I was lying on the bed, trying to get some rest, when Lily finally returned from searching for Sophie.
The moment I heard the door open, I sat up immediately, my heart racing with anticipation.
“Did you find her?” I asked quickly, my voice betraying my anxiety.
“I did,” Lily replied, slightly out of breath.
“From what I gathered, she’s now working as a maid… and she’s currently on duty at the training ground.”
I shot up from the bed as if struck by lightning.
“What?” I screamed, disbelief flooding my voice.
“Sophie?
A maid?” My chest tightened painfully at the thought.
“Take me there.
Right now.”
“Yes, my lady,” Lily said without hesitation, turning on her heels and leading the way.
I followed closely behind her, my mind in complete turmoil.
My heart pounded wildly against my chest as countless thoughts ran through my head.
Everything happening in this palace felt wrong, twisted even.
I hated it here.
I hated the king.
I hated everything.
By the time we approached the training ground, my emotions were already spiraling out of control.
“You cannot go in there.”
The guards stationed at the entrance blocked our path immediately.
“What do you mean?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
One of them looked me up and down with poorly concealed disgust before speaking.
“I mean exactly what I said.
“You cannot enter.”
His tone was dismissive, and worse, he didn’t even bother looking at me again, as if I were beneath his notice.
Anger flared inside me instantly.
It was obvious that this wasn’t about authorization.
He was looking down on me.
“I don’t understand,” I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
“A royal breeder like me can’t enter the training ground, but maids can?”
He didn’t budge.
Fine.
“Since you refuse to let me pass,” I continued, lifting my chin slightly, “I wonder what the king would say if he finds out you’re blocking his woman.
Not only that, but you’re also preventing me from carrying out his orders.”
I held his gaze, silently daring him to challenge me.
He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable.
“Since you claim it’s the king’s order, I’ll let you pass,” he said slowly.
“But you wouldn’t mind if I confirm that with His Majesty, would you?
After all, using the king’s name falsely is a punishable offense.”
A chill ran down my spine, but I refused to show fear.
I steadied my breathing, lifted my brow slightly, and met his gaze without flinching.
After a tense moment, he stepped aside and signaled to the other guards.
Lily and I walked past them.
Only when we were a good distance away did I release the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Without wasting another second, I hurried toward the training grounds.
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes widened in shock.
The place was enormous, far larger than I had imagined.
Rows of seats were arranged for spectators, while the vast open field was filled with warriors training in different sections.
Some sparred in pairs, others practiced drills, their movements sharp and precise.
The sound of clashing weapons, heavy footsteps, and shouted commands filled the air.
It was overwhelming.
My eyes scanned the entire area frantically, searching for Sophie, but I couldn’t find her anywhere.
“I thought you said she was here?” I asked Lily, my voice edged with urgency.
“She is,” Lily replied calmly.
“We just haven’t reached her section yet.”
I nodded, though my unease didn’t fade.
Just as I was about to move further….
“Well, well… what do we have here?”
A mocking voice cut through the noise.
“If it isn’t the new breeder, parading herself like she actually belongs here.
A mere she-wolf at that.”
Two women stepped directly into my path.
I frowned slightly, unsure of who they were, until Lily leaned closer and whispered.
“Lady Sabrina.”
Understanding dawned on me.
“Lady Sabrina,” Lily greeted politely, bowing slightly.
“It’s lovely to see you this afternoon.
Are you here to watch the training?”
I forced a polite smile, though I could already tell this wouldn’t go well.
Sabrina scoffed.
“Why would I waste my time watching training,” she said loudly, “when the greatest joke is standing right in front of me?”
Laughter erupted from nearby soldiers.
Slowly, more people began to gather.
I tried to step past her, but she moved again, deliberately blocking my path.
“Someone would think that as the king’s chosen,” she continued, “you’d be more” she looked at me up and down “or probably doing something more meaningful than parading yourself around.”
More laughter followed.
I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to stay calm.
So this was how it would be.
Fine.
“Well, Lady Sabrina,” I said sweetly, tilting my head slightly, “you’re not doing much better, are you?”
Her smile faltered.
