Chapter Sixteen

“Who did this to you?” Kaiden’s tone was deadly still as he gripped my chin to see the claw marks on my face. 

I didn't want him to see the marks, but he demanded to see me and the marks were taking forever to heal.

I didn't wnat him to make a big deal out of it. It only made things worse. I want dto handle it myself. 

“Kaiden.. I can handle it okay? You don't have to-”

“I said, who did this to you?” he gripped my jaw tightly and I could see his wolf flash behind his eyes.

If I didnt tell him, he was just going to get it out of me so I sighed. “Lydia. But to be fair, i said mean things-”

“I do not care. I’m going to make that spoilt princess see what happens when you cross me.”

"Where is she?" His voice was dangerously low, a growl rumbling from deep in his chest.

I grabbed his wrist, trying to soothe him. "Kaiden, please. It’ll only make things worse."

His piercing gaze snapped to mine. "For who? You?" His thumb brushed over the drying blood on my cheek, his expression unreadable. "She dared to touch what’s mine."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I forced myself to hold my ground. "I'm not yours, Kaiden," I said quietly, though I didn't even believe the words.

His lips curled into a smirk, but there was no humor in it. "Is that so?" His hand dropped from my face, but the tension in his body remained. "Come."

"Where?"

"To deal with this," he said simply, already turning for the door.

Panic shot through me. "Kaiden, no! You can’t just—”

"Watch me."

Before I could protest further, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me along with him.

“Bring me Lydia!” He commanded to the first guard we saw.

Lydia stood in the hall, her usual smirk in place as she chatted with a few warriors who still worshipped her, despite her fall from grace. Her laughter echoed through the hall, light, charming, practiced.

It died the moment she saw Kaiden.

He let go of my wrist, striding toward her with the lethality of a predator. The warriors and maids scattered instantly, sensing the danger in the air. Lydia, to her credit, didn't immediately cower. Instead, she straightened her spine, masking her nerves behind a smile.

"Your Majesty," she greeted, innocenty looking up to Kaiden. "To what do I owe the—"

Kaiden struck.

It was so fast I barely saw it coming. One moment, Lydia was standing tall, her smug expression in place, and the next, she was gasping as Kaiden’s hand wrapped around her throat, slamming her back against the nearest stone pillar.

A collective gasp echoed through the hall.

"Lydia." His voice was calm, but his grip tightened, causing her to claw at his wrist in panic. "Did you think I wouldn’t find out?"

Her chocolate eyes widened with fear. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," she gasped.

Kaiden’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "Oh, I think you do." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper that only she and I could hear. "Did you enjoy hurting her? Did you feel powerful?"

Lydia's breath hitched, her face turning red from lack of air.

"Kaiden," I whispered, stepping forward, my heart hammering. "Let her go."

He didn’t move. His wolf was in control now, and i knew his wolf was far worse.

"Kaiden, please," I said more firmly, placing a hand on his arm. "I’m fine."

He hesitated. His eyes flickered to mine, the storm within them raging, but before i could convince him, a shell voice echoed from across the hall.

“Kaiden! Let my maid go!” Anya screamed as she stormed towards us.

Kaiden didn’t move, his grip still firm around Lydia’s throat. His golden eyes flickered with barely contained rage as he turned his head slowly, regarding Anya with a bored expression.

"Your maid?" His voice was dangerously calm. "Your maid put her hands on what’s mine."

Anya’s green eyes flashed with anger as she stomped closer "She’s mine to punish, not yours!"

Kaiden’s fingers flexed around Lydia’s throat, making her whimper. "You’re defending her?"

Anya scoffed, crossing her arms. "She’s useful to me." Then her gaze flickered to me, sharp and assessing. "Unlike your little plaything."

My jaw tightened, but I said nothing. I knew better than to speak when royals argued.

Kaiden’s smirk returned, but there was no humor in it. "If she’s useful to you, then you should have taught her better." His grip tightened just enough to make Lydia let out a strangled gasp. "She dared to harm what belongs to me."

Anya gritted her teeth. “You might as well take all the oxygen so your play thing can breathe! Don’t you see, uncle? Because of this slave?  This is madness!”

“This isn’t madness, dear niece,” Kaiden said smoothly, though his grip on Lydia’s throat did not loosen. “Madness would be letting her live without consequences.”

Anya's fists clenched at her sides. “She is my responsibility! You can’t just-”

“I can do whatever I want,” Kaiden cut her off, and he leaned in slightly, his breath ghosting over Lydia’s paling face. “And if you ever challenge me again over something as insignificant as this pathetic excuse of a slave, I will remind you why I am the King, and you are not.”

A shudder passed through the hall. Everyone felt the weight of his words. Anya's lips pressed into a thin line, but even she knew better than to push him further.

Lydia’s struggles grew weaker, her hands slipping from his wrist as her eyes fluttered. Her arrogance was gone, replaced by terror.

I stepped forward, heart pounding. “Kaiden,” I whispered. “Please.”

Kaiden’s gaze flickered to me and humanity flooded back into them.

With a scoff, he let lydia go, and she fell onto the floor, violently coughing for air and Anya ran to her side. “You’ve made your point,” she spat, glaring at Kaiden.  “Stay away from my maids.”

Kaidan returned her glare, “Let it serve as a warning to all. Touch her, and the only mercy you’d get would be death.”

I avoided everyone’s stare as Kaiden made everyone hate me even more. He put a permanent target on my back.

I made the mistake of looking up and i met Anya’s glare.

“I hope you know what you are doing uncle. I do hope she's worth it in the end.”

Kaiden stiffened, before grabbing my hand and leading me out of the hall.

And since that incident, everyone avoided me. The perks, I was safe from everyone. But i couldnt get rid of the feeling things were going to get worse. My wolf couldn't just shake off the idea of us leaving.