What did you do to her?

Aria’s POV

However, before we can run away, before we can even think about running away, the Lycans have arrived, and they are definitely the special guests of the Alpha. My stomach twists painfully the moment I see their dark carriages and warriors entering the grounds. I am really scared, more than I have been in weeks, because I know exactly what tonight is going to be like. Everybody is going to make fun of me. Everyone is going to try to humiliate me in front of the Lycan King. I just know someone will find a reason to laugh at me, mock me, or push me to the ground. And if I do anything wrong tonight, even the smallest mistake, I will get a beating again. I don’t want another beating. My back still burns from the last one.

But if I run away right now, I will never make it past the border. The guests are already here, and with the Lycans so close, I am sure they will help the Alpha catch me if I try to escape. Lycans are faster than any werewolf. I will not stand a chance.

“I guess we will have to face our humiliation tonight. We will not have a chance to get away. The Lycans are fast,” Kira says inside my mind.

“Well, if we have no choice, then I will face it,” I whisper, even though my voice shakes. “I know that afterwards the Alpha will find something wrong, and we

still won’t be able to run away, because the guests are probably going to stay over tonight. Kira… what are we going to do? Are we ever going to get out of this mess?”

“I wish you would stop being so afraid,” Kira sighs. “You are a Lycan, Aria. If only I could awaken fully, I would tear that Alpha apart. We do not have to be afraid of him. We do not have to listen to him. Who does he think he is anyway? Your mother was a queen.”

My heart drops. “What do you mean my mother was a queen? If my mother were a queen, why did she and my father stay in this pack?”

“It is because your mother made a choice,” Kira explains patiently. “She chose to stay with your father, and her parents did not want your father living among the Lycans. The werewolves do not like Lycans, and the Lycans despise werewolves. You must remember, Aria, that Lycans are much stronger than werewolves. Although both have an inner side, a Lycan is stronger in every way. Many mistake Lycans and werewolves to be one creature, but they are not.”

Her voice becomes more serious.

“Lycans live longer. They are harder to kill. They are royal by nature, with royal families and traditions. They carry magical abilities—your mother had healing powers, others have different gifts. They have high priests and priestesses who pray to the Moon Goddess. Being a Lycan is completely different from being a werewolf. I know you do not understand Lycans yet, but you will learn soon enough.”

I swallow hard. “Kira, you’re scaring me.”

“I am only telling you what you should have known long ago. I have heard rumors that the werewolves are going against the Lycans. They are making a mistake if they think they can take on King Darius. I heard they destroyed a kingdom, I believe it was your grandparents’, but they attacked when the other Lycans were gone. I do not know if it is true, but if it is, they will regret it. And I do believe this Alpha was a part of it. Perhaps they are trying to lead King Darius into a trap.”

“Perhaps we should warn him,” I say softly. “Maybe we should tell him not to speak too comfortably around the Alpha, because I also do not trust our Alpha. Maybe we can get him alone and warn him that Alpha Blackthorn is not the best person. He will do anything to gain more power. We know he betrayed some of his friends to take their land.”

“Yes, but we do not know why King Darius is here,” Kira reminds me. “Maybe he already knows what the Alpha has done. Maybe he is here to make him pay. For now, let us stay in the kitchen. Stay in the shadows as much as possible.”

“Well, we better go and get the rooms ready for the guests tonight,” I say. “We must ensure everything is perfect. I do not want King Darius to be angry.”

We walk up to the guest rooms. My hands shake the entire way, because I know which room the king will be staying in, and I do not want anything to be wrong. If something is missing, or out of place, I will be blamed. I knock, but there is no answer. I only want to make sure nobody is inside.

However, when I open the door, I freeze.

A big man is standing there, half-naked. He doesn’t have a shirt on. His muscles look like they were carved with purpose, and every line on his body is defined and perfect. He is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. He looks like he was sculpted by the Moon Goddess herself.

“I… I am sorry,” I stammer. “I did knock. I don’t think you heard me. I’m really sorry, Sir. Please forgive me.”

The scent of sandalwood and rain in the forest hits my nose. My eyes widen.

How can this be?

Kira screams “Mate!” inside my head.

Mate? Mate!?

How can I have two mates?

He sniffs the air. His eyes change slightly. Before I can understand anything, a stunning woman walks out of the bathroom, still dressing herself. I can guess what they were doing. My chest aches suddenly, deeper than when I thought about Ethan with Lilith. I don’t understand why it hurts so much.

“Who are you?” he asks, his voice deep and powerful.

“I am only a slave,” I whisper. “It is not important who I am.”

“I asked you your name,” he says again, more firmly.

“Darius, why do you even bother with a little slave like her?” the woman asks.

“Shut up, Genevieve. This has nothing to do with you,” he says sharply.

“I am Aria, Your Majesty,” I say quickly. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t know that you were the King of the Lycans. I will leave now. I will come back later when you are gone. I only wanted to make sure your room is well stocked.”

“I did not say you could leave,” King Darius says. “Genevieve, leave us alone.”

Oh great.

Now I’m going to get a beating, this time from the King himself.

Genevieve glares at me as she passes, pure hatred in her eyes. I try to stand still, to be brave, but my hands shake. King Darius walks over to me slowly. He leans in and sniffs my neck. I stiffen because I know what comes next. My shirt is gently tugged aside, revealing the scars on my back.

I feel exposed. Ashamed. Worthless. I wait for anger. I wait for disgust.

But instead…

“Who did this to you, Little One?” he asks softly, his voice unexpectedly gentle.

For the first time in years, I feel tears sting my eyes.