“I’ve heard that the king hasn’t summoned you in quite some time,” I continued, my smile widening.
“And yet, here you are… still parading yourself around doing nothing.”
A few murmurs rose from the crowd.
“Seems like we’re not so different after all,” I added lightly.
“Oh, but wait.
There is one difference.
I was chosen by the king.
You, on the other hand… were forced on him by the council.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Several soldiers paused their training, turning to look at us in shock.
Sabrina’s expression darkened instantly.
“To think a mere she-wolf dares to speak to a noble like that,” she hissed.
“I suppose the king wouldn’t mind if I taught you a lesson.”
My heart skipped.
Panic flickered within me, but I stood my ground.
“I don’t believe you have that right,” I said firmly.
“If anyone is to discipline me, it should be the king himself.”
Even as I spoke, I was buying time.
There was no way I could fight her.
She was a lycan, and my wolf… was dormant.
“I also don’t think the king would appreciate seeing marks on my body that he didn’t put there himself,” I added carefully.
“You know… he likes it rough.”
The crowd buzzed instantly.
“That’s something you wouldn’t know,” I finished.
Lily gasped softly beside me.
But before Sabrina could respond…
“Is that so?”
A deep voice rang out.
The entire training ground fell silent.
A chill ran down my spine.
“I could have sworn my little vixen was angry with me,” the king continued, his voice smooth and dangerous, “because I said I wouldn’t breed her.”
My breath caught, my face turned red in embarrassment.
“And yet, here you are… openly claiming your king.”
He stepped into view, a smile playing on his lips.
“You did get one thing right, though,” he added, his gaze locking onto mine.
“I only prefer my own marks on your body.”
My heart pounded violently.
He turned to Sabrina.
“Behave,” he said calmly.
“I wouldn’t want a repeat of last night.”
Sabrina’s face paled.
She immediately dropped to her knees, apologizing profusely before scrambling away with her maids.
The crowd dispersed just as quickly, everyone returning to their training as if nothing had happened.
And just like that, I was left standing in front of the king… along with his beta and another man I vaguely recognized from the council.
“Join me, Arabella,” the king said.
“I believe there’s a spectacle you’ll enjoy.”
I hesitated but nodded, following him.
Within moments, more people began gathering, as if word had spread like wildfire.
Confusion filled me…
Until I saw them.
Two maids were dragged into the center.
My eyes widened in horror.
I recognized them.
My gaze snapped to the king.
“Yes,” he said lightly, as if reading my thoughts.
“Like I said… the only marks I want on your body are the ones I give.”
I rolled my eyes instinctively.
“What did I say about rolling your eyes, Arabella?”
My blood ran cold.
How did he…
I turned to him slowly, only to find him smiling.
“Easy now, little vixen,” he murmured.
“Your heartbeat is racing.”
My breath hitched.
“If I didn’t know better,” he continued, “I’d think you were looking forward to the punishment I have planned for you later.”
I nearly choked.
Lord Lucien cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away, while the other man beside him chuckled.
“No need to be embarrassed,” the man said casually.
“We are all beasts, after all.
His Majesty simply enjoys his… games.”
He stepped forward slightly.
“Septimus Vane.”
He extended his hand toward me, but before I could respond, the king’s gaze darkened.
Septimus chuckled and withdrew his hand.
“Arabella Montclair,” I said instead.
The atmosphere grew heavier as more people gathered.
Then..
The king raised his hand.
Without warning, the soldiers began.
The sound of the whip cutting through the air echoed loudly.
The maids screamed.
Again.
And again.
And again.
My stomach churned as I watched, unable to look away yet unable to endure the sight.
Blood stained their clothes as the punishment continued mercilessly.
Some maids turned away in horror.
The soldiers, however, remained indifferent.
And the king…
He looked completely unbothered.
By the time it ended, the maids had collapsed, unconscious and broken.
Silence fell.
Then the king turned to me, that same playful smile returning to his lips.
“Will you have dinner with me,” he asked lightly, “as a reward for punishing the maids who annoyed you?”
Gasps spread through the crowd.
All eyes turned to me.