Pressed against the mattress, I am pinned by San's body...and Yeosang's wrathful stare.
"Come on, (Y/N). Answer me. When the Alpha King's mate is found in bed with another man... What do you think her punishment should be?"
He steps into the room slowly, deliberately, savoring the look of horror on my face. San vaults off of me.
"Yeosang, this isn't—"
"Isn't what?"
"It isn't what you think. I passed out. San was just making sure I was okay." I explain.
"Last I checked, curing didn't require getting on top of the patient. Am I wrong, Saekki?"
A shadow falls over San's face. His hands curl into fists.
That word again. That name everyone calls San. What does it mean?
"I won't ask again, (Y/N)."
Yeosang comes closer, his mighty presence growing stronger with every step.
"What do you think your punishment should be for this transgression?"
"Being your mate is punishment enough." I furrow my brows.
"There's that smart mouth again. But I'm afraid I'm not in the mood for your sarcasm."
Yeosang grabs my wrist.
"Perhaps another night in my dungeon will make you watch your tone."
He pulls me from the bed as though I weigh nothing. I stumble when my feet hit the ground...but when Yeosang sees the horrible cuts and bruises that encircle my wrist, he stops short. He doesn't say a word. His thumb curves over my wounds, something swimming beneath his storm-filled eyes.
"Get your hands off of her." San growls, grabbing Yeosang's wrist.
"Or what?"
"Wait one more second and find out, little brother."
"The line of succession may have been complicated before, but it's ironclad now. You know that."
Yeosang's eyes flash that dangerous, dark scarlet, his voice rumbling with the threat of an Alpha.
"Or would you like to feel the full force of my power?" Yeosang grins menically.
"Would you like to feel the full force of mine?"
The air between the two brothers crackles. The only thing stopping them from tearing each other apart...is me.
"That's enough."
My snarl slices through the tension, and I sink my teeth into Yeosang's hand. Yeosang releases me, shock flashing in his red, lupine eyes. With renewed vitriol, he moves to attack me.
"I said, get your hands off of her."
San's silver eyes streak like gunmetal as he hurls a powerful fist at Yeosang, punching him in the face. Yeosang flies across the room, landing on his back. I approach him with a smirk, digging my foot into his chest.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't crack your ribs?"
Yeosang chuckles beneath my foot.
"You're strong. I expected no less from the child of True Mates."
My parents. My real parents. They were some mythical soul-bounded True Mates? And I—
"I can almost feel the untapped power pumping through my veins."
Yeosang inhales, as though the very air around him is permeated with my scent.
"We need to remember not to damage you before you serve your purpose. Before I claim you."
Claiming. Another thing whispered about in my youth. When an Alpha chooses a mate and dominates her. Takes her as his property to obey his every command, whether she wants him or not.
"If you try to claim me, I'll cut off your manhood."
"You can try, but you'll be under my control. You won't be able to do anything without my say."
I shiver at the thought. Yeosang rises to his feet.
"She's not your breedmare, you sick—" San is suddenly cut off.
"Don't act as though you don't have a stake in this game, brother. You want her, too. Claiming her would be your ticket to the throne."
My knees threaten to buckle under the weight of Yeosang's accusation. I turn to San.
"San...is that true?"
San doesn't meet my eyes. The thick silence is finally broken by a clipped knock on the door.
"My Lord. Your mother requests your presence."
The same distrustful guard eyes San and I. His hand moves to his hilt.
"Is everything all right?"
My heart pounds in my throat. A devilish smile curls over Yeosang's mouth.
"Everything is perfectly fine. My brother here was just offering to prepare (Y/N). To make her presentable for me. Isn't that right, (Y/N)? That's why I found you two alone together?"
"That's right." I agree.
"Yes. It would be an honor, Your Highness."
San puts a hand on my shoulder. I can hear the fake politeness in his every word.
"Good. Bring her to me in ten minutes. Cleaned up and worthy of being my future claim."
Yeosang walks to the door, slowly tracing the length of my body with a diabolical grin.
"If she's not up to my standards... The consequences will be great."
With that, Yeosang slams the door behind him, leaving San and I alone. That thick silence returns to the room. I stare at San with disbelief.
"Is what he said true? Are you...using me to take his throne?"
"I...I can't deny...the thought tempted me once."
"Once? So, not anymore?"
"No. Not since I met you."
I eye San with suspicion, taking a step back.
"You expect me to believe that? After all I've been through? After—"
In the space of a second, San backs me up against the wall, his moonlit eyes penetrating me with every syllable he speaks.
