CHAPTER TWO

I woke up with a pounding headache from drinking too much whiskey the night before. Blinking at the bright morning light, I looked around the unfamiliar room feeling very confused.

This wasn't my small, empty room back home at the pack. The room had nice wood furniture and clean sheets on the large bed I was tangled up in. What the hell happened and How did I end up here?

Slowly, I started remembering what happened last night. I was drinking away my sadness at the rough bar like usual. Then that mysterious, handsome stranger propositioned me with...that shocking offer to be his temporary mate.

I gasped, recalling how I brazenly threw myself at him in a drunken haze. Desperately kissing him with no shame. A flush of mortification ran through me. I had acted so wantonly in front of him, leading him on before anything could actually happen between us.

Tears filled my eyes as I glanced around what was clearly his private bedroom. He must have simply brought me here to sleep off my inebriated state after rejecting my stupid advances. My body ached slightly from the memory of being pressed against his hard frame, but thankfully that searing kiss was as far as it went.

A noise from the hallway made me freeze. Quickly, I slipped out of the fancy bed and hunted for my rumpled clothes, dressing as fast as my shaking hands could manage. I had to escape this strange place and my humiliation before he returned.

Just as I finished tying my boots, the door burst open. I tensed like a scared rabbit, bracing for the handsome stranger's reappearance and potential scorn over my behavior.

But it wasn't him. Instead, a maid in a uniform strode in, not noticing me at first as she went to open the curtains.

"You'll want to get ready, miss," she said crisply. "The King arrives at noon. You're expected at the official welcoming with the ladies."

Her words were hard to understand.. The...King? What in the sacred moon's name was she on about?

The maid finally noticed my undressed state, looking surprised. Heat flooded my cheeks as I averted my eyes in shame.

She cleared her throat in a professional way. "My apologies. I thought the master was still sleeping." Without waiting for me to explain, she gave me a serious look. "I'll have fresh clothes brought up. You'll want to look neat and tidy."

With that, she left. I was left staring open-mouthed after her, feeling confused and uneasy.

Fresh clothes? Look presentable? Surely this couldn't mean what I was afraid of - that the bold stranger was somehow associated with or worked for...royalty? My jumbled thoughts spun with worry.

One thing was certain - I couldn't stay here a moment longer, caught up in whatever fancy indulgences had happened. Especially not after disgracing myself and likely my whole pack with my unbecoming behavior.

No, it was better to sneak away from this fancy place before anyone took further notice of me.

I pushed aside any small hope that this was just a big misunderstanding. Straightening my rumpled clothes, I squared my shoulders and rushed out, intent on fleeing before—

The blaring sound of ceremonial music shattered my focus. I jumped, pressing against the hallway wall as uniformed servants hurried past in a flurry. Some big event was clearly happening whether I stayed or not.

Scolding my momentary cowardice, I hurried after them, trying to blend in and not be noticed. If I could just make it outside before it began, I could likely still escape...

But as I entered the great hall where the entire household staff had gathered, I couldn't breathe. There, surrounded by armed guards. Then I saw Emily, the lady who was rumored to be the Lycan king obsessed mate.

“What the hell was she doing here. Is this some kind of big ceremony?” I thought.

What was the cruel She wolf doing here. I have had an encounter with Emily once, when I mistakenly bump into her and then she slapped me.

As I was scanning through the crowd to see if there were other people around, I noticed almost everyone in the pack was here. I turned around and was about to move when I heard the loud yell followed my joyful screams.. THE KING HAS ARRIVED!!

ALL HAIL THE KING!… ALL HAIL THE KING!!

The crowd kept chanting. Because of how miserable I have become, I almost forgot that the Lycan limo was going to be introduced. Finally the king walked inside the hall. I was at the back and wasn’t able to see the face of the man clearly. After struggling I finally caught a glimpse of him.

I felt shiver run down my spine as i took a clearer view of his face. There, stood the unmistakable figure from last night. Standing tall and self-assured, his very presence commanded respect and reverence.

Our eyes met across the bowed heads, his pale gaze locking on mine with an intense look. That same overpowering longing I felt so shamefully last night twisted inside me again, making me flushed and unsteady.

I quickly looked away, panic and mortification washing over me. What madness possessed me to act so unforgivably forward with this fearsome legend?

As his deep voice rang out, I slowly raised my face with the others as ordered. Only then, finally taking in the lavish decorations and banners, did the terrible truth dawn on me.

This was no ordinary household event - the entire proceeding was to welcome none other than the LYCAN KING himself into our town! And the Lycan king was the same man I kissed last night.

And watching the sovereign wolf lord stride forth, I knew with sinking dread and shame that any hope of slipping away unnoticed had just become disastrously, irreversibly impossible.

After the whole ceremony was over, I turned around to leave immediately to avoid seeing the Lycan king. But just as I was about to move, one of his bodyguards held my hands and told me not to leave. “ The Lycan king wants to see you”