After learning what I am, Dimitri corners me on the edge of a fountain, fully prepared to take me.
"Your power is mine."
"You wouldn't know power if it hit you in the face."
"Keep talking like that and you'll know how much power can hit you in the face."
He stalks closer. The stone fountain is pressed sharply against my back, pinning me in place.
"Come here, (Y/N). I promise I'll be gentle."
With a snarl, Dimitri lunges. But a man twice as powerful whips me into his arms.
"You won't touch her."
Water flecks San's furious face. Dimitri moves to pounce again, but Yeosang slams him into the ground.
"Unhand me!"
"You'll have my hand in your teeth if you don't settle the fuck down." Yeosang growls.
Dimitri snarls beneath Yeosang's grip. The rest of the guests spill out into the courtyard, hundreds of eyes on me.
"What makes you think you get a say, Saekki? What makes you think you can have her?"
"Because she's my claim."
Everyone tenses. Yeosang flushes with rage and Dimitri glares. Under my breath I whisper.
"San, this is absolute suicide."
"I don't care. I don't care anymore."
Then, with blazing passion, San presses his lips to mine, kissing me for all to see. I can hear the crowd gasp somewhere far off in the distance, but it barely matters to me now. What matters is San's hands, sliding up my body, gripping me with a possessive need I've never experienced before. What matters are his lips, full and hot, pressed against mine with an insatiable hunger.
"Mine."
He whispers the words into my mouth, and for the first time I know: This isn't an act.
"Yours."
The words tumble from my lips, only loud enough for San to hear. His tongue meets mine then, tangling and delving deep.
"(Y/N)…"
Eternity slips by in a fraction of a second, something primal giving way. There's a heat between us like nothing I've ever felt, his hands moving to my hair to pull me even closer. I can feel his pulse through his kiss, the hardened need of him rising between us.
"(Y/N)."
The growl of my name comes from someone else. Someone right behind me. With the speed and strength of lightning, Yeosang lifts me with on hand, separating me from San.
"Do you want to explain what this is about, brother? Why you feel it's okay to declare yourself for my mate?"
Breathing hard, San looks from his brother to me.
"My, my. Do I sense a family feud in the works?"
Dimitri's disgusting taunt brings San back to himself.
"I only did it to shatter this predator's blind lust for (Y/N)'s body, My King. I did it to protect what's yours."
He's lying for both of us. I can feel the rage wafting off of Yeosang. I can hear his knuckles crack. I lower myself down, touching Yeosang's feet. But he backs away from me.
"Don't touch me."
The fury in his words is palpable, punctuated with a venom far deadlier than his usual threatening tone. It's almost like he seems hurt.
"Are you saying this true mate spawn is really your claim, My Lord?" Dimitri asks.
"…Yes. Though it seems she and my brother have forgotten their place."
"I told you. I didn't–"
Suddenly, Yeosang grabs San's collar and plunges him head-first into the fountain. San thrashes beneath Yeosang's grip, clawing at his hands as he drowns. But Yeosang doesn't budge.
"Stop this! You're going to kill him!" I beg.
"That's the idea."
He presses San further into the depths of the fountain. The guards move to help but the Queen throws out her arm.
"Leave them. After all…boys will be boys." she grins.
"Please, Yeosang! Don't do this!"
"Why should I listen to you? You just betrayed me in front of everyone."
"I was just in need of San's help. He saved me. That's all it was.
"That's all?"
Yeosang's eyes bore into mine as San writhers in pain, the last of his air leaving him.
"If that's true then prove it. Who are you loyal to?"
It's not a question. It's a challenge. I rise to my full height and take in a deep breath.
"Yeosang, I am your mate."
The words ring out over the square, hitting the crowd with tangible force. But they hit Yeosang even harder. He immediately lets go of San. San bursts out of the water, coughing and heaving for air.
"(Y/N)…"
"…You mean that? You swear it?"
"Yes. I swear it on my freedom. Lock me away forever if I'm lying. I mean what I say."
Yeosang rises, looking down at me with his intimidating penetrating eyes, searching mine for the truth.
"I will be your mate, Yeosang. I will accept being claimed by you without struggling. Just…"
My eyes flick to San. He looks up at me in shock.
"Just show me you can be merciful, My Lord Alpha. That is all I ask."
I bow my head, catching a look of disdain from Dimitri out of the corner of my eye.
"I can be merciful."
With startling gentleness, Yeosang lifts my chin, bidding me to rise before him.
"You'll find I am extremely merciful. To those who show me they are genuine."
I feel countless eyes on me now. The crowd's uncertain whispers snake into my ears.
"She doesn't mean it. This is a poorly acted play."
Keep my eyes trained on Yeosang, I slide my hands up his chest.
"I mean what I say, My Lord. You are my Alpha."
My words come out almost too soft to hear. But they reach Yeosang. His whole body goes rigid at my touch, growing more and more taut with every second of contact.
"You can claim me. I won't fight."
