Chapter 10: The return of lord Aldric

There was no longer any reason for her to stay.

That night, she wrapped herself in a dark cloak, ensuring her steps were silent as she slipped through the servant's passageway. She had memorized the routes, studying them carefully since the day she arrived. The guards patrolled the main gates, but there was a small door leading to the stables that was always left unguarded at this time of night.

Freedom was within reach.

But just as she stepped into the cool night air, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her back.

She gasped as she was slammed against the cold stone wall, her breath hitching at the sheer force.

Edric.

His towering frame loomed over her, his golden eyes glinting dangerously in the moonlight.

"Going somewhere, black dove?" His voice was like a dark whisper, amusement and anger intertwined.

"Let me go." Genevieve's pulse raced.

His grip tightened. "You think you can leave me?" He leaned in, his breath brushing against her ear. "You belong to me."

"I am not your prisoner, Edric!" Her stomach twisted.

His lips curled into a smirk as he pressed closer, his body caging her against the wall.

"You are mine, Genevieve," he murmured, his voice deceptively soft. "And you will never leave me."

The words sent a shiver down her spine, not just from fear, but something far more dangerous.

His hold lingered a moment longer before he finally released her.

"Go back to your chambers," he ordered. "Before I change my mind and teach you a lesson right here."

Genevieve stormed away, her heart pounding.

I'm she stepped into her room another unwelcome figure entered her room that night.

Alaric.

He didn't knock. He didn't ask. He simply burst into her chambers, his expression dark with fury.

"Have you lost your mind?" He demanded, his voice was higher than a whisper. "Do you even understand what you've done?"

"Get out." Genevieve stiffened.

He grabbed her by the shoulders, his grip firm but not bruising. "You were supposed to be mine, Genevieve! You think Edric will ever love you?" His gaze burned into hers. "You're nothing but a tool to him."

She swallowed, pushing against his chest. "And I was nothing but a convenience to you."

"That's not true." Alaric's expression flickered.

"Yes, it is." Her voice was steadier now. Stronger. "You never fought for me. You never chose me. And now, when it's too late, you come crawling back?"

His grip faltered.

For the first time, she saw him clearly, he was not the man she had once loved, but as a coward.

But before she could push him away completely, the door slammed open.

Edric.

His golden eyes locked onto them, taking in the scene… the way Alaric's hands rested on her arms, the tension in her stance.

A deadly silence filled the room.

"This isn't what it looks like—" Alaric was the first to speak.

"My king…''

Edric moved faster than lightning. One second he stood at the door, the next he had Alaric by the throat, slamming him into the wall with bone-crushing force.

"If you ever touch her again," Edric growled, his fangs elongating, "I will rip you apart."

Alaric gasped, his hands clawing at Edric's iron grip. "She doesn't belong to you."

Edric's lips curled in a deadly smirk. "That's where you're wrong."

With one last shove, he released Alaric, sending him sprawling onto the floor.

Alaric coughed, glaring up at him. "You can't keep her like a pet, Edric. You may have claimed her, but that doesn't mean she will ever love you."

Edric's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he turned to Genevieve.

His expression was cold. Unusual.

"Get him out," he ordered the guards.

As Alaric was dragged away, Genevieve let out a shaky breath. If only she knew her relief was going to be short-lived.

Edric's gaze darkened as he turned back to her.

"You let him near you," he said, his tone dangerously quiet.

"I didn't invite him in." She bristled.

"It doesn't matter," he cut her off, stepping closer. "You belong to me, Genevieve. And I think it's time you understand what that truly means."

"Edric…" A shiver ran down her spine.

"You disobeyed me. You tried to run." His fingers brushed against her jaw, deceptively gentle. "And now you let another man touch what's mine?"

Her heart pounded.

"I have to punish you, dark dove," he whispered. "You need to learn your place."

Her eyes widened. "No…"

But it was too late.

With a sharp nod, Edric signaled the guards.

Genevieve barely had time to struggle before rough hands grabbed her, dragging her toward the cold, dark depths of the palace.

Toward the dungeons.

Her stomach lurched as she realized what was happening.

He was throwing her in a cell.

She thrashed against the guards as she shouted. "You can't do this!"

Edric only watched, his golden gaze filled with dark amusement as he smirked.

"Oh, I can," he murmured. "And I just did."

The iron doors slammed shut, sealing her fate.

In the silence of the dungeon, Genevieve pressed her back against the cold stone wall, her breaths coming in sharp, angry gasps.

She had underestimated Edric's possessiveness.

And now… she was paying the price.