CHAPTER 9

SONIA’S POV.

I was bound by the hands like a prisoner as we made our way to the Lycan King's territory. Michael had not spoken to me since last night, and it made me uncomfortable. I wonder what was on his mind; was he going to punish me or, worse, kill me? He wouldn't kill me, right? After all, I had saved him when my pack guards tried to kill him and sacrificed my own chances of going back home. I had a higher chance of being forgiven when I ran away from the wedding, but now, the prospect of my family or pack accepting me seemed nearly impossible.

"Are you not going to say anything to me?" I asked, unable to bear the awkward silence any longer.

"Say something about what?" he responded calmly, still avoiding eye contact.

I sighed. "About last night? Are you going to talk about it?" I pressed.

"No. There is nothing for me to discuss," he replied nonchalantly.

But his response did not satisfy me. I wondered what was going on in his mind. I have heard tales of his cruelty and mercilessness. What was brewing in that wicked mind of his?

"What are you going to do to me? Are you planning to punish me?" I whispered softly, trying to mask my fear.

This time, he turned to me with an evil grin, causing my heart to pound with fear. I have heard stories of his inhuman punishments, reducing even the strongest soldiers to tears like newborns.

I tried to maintain my composure as I held his gaze. "What do you intend to do to me?"

He tenderly touched my cheek. "It ruins the suspense when I disclose my plans to my prisoners. I prefer them trembling in their boots before I deliver my verdict," he said calmly.

I frowned. "So you truly are as cruel as they say," I hissed.

He shook his head. "Nope. The stories you have heard about me are all falsehoods," he paused before turning to me with a dark gaze. "I'm not just evil; the stories don't even scratch the surface of my malevolence."

“What do you gain from tormenting people?” I frowned.

He leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. “Power,” he whispered. “I gain power from instilling fear, from watching others cower before me. It feeds something deep within me that craves dominance.”

I felt all the blood drain from my face as I swallowed hard.

After a moment, he started laughing like a madman. Not only was he evil, but he also seemed mentally unstable. I wondered if the anticipation of how he would punish me amused him. I shouldn't have saved him; he was a complete psychopath.

"What's amusing?" I asked, irritated.

"You," he said between fits of laughter. I could see the confusion on his guards' faces, confirming I was not the only one who found his behavior abnormal.

"You should have seen your face," he chuckled, poking my cheek. "You looked like a scared kitten. Don't worry, I'm not going to punish you. Your pack disowning you is punishment enough."

I blinked as tears welled up in my eyes. I had ruined my life in a matter of days, all for an enemy, a man despised by my people.

"Besides, I'm glad you drugged me, because if you hadn't, you wouldn't have followed me willingly," he said.

"How can you be so sure about that?" I frowned, puzzled.

"Don't act so naive, Sonia. You know your face would be plastered all over the streets and neighboring kingdoms. Do you really think you'd survive out there? Your red hair would always give you away," he smirked, his tone laced with arrogance.

We walked in silence, neither of us exchanging a word. Finally, we arrived at the ancient city of the Dark Moonlight Pack. It was even more beautiful than I remembered. As a child, my father and I used to visit them, and I always found their castle fascinating. Perched in the mountains, the castle was said to be created by the Moon Goddess herself. When she crafted her first descendants, the Lycans, she made them strong and fashioned one of the mountains into their home. The architecture was unlike anything I had ever seen before; it was intricately detailed and adorned with precious stones and gold. The castle was rumored to hold magical powers which protect the Lycans from danger.

Michael led me down a hallway lined with large paintings, presumably of his ancestors. After a while of walking down the seemingly endless corridor, we stopped in front of a massive door, so tall that even a giant would have no trouble passing through it.

Michael swung open the door, revealing a magnificent bedroom that exuded luxury. It was spacious and adorned with the finest linens and silks. Despite being accustomed to fine accommodations, I had never seen such splendor before.

The bedside table, though appearing aged due to its peculiar design, was breathtaking, and sunlight flooded through the room from the expansive windows, adding to its allure.

"You like it, right?" Michael said, a smile playing on his lips.

I turned to him with a bored expression. "It's not bad," I replied plainly, eliciting a smile from him.

"This is your room," he announced. "You will stay here next to me."

"You sleep here?" I asked, wide-eyed.

"No, my room is just next to yours. You can come visit me anytime you miss me," he added with a wink.

I rolled my eyes. "This seems a bit extravagant for your prisoner, don't you think?"

He shook his head. "You are my guest, not my prisoner."

I raised my hands, still bound, as if to emphasize my point. "I don't feel much like a guest," I remarked.

"Oh," he mouthed, then produced a dagger, cutting the rope and freeing my tired hands.

"Thank you," I muttered, rubbing my hands together.

"I will leave you to rest; you look tired," he said, before exiting the room, leaving me in my luxurious prison.

Regardless of what he said, I knew I couldn't leave, even if I wanted to.