"It's true. I swear it on my life. When I met you... When I saw you in those chains...I saw myself. Jailed in this castle against my will, labeled my entire life as a—"
San stops short, his breath escaping in hot, short gusts.
"As...a what?"
San opens his mouth...but then closes it again, turning away from me to sift through a nearby wardrobe.
"Yeosang only gave us ten minutes. You need to look presentable. To blend in with the shifters of this castle. If you don't..."
He turns back to me, holding a black dress with a slit on the side that is connected with gold chains and is low cut.
"If you don't, I can't predict what he'll do to you."
To me...and to San. I take the dress, turning it over in my hand. With San's back turned, I slip the dress onto my body. The fabric clings to my every curve.
"Are you dressed?" he asks.
"Yes."
San turns. When he sees me, his icy demeanor cracks. His mouth parts in awe.
"You look..."
The words fall from his mouth, as if he's forgotten how to speak. His eyes rove slowly over my body, over the black fabric that looks like it may as well be painted on. Then, he remembers himself. He straightens and coughs. I think I catch color in his face.
"You look, uh, you look presentable. I think Yeosang will be satisfied."
"Let's hope."
The castle is an immense labyrinth of hallways. I lose track of time following San deeper and deeper. When he finally opens a heavy metal door, he reveals a corridor where Yeosang stands alongside a skinny, unassuming man.
"Ah, you must be (Y/N)."
"Yes. My lovely little purchase. (Y/N), meet Jongho, our youngest brother."
I'm prepared to sense the same unbelievable power that San and Yeosang have. But I sense nothing from this man.
"Apologies for not meeting you sooner, (Y/N). I don't have the stomach for such...transactions."
"That's quite all right. It's nice to meet you." I smile.
""Nice to meet you." Seems someone has learned a few manners in her short stay with us."
Roslyn, the icy woman who paid for me, glides out of the shadows. She appraises me with black eyes that match Yeosang's.
"She's a work in progress, Mother."
"In progress. Yes. Let's see how much progress has truly been made. Come, (Y/N)."
San urges me forward. I approach, allowing Yeosang to see the dress cling to right above my knees. His eyes widen.
"My..."
He circles me slowly, taking his time, soaking in every dip and curve of my body in the black fabric. The gold chain at my thigh.
"Does this meet your "satisfaction," My Lord?"
Catching the tone of sarcasm in my voice, Jongho flinches, and the queen lets out a low hiss. But I have Yeosang cornered.
"...Yes. It seems underneath all that New York grime, you actually have something to show off."
I'll let the backhanded compliment slide. Just this once.
"Thank you. Now that this is done, I'd like to return to my room and—"
"Whoa, what's the rush? There are still a few people I'd like you to meet."
Yeosang wraps his hand around the small of my waist, stopping me in my tracks.
"We hardly have time for this, Yeosang." his mother groans.
"Yes. The Eastern Packs are rising. They've sent demands that we have to—"
"Later."
Yeosang's tone lowers to something far more serious than usual. The Queen and Jongho both stiffen to silence, and he leads me away. San follows at a short distance as Yeosang drags me down the hall. Clanging of metal and grunts of pain grow louder.
That thing his mom said really set him off. Why?
He shoves me into an armory. When I see what's inside, my heart plummets. A dozen servants from the kitchen are chained up, exhausted and drenched in sweat as they're forced to spar one another.
"What is this, Yeosang?" San blurts.
"These are the useless pricks who allowed (Y/N) to arm herself and escape. I figured they could all use a lesson in combat." he smirks.
"This is barbaric." I shout.
Yeosang turns to me, one eyebrow cocked.
"Barbaric? You don't even know the meaning of that word yet, (Y/N). But if you insist, I'll show you something truly barbaric. So you start to understand."
Then, Yeosang grabs the smallest woman from the group, hauling her forward.
"Wait! Please!"
"Sorry, Hina. My future queen here would like to see a little more from you."
The girl begins to cry as she's chained to a target. Yeosang selects a massive battle axe from his arsenal.
"Yeosang, you've gone too far." San growls.
"P-please. I bet you, My King. Please don't—" the maid begs.
"I wish I didn't have to, but my bride wants what she wants."
Yeosang takes several steps back, grinning with no mirth in his merciless eyes.
"Now, don't move...I'm aiming for that spot right above your head."
Yeosang raises the axe over his head, right at the girl. She screams, thrashing against her chains. Without thinking, I lunge for him and halt the axe mid-air. The girl, San, even Yeosang...they all look at me in stunned silence. I slam the axe into the ground.
"What do you think you're doing?" Yeosang growls at me.
"I'm taking matters into my own hands."
