palace's sprawling grounds. The sun was setting, therefore lengthy shadows were created

pace, his footfall shattered the stillness. His

elia, you've been warned already. Re

m simply... trying to fit in here. Though she meant for her remarks to be harsh

n't touch her, the heat between them was unmistakable. You are now mine, he hi

a tightened her hands. I am not your pro

not reach his eyes. Controlling you is not n

sion. The gloom of the corridor framed his tall, thin physique. His black hair

id, his voice reflecting the same mockin

net. Callum, a renegade, a danger, and now on the council of the Lycan Kings, had a reputation that came b

ning. Lucian warned, his voice deep and menacin

't worry, he continued, his voice oozing with laughter. "I

he quiet before a storm, the air between them was charged. She found herse

the tension of the days after his arrival. She felt as though she

The formerly magnificent and powerful walls now felt claustropho

aze tormented her. He had said she was significant, more so

e, on the table, was an ancient, weathered book without a title, its pages yellowed with age that I had not previously s

do yo

ak hallway light, Callum stood at the entrance. Though his loo

she shut the book fa

quietly and smoothly. You don't know what you're up aga

terror that seized her,

bloodline is not only for show. You are not only a pawn in their g

ve faith in him? The enigmatic words, the cautions, they seemed

her ear. You are more than simply a pa

ore than a pawn? Her ancestry was more than a

allum spun around and left her alone

e despite the rising palace tension. Most of her time was spent in her room reading Lucian's books abo

arsh might, Tyler's unexpected presence, and Callum's enigmatic alerts all

untouchable, the stars sparkled precisely like the life she had once known. As her thoughts drifted ba

emembered his remarks. She was not

w surprised her and she stood

ght have sworn she saw a shadowy figure

adow moved towa

th caught. It

d to disappear into the gloom, so stunning and perplex

ow unsure whether what she had saw was

chilly and sterile in the palace, the air today felt thicker with an odd tension. She had stayed away from Callum si

n doorframe. His dark eyes, shining with joy, tracked her every action. Though his presence in the room made h

s voice sliced through the stillness, smoo

er away. Callum, I didn't request your attention, she respond

I have been observing you, Ophelia. You are not only

she felt her defenses were beginning to

imed you were, his voice falling to a whisper. Ophelia, you may be f

acing in her chest. She said, her voic

whispered, his words just above a whisper but their impact was clear. "And y

what would it cost her to decide thus? She could not believe him. But something deep inside

the necessity to safeguard what little

s proposal still weighing in her heart. She could not get rid of the impression that the walls were closing in on her. T

ged before her as if he had been waiting in the shadows, his ta

mly, his tone lacking any

was have another talk about her 'position' in this kingdom,

thing deeper that Ophelia couldn't iden

d and chin up angrily,

ehind them. It's when he starts telling you falseho

d not reveal dread. I'm not a kid,

f minute, Ophelia believed she could drown in the intensity of his stare. Lucian cautioned, his voice quieter but

, she swallowed. Your pro

or only a second. Reaching out his hand, he gently brushed

g urgent. The fear, the protectiveness, the unmistakable certainty now. He was concerned about what

eed his protection, that she could make her own choices, to d

cted a place of control rather than worry. What scared him?

pping presence, turning away before she could speak. She wanted so