I wrap my arms around his massive frame pressing my cheek to his chest.
"(Y/N)."
Yeosang growls out my name. I feel a jolt at the feeling of my name vibrating through his body. Alarmed, I pull myself away. I catch San's eyes over Yeosang's shoulder. And his expression says everything.
"It seems you are a woman of your word, mate."
Yeosang tucks a stray hair behind my ear, the usual amused lilt returning to his voice.
"There's nothing more to see here. I suggest you all return to the part before I decide to end it."
The threat in Yeosang's voice rolls over Dimitri. To my surprise, he smiles.
"Of course, Your Highness. I apologize for my error. I had no idea this…special girl was spoken for."
"Well…she is. You should be sorry." I say with annoyance behind my voice.
Dimitri's lip twitches, giving away how annoyed he is by my comment. Yeosang places his hand on my shoulder.
"No harm done, as long as it ends here. Please, go enjoy yourself, my friend.
Dimitri gives me a long, mocking bow, before turning away with a sneer. When the crowd is gone, I feel Yeosang grow cold behind me.
"Jongho. Are you a brother I can trust?"
"Uh, yes. Of course."
"Good. Lock (Y/N) in my quarters. See that no one comes near her."
He shoots a murderous glare at San, who rises from the water with an equally livid look.
"So you'll cage her like a bird? Is that it?" San asks.
I brace myself for the inevitable…but it doesn't come. Yeosang just turns his back on San.
"This is for her own good. And for yours."
He stalks off into the midnight blue gardens, leaving Jongho to take my arm.
"Come on."
The silent walk to the highest tower feels like it takes ages. When Jongho finally opens the door to Yeosang's room, my eyes go wide. Rich velvets of red and gold line every inch of the luxe bedroom. The hand carved four-poster bed looms like a promise in the dark.
"This room is just another prison cell."
"It's your home. You are the Alpha King's soon-to-be mate."
I shoot Jongho a distrustful look.
"I suppose you want to claim me, too. Is this whole soft-boy thing an act?"
Jonho's mouth falls open.
""Soft-boy"? You already know how to hit a man where it hurts. No, (Y/N), I'm afraid I'm just here to offer you advice. Nothing more."
He looks toward the bed, his eyes lingering on the folds of the blankets.
"This game you're playing…you're lucky it hasn't gotten you hurt yet."
"I'm not playing any games. And I have gotten hurt. I–"
"I mean irreparably hurt. Hurt so bad you cannot recover from it."
He sighs, rubbing the rim of his glasses.
"Look. My brothers…they're more alike than they think. In good ways, and bad. If you don't stop this, and take the path of least resistance, I fear they'll tear you clean in half."
Jongho's warning hangs heavy in the room. He places a kind hand on my shoulder.
"Your life here doesn't have to be all bad. You'll have at least one friend. In me."
"I won't give up yet."
With a smile and a nod that says "good luck," Jongho leaves the room. His words echo in my memory. Suddenly, a harsh clatter sounds behind me in the room. My body goes cold as I ball my hands into fists.
"It's me."
The mirror above the fireplace swings back, and San drops down into the room.
"San, you scared me. How did you–"
"This castle has a thousand hidden secrets. Yeosang and I found this one when we were kids. Before…"
He wrings water from his damp hair, his eyes downcast.
"Before he hated me so much he wanted to kill me."
San straightens, his lean body illuminated by the roar of the fire.
"Are you alright?"
"Am I alright? I mean you were the one who drowned."
"But you were the one who was pawed at by a barbarian, had a life threatening secret revealed…"
"You're right. I guess we've both had a rough night."
San turns his back to me, so close to the fire that beads of sweat start to form on his flesh.
"Hey, are you–"
"I owe you an apology, (Y/N)."
"An…apology? What for? I don't blame you for any of this–"
"You should."
His words ring through the bedroom, his eyes flashing silver.
"I kissed you. In front of everyone."
He drags his nails over the hideous mark on his neck, as though he's like to rip his skin clean off.
"A bastard. A man with this Saekki mark, branded forever as a disgusting stain on his family. I could have gotten you tortured. They could have cut off your arm for that, or killed you. But I–"
He turns to face me, his words leaving him as his eyes fall on my lips.
"But you…what?"
"…I couldn't help myself."
Time stands still as I hover in the silence, feeling his gaze rake over the soft petals of my mouth. Then, he bows his head, turning for the mirrored door.
"I just came here to tell you I'm sorry. I won't ever touch you again."
I stare at his broad, anguished back. The man who kissed me…the man who saved me… He moves to leave. Without thinking, I reach out and grab his hand, stopping him.
"San…You have nothing to apologize for."
"What?"
"Did I stutter?"
I close my fingers around San's hand, tugging him back to me.
"You have nothing to apologize for, San. I don't regret what happened."
He doesn't move. I walk around to face him, blocking his exit.
"You said it yourself. You were saving me from Dimitri. From everyone who saw my eyes and saw something to take."
