Chapter 11
Jul 4, 2025
“Well, that’s just lovely,” I muttered, staring at the capital rising ahead like someone’s fever dream of what royalty should look like. “Did they build this place to make people feel like shit, or is that just a happy accident?”
Cassian glanced over from his side of the carriage. “Intimidation is the point.”
“Mission accomplished.” I smoothed my plain black dress—cotton, not silk, because apparently I was representing the ‘humble peasant’ aesthetic today. “I look like I’m going to a funeral.”
“You look fine.”
“Fine. Every girl’s dream compliment.”
He reached for my hand, thumb brushing my knuckles, but I pulled back. The guards riding alongside us were already side-eyeing me like I was a particularly interesting car accident.
“Not here,” I said quietly.
He understood. Course he did. Public displays of affection between the Dire Prince and his Omega side-piece probably weren’t great for anyone’s reputation.
The palace gates loomed ahead, all shimmery runes and “screw you, peasants” energy. The soldiers in their fancy silver armor stepped forward, and I could practically hear the gears turning in their heads.
One of them took a subtle sniff. Real subtle. Like a bloodhound trying to be polite.
“Omega,” he muttered, not quite under his breath.
“Open the gates,” Cassian said, voice sharp enough to cut glass.
They did, but the damage was done. Welcome to court, Lucy. Hope you brought your thick skin.
The throne room was basically what you’d expect if someone had unlimited money and zero taste. Huge, cold, echoing, designed to make you feel like an ant at a giant’s convention.
King Toren stood under a blood-red banner looking like he’d been carved from disappointment and expensive marble. His eyes raked over me like I was something unpleasant he’d stepped in.
“Is this your companion?” he asked Cassian, voice dripping with the kind of politeness that wasn’t polite at all. “The Omega?”
“Her name is Lucy,” Cassian said evenly.
Toren’s smile was sharper than his sword. “How… curious. The last Dire Alpha, bonded to a wolf without title. Without mark. Without purpose.”
“Thanks for the warm welcome,” I said before I could stop myself. “Really feeling the royal hospitality here.”
The silence that followed was the kind that made you wonder if you’d just signed your own death warrant.
“She stands beside me by right of bond,” Cassian said, stepping slightly forward.
“She stands behind you,” Toren corrected, cold as winter. “As she should.”
My face burned, but I kept my mouth shut. Barely.
“She may be many things,” the king continued, circling his throne like a shark, “but she will never be queen.”
“Careful,” Cassian’s voice dropped to something dangerous.
“Is that a warning?”
“It’s a promise.”
Toren waved us off like we were particularly boring entertainment. “You may present yourself to council tomorrow. I suggest you clean her up before then.”
“Charming,” I muttered as I turned to leave. “Real father-of-the-year material.”
Then, I got to play everyone’s favorite game: “Stand Outside the Door and Pretend You Can’t Hear Them Talking About You.”
Spoiler alert: I could hear everything.
“You may bring her to court,” King Toren was saying, “but she will not sit beside you.”
“She is bonded to me.” Cassian’s voice was quieter, but I caught every word.
“And yet unmarked. Untitled. The people will not accept an Omega with power—especially not one touched by curse or bond.”
“She is not cursed.”
“Then prove it. Unmate her.”
The silence stretched so long I wondered if they’d both dropped dead.
“You won’t,” Toren continued, sounding smug as fuck. “Because you’re weak. You always have been when it comes to mercy. You’d rather die than shame a girl who opened her legs for you.”
“She bled because of Valen,” Cassian snapped. “And you stood by.”
“She embarrassed you. She will continue to. A mutt without status. If you parade her in front of the highborn, they will question your leadership.”
“I don’t care what they question.”
“You should. You will wear the crown. You will bind your name to a house with legacy, not a cursed girl from nowhere.”
“She is not from nowhere. She is mine.”
“Then she can be your mistress,” Toren said, and I could practically hear his shrug. “But she cannot rule beside you.”
Cassian didn’t reply.
And me? I stood there listening to my entire future get planned around me like I was a piece of furniture they were trying to figure out where to put.
“Just fantastic,” I whispered to the empty hallway.
