Verum

twelve.

twelve.

evelyn. 

After breakfast, Alexander escorted me back to my room, but not before he paused to speak with Christopher. He held me at his side securely, stroking my hair absentmindedly. "Christopher, I think it's about time we organized an event."

"It has been a few months. What do you have in mind?"

"A grand feast and ball. It's time to announce my official courting of Miss Evelyn to our people," he claimed, lowering his head to kiss my hair.

I immediately shuddered, looking up at him. "Already?"

"Yes."

A lump formed in my throat and I found myself looking at the floor. Christopher confirmed the details with Alexander while I tried to go to the bedroom, but the King kept a firm hand on my arm to keep me in place.

"Sir, may I go to your room now?"

Alexander looked down at me with a frown. "Are you alright?"

I nodded curtly. "I just want to go to the room. Maybe take a nap."

His eyes searched my face and I felt my cheeks heating up when I realized he was seeing through my lies easily. "Evelyn..."

"Please," I said through gritted teeth.

"We will talk more later," Alexander said to his Beta, looping his arm through mine and pulling me away from him.

Darn it. I was hoping for time to gather myself and prepare for this discussion or to at least calm myself down before the Alpha went into question-mode. When we were alone, Alexander picked me up and cradled me to his chest. "I do not like lies," he whispered in my ear as he walked us towards the bedroom.

I stiffened, burying my face in his throat. "I'm not lying," I grumbled.

"Yes, you are. If you continue to do so, I will punish you."

Alexander pushed open the door, taking me straight to the bed and carefully setting me down on top of it. A maid must have come in, as the room was cleaned and the bed made. I used this as a distraction. "Y-you have maids?"

His eyes narrowed. "That will not work on me, little wolf."

"I'm just wondering how the room got cleaned up and the bed made while we were gone."

The King stared me down seriously, unmoving from his standing position at the foot of his bed. "Tell me the truth."

"I am, sire," I said with a nervous giggle. "I think someone came in and fixed everything up! Look, that lamp was smashed over there and now the glass is cleaned up and a new-"

I screeched as Alexander pounced on me, pinning me to the bed beneath him. His massive, warm body hovered over mine as his hands forced mine above my head. Our noses were only centimeters apart as he breathed deeply, eyes stony cold.

"Do you wish to see what happens when you disobey me, little wolf? I will turn your sweet, plump little ass red with my palm," he threatened darkly.

I knew I should have been scared out of my mind, but instead arousal pooled in my lower belly, causing my face to flush. "That sounds p-painful," I whispered, trying to remind my body that pain is bad and I shouldn't be turned on.

"Evelyn... your scent is distracting me," he growled, lowering his nose to the crook in my neck. "But not enough. Talk to me, my sweet pup, tell me what is bothering you."