Chapter 7: Bound to the Beast

He was doing it again, making a decision for her.

The elders exchanged glances, their faces a mask of curiosity.

Lord Thomas leaned forward, "King, don't you think she is not up to your standards? If you want a woman, we can get you a chosen mate."

The King's eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity as he approached the elders. "Enough of this triviality," he growled. Without warning, he grabbed lord Thomas's hand and, with a swift motion, slit off his pinky finger.

The room fell silent, horror etched on every face. The elders cowered as King Edric turned to them. "You dare question my choices?" He snarled, his hand closing around Lord Thomas's wrist.

He snapped the elder's fingers with a brutal twist one by one. Lord Thomas screamed, his eyes wide with agony. King Edric's gaze locked onto Lady Victoria. "You, too, will learn to hold your tongue." He grasped her tongue, and with a swift slash of his claws, severed it.

The room erupted into chaos as the elders scrambled to flee. Genevieve stood frozen, her eyes fixed on King Edric in horror. "What are you doing?" she mouthed, but he just smiled and walked to her; without a warning, he kissed her.

He wanted to remind them that he had not gone soft. "I wanted to inform you all that Lady Genevieve Montclair is my mate," he declared. "And I have already marked her. Our mating ceremony will be held, and none will dare oppose it." "We had agreed, right? Genevieve?" He asked.

"Yes, I accept you." If he could do all these things to the people who had always been with him, then he could discard her and her family at any time.

Plus, he had kissed her in front of the elders. She couldn't get away after that; she'd only be mocked.

The room fell silent once more, the only sound the labored breathing of the maimed elders.

Genevieve's eyes were locked onto King Edric; her heart was filled with dread.

Was she going to finally lose herself to him?

He was not like other Lycans from the books. King Edric's eyes blazed as he gazed at Genevieve. Without warning, he pulled her into a searing kiss, devouring her lips.

This time there was no gentleness, and he did not restrain. It was as if he sought to claim her very soul.

Genevieve's senses reeled, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt like she was born to drown in his passion.

Everyone disappeared, leaving only the two of them, lost in the vortex of their desire.

Just as suddenly, the king released her, her chest heaving with exertion. The room was silent once more, the only sound the labored breathing of the maimed elders.

Sensing the king's mood, the elders quickly left the room, abandoning their posts. The guards leave Genevieve alone with the king.

As the door closed behind the last of the elders, it was pushed open, again and the queen dowager swept into the room, a disgusted glint in her eye. "Well, well, well," she said, "I can't believe my son would once again settle for nobody." Once again? Thought he never had a mate? What had she gotten herself into?

"If I may ask my mother, why do you say that?" King Edric frowned.

"Shouldn't I? I'm your mother after all." She muttered as she walked towards the queen's seat.

"Don't you, dear? That is for my queen. Alone." Just as she was about to seat him, King Edric stood up and I could swear I saw anger in his eyes, but he immediately forced a smile.

"You don't have a place here, Mother. Look, I respect you, and that's why I would only talk to you once… Do not try to stop my ceremony." He took his seat again, this time his gaze forced on Genevieve alone.

"Really? You are going to talk down on me in front of a nobody? Is this another plan of yours? I've apologized to you almost all my life. Are you not going to come to your mother?"

'Jeez, his family is even more dramatic than mine.' Genevieve stood as she watched the show, and she knew he would not let her go.

"Oh please mother. When did you take on the role of a good mother? Even the maids are better than you'd ever be; please leave." He rolled his eyes.

"Fine! Know this… I would not let you be with this low life. The daughter of a forsaken. Never! Let's see how the noblewomen accept her." The queen dowager said.

"Make sure you are at the tea party."She pointed and eyed Genevieve before walking out of the hall.

"Wow!" Genevieve whispered.

"Just ignore her; never act like she matters; she doesn't." The King touched his temple.

"I should leave now, my king." She said with a bow.

"Are you not supposed to move into the palace?" He tilted his head to the side and looked at her.

"I would need more time to talk to my mother." She said, and he nodded.

"A day would be okay, right? No, get it done today." He nodded and gestured for her to leave with his hand.

She took a deep breath immediately and stepped aside in the hall. It was like she could faint from the pressure.

"Young lady, I was so scared inside." Alice said.

"I was too, Alice. I wonder how I'd cope with all the tension in the palace." Genevieve muttered dramatically, leaning her back against the wall.

"Come on, I have to get ready for the tea party." She said, and Alice nodded before following her out of the palace.

The ride back to the manor wasn't long, and just like magic, she could hardly feel any pain.Immediately she got to the manor gates, she saw her mother waiting.

It was probably time to explain to her mother."What happened over there?" As soon as she got inside, her mother, Lady Margaret, asked.

"Mother, the king is my fated mate. I swear I didn't know when he marked me." She paused. "He told me that he is going to release Father and give back everything that was taken if I am willing to be his bride." I hurriedly said.