Page 46

AEGIS'S P.O.V

“I’m going to find every last one of you,” I whispered. “And I’ll make you bleed.”

My fingers clenched.

The first thing I felt when I opened my eyes was hunger. The second was confusion. Again.

My skin is smooth. My wounds had healed overnight. There's no scars or any signs that I was ever even hurt.

“What the actual hell,” I whispered.

I stood up, my bare feet touching the soft rug. Even the clothes I wore were different, clean, comfortable, and royal. Someone had changed me while I was unconscious. I tried not to think about that part too much.

I opened the door and stepped into the hallway. It was quiet. Gold walls. Tall windows. Everything was too beautiful for my tired brain to process.

A maid walked past with a tray in her hands.

“Hey,” I called softly.

She turned. “Oh! You’re awake.”

I nodded. "Can you show me where the King’s office is?”

She smiled politely. “Of course, my Lady. Down this hall, to the left, then second right. There’s a big gold and blue door. You can’t miss it.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, brushing my hair behind my ear. My feet moved before I could second-guess myself.

"You’re lucky. No one leaves the Dark Circle alive.”

I paused.

My blood went cold. I walked faster.

------

I found the door.

Gold with blue strippings. Just like she said.

I knocked once.

“Come in,” his deep voice called. I pushed the door open.

He was sitting at a large desk. The walls around him was designed to befit a king. Royal blue curtains, held back by gold clippings parted to let in the bright light of the sun in a way I'd never seen. The King is Rich rich.

Two other men stood with him. I recognized one of them instantly.

“You,” I said, eyes narrowing at the man with short dreads and a scar near his eyebrow. “You came to warn me at the ball.”

He laughed. “Busted.”

I turned to the other man. He was older, with gray streaks in his beard. He smiled and bowed his head slightly.

“I’m Commander Terel, The Head Of The Royal Troops” he said.

“Jaxon,” the first one said, still grinning. “I'm the Royal Beta. Nice to officially meet you.”

The King hadn’t said a word yet. But I could feel his eyes, watching and studying me.

“I need to speak to you,” I said to him.

His jaw twitched. “Leave Us.”

Jaxon and Commander Terel exchanged looks, bowed, and left the room.

I took a step forward. Another. Then swayed slightly on purpose.

He stood up instantly. “Are you—”

I laughed. “I’m fine.”

He froze. Then… he smiled. “You’re impossible.”

I walked over to the window and looked outside. “Nice view.”

He didn’t respond.

When I turned around, his smile was gone. His face was serious again. “You owe me an explanation,” I said.

He nodded. “I know.”

He walked to the window too, but stood at a distance.

"My father,” he began, “fell in love with a dark witch.”

I waited.

"The council hated her. Everyone thought he’d leave her once he found his mate. But he already found her… she was already married.”

My stomach clenched.

“The council made a rule. He couldn’t be crowned unless he mated with his destined mate.”

“So what did he do?” I asked. “He begged the Moon Goddess for a second chance mate - the witch. She agreed.”

My brows drew together. “That’s rare.”

He nodded. “But there was a price. A mate for a mate.”

“The goddess took his mate?”

“She meant the mate of his firstborn,” he said. “He thought it was just about releasing his first mate. But it meant… I’d be born without a mate.” I didn’t know what to say.

I stared at him. “You.”

He looked at me. “Yes. So I was born… a hybrid. And mateless.”

"How did you get me to the palace?” I asked.

He looked away.

“I didn’t see a car.”

He didn’t answer.

“Can you fly or something?”

He looked at me then. His eyes were heavy with something I couldn’t name.

“I carried you.”

My breath caught. “On foot?”

He nodded.

"That fast?," I repeated shocked.

"I have weird powers."

“Is there anything else I should know about?,” I said.

He nodded. “The council is trying to overthrow me.”

“Why?”

“Because of what I am. They can’t do it publicly. If anyone finds out my mother was a witch, it’ll cause war. So they work in secret.”

“And the attacks?” I asked.

He nodded. “All of them. Quiet attempts. Poison. Sabotage. Assassins. They even tried to burn the palace once. But nothing sticks.”

I swallowed. I stared at him. “So you knew Beta Solice...”

“Yes.”

“And me?” I asked softly.

He walked to his desk, poured himself a drink, but didn’t take a sip.

“They hate the idea of a female Alpha,” he said. “Especially one strong enough to rival male ones. You’re a threat to their order, Aegis.”

I didn’t know whether to feel honored or afraid.

My stomach growled. He raised a brow. “Hungry?”

I sighed. “Apparently.”

"You shouldn't starve yourself. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

He pressed a button. “Bring her breakfast. My office.”

“You didn’t ask what I wanted,” I mumbled.

“I don’t need to.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Cocky.”

He leaned back. “Confident.”

We stared at each other until maids entered with trays stacked with food.

“I can’t eat all this,” I stared, wide eyed.

“You don’t have to.”

“Did you eat?” I asked. “No. I don’t eat breakfast.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t.”

I rolled my eyes and mimicked him. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

He smirked. “Still not eating it.”

I pushed the plate away. “Then I won’t eat either.”

He blinked. Then stood.

“Fine.” He walked over and sat on the armchair next to me.

We ate in silence for a bit. Light conversation followed. Nothing too deep.

Then the door burst open. Jaxon stormed in.

We both stood up, instantly alert. “What happened?” I asked. “Is it the pack?”

“No,” he said, breathing heavily. “Do you remember what it means when the council summons someone?”

“Yes,” the King answered. “It means they're about to destroy them," he explains to me.

Jaxon held up a letter. “Well according to this letter I just got..... they summoned both of you.”

---------

Please Vote And Comment ?? ??. I love reading your comments ?? ??.