The Lycan King’s Pry?
Coletta’s POV
I swallowed hard and moved to sit, suddenly aware of how loud my footsteps sounded on the polished floor.
He was still watching me—no, studying me.
"I see you found the advert! That's interesting," he said, his voice unreadable.
I nodded, gripping the hem of my blouse tightly. "Yes, sir. The offer… the money—it’s exactly what I need."
"For your mother."
It wasn’t a question.
I looked up in shock. How did he—
"You looked at her medical file before mine?" I asked, heart pounding. Even if he was the almighty king he wouldn't have known me before this, could he?
‘No, he must have read my mind just now,’ I shook my head, my flimsy explanation being the only thing that made sense.
Seemingly befitting as an answer rather than the ridiculous question I asked him
His smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. Didn't you just give me an accolade for being the best thought reader a while back?" He scoffed.
I sighed, somehow relieved that I hadn’t been watched all the while we hid amongst humans. "Is this part of the interview?" I asked quietly.
"No," he said simply. “This is personal.”
My brows furrowed. "Personal?"
His eyes glowed faintly like—silver lightning flashing behind a stormy sky.
"You're hiding something," he said. “Your scent is muffled. Your wolf is dormant.”
I stiffened. “That’s not part of the surrogacy contract I came here for.” I said, getting uncomfortable.
“No,” he said. “But it is part of my duty as the protector of all lycans. Besides, I need all the information about you if I ever choose you for this delicate job”
I shot up from the chair, panic rising in my chest. “You don’t want a surrogate. You sound like you just want to pry into my personal space and cage me.”
"And it turns out," he said as he stood—towering over me—"that you seem to have a lot to hide. Why is that so? Are you a wanted rogue?"
A chill crawled up my spine. I backed away from him.
“No…” I whispered. “No, I just needed a job,” I flinched.
I knew that he wasn't going to let go of a lone wolf living amongst humans. It was his duty to govern us and cage us.
For our safety I guess!
“I don’t know what this is about, Mr. McKnight, but I only came here for a contract, not to be probed like I was some criminal”
“Well, are you one? Why do you suddenly feel defensive and on guard! Got something to hide?
My head spun. I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. I didn't want to have to talk about my past.
It's a part of me that has laid as dormant as my wolf for more than two years. It brought painful memories and I didn't want to go that route.
“I guess you don't really need this! You are already failing the interview questions by hiding information about you,” he said, making my heart squeeze.
I felt the ground shift under me—metaphorically and literally.It's either I tell him everything and stand the chance to win this contract or I walk away and watch my mother rot in the hospital.
"You have two choices," he said after a pause. "You leave here now and forget you ever met me or heard about the mighty Alpha king looking for a surrogate —or you stay, and I find out the truth.”
I looked toward the door. My escape.
And then I thought of Mama. The machines. The bills.
“I’ll stay,” I said softly.
His jaw tightened. His expression softened—just for a breath, so quickly I almost missed it.
"Good," he said, moving back to his chair. "Because I would still trace you down. It is my duty anyway!"
---
(Later That Night…)
I sat on the edge of my bed, trembling.
Back at the old couple’s house, I stared at my reflection.
Am I ready to have my life pried on?
I cussed the day that car swerved and hit Mama. Everything would still be as it was. I wouldn't have to put myself in such situations.
It is days like this that I question my existence. Why was I even alive?
And my wolf had decided to ditch me. Why did she have to go silent on me? Had years of abuse and rejection silenced her completely?
I ran my fingers over the faint scar on my shoulder—Darian's rejection mark.
That day still haunted me, its memories so vivid that I wish I could chuck them so far away, to remain buried forever.