Chapter 6 Coronation

Cain POV

I hated coronations. Everyone knew that. But it was a yearly tradition that had to be done. I had wanted to put an end to it long ago, but my beta had convinced me otherwise, begged me to let it continue. Ryan always had a way of getting through to me.

Ryan was more than just my beta. He was someone dear to me, someone who had been by my side since I was a boy. My best friend. My only friend, if I was being honest.

My father had hated me when I was young, for being what I was. A hybrid. A curse, he called me. A stain on his royal bloodline. My mother had loved me, though. She had protected me, cherished me, until she died because of that love. I still remembered her face clearly, the night she died in my arms. The night I realized I would never forgive him.

I remembered the day I challenged my father for the throne. His laughter still echoed in my head.

“You think you can challenge me?” he had said with a cruel smile. “I’ll never give the throne up to a curse like you. I’m giving it to your brother.”

That was the moment my blood boiled. He wanted to give my birthright to my younger brother, the weak one who could barely lift a sword back then, I had to train him myself. I had challenged him to a fight of death that same night. He accepted, thinking it would be easy.

He was strong, but not strong enough. Not against me. Not against what I had become.

I could still see his face when I drove my blade into his chest. His eyes wide, his mouth shaking as his life slipped away. His last words were bitter, filled with hate.

“You won’t last on the throne. You’re cursed.”

Then he was gone.

That was the night I became king.

At first, everyone feared me. They thought I would be worse than him. And maybe they were right to think so. I was colder, harder, sharper. But I made sure my people were cared for. I made sure no one starved, that the pack stayed strong. They loved me, and they feared me, just the way I wanted.

I had one rule—never make eye contact with me. Anyone who did… didn’t live long enough to do it twice.

Now, I sat on my throne, watching as the grand hall filled with light and sound. The coronation was in full swing. Gold lights hung from the ceiling, and laughter mixed with the low hum chatters. My people and the royals gathered together, all pretending to enjoy the moment.

I leaned back, my fingers drumming lightly on the armrest, my eyes scanning the crowd. Nobles and warriors. High ranking officials and servants. All of them trying too hard to impress.

Ryan was across the room, speaking with a few royals. I could see him smiling politely, though I knew he hated these events as much as I did.

Several women were watching me, high born ladies with painted lips and hungry eyes. They whispered to each other, trying to catch my attention with small smiles and fluttering lashes. I ignored them. I didn’t have time for distractions.

“Pathetic” I mutter under my breath.

But then something caught the corner of my eye.

A soft movement. A different scent. Sweet. Human. Familiar.

I turned slightly and froze.

A woman had just walked in with Ryan’s mate. She wore a soft golden dress that shimmered faintly under the light. Her hair brushed against her shoulders, and her steps were quiet but sure. For a moment, I didn’t recognize her. Then it hit me.

The human.

My chest tightened.

Bloody hell. What was she doing here?

“Stupid human, what the hell is she doing here?”

I gripped the arm of the chair, my claws almost piercing through the wood. I wanted to stand, to go to her, to drag her out of this hall full of predators. But I couldn’t. Not here. Not with all eyes on me. The king doesn’t lose control.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay still, even as my pulse quickened.

Her presence filled the room in a way that irritated me. Every noble man turned to look at her. Every one of them noticed her softness, her beauty. I could see it in their faces, the hunger.

My blood boiled.

She didn’t belong here. She shouldn’t have been anywhere near this place. Yet here she was, walking through my court like she belonged.

Her golden dress swayed as she moved, catching the firelight. Ryan’s mate whispered something to her, and she smiled softly. That smile made my chest burn.

Then I saw it, one of the royals staring at her like he was ready to devour her. His gaze slid down her body, hungry and shameless.

A growl slipped past my lips before I could stop it, low, deep, dangerous. The guards near me stiffened, lowering their heads instantly. They knew that sound.

I forced my body to relax, gripping the throne tighter, pretending to be composed. But inside, I was one second away from tearing that royal apart.

I didn’t like that she was here. I didn’t like that she was looking so… human. So fragile. And I hated that my body reacted to her the way it did.

My gaze followed her every movement. The way she adjusted her dress. The way she turned her head slightly, scanning the room.

Then her eyes found mine.

For a moment, everything stopped.

My jaw tightened. My rule. The one rule everyone knew. Never make eye contact with me.

But she did.

The air grew heavy between us, her gaze locked on mine, unflinching. The nerve of her. The courage. Or maybe it was stupidity. I didn’t know. But it stirred something inside me, something sharp and dangerous.

She looked away first, turning her head quickly as Ryan’s mate said something to her again.

I exhaled slowly, the heat in my chest refusing to fade. My dragon side stirred beneath my skin, restless.

“What the hell is the human doing in here,” I muttered under my breath, voice low enough only for me to hear.

My patience was hanging by a thread.

I looked at Ryan and signaled for him to come over.

He saw my expression and came at once.

The crowd kept moving, talking, laughing but all I could see was her. All I could think about was that human in the golden dress who shouldn’t have been here, who had just broken the one rule no one dared to.