Evaline:
Kieran's presence lingered long after he was gone.
Unlike Lucian's suffocating dominance or Oscar's disgust, Kieran's gaze hadn't been filled with hatred. He had studied me like I was a puzzle, one he was trying to solve.
And it unsettled me.
I couldn't afford to be under the scrutiny of any of them, not when I was already walking on fragile ground.
While at first I was almost ready to accept my end and greet it with open arms, I wanted to survive now. I wasn't sure exactly what made me change my mind, maybe it was because I didn't want these Rogue Kings to feel like they had won.
After spending these few days here, I realized that survival meant staying invisible.
I forced myself to finish scrubbing the last section of the hallway before dragging my aching body back toward the servant quarters.
I was making my way through the long hallway leading to the servant quarters, when Sera suddenly appeared at the other end and her sharp gaze landed on me.
"Took you long enough," she snapped. "Did you think I wouldn't notice you slacking off?"
I bit the inside of my cheek, and despite knowing better, I ended up opening my mouth. "I wasn't slacking off."
Her lips curled into a sneer. "Oh? Then what exactly were you doing in the western wing for so long?"
I hesitated, but she didn't need me to answer.
Her gaze darkened as she stepped closer. "Don't think I didn't hear about your little run-in with Alpha Kieran."
I stiffened at her words.
Of course. Gossip spread like wildfire among the servants.
Sera's voice dropped into a sharp whisper as she continued, "Are you trying to crawl your way into the Alphas' favor, whore?"
I clutched my hands into tight fists, causing my nails to dig into my palms. I had learned long ago that defending myself would only make things worse. But this time, the accusation burned.
I lifted my gaze to hers before speaking, "I bumped into him by accident."
Sera scoffed. "And Oscar? Was that an accident, too?"
I clenched my jaw, refusing to take the bait.
Her eyes gleamed with cruelty. "You are nothing but a pest here, Eva. You should have died with the rest of your pathetic pack."
The words sliced through me like a blade, but I didn't let it show.
She smirked at my silence, feeling satisfied. "Since you have so much energy to loiter around, you can clean the kitchen floors after dinner."
I wanted to protest, but the fear of consequences helped me keeping my mouth shut this time. I bowed my head and muttered. "Understood."
She clicked her tongue. "And don't think for a second you'll get a proper meal tonight. You'll take whatever's left, if there is anything."
With that, she turned and stalked away, leaving me standing there with the weight of my exhaustion pressing down on me.
I knew it was only going to get worse.
Sera was angry because of Oscar's outburst at her. And she had chosen me as her punching bag.
As for me, I had no choice but to endure it.
---
As night arrived and I lay down on my bed, sleep once again refused to come easily.
My body was aching from exhaustion, and my stomach felt hollow from the lack of food, but it wasn't hunger or pain that kept me awake... it was the past, one that had refused to let me go.
As I finally drifted into unconsciousness, the nightmare came. But this time, it wasn't like the ones I had become accustomed to over the years.
No.
This time, it was him.
-
The scent of sandalwood and musk surrounded me. It was thick and intoxicating, making my head spin.
I couldn't see him because of the blindfold covering my eyes.
But... I was able to feel him. Every inch of him.
His touch was fire, searing against my skin as he traced the curve of my waist. His rough palms skimmed the softness of my exposed body, making me shiver.
I never thought that being with Ethan would feel like this.
My Ethan.
The man I had loved, the man I had wanted to give my everything to.
And yet, I couldn't help but kept feeling that something was different.
His grip was stronger, more possessive than I had imagined. His touch burned hotter, sending waves of need through me that I had never felt before.
And the way he kissed me… desperate, hungry... like a man starved.
His lips devoured mine, stealing my breath, leaving me weak beneath him as he pressed me into the soft sheets.
My body responded to him even before my mind could catch up. I was arching into him, craving more.
"Mine," he growled against my lips, his voice sounding deeper than usual.
I would have paid more attention to this slight difference if not for the strange sensation I felt coursing through me at that one word. That feeling curled deep in my stomach, making my heart race.
Fated mates.
Was this what it felt like?
Ethan had never spoken about mates, had never cared for the bond. But now, as he moved above me, his body molding against mine, I swore I could feel it. It was an undeniable pull, a connection that was deeper than anything I had ever known.
I gasped as his lips trailed down my neck, his teeth scraping over my sensitive skin.
"Say it," he murmured against my throat. His voice was too low that it was a surprise I even heard him in the first place.
"Say what?" I whispered, barely able to think.
"Say you are mine."
My heart started pounding. I was ready to say it, to believe it. But just as I opened my mouth, something stopped me.
For the briefest moment, I felt a flicker of uncertainty.
But then, pain consumed me only to be replaced by pleasure moments later. Suddenly, there was too much going on.
It was a sharp, overwhelming sensation as he claimed me completely, as he took everything I had to offer, leaving me breathless beneath him.
My fingers dug into his back as my body surrendered to his.
And then, his name tore from my lips... Ethan.
---