8. Mia's POV
“What’s going on here?” The deep voice shook the room, startling me back to life as I rolled off Mara’s legs and onto the ground.
My heart pounded hard against my chest. This was supposed to be a simple escape from being choked, but it had turned into something far worse.
Mara had been startled too. I hit the floor chest-first before rolling and striking my cheekbone.
Not a comfortable fall, I promise.
I wouldn’t wish this on even my worst enemy. It was like being thrown from paradise—the bosom of a beautiful woman—straight into the deepest part of hell.
And now, I was struggling to get back on my feet.
My chest heaved in and out, and I’d never been so grateful for painless breathing. For a moment, I’d thought I’d broken a rib or two.
“Mia. Are you okay?” Strong arms gripped my shoulders and lifted me off the ground.
The warmth was comforting, but his build—gods, his build.
Seeing how ripped he was had been one thing. But being pressed against all that muscle and flesh was another.
He was as solid as rock. If I ran into him headfirst, I’d end up with a bruise.
“Does your face hurt? It’s red,” he said, brushing his thumb lightly over my cheek.
“Ouch.” I winced and pulled away from his touch.
“Who did this?” His voice turned sharp.
We both turned to the two maids, who were now pointing fingers at each other.
Their earlier unity in bullying me had vanished. Now, they looked ready to tear each other apart.
“It was Zara! She told me to!”
“No, it was Mara!”
They glared hatefully, their earlier boldness replaced by desperation. They weren’t predators anymore—just trapped animals.
No, three predators.
Because even as Kylanor held me, his grip protective, I could feel the feral rage in his heartbeat.
The look in his eyes made me cower.
It reminded me of the auction—of the cage, of the moment I’d first seen him and his brother. Monsters. Predators. Beings who could destroy me without a second thought.
“Enough!” His voice cracked like a whip. He set me down gently on the bed—a stark contrast to the fury he turned on the maids.
“Please, Prince Kylanor! Punish us! We were wrong!” They collapsed to their knees, begging.
I couldn’t help but notice how Mara’s breasts nearly spilled from her jeweled silk top.
“Oh, you’ll be punished.” His voice was ice. “You have until tonight to say your goodbyes.”
“Prince Kylanor!” they cried in unison.
I didn’t understand—until he finished.
“Your heads will hang in the palace square by morning. Your bodies will rot without burial.”
This time, I was the one who gasped.
“Kylanor!” His orders were ruthless. I should have been terrified, but knowing he was doing this for me sent a twisted warmth through my chest.
“Mia, stay out of this. They need to learn.”
“I can’t!” I grabbed the edge of his sleeve. “This involves me. And they didn’t mean it!”
“What?” He turned to me, and I saw the maids’ faces—terror, then desperate hope—as they strained to hear.
“It was a mistake. I was tired, and I asked Mara to feed me. We got carried away. When you walked in, we were startled—” I held his gaze, pleading.
Somehow, I felt a strange kinship with him. He was the closest thing I had to a friend here, and his authority was my only shield.
I had to save them.
My throat still ached, but I wasn’t seriously hurt. And it would be a waste—these women were beautiful. I couldn’t live with their deaths on my conscience.
“I hear you,” he said slowly. “But they’ll still take lashes. A lesson—for anyone who dares touch what belongs to the Alpha.”
“Please don’t hurt them.” I glanced at their flawless skin, imagining it split open by whips.
“I understand your kindness, Mia.” The bed dipped as he sat beside me. “But I’m not a fool.” He rang a small bell on the bedside table.
Silence followed, thick and suffocating, until two new maids entered.
They bowed deeply, their eyes flicking to Mara and Zara before darting away—was that fear?
I studied the kneeling women. Tear-streaked, trembling. They didn’t seem threatening now. What were they really?
Kylanor introduced the newcomers—Doe and Soe—as my new attendants. They brightened at the assignment… until his next words.
“She is the Alpha’s property. You will obey her every wish—unless you want to join these two in receiving a hundred lashes.”
The maids’ faces went pale. Mara and Zara were crying silently, resigned.
Guilt gnawed at me, but there was nothing more I could do.
“I’m sorry,” I mouthed as they were led away.
Mara was the only one who responded—a faint, broken smile. “Me too,” she whispered before disappearing.
“You might think me cruel,” Kylanor said, turning back to me. “But I’m nothing compared to my brother. This is for your own safety.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
Gratitude sat on my tongue, but I couldn’t speak it. Not when fear still coiled in my stomach.
“Rest now. Eat.” He gestured to the food. “If you need anything, ask them.” He nodded to the new maids. “They won’t dare trouble you.”
They looked smaller. Meeker. Less adorned in jewels and silk.
This time, I didn’t let my eyes wander. Instead, I picked up my spoon and ate like my life depended on it.
Because if I was going to survive this place—if I was going to escape—I’d need every ounce of strength I could get.