AYLA
The Werecat King’s face paled at the mention of his Luna, but he immediately covered it with a smile. "My Luna, Dahlia, is doing well. Thank you. I am aware that you are her step-niece, or however it is called. Her niece’s stepsister. I’ll be sure to pass your regards to her."
"No. Please. I’d like to speak with her right now, if you do not mind," I blurted, trying not to sound desperate.
His eyes narrowed. "If I may ask, why?"
"I just..." I scratched the back of my head. "I just..."
"It’s fine. I could call her." He slipped out his phone and dialed a number, but the person I assumed to be Aunt Dahlia didn’t answer.
"Ah. I forgot." He glanced at his wristwatch. "Dahlia likes running around this time. She’s in the woods without her phone."
Oh shit.
"Can you give me her current number, at least? So I can contact her. I would really like to get in touch with her," I pressed.
"I am sorry. I cannot give out her contact information without her permission. She hates receiving random calls. However, if you give me yours, I’ll be sure to give it to her so she can call you," the Werecat King offered.
But I didn’t have a phone, and...
I turned to Sandra. "What’s your number?"
"Please," I pressed when she hesitated.
She called out her number, and the Werecat King typed it into his phone.
"Please, do not forget to inform her. Thank you. Also, can you keep this a secret from the Lycan King?" I asked him.
"I see..." he started, an amused smile forming on his face.
Before he could continue, I added, glancing toward the desk, "And I’ll also keep your little secret about going through his stuff. It was nice meeting you, Alpha. I’ll take my leave now."
I believed my subtle warning was enough to keep his mouth shut.
Just as I turned around to head toward the door, it opened, and Alpha Ezra walked inside, his boots slamming against the floor.
He paused when he saw me, looking between me and the Werecat King.
"Where are you going? The meeting hasn’t begun," his sultry, dangerous voice boomed when he realized I was already leaving.
"I am not interested in attending anymore." I strode closer to him and leaned close enough to whisper into his ear. "After all, you mentioned that I wasn’t important enough to attend such a meeting."
As I moved to walk away, he grabbed my arm, holding me in place.
His dark gaze bored into mine as he growled lowly, "Do not try anything stupid."
"I’ll try to," I murmured, deliberately riling him up.
His face contorted with rage, and a smile curled on my lips.
I yanked my arm from his grip and slipped out of the office, closing the door behind me.
Sandra followed beside me, her breath shaky as she muttered, "What if he tells His Highness about it? And my number that he took? I will be doomed."
I stopped, placed a hand on her shoulder, and assured her, "Trust me. He wouldn’t mention a word."
If the Lycan King found out he had been rummaging through his things, it could cause problems for him.
Her stomach suddenly growled, and she winced, clutching it.
"What happened?" I asked, concerned.
"I don’t know what I ate, but I’ve had an upset stomach since morning, and I really need to... I need to..." Sweat coated her forehead, pain evident in her eyes. "I am sorry, Queen."
With that, she ran away, pressing her hands to her butt as she hurried down the hall. I hoped she didn’t shit herself before finding a toilet.
I continued on my way afterward, walking aimlessly around the pack and trying to figure out how things worked here. The security seemed pretty tight. Even if Alpha Lucius hadn’t stopped me that night, the guards would’ve found me.
"Why are you wandering alone? Are you trying to escape again?" a familiar voice sounded just before I bumped into a hard wall.
Talk of the devil.
My legs stumbled backward, and I looked up to find Alpha Lucius standing before me. I had been so busy counting the number of guards positioned along the woods that I hadn’t been watching where I was going.
I cleared my throat and composed myself immediately. "Are you trying to help me this time?"
"That would mean stealing you from my brother." He winked at me, shocking me.
A sudden confidence to flirt with him built within me. I licked my bottom lip and tilted my head. "Am I not worth it? I could take care of you."
"Oh, in what way, Princess?" He took a step closer to me, brushing a strand of hair off my face.
I froze, suddenly losing some of my earlier confidence.
Before I could think of a response, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me along with him. I didn’t resist.
"I can see that you’ve been exploring the pack. Come, there’s somewhere I’d like to show you."
"Where?" I asked curiously.
His large hand remained wrapped around mine, and the only thing I could think about was how Ezra would kill both him and me if he found us like this. I was putting myself in trouble.
Alpha Lucius led me to the most breathtaking scenery I had ever seen. Three pyramids stood before us, covered in vines of colorful flowers, with the afternoon sun shining brightly over them. In front of them was a small, gently flowing stream. The clear blue sky above made everything look perfect.
I inhaled sharply and closed my eyes, allowing myself to feel everything. The gentle sound of the water, the heavenly scent of the flowers, and the warmth of the sun against my skin. Nature. The imagery was already drawing itself in my head.
"I wish I had my sketchbook. I can already imagine myself sketching this beautiful view of nature," I murmured.
"You sketch?" he asked, and I opened my eyes to look at him.
"Maybe," I said shyly.
"Oh, stop being humble." He chuckled. "I believe you are an excellent artist."
"You’ll be so disappointed." I laughed.
"I cannot wait for you to prove me right." He stretched his hand toward the flowers and plucked one.
"What are you—" My words caught in my throat when he suddenly tucked the yellow flower behind my ear.
"Beautiful..." he murmured, staring at me with admiration.
A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed. I was about to say something when King Ezra’s voice suddenly roared from behind us.
"What is happening here?!"
I gasped and turned. His entire face was red, one hand clenched into a tight fist.
This didn’t look good.
At all.