EL

it but my worl

ly's threat hung over me like a dark cloud, suffocating me. Every waking momen

ping with disdain. "What brings you to our palace, begging for

and the King's piercing gaze. "I...I came to appeal to t

think you have the right to appeal to us after everything

t his eyes seemed to hold a flicker of interest. "C

oughts on the King's eyes but it was be

about my late husband's debt. I was hoping to request more time to pay

think we're running a charity

ed a hand, silencing hi

but he bit back his retort. The K

ial, but I'm willing to work, to find a way to r

d he took a step forward. "You're b

n, a warning flickering in thei

, I won't be silenced. She's been insolen

is voice dropping to a growl. "Yo

as palpable, the air thick

to ignore the venom in

eline?" The Alpha King's gaze narrowed, his expression

'll do as we say, or suffer the cons

oked as tho he was already tired

led. The king's piercing gaze held mine, and for an instant, I felt seen. "

ons." Johan's face darkened, but the king continued, "You deser

sty, Prince Johan, Lady Natasha, the royal advisor requests y

ere." With that, he rose, his commanding presence filling the roo

n pretending to be pregnant? And what did they wan

hambers for what felt like an eternity. The Alpha King

there alone, I could s

and contempt. "So, Aveline, I see you're still stru

y guard up.

eside her, his eyes

te the predicament. Your husband's debt, your

nched. "I'

ne. "You're so proud, Aveline. But pride wo

t, knowing I neede

ing would yield nothing, N

ething," she said, her voice lac

this would

it?" I as

w wider. "We have a

forward, his eyes gle

I stood, my heart racing.

s words stop

n's child," she stated, her

crashed a

whispered,

'll just have to do this, A

choed through the ro

. ne

's hand closed around my w

g anywhere, Avel

ous," I spat, tryi

ad serious, Aveline. You'll do

, my very life hung in the balance. And Natash

issed, trying to sha

e, Aveline. You're in no position to refus

ought, my mind racing.

"You'll do as we say, or

hin me. "What consequences? You'll rui

ted. "Not everything

ne as Johan's eyes seem

servant entered. "Prince Johan, Lady

and he turned to Nat

zed with determina

rist free from Johan's grasp. "I won't b

behind me. "You can't es

lurring my vision. Finally, I burst out int

s shattering into a million pieces. The weight

they ask t

r walls seemed to close in around me. Memo

al and emotional abuse had left scars that still lingered.

cing gaze and gentle words. Could he

he behi

interrupted by my ste

Natasha's proposal," Victoria sai

already? Had Nata

y voice. The wolf within me

id you know?

I have my ways, dear. You'd

ered. "You're foolish, Ave

es. I wished I could stand tall, voic

leave me alon

u're no longer a child, Aveline.

ll do as you're told, Aveline

r tension s

olf's whimpers grew louder. Trapped

ess, I let m

~~~~

d. Time lost all meaning as I struggled

ago – the Alpha King's piercing gaze, his gentle tou

ppeared, his eyes locking onto mine. He reached out, and I felt safe, protected. His hand

dreamed of him? And why couldn't I shake t

ng on the looming decision. Johan's

myself doing was making

racing. Taking a deep brea

han and Natasha were locked in a passionate k

e. I had once had a crush on Johan, wanted

s flashing with triumph. "A

u're here to accept our propos

ice trembled. "What...what

know exactly what we want, Aveli

tung. "As a

emination. No complications.

templation. "And what

he child will be raised as Joh

t...my life?"

cold. "Your life is whatev

a leaned foreard. "and all yo

hand trembling

her shared before she passed away. "If you're

to speak. "I...h

e about to spill out,