The air in the King’s chamber was suffocating, the flickering torches doing little to dispel the oppressive darkness. Adrian stepped inside, his every movement precise, his crimson eyes carefully void of emotion. The King sat at his throne, his fingers tapping idly on the armrest, his predatory gaze fixed on Adrian the moment he entered.
“You summoned me, my lord,” Adrian said, his voice steady despite the weight pressing down on his chest.
The King’s lips curled into a slow, cruel smile. “Yes, Adrian,” he drawled, his tone dripping with menace. “It’s time.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened imperceptibly, but he remained composed. “Time for what?”
The King leaned forward, his eyes gleaming like molten steel. “The child is mine,” he said coldly, each word precise and deliberate. “Bring her to me.”
Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides, but his expression didn’t waver. “She’s too weak,” he said evenly. “If you take her now, you risk losing her. Let her grow stronger. A dead child serves no purpose.”
The King’s smirk deepened, his amusement almost genuine. “Ah, Adrian,” he said, rising from his throne. “Always the voice of reason. But don’t mistake my patience for mercy. Delay me too long, and you’ll watch her die before your eyes.”
Adrian’s stomach churned, but he gave a slow nod. “I understand.”
The King stepped closer, his shadow looming over Adrian. “Good. Now let’s test that loyalty of yours.”
Adrian’s gaze didn’t falter. “What do you want me to do?”
The King’s smile turned sharper. “Lead an attack on the Karlyn pack. They’ve been resisting my orders for months, and their defiance has grown tiresome. Wipe them out. Leave no one alive.”
Adrian’s pulse quickened, but he forced his body to remain still. “They’re defenseless,” he said carefully. “It would be a slaughter.”
“Precisely,” the King said, his tone almost gleeful. “Prove to me that you are mine, Adrian. Show me that your loyalty isn’t just empty words.”
Adrian bowed his head, his heart heavy with the weight of the task ahead. “As you command.”
The King’s laughter followed him as he left the chamber, a dark, mocking sound that echoed in his ears long after the door closed behind him. Adrian’s mind raced as he walked the empty halls, his fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms.
The clock was ticking. He needed a plan—something that would protect Misery, the child, and perhaps even the innocent pack he’d been ordered to destroy. But defiance meant certain death, and time was running out.