{Third Person}
Amara gasped as Alexander pulled her in a firm grip without sparing her a glance or seeking her consent.
He was already striding away, her feet scrambling to keep up as fear and shock twisted in her pounding chest.
Even if she wanted to resist, she wouldn't have dared, as she had no desire to stay with the Queen. Though between the two monsters she faced, she was claimed by the more terrifying one.
The moment they stepped outside the hall, Alexander released her hand.
The sudden absence made Amara almost stumble before she steadied herself. Then, he turned immediately, a frown already creasing his brow as he directly looked at her.
"Lift your head." His voice was low and commanding, leaving no room for hesitation.
Slowly, she raised her head, and their eyes met.
Alexander studied her openly. Blue eyes. Chestnut hair. A face undeniably beautiful. She wasn't small either—not short or thin in a way that suggested frailty. She was human, but she carried herself with restraint rather than submission.
Amara, however, could not bear to look at him for long after seeing him clearly. His appearance was devilishly handsome. His features were chiselled, stern, and captivating. And his golden eyes were too intense.
So, after barely three seconds, she looked away.
"If I hadn't arrived in time," Alexander asked coolly, "would you have drunk that tea?"
The question caught her completely off guard. She hesitated, not knowing what answer he expected.
"Does he want me to show remorse or gratitude?" she thought briefly to herself.
In the end, Amara chose silence. But recalling the Queen's smile and the timing of his interruption, she suspected the tea had been tampered with.
Alexander's frown deepened. His lips parted as if he was about to say more but then stopped. His pupils dilated suddenly, and he pressed a hand to his chest.
"Your Highness," a voice cut in sharply.
Jasper, leader of his personal guard, was suddenly at his side, a small tension etched across his face. "We should head back now."
Alexander nodded once and turned away without another word. Jasper followed behind him.
Amara watched Alexander's back retreat, unease twisting in her chest. She could feel that something was wrong. But uncertainty crept in just as quickly.
'Am I meant to follow or stay behind?' she wondered.
As if sensing her hesitation, Jasper glanced back, and their eyes met. Then he quickly gave her a brief, silent gesture to follow them.
Instantly, Amara was relieved. Then, she glanced at her personal servant, who had been waiting anxiously nearby. The young woman met her gaze at once, and together, they hurried after them.
Different carriages waited ahead. Alexander and Jasper boarded the first one without pause, while Amara and her servant were guided into another at the same time.
Amara sat stiffly in her seat as the doors closed and the carriage began rolling forward toward the Alpha Prince's residence.
---
The carriages slowed almost at the same time. By the time Amara's door opened, Alexander had already stepped out of his.
She descended carefully. The residence before her was large, austere, and heavily guarded. And she was just in time to hear Jasper speak in a low, urgent tone.
"Your Highness, you shouldn't have come out today."
Alexander did not respond or slow down either. Jasper moved beside him quickly, escorting him inside as though time was against them.
The guards stationed at the entrance bowed deeply, avoiding eye contact.
Amara stood frozen for a brief second, watching Alexander disappear through the doors. Before she could process the situation, a middle-aged woman stepped forward from the entrance.
"Lady Amara," she said with a formal bow. "Welcome to the Alpha Prince's residence." Her expression was respectful but reserved. "This way, please."
Amara and her maidservant trailed behind her.
"Your belongings have already been taken to your chamber," the woman informed her as they walked along the corridor.
Finally, they stopped before a large wooden door, and the woman pushed it open. "This will be your sleeping chamber."
Amara entered the room. It was spacious yet modest. Everything was neat and orderly.
Instantly, relief washed over her as she learned she would not be sharing a room with Alexander.
The female servant observed her silently before speaking again. "Would you like dinner prepared after you refresh yourself?"
Amara shook her head immediately. "No. Thank you."
Truthfully, Amara had no appetite. And even if she did, she doubted she would trust anything these werewolves placed before her.
The next moment, the woman took Amara's servant and left. As soon as the door shut, a heavy silence settled around Amara.
She stared at the unfamiliar bed and thought of the unfamiliar life waiting for her here.
Her eyes burned as tears threatened to spill, but she inhaled sharply and lifted her chin, forcing them back.
There was no one left to rely on. From now on, she had only herself.
By the time Amara finished washing and changed into her nightwear, the sky outside had become completely dark, and exhaustion heavily weighed on her limbs.
She locked her door firmly and turned off the main lights, leaving only the bedside lamp glowing faintly before slipping under the duvet.
The moment her head touched the pillow, a loud, piercing howl shattered the silence. Instantly, she shot upright.
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs as she looked around the dim room. The sound had been close.
Then it came again, this time, longer and clearer.
Her blood ran cold as she realized it was a wolf. Goosebumps erupted across her skin. Without thinking, she dropped back onto the bed and pulled the duvet over her head like a shield, her breath shallow and uneven.
Her mind raced wildly. 'Was it him? Was the Alpha Prince… shifting? Was he somewhere nearby?'
Amara lay frozen beneath the covers, listening. The howling continued in the distance, echoing through the night like a warning.
Eventually, when the sound stopped, exhaustion overpowered her fears, and slowly, sleep claimed her.
---
A while later, warm breath brushed against Amara's face. She stirred slightly. The air felt strange—stifling and heavy.
Just then, her eyes fluttered open. Alexander was sitting on the edge of her bed. His eyes were no longer gold. They were red, glowing faintly in the dim light.
For a moment, she couldn't move or breathe. His face looked almost the same, except there was something feral beneath it, something watching her like the way a wolf watches its prey.
Then, she tried to push herself up, but his cold fingers shot forward and wrapped around her throat. A gasp tore from her lips. She clawed at his wrist instinctively, her legs kicking against the sheets as panic exploded in her chest.
But none of that stopped him. Instead, he leaned in so close she could feel his breath on her cheek and stared deeply into her eyes.
"Shh."