and watch the trees swaying in the wind. Just beyond the garden wall, the forest looms like a secret I’m not allowed to know. I wonder what the wind feels like. I wonder what freedom feels like. I imagine stepping outside barefoot, toes in the dirt, arms stretched wide. Would the sky fall on me? Would the trees whisper my name? He says the world forgot me. That even she forgot me. My mother. She left. Took Carol with her. Didn’t even look back. I was too sick, too much of a burden. He said she only wanted the strong