CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: Traitor

I scanned the maid's face, searching for any sign of deceit. But she looked genuinely worried, and I could tell she was serious.

"What did you just say?" I asked, shifting my legs, trying to position myself better.

The maid scratched the back of her ear nervously, avoiding my gaze as she stared at the bed.

"You can't leave the pack," she said, her voice urgent.

I shook my head, pushing the sheets away and attempting to stand. "I'm not safe here."

Pain shot through my chest, burning where my nearly healed wounds were.

"You're not strong enough yet," she muttered, hurrying to apply an ointment to my wounds. The pain dulled slightly.

"There have been others before you, Ariel…" she whispered, her voice thick with panic as she dropped the ointment onto the table.

"Others like me?" My eyes widened in shock. Was it possible I wasn't the only cursed one?

"Where are they?" I demanded, my gaze falling to her pale face and rough, overworked hands.

The maid's eyes darted around the room as if expecting a monster to emerge from the shadows.

"Don't trust anyone," she warned. "Play the game, Ariel. Please." Desperation coated her voice.

I followed her gaze, but the room was empty.

"What are you saying?" I asked, skepticism creeping into my tone.

Before she could respond—

Bang. Bang.

A loud thud against the door cut our conversation short. My blood ran cold. Images of the cell where the Alpha King had once held me captive flashed through my mind.

Bang. Bang.

The sound came again, followed by his husky voice.

"Open the door, or you'll be severely punished, maid."

His words shattered the last remnants of hope I had.

The maid hesitated, her hand gripping the door handle.

"Don't," I whispered.

But she ignored me.

The door swung open, and the Alpha King strode inside, fury burning in his eyes as his gaze locked onto mine.

"You dare steal from me?" His voice was like a whip, striking terror into my chest.

I tried to speak, but my lips refused to move. Silence betrayed me.

"So, you can't speak?" He raised a brow.

I shook my head, desperate to convey that I had no idea what he was talking about. But it only seemed to infuriate him more.

He moved closer, gripping my arm roughly.

"Where is my Luna's heart?"

I froze. My breath caught in my throat.

"W-what?" I stammered, fear gripping me. His bloodshot eyes roamed my body like a predator sizing up its prey.

"I swear to the Moon Goddess," he growled, "if I have to repeat myself, it will be with your head on a platter."

A shiver ran down my spine.

"I didn't steal anything!" I gasped.

His patience snapped. He flung me onto the bed.

Before I could react, he climbed onto the mattress, towering over me, his bare chest inches from mine. A scar ran across his abdomen. My breathing hitched.

"Do you think this is a joke?" His hand wrapped around my throat, squeezing just enough to make my vision blur.

I clawed at his grip, gasping for air. "I—I don't know what you're talking about!"

His fingers trailed down my arm, slow and deliberate.

"You don't get it, do you?" His lips curled into a wicked smile.

Then, just as suddenly, he released me. I collapsed back, coughing, my hands flying to my throat as I scrambled away from him.

A tear slipped down my cheek, but I knew it wouldn't matter.

"I can't let you go until I find it," he mused. Then, his eyes darkened. "Better yet, you'll help me find it."

"Me?" My voice was barely a whisper. "I don't know anything about this missing heart."

My body trembled. I couldn't help him. I knew the moment he got what he wanted, he would kill me. But did I even have a choice?

His sharp gaze swept over my bedroom, assessing every detail. Then, stepping away, he dusted his hands off as if I were something dirty.

"You won't sleep in this room anymore. I'm moving you to my quarters," he declared. "You'll live under my care and protection. Not Derek's."

"I can't do that," I said, forcing courage into my voice.

He smirked. "Oh? You'd rather stay in the dungeon with your beloved Derek?" He scoffed. "I can arrange that. I'm sure he needs company."

"You don't know what you're doing," I snapped, disgust lacing my words.

He tilted his head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Pray tell, little maggot."

I clenched my fists. "I didn't steal anything from you. And even if I did, I wish it was your heart that had been ripped from your chest."

Silence.

A slow, menacing smile spread across his face as he stepped closer, leaning in until his lips brushed against my ear.

"You really shouldn't have said that," he whispered.

I barely had time to process his words before he stepped back, his expression cold.

"Now, I'll have to punish you."

I spat in his face. "Do whatever you want with me, but I will never help you."

His jaw clenched as he wiped the spit dripping from his eye. Then, without hesitation, he slapped me—hard. My head snapped to the side from the force.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I sucked my teeth, spitting out the blood pooling in my mouth.

"Hmph. Is that all you've got?" I sneered, my voice dripping with defiance.

You're just a weak king—a desperate version of your son. You never should have brought him into this world."

I didn't care what happened to me anymore. But the look on his face? That, I enjoyed.

For the first time, he looked truly shocked. No one had ever dared to speak to him like that.