Chapter 112

I woke up to the sound of footsteps near my bed, the presence looming over me before I had fully regained my senses. My heart lurched in my chest when I saw Lucian standing there, watching me with a satisfied smirk.

"You're finally awake," he murmured, his voice slow and deliberate. "I was beginning to think you'd sleep all day. What’s wrong with you?” 

I forced myself to sit up, my body still heavy from exhaustion. "Lucian," I said, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. "What do you want?"

Lucian chuckled. "What do I want?" He leaned down, brushing a finger against my cheek. I fought the urge to recoil. "I want my wife. It's been long enough, don't you think? I should have claimed you on our wedding night, but I was... patient. Now, there's no need to wait anymore. I want it now, there’s no need to wait” 

Dread settled in my stomach like a heavy stone. I clenched my hands beneath the sheets to keep them from shaking. I needed to stall—buy myself some time to think of a way out.

"I..." I hesitated, lowering my gaze as if in shyness. "I want to be ready for you, Lucian. Tonight will be... special. Let me prepare myself for it. I just woke up, so I’m not in the best state. Let me take a bath and get ready for you.” 

His eyes narrowed slightly, studying me as if searching for deception. "Prepare yourself?" He scoffed. "You're my wife. You should already be prepared."

"I want it to be perfect for you," I said softly, hoping my tone sounded convincing. "I want to make it memorable. Just give me a little time."

Lucian exhaled through his nose, clearly torn between suspicion and his own arrogance. Then, after a moment, he nodded. "Fine. But don't try anything foolish, Arin. You belong to me, and if you think of running, I will find you. And I will not be as patient next time."

"I promise," I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze with as much sincerity as I could muster.

Satisfied, Lucian finally turned and left the chambers. The moment the door clicked shut, I sprang into action.

I approached the guards standing outside my door, straightening my posture and schooling my expression into one of quiet determination.

"Prince Lucian has ordered me to accompany him," I announced, my voice steady. "You may escort me if you must, but I must leave at once."

The guards exchanged uncertain glances.

"But, your highness, we received no such orders," one of them said.

I arched a brow, feigning impatience. "Do you doubt the prince's commands? Would you like me to tell him that his own guards prevented me from obeying him?"

The second guard hesitated. "Of course not, my lady. Please, proceed."

Without another word, I strode past them, my heart pounding in my chest.

Once I was sure they weren't following, I slipped through the dimly lit corridors, taking the familiar route toward the hidden passageway that led to Rowan's chambers. My mind raced. I had to warn him. If I could just—

A figure stepped in my path.

I barely had time to register who it was before Lady Lilian's sharp, amused voice cut through the silence.

"And where do you think you're going, a princess Arin?"

I clenched my fists. "Lilian." My patience was already wearing thin. "Why are you even here?"

Lilian folded her arms, watching me with a smirk. "The Alpha King invited me, of course. He thought it wise that I remain in the castle until our wedding. Isn't that thoughtful of him?"

I gritted my teeth. "How lovely."

Lilian tilted her head. "But the real question is... what are you doing sneaking around here? What are you doing?” 

I forced a smile. "I was going to slip outside to gather some top-secret information. Things that could help us."

Lilian's eyes gleamed with interest. "Is that so?" She took a step closer. "Then I'll come with you."

No. No, no, no.

I kept my expression neutral. "That won't be necessary. It's too dangerous. I can handle it alone."

Lilian raised an eyebrow. "And you expect me to believe you're capable of handling anything alone? I think not. If you're going somewhere important, I should come.” 

Frustration flared in my chest. I couldn't shake her off without raising suspicion.

I let out an exaggerated sigh and waved a hand. "Fine. Suit yourself. But I doubt you'll be able to keep up."

I turned sharply, feigning disappointment, and took a different route—one that led absolutely nowhere useful. Lilian followed, and I made sure to waste as much time as possible.

By the time we reached the back of the castle, I feigned frustration and threw up my hands. "Never mind," I muttered. "It's too risky. I'll have to try again another time."

