Chapter 3:

My heart hammers against my ribs as the girl sweeps into the room, her green eyes sparkling with an energy that clashes with the chill in the air.

"Come on," she says, flicking her wrist. "Let's get you sorted before breakfast. No one will take you seriously looking like… that."

I scowl, crossing my arms. "Like what exactly?"

Her lips twitch into a smirk as her gaze travels over my wrinkled clothes and disheveled appearance. "Like someone who wrestled a bear and lost."

Before I can snap back, she strides forward, pulling me by the wrist with surprising strength. "We don't have time for sulking. Prince Caspian's schedule is tighter than a wolf's grip on its prey. Oh, and the name's Cassidy and I'm your proxy for the time being."

I wince, not at the words but at the way her firm grip presses against my bruises. "Can you not yank me around like I'm some doll?"

She shoots me an apologetic glance but doesn't slow down. "Sorry, but we've got to move. And…" She gives me a once-over. "We're definitely hiding those bruises. Come on, let's get you something proper to wear."

We end up in her room, which is far more lavish than I expected. A plush canopy bed dominates the space, surrounded by elegant furniture and walls lined with silk tapestries.

Cassidy rummages through an armoire with dramatic flair. "I can't believe Caspian brought you here looking like… that."

I roll my eyes. "You've said that twice now."

"Because it bears repeating." She pulls out a soft lavender dress and tosses it to me. "Here. Try this on. It'll cover the worst of the bruises."

I hesitate, clutching the fabric. "Why do you care?"

It's a bit concerning because no one has ever showed me the amount of care that she is showing me right now. I can't exactly call it care at the moment, but still, it's better than any treatment I've received in all my twenty one years of existing.

And somehow, I find myself loosening up and interacting more than I usually would. Being around someone my age who isn't looking down at me because I'm human for the first time feels...good.

She pauses, tilting her head as if considering the question. "Honestly? I don't. But I'd rather not be seen with someone who looks half-dead. Makes me look bad."

I snort but slip into the dress anyway. It fits surprisingly well, and the long sleeves and high neckline do a decent job of concealing my injuries.

"Much better," she declares, spinning me toward the mirror. "At least now you look like someone who belongs in Goldencrest...well, almost."

I ignore the jab and turn to face her. "What now?"

"Breakfast," she says brightly, grabbing my arm again. "And don't worry, you're not eating with the pack. We don't want a scandal on our hands." Her face falls a bit and then she adds, "Not yet, anyway."

As we walk through the sprawling halls, I can't help but marvel at the sheer grandeur of the estate.

Sunlight pours through stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished stone floors.

We round a corner, and my breath catches as we nearly collide with Ethan I recognise from last night.

Unlike last night, when shadows had cloaked his features, the morning light reveals every detail.

His golden hair gleams like spun sunlight, and his chiseled features are sharper than I remembered.

"Ethan!" Cassidy greets him with a cheerful wave.

His piercing blue eyes shift to me, his expression unreadable. "Good morning."

I shrink under his gaze. He isn't outright hostile, but there's a certain iciness to his demeanor that makes me uneasy.

"Good morning," I mumble, staring at the floor.

Cassidy, oblivious to the tension, grins. "Shouldn't you be training with the warriors?"

He folds his arms, his tone clipped. "I could ask why you're parading our guest around the estate."

"I'm not a guest, I'm a hostage," I mutter under my breath.

Cassidy jabs me lightly in the ribs. "Play nice," she whispers before turning back to Ethan. "I'm taking her to breakfast. And honestly, you should lighten up. She's not a threat."

His eyes narrow. "That remains to be seen."

"Go on, shoo," she says, waving him off. "I'm handling this."

With a final glance at me, he walks away, his broad shoulders tense.

"Don't mind him," Cassidy says, linking her arm through mine. "He's always like that with newcomers. It's his job to be suspicious you see, he's one of our enforcers."

I nod silently, my heart still racing.

We finally reach a small dining room tucked away from the main halls. A modest but elegant breakfast spread awaits us – fresh fruit, warm bread, and steaming cups of tea.

