Lahat ng Kabanata ng Tempting the Alpha’s Father : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

The ballroom still hadn’t recovered from the shock of Adrian’s words. I could feel dozens of eyes on me—whispers like daggers slicing through the thick silence. Lucas’s face was pale, fury twisting his handsome features, but he didn’t dare speak. Not in front of Adrian. Not when one raised brow from the Alpha King’s father could ruin him in less than a heartbeat. Adrian’s gaze held mine for a beat too long, then he tilted his head toward the massive double doors leading out of the hall. It wasn’t a request. It was a command. I didn’t know why my legs obeyed. The air outside was cooler, the corridor dimly lit by golden sconces that threw shadows across the marble floor. My heels clicked in rhythm with the pounding of my heart until Adrian stopped near a tall window, the moonlight casting his features into something almost unreal. “You’ve caused quite the scene,” he said, voice low, almost amused. I crossed my arms, forcing my chin high. “Good. I meant every word I said.” One cor

Chapter Four – Behind Closed Doors The applause and music in the ballroom faded the moment Adrian guided me through a side corridor, away from the stares and the whispers. His hand was still at the small of my back, firm but not possessive—though the heat of it seemed to burn through the silk of my gown. We passed two guards who instantly straightened at his approach, their eyes flicking to me with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. No one questioned where he was taking me. No one dared. Adrian stopped in front of a tall set of oak doors and pushed them open, revealing a private lounge lit by the warm glow of a roaring fireplace. The air smelled faintly of aged whiskey and cedar—a scent I was quickly starting to associate with him. He didn’t speak at first. He simply walked to a sideboard, poured himself a drink, and then glanced at me over his shoulder. “Wine?” “No,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. His lips curved faintly. “You want to keep your head clear. Smart.” I mov

I didn’t expect the private wing of Blackthorn Manor to feel like an entirely different world. The rest of the estate carried the weight of tradition—grand hallways lined with portraits of past Alpha Kings, the scent of polished wood, and the quiet presence of servants who avoided meeting your eyes. But here… here it was different. The corridors were wide and dimly lit, the walls covered in rich charcoal silk instead of the usual pale cream. The paintings were abstract, moody splashes of black and crimson, and the floors were covered in thick rugs that muffled every step. It felt like walking straight into Adrian’s mind—controlled, intense, and a little dangerous. The guard who’d been assigned to escort me stopped in front of a tall set of black double doors inlaid with silver. “Lord Adrian said you’re to remain here unless summoned.” I raised a brow. “And if I decide not to?” He didn’t flinch. “Then I’ll have to stop you.” I smiled sweetly. “Good luck with that.” Still, I ste

The night felt different. Too still. Too quiet. Adrian’s private wing always had guards posted at both ends of the hallway, but tonight, their usual low murmur of conversation was absent. The silence was so complete it made the hair on the back of my neck rise. I sat curled in one of the armchairs by the fire, trying to read, but every creak of the old manor pulled my attention away from the page. Adrian hadn’t returned yet from whatever business the Alpha King had dragged him into, and though I’d never admit it out loud, his absence left the room feeling… exposed. I was halfway to pouring myself a glass of water when it happened. A faint scrape at the door. Like metal against wood. I froze. It came again — this time followed by a slow, deliberate turn of the handle. Adrian had been clear: do not open the door for anyone but him. My pulse pounded as I glanced toward the bed where the wolf pelt still lay inside its box — a silent reminder that whoever had sent it knew exactly

I woke up to the low murmur of voices outside Adrian’s bedroom door. Not the hushed tones of guards changing shifts, but something sharper — edged with anger. “You’ve gone too far this time.” Lucas. I froze, my fingers tightening around the blanket. “You’re trespassing in my house,” Adrian’s voice answered, calm in the way that made people more afraid. “Don’t twist this. You’ve got my fiancée’s ex-mate sleeping in your bed? In your quarters? Do you know what that makes you look like?” There was a pause, the kind that felt like it could split the air in two. “It makes me look like a man who protects what’s his.” The words slammed into me before I could process them. What’s his. I slipped out of bed, padding silently to the door. When I cracked it open, I saw them — two tall, dark-haired Lycans standing only feet apart, tension coiled between them like a live wire. Lucas looked the same as the night he’d rejected me — polished, smug, the faint scent of Clara’s perfume clinging