Lilian sighed, looking vaguely annoyed. "How unfortunate. You wasted my time, Arin."

I plastered on an apologetic smile. "My mistake."

She studied me for a moment longer, then finally nodded. "We'll talk later, then. I expect you to be more useful next time."

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

I exhaled slowly, my entire body tense with frustration.

I had failed. But I wasn't done yet.

One way or another, I would find a way to warn Rowan. Before it was too late.

..........

I moved quickly, my heart hammering as I walked through the halls, determined not to miss my chance.

Then, I saw him.

Rowan was leaving a meeting, flanked by advisors, his expression unreadable. He hadn't noticed me yet, but I couldn't let this moment slip away. I stepped forward, keeping my movements controlled, but when his gaze flickered in my direction, I knew the moment he saw me.

His stride faltered for only a second—his golden eyes locking onto mine—but it was enough. He turned to one of his advisors and murmured something before stepping away.

"Your Majesty—" one of them started, but Rowan lifted a hand, silencing him.

"Handle the rest without me," he said firmly.

He walked toward me, his face betraying nothing. "Come with me."

Without another word, he led me down a quiet corridor until we reached a small, empty hall. It was dimly lit, secluded—no prying eyes, no ears listening. Only us.

Rowan turned to face me, his expression sharp with curiosity. "You risked a lot to come here," he said in a low voice. "What is it?"

At first, I hesitated. I had spent so long keeping my emotions buried, locking my fears away, that speaking felt foreign. But this... this couldn't wait.

I took a deep breath and met his gaze. "I know another way you can prove you're not infertile."

Rowan's brows furrowed slightly. "And how would I do that?"

I placed a hand over my stomach. "You don't need to marry another woman, Rowan. Not when I'm already carrying your child."

His entire body went still. The air between us grew thick with silence.

Then, his eyes dropped to my hand.

He didn't speak for several moments, as if his mind was struggling to catch up with what I had just said. When he finally lifted his gaze, there was a flicker of something raw—something vulnerable beneath his hardened exterior.

"You..." His voice came out as a whisper. "You're pregnant?"

I nodded, my throat tightening. "Yes."

Rowan inhaled sharply, his hands moving before he could stop himself. He placed them on my waist, then my stomach, almost as if he needed to feel it to believe it.

A laugh—soft and breathless—escaped him before he suddenly grabbed me, spinning me in the air like a child in sheer joy.

"You're pregnant," he repeated, his voice thick with wonder. "Arin, do you know what this means?"

I let out a startled breath as he held me close, his warmth seeping into me.

"You didn't suspect?" I asked softly.

Rowan finally lowered me back to the ground but didn't let go. He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch lingering. "I had a feeling. But since you didn't mention it, I thought... I thought I was wrong." His voice was softer now, reverent. "This child... our child..." He exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You have no idea what this means to me."

Tears burned at the back of my eyes. "I'm scared, Rowan."

His expression sobered instantly. "I know," he murmured, his grip tightening around me. "But I won't let anything happen to you or our child. I swear it."

"How?" I whispered. "They won't let me go, Rowan. They're watching me every second. Lucian—he's planning to—" I swallowed hard. "I don't have much time."

His jaw tensed, his golden eyes darkening. "Then I'll make sure you never have to go back to him."

I shook my head. "It's not that simple. You know it's not."

"It is," Rowan said firmly. He cupped my face between his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I will protect you, Arin. And I will protect our child. The only way to do that—the only way to stop all of this—is for me to marry you."

My breath caught in my throat.

"Marry... me?"

Rowan nodded, his expression resolute. "Yes. If I make you my queen, no one—not Lucian, not Elana, not even Braam—will be able to touch you."

Tears spilled over my cheeks. "Rowan... you'd really do that?"

He wiped my tears away with his thumb. "I should have done it a long time ago."

For the first time in a long time, hope sparked in my chest.

Maybe—just maybe—I still had a way out of this.