She gestures for me to sit. "Eat up. You're going to need your strength for what's coming."

I hesitate, my stomach churning. "What's coming?"

She waves my question away. "Oh, you know. The usual. Interrogations, threats, potentially a duel to the death."

I gape at her, and she giggles. "Relax, I'm kidding. Mostly."

"Not funny," I mutter, reaching for a piece of bread.

"So," she says, leaning forward with a gleam in her eye, "why'd you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Run off," she shrugs, her tone casual but her gaze sharp. "I mean, you are a rogue, right?"

I bristle. "I'm not a rogue."

She raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Then what are you?"

I take a bite of bread, chewing slowly to buy myself time. "It's complicated."

"Everything's complicated," she rolls her eyes, leaning back. "But you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm just curious."

I hesitate, then decide to change the subject. "What about you? What royal family are you from?"

Her face lights up, and she launches into a lively explanation about her lineage. I listen intently, grateful for the distraction.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel a flicker of comfort. Cassidy's chatter is oddly soothing, and for a moment, I allow myself to believe I might have found an ally.

But the moment is short-lived.

She glances at the ornate clock on the wall and sighs.

"Time's up. Prince Caspian's waiting for you."

I nod, not wanting to delay or put her in trouble. I follow her down the long halls, moving through the twists and the turns.

We bump into a few pack members, all of whom seem to love her a lot. Why wouldn't they though? With a personality and family blood line like hers, what's not to love?

I feel a pang of jealousy, but it doesn't last long. We approach a huge wooden double door. The finest wood quality I've ever seen.

Goldencrest really is golden.

Cassidy, noticing my gaze, says, "Oh, this is the throne room. You'll be meeting with Prince Caspian here. He's acting king right now while the King and Queen are in Spain on some diplomatic mission."

"Acting king?" I ask, surprised. "So, he's like… in charge?"

She chuckles. "Pretty much. He's quite capable, though. A bit serious, but definitely capable."

We reach the doors, and she gives me a final pat on the back. "Good luck."

"Wait, you're not coming with me?"

She laughs. "Not a chance. You're on your own, sweetheart."

The doors swing open before I can say anything else and she disappears faster than I can blink.

With a sigh, I step inside. It's a ridiculously huge room with windows taller than the pack house back at moonhaven. Two guards stand at each side of the door, though I know it's just formality.

The man I saw last night doesn't need guards. Instead, guards need him.

I easily find him at the end of the room.

He sits on the throne lackadaisically, his grey eyes fixed on me with an intensity that makes my knees weak.

The morning light streaming through the windows only enhances his striking features, making him look like something out of a dream...or a nightmare.

He's the most beautiful man I've ever seen. Painfully so.

His dark hair is cropped neatly, but it still hangs over his eyes in loose strands. His grey eyes that had shone silver last night are unfriendly in a sexy way.

His lips are pouty and fuller than a man's lips should be, and I imagine it'll feel as soft as it looks.

So this is the devil that kidnapped me? His beauty should be a sin.

"Well?" His voice breaks through my thoughts, sharp and commanding. "Staring wouldn't win you any special favours, in case Cassidy forgot to mention."

"I'm not staring," I counter, trying to pick up what's left of my dignity. "I'm only looking at the man who kidnapped me for later references."

"Okay," he shrugs. "Go on. Tell me what a human could possibly do to a Lycan Prince."

Heat crawls up my cheeks as I struggle for words.

"Besides, I didn't kidnap you. You trespassed, rogue." He adds.

I square my shoulders, forcing myself to meet his gaze as I recover from my initial embarrassment. "You're keeping me here unlawfully, and I'm not a rogue. I'm the niece of Alpha Rowan, and you know it because you saved me from the rogues themselves! If you needed a rogue, you shouldn't have killed them all."

Caspian's expression flickers with recognition at my uncle's name. "Rowan," he repeats, his tone thoughtful. "I met your mother once when she was Alpha of your pack. She did a better job than Rowan honestly."