Nadia’s POV:

 

I wanted to ask why. I knew plenty of Alphas who ran mateless, but none of them suffered like this.

He was hiding a massive secret. I thought about walking away.

But my feet stayed planted. Instead, I grabbed a cloth from a table and closed the distance.

His gaze tracked my movement.

"What are you doing?" he growled.

"Hold still," I muttered, pressing the fabric against his bleeding shoulder.

Kane stiffened, shooting me a hard look. "Why are you helping me?"

"Don’t make it weird," I countered as silence fell between us.

Then he spoke again.

"The full moon is tomorrow."

"I know," I replied.

"There’s a multi-pack gala tomorrow night," he pushed on.

I frowned.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you are coming with me."

My hand froze. I glared at him. "No."

His jaw tightened. "You don't have a choice. I’m publicly claiming you."

"In your dreams," I hissed, backing away.

"You can't just drag me into a political circus, bite me, and announce we're mates!"

The words spilled out, and Kane’s face turned to stone.

"You think I’m using you?" he challenged.

"Aren't you?" I fired back. That was when I realized the agony had vanished from his features.

A heavy silence stretched out. Slowly, he rose to his feet.

"Tomorrow," he stated flatly, "you’re coming."

"Try me," I retorted, holding my ground.

We locked into a glaring contest.

My eyes dropped to his chest, and I froze. The vicious gashes were completely gone. It suddenly dawned on me—he wasn't some ordinary man. He was an Alpha King.

Unnatural healing speed was practically in his blood. I couldn't believe I had actually wasted so much energy worrying about him.

What is wrong with me? Ever since I met him, everything has felt off.

Since he was clearly fine, my job was done. I turned on my heel and marched back to my room. Luxurious or not, that bedroom was still a cage.

The following evening taught me a brutal lesson.

Never test an Alpha King’s patience. When it was time to leave, Kane simply kicked my door open, threw me over his shoulder, and hauled me away.

So much for putting up a fight.

I spent the next hour getting poked and prodded by a swarm of maids. It was equal parts confusing and terrifying.

By the time they finished, I was zipped into a crimson gown. A maid handed me a mirror. I stared at my reflection and froze.

I looked like royalty.

When the door clicked open, I marched out to meet him. I wasn't about to get carried like a toddler again.

"You should be grateful," he remarked smoothly while we were riding toward the gala.

I whipped my head around.

"For what?"

"I saved your neck," he deadpanned. "Without me, you're dead meat."

His words stung like a slap.

I let out a heavy breath and shot him a withering glare. "I never asked for a savior. Do you even realize that sometimes living can be worse than dying?"

His jaw clenched, but he dropped the subject. We spent the rest of the trip ignoring each other. The banquet hall was massive.

Hundreds of guests milled about, and the second we stepped inside, every eye locked onto me.

The gossip started instantly.

"That’s her."

"The human pet."

"I heard she’s just wolfless."

"No way. Why would the King claim a dud?"

Kane steered me through the crowd, heading straight for the high table.

Lyra—the psycho who tried to choke me out—stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the pack elders.

She flashed me a venomous smile.

"She’s a spy," a wrinkled elder barked.

"Could be," another nodded.

"We demand a Bloodline Trial."

My stomach dropped. What the hell was a Bloodline Trial?

Lyra’s voice carried over the murmurs.

"If her blood proves she's human," she chimed in sweetly, "she burns at the stake."

The crowd muttered in agreement.

I shot Kane a sharp look—the one behind it all. And I knew that no matter what those dinosaurs demanded, Kane was the one holding the leash.

But he didn't move a muscle. He just stood there, watching me with an infuriatingly calm, silent stare. He was testing me.

The anger flushed my cheeks, but my mind suddenly turned crystal clear.

Watch me, I thought, my gaze sweeping over them. All of you. Watch me with those smug eyes. If you guys wanted a show, I’d give you a damn spectacle.

Without breaking eye contact, I squared my shoulders and marched right up to the execution block.

"Cut me," I dared them.

The elder approached, gripping a silver dagger. I stood under the moonlight pouring through the skylight and closed my eyes.

I cracked my eyes open as the blade swung down. But before the metal even grazed my skin, an agonizing heat ripped through my chest.

A scream tore from my lips. A blinding light erupted from my core. A blue aura flared around my body, radiating a suffocating power. The shockwave of energy washed over the entire hall.

Instantly, the bloodthirsty crowd froze. A heavy peace settled over the room.

Pin-drop silence echoed through the venue. I spotted Lyra gaping at me in sheer horror, while Kane just watched with a knowing smirk.

"Impossible..."

Then, a frantic voice shattered the quiet.

"It’s her! I found her!"

Every head whipped around. I traced the sound, locking eyes with a man near the exit.

"The heir to the Moon Goddess!"