ALPHA'S DARK PAYMENT. HE REJECTED HER. HIS WOLF CHOSE HER.

********

"Is this how I'm going to live for the rest of my life? A sex slave?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the presence of Lady Anika; five maids walked closely behind her, and Elara wondered who she was.

"His mistress?" she swallowed. "Why would his mistress come here?"

**To be with the Alpha,** her wolf voiced out.

Elara rolled her eyes and tried to ignore her.

Like she read her thoughts, Lady Anika blocked her path.

"Good evening, Lady Anika," Elara bowed.

Anika gave her a sweet smile, surprising her maids, who had expected her to lash out at Elara.

"Oh, poor child," she said with a fake sadness in her voice.

Elara swallowed and said nothing.

"I know what is going through your mind... I feel your pain, child. As long as you breathe the same air I breathe, Elara, you will be subjected to more pain. I will make sure of that," Anika swore in a serious tone.

Elara's lips parted, but she didn't utter a word.

"Can I leave, my lady?" Elara bowed.

How dare you? Anika raised her hands to strike Elara, but instead, she clenched her fists, remembering Kane's words not to interfere in his affairs.

"What were you doing in Kane's room?" Anika asked, leaving Elara speechless.

"I just asked a question!" Anika yelled.

"The Alpha's affairs are private, and I can't discuss them with his mistress," Elara replied with a shaking voice.

"So the Alpha fucked you?" Anika asked, and Elara managed to nod her head.

"And now you think you have the same right with me?" Anika asked.

Elara immediately went on her knees. "May the goddess take my life if I ever wished to be like you!" Elara said.

Anika moved closer, and Elara swallowed in fear.

"I'm here to warn you... Just because Kane fucked you on the same bed that worships my body means nothing. You're nothing to him... You will always remain beneath me, Elara!" Anika yelled.

"Yes, my Lady," Elara bit her lips, fighting back her tears.

"I will make your life a living hell in this palace!!"

"Please... my lady," Elara stammered.

Lady Anika glared at her one more time before storming out of the lounge.

*********

Kane scoffed the minute he walked out of his inner chamber and met an empty room, except that it left no evidence of what happened...

**How do you feel?** His wolf asked.

**Not now, tyrant,** Kane growled.

He immediately mind-linked his Beta.

"Shift and meet me outside the palace. Now."

A pause.

"It's past midnight, Kane," Luciano muttered. "What's this all about?"

"Meet me outside. No more questions," Kane cut off the link.

Kane was already outside when Luciano appeared.

"I need the run."

Another pause.

"You usually only say that when something's clawing at your head."

Kane said nothing, already moving, stripping off the weight of the castle, going on all fours. The night air bit into his skin-cold and fresh, unlike everything inside the palace walls.

Bones cracked, clothes shredded, muscles tore and reshaped. The air changed as his wolf broke free, massive and black as the night itself. He leaped from the balcony, landing heavily on the earth before sprinting into the forest.

Luciano caught up quickly, grey fur flashing beside him as they ran side by side through the trees, the earth groaning beneath their paws. The wind carried their mighty howls, sending the weaker creatures of the forest running for safety.

They ran hard. Fast. Far.

Only when the pack's borders were miles behind them did they finally slow, stopping near a riverbank. Luciano shifted back first, breathing hard, hands on his knees.

"You don't call for a run unless something's wrong," he said aloud. "So talk."

Kane shifted back as well, standing tall, expression cold, moonlight shimmering in his dark hair.

"There's nothing wrong."

Luciano scoffed softly. "That's a lie."

Silence stretched between them, broken only by the rush of water nearby.

Luciano stared at him, crossing his arms. "Is this about Draven?"

Kane's jaw tightened...

"No."

"You killed your father's closest friend," Luciano continued carefully. "His second-in-command. A man who helped raise you. Even if he deserved it."

"He did," Kane cut in coldly.

"I know," Luciano said. "But that doesn't mean it doesn't weigh on you."

Kane's eyes darkened. "I don't regret killing Beta Draven."

His words were firm. Absolute.

Luciano studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "All right."

Another silence.

"Did you touch her?" Luciano asked.

The question landed heavier than any accusation.

"Yes."

Luciano raised his brows, just slightly. "How does Anika feel about all this?"

Kane looked away, staring at the river as if it held answers he refused to seek.

"She was a virgin."

Luciano gasped.

"That... complicates things."

"It changes nothing," Kane replied flatly.

"Doesn't it?" he pressed. "Because from where I stand, you didn't just punish her. "You took her virginity."

Tyrant stirred, restless and irritated.

"She is paying for her father's sins," Kane said. "That is all."

"And what if the goddess decides to mate with you two?" Luciano asked.

"There will be no bond," Kane snapped. "No mercy. No love."

Luciano sighed. "You keep saying that. Loudly. Repeatedly."

Kane faced him, eyes blazing. "Say what you're thinking."

Luciano smiled, then spoke carefully. "You wouldn't need this run if she meant nothing to you."

Silence.

The river rushed on.

Kane clenched his fists. "This conversation is over."

"As you wish," Luciano said, holding up his hands.

The forest suddenly felt too quiet.

Somewhere, far behind the palace walls, Elara was bleeding, broken, and alone-and Kane told himself it was none of his concern.

They shifted again.

Disappearing into the woods.