Lyanna’s POV

I opened my eyes to see a man dressed elegantly, and he could easily pass for a knight. I wondered why the man had saved me, but he simply asked Madam Rosa to come forward.

“Sir Kingsley,” I heard Madam Rosa call as she rushed toward the man. I didn’t know what the man said because my hearing wasn’t like the others, but I noticed that no one else could make out his words either. I was oblivious to their discussion, but when she returned, she ordered for me to be released.

“Go back to your room, and for now, the king’s chamber is off limits to you!” she bellowed. I nodded quickly, watching her walk away.

“Thank you, moon goddess,” I breathed out as the guards released me, and Keith rushed to my side.

“Are you alright, Lyanna?” she asked, and I nodded. I was grateful I hadn’t been killed, though I was confused as to how I had been spared.

Keith helped me back to our room and tended to the injuries I had sustained while being dragged, since I couldn’t heal like the other wolves.

“Keith, do you know the man who saved me earlier? I’d like to thank him for that,” I said.

“You mean Sir Karl? That’s the Alpha’s knight. He has served closely behind him for years,” she explained, and I was confused.

Why would the Alpha’s knight help me?

“Oh,” I mouthed.

“Maybe he helped you because the king already fancies you and would love to have you as his concubine,” Keith said in amusement, and I shook my head.

“That’s not possible! Why would the king want that?” I panicked, remembering the cold gaze of the masked man I had met yesterday.

“Don’t you know? We are the king’s women as court ladies, and if you’re lucky enough to catch the king’s eye, you can be his concubine. But no one has ever achieved the role of queen,” Keith explained, but I shook the thought from my head.

I chose to believe the man had saved me because I was innocent, and he couldn’t stand injustice.

“Lyanna, can I ask you for something?” Keith asked, and I nodded. I was obliged to help her since she had been kind to me.

“Yes.”

“Can you help me take up the cleaning in the king’s chamber today? I have to go visit my sick mother in town,” she said.

“What are you saying, Keith? I can’t help you with your shift, you know the king’s chamber is off limits to me. I can’t go with you…” I began, but she cut me off.

“Please, help me this one time, Lyanna. I promise you won’t get in trouble. You also won’t run into the Alpha, because at times like this he is usually out hunting,” she insisted. That wasn’t convincing enough, but I eventually gave in.

“But what about Madam Penelope? Are you going to explain to her?” I asked, needing reassurance.

“Yes, I told her already. Thank you, Lyanna!” She blurted, rushing out of the room, saying she had to leave.

“Looks like I have to help her,” I muttered as I walked out of the room to carry out the work before bed. I picked up a lamp and walked down the corridor, but I couldn’t shake the bad feeling that I was about to make a mistake.

I knew I was already forbidden from ever going into the Alpha’s chamber, but since Keith had asked for my help, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

“Don’t be scared, Lyanna. She said the Alpha isn’t around at this time, so I just need to quickly go in and avoid trouble,” I mumbled to myself as I entered the chamber. His lingering scent filled my nostrils immediately.

“Such a manly scent… stop it, Lyanna. Quickly, get to work!” I scolded myself, snapping back to reality when I realized I was almost drooling over the Alpha’s presence alone.

I walked into the restroom and began filling the bath with hot water. Afterward, I scattered rose petals on the surface.

“I’m done,” I breathed out after finishing the task, gazing at the inviting bath.

It must be so great to have such a luxury, I mused. I had never had such an opportunity. Back in the village, I always bathed in the river at night to avoid the other kids’ bullying. I had to wash quickly, afraid rogues might attack.

“But thinking about it, I haven’t had my bath today,” I murmured, sniffing my body. I turned to leave, but faltered when I looked back at the steaming, inviting bath.

“Or… I could just take a quick bath here, then refill the water before the Alpha gets back,” I whispered, and my face lit up with a smile.

Without thinking, I slipped out of my clothes. In only my thin undergarments, I stepped into the hot bath.

“Ahh…” I moaned in satisfaction as I relaxed, the warmth easing every ache. Happiness overwhelmed me, and I almost cried. I stayed there so long I didn’t even realize I had dozed off.

“Are you that careless? Or are you simply not afraid to die?” A deep baritone voice snapped me from my nap.

“What? Did I hear something?” I looked around in confusion, wondering how long I had slept. But when I saw the towering figure resting against the bathroom doorframe, my soul left my body.

“Alpha… Eldric?” I gasped, scrambling to rise. But being in the bath, I slipped and fell back, though I still tried desperately to get out.

I had just committed the unforgivable. I had bathed in the Alpha’s private chamber. I didn’t know if that counted as treason, but I knew it wouldn’t end well.

“Why the rush? Weren’t you enjoying yourself a moment ago?” He rumbled, and my toes curled in terror.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness… I just…” I stammered, hurrying out of the bath, but I slipped on the wet floor and crashed back into the tub.

What have I done? This is bad! Panic consumed me as I looked at the masked man. Would I really die on my second day in the palace?

“Clumsy,” I heard him mutter, and tears pricked my eyes. If that was his impression of me, then I had already failed.

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I swear on the moon goddess, I wasn’t bathing..I fell while preparing your bath!” I pleaded, bowing my head. But then I heard footsteps approaching.

Why is he getting closer? I panicked.

“Don’t you think you should get out of the water first?” he asked, and I facepalmed myself before rushing out of the bath.

Water dripped down my body, but it wasn’t as loud as my pounding heartbeat. It was so fast I feared it might stop altogether.

“If you fell asleep while setting my bath, why are you in your undergarments?” he asked. My lips trembled in fear as I realized the truth: my thin garment was soaked through, rendering it nearly transparent.

Instinctively, I covered my chest with my hands.

“Do you think you have time to worry about decency when you may be dying soon?” he asked coldly.

“What… Forgive me, Your Highness!” I begged, slumping to the floor. He walked closer, his manly scent flooding my senses. I shook my head to resist it.

“Look at me!” he growled, and I jerked my head up immediately.

Up close, I saw his eyes. It was blue..like an endless ocean pulling me in.

“What’s your name, omega?” He asked, his cold hand brushing against my face. Every cell in my body trembled with fear.

“I… I…” The words stuck in my throat.

“Why are you silent? Are you trying to make me angry?” His tone was low but laced with venom.

“Lyanna… Lyanna, Your Highness,” I stammered softly.

“Lyanna,” he repeated gently, and my stomach twisted in terror at the sound of my name on his lips.

“What do you think I should do to you, Lyanna?” he asked.

“I think…” I began, but he cut me off.

“No. I will give you three options. You will be the one to save yourself.”

My breath caught.

“Thank you, Your Highness. Your benevolence knows no bounds,” I said quickly, bowing my head.

“Don’t be so quick to celebrate,” he said, lifting my chin with his finger. I shuddered at the electric shock that coursed through my body at his touch.

“Because death may be easier than any of the three options.”

“The first option is…”

I sucked in my breath, bracing myself for what was to come.