11|Don't scream.

Davina’s POV

That instant when a sensation creeps over you, sending a shiver down your spine, and suddenly, you know you’re doomed.

That’s exactly what I was feeling now.

The whispers grew louder, and I could feel everyone’s stares on me, their gazes tinged with an emotion that made me uneasy. Was it... pity?

“Poor girl, she's probably going to end up like the last one”

“Hey, as long as it isn't us”

Yes, I was indeed doomed.

Eva stepped in front of me and spoke to Emmanuel, "But she's new. I don’t think it’s right for her to serve under the Lycan King, especially since she’s... blind." She hesitated, the word blind lingering awkwardly in the air.

"King’s orders, Eva. Now, please, don’t bother me—I’m not exactly in what you'd call a good mood at the moment."

Eva opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her by holding her hand. “I understand. What should I do first?” I asked, hearing the satisfied hum of approval.

It didn’t matter if I had to serve under Hades. I was leaving this place soon anyway. I just needed to bide my time, learn the layout of the palace, and plan my escape carefully.

I still had to search for him– I wasn't giving up and if there was a way out of here then I would find it.

“Davina, you don't understand–” Eva was about to say but she stopped when Emmanuel cut her off yet again.

"The king has requested a glass of wine to be brought to his chamber," he said, his eyes locking with mine. "I suppose it's time for you to carry out your first task."

“Come with me”. Emmanuel started to walk and I hesitated at first. I didn't know how to feel about being with Hades in his chamber alone but I knew I couldn't disobey orders so I followed the sounds of Emmanuel's footsteps but Eva held my hand before whispering in my ear.

“Be cautious when serving the king; he doesn't tolerate mistakes.” She let go of my hand and I tilted my head in confusion but she wasn't there anymore.

“Come on, we can’t keep the king waiting,” Emmanuel said and I followed him. When he stopped, he turned and handed me the tray he had been holding.

“Place this on the king’s desk, then step out when you’re finished,” he instructed, his voice pausing briefly. “Although, can you actually manage that? I’m not sure why the king would want a blind girl serving him.” His tone wasn’t hateful—just curious. He sighed, knocking on the door, but when there was no response, he opened it, motioning for me to enter.

“Can I really enter?” I asked Emmanuel with slight hesitation. Even though it didn’t matter if I served Hades, I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened the night before. I still remembered the feeling of his hand tightening around my throat, cutting off my air until I was on the brink of losing consciousness.

“You can, just drop the tray and leave– that's all you have to do”

“Make no mistakes”. He said before closing the door and I was left standing alone in the room.

My hands on the tray trembled slightly as the familiar– inviting scent drew me in. I couldn't help my heart skipping a beat at the scent of my mate, the infamous lycan king and I bit my bottom lip as I reminded myself to snap out of it.

He wasn't here so that meant he might have gone out which gave me time to leave the tray and leave before he came back. I didn't want to see him, I was scared of him but then again who wasn't scared of Hades.

I stretched out my hand, using it to guide me and avoid bumping into anything that might make me stumble. Moving slowly, I reached out, trying to feel for the desk. When my fingers brushed against a hard surface, I carefully set the tray down, ensuring it was placed just right.

Now, I just had to leave before he came back.

My first mistake? Trying to run while blind. My second? Running when I felt his presence in the room.

Taking a deep breath, I reached for the door, letting my hand be my guide. But I wasn’t careful enough. Pain jolted up my leg as it struck something hard—maybe the edge of the couch. Before I knew it, I was falling, crashing onto the floor with a loud thud.

I bit down on a yell, my hand instinctively moving to rub the knee I’d fallen on. The pain was sharp, and tears pricked at my eyes, threatening to spill over. I ignored the pain and tried to stand but I fell before I could stand.

“Goddess” I whispered under my breath when I fell on the same knee again. “ Davina, get yourself together” But this time when I was about to stand, I stopped before I could. I didn't fall but froze when I heard a voice.

"What do you think you're doing?" The deep, unmistakable voice belonged to none other than Hades. Maybe it was fear that clouded my senses, especially after the way people had acted earlier, but suddenly, an overwhelming urge to escape gripped me. Ignoring the sharp pain in my knee, I did the only thing I could think of.

I ran.

My hand gripped the doorknob, and I managed to open the door, seconds away from escaping his room. But I had underestimated the Lycan King. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back as he turned me around, pressing my back against the closed door.

I wanted to scream and he seemed to know it because he brought his big hand to my mouth, covering half of my face with it.

"Don’t scream,” he muttered, his voice low. I nodded quickly, my eyes widening as I felt his presence so close, too close.

We stood there in silence, my body trembling slightly from our position. Finally, he released me, his hand slipping away, and I exhaled in relief.

But a second later, my heart dropped. His wet body pressed flush against mine, and I realized, to my horror, he was wearing nothing but a towel.

I screamed.