"This is yours," Jack said, his dark eyes watching me carefully. We stood in the grand foyer of his private quarters, early morning light filtering through the tall windows.
I stared at the sleek black key fob in my hand. A car. He bought me a car. My fingers trembled slightly as I closed them around it.
"Thank you," I whispered, then threw my arms around his neck. "I love you."
I kissed his jaw, tasting the faint scent of his cologne. When I pulled back, I noticed the lipstick smudge on his chin and quickly wiped it away with my thumb. He caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my wrist.
"You are welcome, my love. I will leave before you. Meet me at the palace administrative wing," he said, his voice dropping to that commanding tone he used when giving orders.
I nodded, still clutching the key like it might disappear.
We went downstairs together. Jack grabbed a few pieces of toast and a glass of orange juice from the breakfast spread, eating quickly while standing. He kissed my temple before heading out, and I heard his car pull away minutes later.
Twenty minutes later, I stepped outside and froze.
A black Range Rover sat in the circular driveway, gleaming under the morning sun. But not just any Range Rover. The royal crest was embossed on the hood in silver, and the vehicle itself looked custom made, with tinted windows and chrome accents that screamed wealth and power.
This was too much. Way too much.
I walked around it slowly, running my fingers along the smooth paint. Jack bought this for me. A royal vehicle. My life had changed so drastically I could barely recognize it anymore.
I reached for the door handle when a deep voice spoke behind me.
"The chauffeur will drive you, Miss Bluey."
I turned to see one of the palace guards standing at attention. I wanted to refuse, to say I could drive myself, but I remembered how upset Jack got when I argued with his security measures. So I nodded instead.
"Alright."
The guard gestured, and another figure approached. My eyes widened when I recognized Jerome, one of Jack's most trusted guards. He was tall and broad shouldered, with the kind of presence that made people step aside.
"Miss Bluey," he said politely, opening the passenger door for me.
I slid into the leather seat, inhaling the new car smell. The interior was even more luxurious than the outside, with heated seats and a dashboard that looked like it belonged in a spaceship.
Jerome drove smoothly through the kingdom roads, and soon the massive palace complex came into view. The administrative wing was separate from the main palace, a modern glass and stone structure where the Alpha King conducted official business.
We pulled into the private parking area, and I stepped out, smoothing down my dress. It was a deep emerald green, fitted and elegant, nothing like the cheap clothes I used to wear. Even I barely recognized myself anymore.
I walked toward the entrance, my heels clicking on the pavement.
"Excuse me."
One of the palace guards stepped in front of me, his hand raised. His eyes narrowed as he studied my face.
"Are you Miss Bluey?"
My stomach dropped. "Yes, I am."
"I am sorry, but you cannot enter." His voice was firm, professional. Another guard moved to stand beside him, blocking the doorway completely. "We have orders from the Alpha King himself. You are not permitted inside."
Heat rushed to my face. I glanced around and saw several palace employees stopping to stare. Whispers started immediately.
"Could you call the Alpha King?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Just to confirm."
"That is not how it works, ma'am." The first guard crossed his arms. "If the Alpha King wanted you inside, he would have informed us beforehand. We cannot call him. Please leave. Our positions are at stake."
The humiliation burned through me. Of course. Jack had banned me from the palace before, and the guards were just following his previous orders. But he should have called ahead. He should have cleared this.
I turned and walked back to the Range Rover, my face hot with embarrassment. Jerome stood by the vehicle, and from his expression, I knew he had witnessed everything.
"Boss has been notified," he said quietly as I slid back into my seat.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
Less than a minute later, one of the guards' phones rang. I watched through the tinted window as his face went pale. He spoke rapidly into the phone, then both guards rushed toward the vehicle.
"Miss Bluey." The first guard bent down, his earlier confidence completely gone. "We sincerely apologize for our behavior. You may enter now. Please."
They actually looked terrified.
"You were following orders," I said, stepping out again. "I understand."
But inside, my hands were still shaking.
I walked through the entrance this time without interference, heading straight for the elevators. The administrative wing had a different energy than the main palace. Everything was glass and chrome, modern and efficient.
When the elevator doors opened on the top floor, a woman with sleek dark hair and a crisp pantsuit waited for me. Her smile was warm and genuine.
"Welcome back, Miss Bluey." She extended her hand. "I am Elara, the Alpha King's secretary."
"Thank you, Elara." I shook her hand, and she immediately pulled me into a brief hug.
"You look absolutely stunning," she said, stepping back to admire my dress. "Different. But in the best way possible."
"Thank you."
Elara led me down a corridor lined with glass offices. She stopped at one adJacknt to a larger corner office, which I assumed was Jack's.
"This is yours," she said, opening the door.
The office was beautiful, with floor to ceiling windows and minimalist furniture. But what caught my attention was the glass wall between my office and Jack's. I could see directly into his space.
"The glass is soundproof," Elara explained. "And the Alpha King's office has special technology. He can see out, but no one can see in. He can also activate audio in any office he chooses."
My blood went cold.
He could see me. Hear me. Monitor everything I did.
"You will need to formally introduce yourself to the Alpha King," Elara continued, oblivious to my growing unease. "Again."