Please Me

“Wait, wait, wait,” said the woman sitting across from Knox, barely able to contain her laughter. “He kissed her hand?”

Her name was Mira, one of the few people in the palace who could get away with teasing the king without losing her head. She was the palace’s head strategist and a close ally to Alaric, though she often acted more like a sister than a subordinate.

“Oh, it gets better,” Knox said, leaning back in his chair. “He called her my Luna like he was in some kind of romance novel.”

Mira burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “I can’t believe I missed this! Where was I?”

“Probably off doing actual work,” Knox replied, smirking.

Mira wiped a tear from her eye, her laughter finally subsiding. “You’re serious, though? Alaric actually did that?”

“As serious as the scowl he gave me when I told him I was going to tell you.”

Mira shook her head, grinning. “Poor Liana. She probably thinks he’s lost his mind.”

“He has,” Knox said with mock seriousness.

Mira slapped his arm playfully before standing. “Alright, let’s go help him. If we leave him to his own devices, he’s going to ruin dinner tonight.”

Knox raised an eyebrow. “Help him? I was just planning on making fun of him some more.”

“Knox,” Mira said, giving him a pointed look. “Be useful for once.”

Knox sighed dramatically but followed her out of the room.

---

When they found Alaric, he was back in his chamber, staring out the window with his arms crossed. He didn’t turn when they entered, but the tension in his shoulders was obvious.

“Don’t even start,” he said without looking at them.

“Oh, we’re starting,” Mira said cheerfully, walking over to stand beside him. “Knox told me everything. I’ve been waiting for this moment for years.”

Alaric shot her a withering look. “I don’t need your commentary.”

“Yes, you do,” Mira said, undeterred. “Because if you go into dinner tonight with whatever plan you think you have, you’re going to scare her off for good.”

“I’m not trying to scare her,” Alaric said, his tone defensive.

“No?” Mira tilted her head, studying him. “Then what are you trying to do? Charm her? Because, no offense, you’re terrible at it.”

Knox snorted, earning a glare from Alaric.

“She’s not like the others,” Alaric said after a moment, his voice quieter now.

Mira raised an eyebrow. “Others? You mean the ones who didn’t make it?”

Alaric didn’t reply, his jaw tightening.

Mira sighed, her teasing tone softening. “Look, I get it. This is new territory for you. But if you keep treating her like she’s just another pawn in your game, it’s going to backfire.”

“I don’t see her as a pawn,” Alaric said sharply.

“Good,” Mira said, nodding. “Then show her that. Be honest. Be human.”

Knox coughed. “He might need some practice with that last part.”

Alaric rolled his eyes. “Are you both done?”

“Not quite,” Mira said with a grin. “What are you wearing to dinner?”

Alaric frowned. “What does it matter?”

“It matters,” Mira said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re trying to make an impression, remember? You can’t just show up looking like you’ve been brooding in the shadows all day.”

Knox smirked. “Which, to be fair, is exactly what he’s been doing.”

Mira ignored him, pulling open Alaric’s wardrobe. “Wear this,” she said, holding up a dark, tailored suit with subtle silver embroidery.

Alaric raised an eyebrow. “It’s just dinner.”

“Not for her, it’s not,” Mira said firmly. “You’re the king. Everything you do leaves an impression, whether you like it or not.”

Alaric sighed but took the suit. “Fine. But if this doesn’t go well, I’m blaming both of you.”

Mira grinned. “Deal. Just don’t mess it up.”

As Alaric disappeared into the adjoining room to change, Knox leaned against the wall, shaking his head. “This is going to be interesting.”

Mira smirked. “Isn’t it always?”

***

Liana's POV

Shoes. Dress. The maid had laid it all out, ordered by Elise.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my hands brushing down the soft fabric of the simple light-blue gown I’d been given. It was elegant in its simplicity, the material flowing like water around me, but it wasn’t anything extravagant. I’d told Elise to keep it light no fuss, no unnecessary adornments and she had listened.

Now, staring at my reflection, I wished I hadn’t been so insistent.

What if it was more extravagant than this?

I adjusted the sleeves that rested off my shoulders, exposing my collarbones and a hint of skin. My hair was pulled into a loose braid, small tendrils framing my face. It was a look that screamed modesty, and yet… it didn’t feel right.

Would I be enough in this?

I shook the thought away, straightening my back. I wasn’t here to impress him this wasn’t about romance or appearances.

It was a matter of survival.

