LILA
Sunlight trickled into my room, dragging me out of a sleep that felt way too short. Morning. Already? My eyes barely opened as memories from last night came flooding back-his touch, his words, his promises that lingered longer than they should. His fingers… tracing paths I could still feel.
The door creaked open, and Eliza, the maid from earlier, entered carrying a basket of… something. I rubbed my eyes and stretched, attempting to wake up.
"Good morning," I mumbled, trying to sound composed as I forced myself to sit up.
"Good morning, my lady," she replied, her voice smooth as silk. "The Alpha King has requested your presence."
My heart stumbled over itself at her words. Last night's memories crashed into me harder now, blending with the nervous anticipation of seeing him again so soon.
Eliza busied herself with preparing a warm bath, then handed me a drink-some odd concoction she swore would ease the soreness. I didn't ask what was in it; I already knew this was a ritual of sorts, like preparing a lamb for the slaughter. Crossing that threshold to face him felt like the ultimate test, and backing out was not an option.
I trailed behind Eliza down the hallway. A small voice in my head urged me to turn around, to run as far as I could. But what good would that do me? I couldn't escape Rafael, not when those intense looks from last night still left me weak.
She led me to a large, imposing door and motioned toward it before bowing slightly and heading off. Every instinct in me screamed to call her back, to beg her to stay, but I was already in too deep. The lion himself was inside, waiting to devour his prey, and that prey just happened to be me.
My hands trembled as I reached for the door handle. I could feel my pulse thudding in my ears, my stomach twisting into knots. Pushing the door open, I hesitated on the threshold, trying to brace myself for what awaits me?
The room was dimly lit, nearly pitch black, and I sucked in a sharp breath. I sucked in a sharp breath, taking it all in. It looked like a scene straight out of Fifty Shades of Grey, except darker-way darker. This was no ordinary room; this was a playroom-a dark, alluring prison outfitted with… equipment. I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. Was all of this meant for me?
And there he was, sitting in a tall, shadowed chair, his posture as relaxed as if he were lounging on a throne. His eyes followed me, cold and piercing, like he could already see every last thought, every little fear. No smile, no warmth. Just those stormy turquoise eyes taking me in with a look that was both a caress and a warning.
It hit me that there was no dodging fate this morning. Today was the day. Today, I was going to lose it. My virginity. And not to my fated mate, like I'd dreamed all these years, but to him. I'd always imagined my first time would be magical-waiting until I met my mate, sharing that moment in love and trust. But here I was, a pawn in my mother's game, thrown into the lion's den to atone for sins I hadn't even committed.
"Don't make me wait," he growled, his voice as dark as the room itself. A shiver ran through me, my body's betrayal quick and undeniable. But I knew this wasn't right.
Even my wolf, Lora, whimpered in my mind, her voice a faint, defeated murmur. We're doomed. But doomed or not, what could I do?
I took a shaky step forward, feeling like I was on the edge of a cliff. My voice barely came out as I whispered, "Please… you don't have to do this."
A small plea. Not that it would change anything. This was how my day would begin-summoned to a dark room designed for his twisted pleasures. I had no idea how long he'd keep me here, but from the intensity in his stare, I could tell he was fully in control.
"Strip," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. My gaze dropped to the robe Eliza had dressed me in. One tug, and it would fall, leaving me exposed and vulnerable.
My body quivered, but not from the cold. It was the helpless, infuriating urge to obey-the twisted instinct to follow his every command that made my blood boil. My hands trembled as I untied the robe, hating that I was doing this without a fight. The fabric slid off my shoulders and hit the floor, leaving me fully exposed to his judgmental, icy stare.
And, oh, he wasn't looking at me with lust, admiration, or any hint of desire. No, his gaze was a cocktail of hatred and something darker-revenge, maybe. His eyes didn't see me; they saw some enemy or pawn, a stand-in for whatever mess he'd stated I was guilty of.
He stood to his feet, each move he makes made my heart thudded. He reached over to a table lined with… implements-restraints, ropes, and items whose purposes I didn't want to guess. When he picked up a leather strap, he wrapped it around his hand slowly, deliberately, letting the anticipation curls down my leg, and I could only wonder what he wants to do with it.
His steps are steady, "You know the rules, little lamb. This is where you pay the atonement for your sin," His jaw tenses. Ace, his wolf, stirred within him, prowling just under his skin. I could sense it, that wild, hungry energy.
Lora whimpered again in my mind, her spirit bending under his dominance. Fight him, Lora, I thought, trying to summon even a shred of courage from the wolf inside me. But she was quiet, almost numb, her silence making my chest tighten with fear.
"Why so quiet?" Rafael's voice drew me back, his eyes narrowing. "Or are you already breaking?"
A bitter smile tugged at my lips. "I'm not broken yet, Rafael. It'll take more than a dark room and your cheap threats to do that."