San reaches out slowly, dragging his thumb over the corner of my eye.
"…And you don't think I'm like them? I saw something to take?"
"You know what it's like to have a life out of your control. You'd never be like them."
Slowly, San strengthens his grip on my hand…and pulls me into his arms.
"Thank you, (Y/N). I just wish…things were…"
"Different?"
He looks down at me, his steely silver eyes glinting in the low light. He leans down, his mouth coming closer to mine. Suddenly, I hear heavy footsteps coming down the hall. San vaults up into the passage he came from.
"I'll be back."
With that, San disappears behind the mirror. The door swings open.
"Huh. Seems one of my brothers really can leave you alone. It's a miracle."
"The miracle is that I'm not kicking your ass for what you pulled."
"For what I pulled?"
"I didn't do anything wrong."
"That's rich."
"Not as rich as you thinking you have a leg to stand on."
"Okay. Explain then. I'd love to hear you defend your actions."
"Meaning?"
"You kissed my brother. In front of everyone."
"To keep Dimitri from taking me."
"So you say. But you didn't need to choose San to dance with you either."
"None of this would have happened at all if you'd kept Dimitri from your borders and–"
"Don't you think I know that?!"
Yeosang swings a powerful fist at the pillar of his bed, splintering the wood with a resounding thwack.
"Do you think I'm happy he's here? Eating my food? Trying to claim you? Putting you in danger?"
The anger in Yeosang's voice melts to something different.
"It's my fault. All of it."
He walks to the window, the moonlight flecking his scarlet eyes.
"If I was a better King…a more serious ruler…the ruler my mother expected…"
He grips the windowsill with white knuckles, his shoulder blades flexing as he wars with himself.
"Yeosang, are you feeling okay?"
Yeosang is quiet for a long moment.
"…I'm just. Trying to say…sorry."
The word practically knocks me off my feet. Yeosang turns to face me, keeping his eyes glued on the floor.
"I know I'm the reason you did what you did. So. Sorry."
"You were the reason. You're right."
Yeosang nods, my words clearly stinging him.
"I deserve that."
"Look, I'm just exhausted. All of those eyes on me, Dimitri's hands… If it weren't for San, I thought…he was really going to…"
A low, tremulous growl rumbles from his broad chest and his eyes flash red. Gripping my wrist, Yeosang pulls me across the room.
"What are you doing?"
He rips back a large curtain. What lies beyond, it is not what I was expecting. Yeosang ushers me into a large luxurious bathroom.
"You can use my shower and wash that piece of shit's memory off of you. I wouldn't mind if you smelled less like San, too."
He looks away again, glaring at the far wall. But I catch a hint of color in his face.
"Uh…okay. Thanks."
"Right. Leave you to it, then."
Yeosang skulks out of the bathroom as I reach up to unfasten my dress. But he stops when he sees I can't quite reach it.
"Here. I can–"
He moves toward me but I back up without thinking. He stops.
"What are you doing?!"
"I wasn't…I was just… I'm not what you think I am, (Y/N)."
Yeosang takes another step toward me. I stand rooted to the spot as he comes closer.
"I'm not a monster."
With a featherlight touch, he turns me around. Then, he slowly reaches for the clasp on my dress.
"I would never hurt you."
"Okay."
My invitation leaves me on a breathe, and it is all the acceptance Yeosang needs.
"Okay."
His rough, large fingers work at the clasp of my gown. Then, he takes the zipper. I hold my breath as he slowly pulls it down, his knuckles brushing against my spine as he travels lower and lower. When he reaches the lowest part of my back, he stops.
"There. That should be enough.
"Yeah…thank you."
Yeosang's hand skates over my hair, his breath hot on the back of my neck.
"Thank you."
I turn to face him. He flashes his half-smile, backing toward the door.
"Told you I'm not who you think I am."
With that, he leaves the bathroom. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Shedding the rest of my clothes, I step into the shower.
This thing is bigger than the place I grew up in.
In the corner of the shower, there is a vase of beautiful purple flowers.
Flowers? In the shower? This family is so over-the-top.
I laugh and shake my head as hot water spills over my body. Thick steam fills the air.
This is the first time I've had to myself. Since…
My father selling me, San's attempts to help me, Yeosang's moments of softness…all of it hits me at once. I lean against the shower wall, gasping for breath as the thick steam curls over my naked body. But then the struggle to breathe becomes too real. As though no air can enter my lungs. I stagger back, sudden dizziness overtaking me as my vision blurs at the edges.
"Do you like my present, (Y/N)?"
Dimitri's silhouette suddenly appears on the other side of the shower. He drags a finger slowly over the foggy glass.
"I suppose you've never seen wolfsbane in its raw form. A pretty flower, is it not? And so potent when mixed with steam."
I try to stay standing, trying to look for something to defend myself. But a sudden sharp pain seizes my chest. I fall.
"Let's have some fun, shall we?"