"What? A virgin?" Alpha Klain snorted.
I nodded, letting out an awkward laugh. "Hopefully you're not about to send me away because I am?"
His gaze roamed over me, slow and deliberate. Then he stepped forward.
My breath hitched. I should have stepped back—but I didn't.
When he reached me, he leaned in, his voice low against my ear. "No. I won't. I won't rush this. I'm going to enjoy you… slowly."
I swallowed hard. Hopefully, my plan would succeed before he ever got the chance. "You're not upset that I am?"
"Upset?" His fingers trailed lightly across my cheek. His touch was warm, calloused—unexpected. A strange tingle spread across my skin. "Why would I be? The moment you walked into my throne room, I wanted to touch you."
I blinked, stunned. This man—this cold, ruthless alpha with golden eyes and tousled black hair—couldn't possibly mean someone like me.
Not when he could dig into my past and find out I'm just a girl with a sleeping wolf. A wolf that hasn't stirred since *that* day.
"I'll leave you be today," he murmured.
I sighed, a breath of relief slipping out. Good. I wasn't about to give myself to a man I hated.
"But," he added, his voice like velvet and steel, "I'm going to show you how I take my women. Because when I come for you…"
He leaned in closer, his breath brushing my ear.
"…there will be no mistakes."
"I just hope… when the time comes, I won't make any mistakes." I looked away.
The thought of sex—of being claimed by him—tightened something cold and fearful in my chest.
His lips curved into a dark smile. "You won't. You're going to be very submissive. You'll never refuse me when I come to your bed. I'll take you—when and how I want."
I looked back at him. That amused look hadn't left his face.
"Very well," I muttered.
But inside, I was screaming. How do I escape this? How?
"Kristina," he drawled my name slowly, like a promise I didn't want, "you're going to stand right here and watch how I take my women."
I stiffened. "You don't have to prove anything to me."
His lips curled into a smirk. "But I want to."
My jaw clenched. "Why? To humiliate me?"
"No," he said, voice like slow thunder. "To teach you. To remind you what it means to be claimed by an Alpha. What awaits you when I decide it's time."
I looked away, my heart pounding.
Klain's tone dipped lower, almost amused. "Does the thought disturb you?"
I said nothing.
He leaned closer, his breath hot on my skin. "You'll learn, little wolf. Whether by fire or by surrender…you'll learn."
He straightened and walked toward the wooden door, then spoke with command. "Send for Lira."
I flinched. Who is Lira? What is he planning?
He turned back to me, arms crossing over his chest. His eyes roamed slowly over me.
"You're quite a mystery, Kristina," he said, voice like silk over steel. "And I intend to uncover that mystery."
But his gaze didn't search my eyes. It lingered—on the dress I wore, on the exposed slope of my collarbone.
What mystery does he really want to uncover?
"You're a virgin," he said, lips curling into that same amused smile, "yet you give yourself to me."
I swallowed, confused by his words. "I… I admire you."
His expression didn't change. "Tell me—what happens when you find your mate?"
He moved toward the fire hearth. A bottle of wine sat on a small table nearby. He poured himself a cup, his tone cool but possessive.
"Because once you are mine, I will never let you go."
I watched as he drank, the firelight casting shadows on his sculpted frame.
My wolf was still sleeping. Probably would never wake again. But that didn't matter.
If she ever did, and I found my mate—it wouldn't change anything.
I don't plan to be here for long anyway.
He turned, eyes narrowing slightly. "You still want this?"
"Yes," I said, steady this time. Determined.
His smile deepened. He began walking toward me. I tensed—until a voice called from outside.
"Alpha Klain. Lira at your call."
"Get in," he said, his tone stoic. Then he leaned closer, his whisper brushing my skin.
"Now watch."
I blinked as he walked toward the bed, untying his robe. Moonlight spilled through the tall window, gleaming over his bare chest. Smooth, toned, powerful. He wore only loose trousers now.
He sat on the bed—like sin itself, dark and glorious and utterly in control.
The door opened.
Lira stepped in.
She was blonde, with deep hazel eyes that held nothing but confidence. Her robe clung to her curves and barely covered her body.
She moved like a queen, not a concubine.
She had to be his favorite.
I turned back to the bed. Alpha Klain's golden eyes were fixed on me—not on the woman now kneeling beside him.
Lira slid beneath the sheets, her hands moving across his chest, slow and deliberate.
The sight twisted something inside me—disgust, maybe even jealousy—but his gaze never wavered.
There was a warning in his eyes.
So I had no choice but to watch.
Lira began to kiss the hollow of his neck, but Alpha Klain's gaze didn't waver from mine.
My hands curled into fists. I wanted to look away—to block out the sight and everything it made me feel—but I couldn't. My breath hitched. My eyes, traitorous and wide, stayed locked on them.
Her lips found his, and she kissed him with slow, sultry grace.
It wasn't just her mouth she offered; her entire body moved in rhythm.
Now she straddled his lap, her waist rolling in slow, practiced circles. I told myself it was disgusting—but a part of me, buried and trembling, was stunned by how easily he commanded her.
The sight was so erotic, so intimate... it felt wrong to be here. But I reminded myself—I had a mission. I couldn't afford to feel.
But Alpha Klain didn't care.
He gripped her waist and pulled her closer, lips parting to suck on the soft skin of her neck.
His hand stayed firm on her hips.
His golden gaze—still locked on me.
Then he kissed along her ear, down her neck, dragging his lips slowly as Lira moaned—loudly, unabashedly.
I looked away, heat crawling up my neck, shame burning all the way to my toes.
Maybe this is too much. Maybe I was wrong to come here. This wasn't power—it was humiliation. I'd thought I could stomach it. But maybe I overestimated myself.
No. I clenched my jaw. I couldn't afford to doubt. Not now.
Suddenly that cold, commanding voice cut through the spiral of my thoughts....
"Watch, Kristina."