e watch, but the chains that held her down seemed to loosen bit by bit. She was allowed to leave her room and walk around, though she wa

d in her mind. She had grown closer to Mike during her time here, but even that comfort was starting to feel... strange. Something was off,

usual surroundings. The palace, as grand as it was, could feel like a prison. Sh

ouldn't stop herself from moving closer. Something felt wrong, and her heart sped up with each step she t

pushed the door open s

sly around them. The woman was smiling, laughing softly as she ran her hand along Mike's

e couldn't believe what she was seeing. Mike-the man who had been by her side,

ly above a whisper, but it was

ut only slightly. He didn't look guilty or

d, sitting up a little, but he made no mov

d into the room. "What is this? How could you...?" She traile

with a smug smile, but Mike didn't seem

ice was flat. He didn't sound like he was trying to expl

d you do this?" she whispered, her voice shaking. "We..

hat did you think this was? You were fun, sure

d. "You... you don

, I liked spending time with you, but I never said

show. Rachel's stomach churned, and she felt sick.

s she tried to make sense of i

elusional if you thought I'd fall in love with you. You're nothing more than Luc

Every moment they spent together, every kiss, every touch-it

said coldly. "I don't

ght cared for her. But he wasn't the man she thought he was

on as she stumbled down the hallway, her sobs echoing through the palace. She made it

betrayal was too deep, cutting into her soul. She had trusted him,

mething else. Anger. How dare he treat her like this? How

ble with Mike, let herself believe that someone in this cold, heartless palace could care f

fford to be weak. Not anymore. She would survive

me girl who had been thrown out by her family, rejected for her inability to shift. She had endu

, but he wasn't g

ould figure out what to do next. She didn't need Mik