Queen Eliane studied Ethan for a long moment, her golden eyes seeming to pierce right through him. The air in the room grew thick with tension, and Ethan fought the urge to fidget under her scrutiny. Finally, a smile spread across her face- sweet, but with an edge that made Ethan's skin crawl.
"Well, at least you can admit your mistakes," she purred, her voice smooth as honey. "That is something. But if I help you, darling, what do I get in return?"
Ethan's heart raced. This was the moment he had been dreading. As Alpha King, he was used to being the one in control, the one making demands. But here, he was at Queen Eliane's mercy. What would she want in return? What could he provide that she didn't already have?
"Anything you want," Ethan replied, his voice steady.