Use him to get what I want, that is Amira off my back.

Get revenge on those and be the better version of myself.

With one last look in the mirror, I slipped on the simple flats and left the room.

---

The dining hall was grand, its vaulted ceilings lined with carvings and chandeliers that cast a soft golden glow over the long table in the center.

And there he was.

Alaric stood at the head of the table, his back to me as he examined a clock on the far wall. He was dressed sharply, in a tailored black suit with silver embroidery that shimmered faintly under the light.

His hair, always slightly tousled, had been neatly combed back, though a single strand refused to stay in place, falling over his forehead.

He looked different.

Not just regal, but rather than not touchable, he almost looked down to earth.

But a man as handsome as he, should only be one of the gods.

I gulped.

He turned as I entered, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine immediately. His gaze swept over me briefly, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something in his expression approval, maybe.

Or curiosity.

I stepped forward, suddenly hyper-aware of how underdressed I felt.

“Liana,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Sit.”

I nodded, moving to take the seat he gestured to, directly across from him.

The room was quiet, save for the faint clinking of the servants pouring wine into our glasses. I caught him watching me, his gaze lingering a second too long.

Clearing his throat, he leaned back in his chair. “You look… nice.”

“Thank you,” I said softly, looking down at my hands.

His lips quirked slightly, almost like he was suppressing a smile. “Though I expected something more… elaborate.”

I winced inwardly. Of course.

“I told Elise to keep it simple,” I replied, trying to sound indifferent.

“Ah,” he said, swirling the wine in his glass. “Modesty. How… refreshing.”

Was he flirting?

The silence stretched awkwardly, and I reached for my glass, desperate for something to do.

“You’re not what I expected,” he said suddenly, his tone almost teasing.

I raised an eyebrow. “And what did you expect?”

“Someone more… talkative I guess. They are always do inquisitive ” he replied, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Sorry to disappoint,” I said dryly, earning a chuckle from him.

It was strange, hearing him laugh. It softened his otherwise cold demeanor, making him seem almost approachable. Almost.

Just as I began to relax, his hand slipped, and with a sharp crack, the fork he’d been holding snapped in half.

“Shit,” he muttered, quickly setting the pieces aside.

I bit back a laugh, unable to help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “Rough day?”

“You could say that,” he said, glancing at the broken fork as if it had been the one to attack him first.

The tension in the room lessened slightly, and I dared to meet his gaze again.

“So,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “What can you do, Liana? Any skills? Hobbies?”

“Survive,” I said before I could stop myself.

His expression shifted, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. “I guess that's a useful skill,” he said quietly.

I nodded, unsure of what else to say. “I can also… garden,” I added, hoping to steer the conversation somewhere lighter.

“Garden?” he repeated, his eyebrow arching.

“Yes,” I said, lifting my chin. “Flowers, mostly. They don’t argue or judge. It’s peaceful.”

His lips twitched again, but he said nothing.

As the conversation faded, I reached for the breadbasket at the same time he did. Our hands brushed, and the basket tipped, spilling rolls onto the table.

“Oh!” I exclaimed, reaching to grab them.

Alaric did the same, and our foreheads collided with a dull thunk.

“Fuck,” he muttered, rubbing his head.

I winced, holding my own. “That hurt.”

We both froze, staring at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“This is awkward,” I said between chuckles, my cheeks burning.

“I know,” he admitted, his voice tinged with amusement.

The moment was strangely… human. Normal, even.

But as quickly as it came, it ended. Alaric’s expression hardened, and he straightened in his chair, his usual cold demeanor slipping back into place.

“Let’s talk rules,” he said, his tone clipped.

My heart sank.

“As Luna, your primary duty is to please me,” he said, his gaze locking onto mine. “You will represent this pack, and by extension, me. That means no mistakes, no rebellions, no defiance. Do you understand?”

I swallowed, nodding. “Yes.”

“You’ll attend public events with me, speak only when spoken to, and act with the grace expected of your position,” he continued.

“Understood,” I said, my voice tight.

He leaned back, watching me closely. “You’ll also respect my privacy. There are parts of this palace and parts of me that are off-limits. Do not overstep.”

I nodded again, my hands clenching under the table.

“Good,” he said, standing abruptly. “That will be all for tonight.”

He didn’t wait for a response, turning and striding toward the door.

I sat there, stunned, as the door closed behind him.

My heart was racing.

What had just happened?

He just went from fun and casual to cold and brooding and possessive.

My goodness.