AYLA
King Ezra was beside me the next second. He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him. My back collided with his chest as his arm wrapped possessively across me. I could feel the rumbles vibrating through his chest, his hatred for his brother evident.
I knew following Lucius here had been a bad decision. I should’ve trusted my gut and declined his offer.
"Brother." Lucius’ lips curled into a mocking smile. "I was just showing her around the pack. I didn’t know you’d be so agitated by that simple gesture. Perhaps I should’ve known, considering you’ve had her locked up all these days."
My eyes narrowed as I stared at him. He had lured me here intentionally and shown me kindness just to spite his brother. While I also hated that the Lycan King had locked me inside that room for several days, I didn’t want to be used as a tool in their hatred for each other.
Ezra pushed me aside and stalked towards his brother. He stared down at him as he growled, "Whatever I do with her is none of your fucking business."
"Of course it is my business. You are a Blackthorne, and we do not treat women this way. You know how disappointed Mother would have been, and that’s why you’re showing her false kindness." Lucius’ eyes darkened. "Tell me... after she leaves, will you go back to locking her in that room and feeding her scraps? Stop being a fucking piece of shit!"
In a swift second, Ezra’s fist slammed into Lucius’ nose, sending him stumbling backwards. Blood ran from his broken nose, and he wiped it off with the back of his hand.
He smiled contemptuously as he continued staring at Ezra. "Is that all you’ve got?"
The rage oozing off Ezra burned through the air. He clenched his fists, but before he could move towards Lucius, I blocked his path.
"Please. Stop. Please!" I yelled, pushing him backwards.
"No. I want his fucking tongue. Then he’ll know how to keep his dirty mouth shut!" Ezra growled.
"Let’s see you try," Lucius hissed from behind me.
The rage flickering through Ezra’s eyes intensified.
"Move!" he ordered.
"Lucius, please leave. I beg you!" I yelled.
When he didn’t move, I added, "I would hate for a brutal fight to happen because of me. Please."
There was a pause, but after a few seconds, I heard his retreating footsteps.
Ezra followed him with a venomous glare. When Lucius was finally out of sight, he settled his dark gaze on me, his nose twitching.
Without a word, he grabbed my arm and dragged me all the way back to the bedroom before releasing me.
"Didn’t I warn you to stay away from my brother? He means no good!" he growled as he pushed me against the wall, slamming his palm against it above my head.
"He only showed me the pyramid thingy. Nothing more happened." My chest heaved up and down, the weight of his Alpha aura pressing down on me.
"I don’t care what happened. Stay away from him," he growled.
"If that’s what you want, fine. I’ll stay away from him. But his words have been hounding my mind, and I want to ask you something. After the Queen Mother leaves the pack, will you go back to locking me inside this room and feeding me scraps? Will you continue punishing me for a crime I never committed?"
A look I couldn’t quite decipher flickered through his eyes, and he immediately pushed away from the wall.
Without another word, he left the bedroom, leaving me alone with the thoughts in my head.
What if I was unable to escape? Would I remain his prisoner for the rest of my life, however short that life might be? Was there something I could do to gain his favor and make him more lenient with me?
I was tired of living such a pitiful life. I needed to take a leap and do something to change it.
King Ezra never returned to the bedroom that night, and the following morning, Sandra brought my breakfast on a tray. Eggs, bacon, toast, bread rolls, and coffee. It smelled amazing, but despite the spread before me, I didn’t have much of an appetite. I managed only one roll and drank some coffee.
"How is your stomach now?" I asked Sandra.
"I feel much better. Thank you," she chirped. Her gaze dropped to the tray. "Are you sure you don’t want more? There’s still a lot of food here."
"You can have it. I’m full."
"Really?" Her eyes flickered with excitement, and I was glad I could at least put a smile on someone’s face.
I nodded gently, a lazy smile curling on my lips.
"Have you received a call from my aunt?" I asked.
My chest tightened with disappointment when she shook her head.
"Okay, please keep me posted. Let me know immediately she calls," I murmured.
Rolling onto the bed, I pulled the duvet over myself.
"Queen, are you fine? You seem withdrawn today," Sandra’s voice echoed through the room.
"I’m fine. I just want to stay in today. You can leave," I told her.
She remained there for a few more minutes before I finally heard her retreating footsteps and the door closing behind her.
Now that I finally had the opportunity to walk freely around the pack, I was too drained by thoughts and worries about my future to even step outside.
Each time Sandra came to my room to check on me or bring me food, I eagerly asked if she had received any calls. But the answer remained the same, and frustration continued to build inside me.
By the time darkness covered the sky outside, the door opened, and I expected it to be Sandra bringing me dinner.
"I’m still full. Take it back," I murmured without lifting my head from the pillow.
Then his aura filled the room just before he spoke.
"Sit up."
I yanked the blanket off my head and glanced at him.
King Ezra.
Reluctantly, I sat up as he had instructed.
He folded his arms across his chest as he stared intently at me.
"I want you to tell me your own side of the story." His expression remained unreadable. "Do not leave anything out."