Page 106 of Monsterland Mayhem

I arch a brow, choosing silence over confirmation. He’s the one who said I need tolisten, after all.

“Of course you don’t know how it begins.” He sounds annoyed. “I warned them, Ailsa. I warned them not to take you above ground, yet did they listen? No. Fucking Alphas.”

He finally releases me and takes a step toward the door to press his ear to the wood. After a second, he nods and returns to the tub.

This small bathroom suddenly feels even tinier with the two of us sequestered inside it.

“Right, we don’t have much time.” He glances at the door, then back at me. “The palace has eyes and ears all over the grounds. Remember that, my queen.Useit. If you declare yourdesire for a hunt, the ritual must be offered. But you have to truly want it. Shout for it.Beg. And find the Story of Alice. It’s written in the walls. Her words…are everywhere.”

Those last two words are a whisper on the wind as the male disappears before my eyes.

The door flies open a second later, causing me to yelp and jump back toward the running shower.

Baroness Clarice stands there, eyes narrowed as she scans the room. “I heard voices.”

I swallow. “I… I was talking to myself. A-about the tray.” It’s an asinine thing to say, but if I’ve learned anything from my time in Monsterland, it’s that insanity is currency. “I didn’t push Tabitha.”

The baroness rolls her eyes. “I couldn’t give two shits about your food and beverage, Ailsa. Now clean yourself up. We have a ceremony to attend.”

“A ceremony?” I repeat.

“Yes,” she hisses. “The one you missed on your birthday. Remember? So take a shower and get dressed. I’ll be waiting for you upstairs.”

The door slams before I can say anything else.

Why is she pretending like I haven’t gone through the ceremony yet?

Does she want me to take the elixir again?I wonder.The more potent one? To force my heat?

But if that’s the case, why would the Imposter King call me an Omega? Why tip me off that he already knows who and what I am?

I run my fingers through my hair and turn to stare in the mirror. “What the hell am I supposed to do?” I demand, the steam from the shower fogging the glass.

I’m about to reach forward to wipe it clean when a single word appears.Run.

My gaze widens. “I…” I swallow, my voice dropping to a whisper. “I should run?”

Rundisappears, only forYesto take its place.

I jump back into the wall, my hand to my chest.

“This can’t be happening.” I’ve officially lost my fucking mind.

Another word appears.

Go.

I shiver, my head beginning to sway back and forth as the glass fogs once more.

To the,follows, causing me to gape at the mirror.

Courtyardis the final word.

“And do what?” I ask the strange figment.

Beg for,the invisible being writes.The ritual.

“Are you the pink-haired man?” I ask warily. “You’re still here?”