"Oh, really? You think that's your place? Then you can really take her life in your hands."
Yeosang shoves the axe into my hands and thrusts me in front of the girl. My body pulses with shock. The axe feels impossibly heavy in my grasp.
"I can't—I won't—"
"You will. Or you doom this girl and her friends to a fate far worse than this."
"What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing. Some would define this as exciting."
Yeosang wraps his fingers around my shoulders, adjusting my stance. He whispers against my ear.
"Aim carefully now. It would be a pity if you messed up."
"P-please..."
The girl sobs, chained to the target. I feel Yeosang's eyes on me...and San's.
"Just focus (Y/N). You can do this." San encourages.
He's right. I've thrown knives at targets since before I could walk.
With a deep breath, I narrow my eyes at the target to the left of the girl. The one I intend to hit. Raising the battle axe, I take a deep, calming breath. I look at the girl from across the room.
"Trust me." I tell her.
"Okay…"
Then, the world disappears. All that exists is me, and the clean target to the left. With the grace and force that comes with years of mastery, I swing and release the axe. It sings through the air…before burying deep in it's intended target, away from the poor chained girl. Yeosang and San turn to look at me, their jaws slack in shock.
"My God. (Y/N), you did it." San cheers.
"Thank you, miss. Thank you."
Yeosang sighs as though he's bored and a little disappointed. He waves for the girl to be released.
"Yes. It appears you did it. Well done."
"I hope you're not too embarrassed." I smirk.
"You're not exactly gracious in victory, are you? In that case…"
Yeosang saunters over to the target I hit, pulling the axe out and flipping it over in his hands.
"Let's bring out a few more human targets. Best two out of three."
His words make something in me snap.
This man…this monster…he's insatiable. He'll never stop.
Blind with rage, I take up a nearby spear and run at Yeosang with full force. I scream and hurl the spear at him. But he slices it in half with his axe and grabs my arm. In one swift, breathtaking show of force, he slams me up against the target and presses himself close.
"You know, what you just did is punishable by death."
"Death doesn't scare me."
"Maybe it should."
Yeosang's chest rumbles with a dangerous growl, his body so close I can practically feel his blood pumping. After several tense seconds of silent standoff, he throws me at several guards.
"Take this traitorous bitch to the dungeon, along with all of her little friends here. I'll decide what to do with them come dawn."
I fight as the guards pull me from the room. They march me back down the winding stairs, into the dungeon.
"Get off of me! Let me go!"
"Wait."
San's voice rings out against the stone corridor, halting the guards right before they shove me into my old cell.
"San?"
When he steps into the light, his expression is marred with rage.
"How dare you raise a weapon at my brother?"
This has to be another act. There's no way he'd–
"I asked you a question. You'll do well to answer it."
"I would do it again."
San grabs my collar, pulling me close, his words laced with venom.
"Then you deserve whatever he has planned for you. And I'll enjoy watching."
His words hit me with an alarming weight. The guards snicker. But then something unexpected happens. A shock of cool metal falls from his hand, down into the cup of my bra. I look up into his eyes. Beneath their blaze of fiery hatred, there are cool depths. The man I've come to know is in there. San throws me into the cell and locks the door. As he and the guards stock off, I pull the object from my clothes.
A key. Of course.
I silently thank San and wait for nightfall. When the castle grows quiet, I slip from my cell.
"Is…is that you? (Y/N)?"
The girl I saved stares up at me from her cell, flanked by dozens of shivering servants.
"My name is Hina. Thank you for saving me earlier."
"Don't thank me yet. Not until I get you out of here."
I quickly slip the key into her cell door and swing it open, freeing everyone inside. They thank me through sobs and gasps.
"Come on, we've got to move."
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
Several guards appear at the end of the hall, pulling their weapons free.
"Shit!"
I sprint the other way, leading the group of people up, out into the darkness. I'd hoped for a town nearby, some sign of civilization, but all I can see are vast rolling hills before me. The guards race after me through the night, their heavy bootsteps thundering against the ground, growing closer and closer.
We're not going to make it.
Suddenly, the girl I helped stops in her tracks, turning back to face the guards.
"I'll stay behind. I…I think I can distract the guards. Give you a chance to get away."
"Hina, It's too dangerous."
"You saved my life today. I'll take them over any battle axe."
With a brave smile, Hina lets go of my hand, vanishing into the darkness back towards the guards. I hear her shouting leading them off in another direction. Thanking the girl through silent tears, I tear off into the dark. Most of the guards are gone now, but one set of footsteps still trails behind me, hitting the ground with murderous intent. I duck my head, sprinting with all my might. Then, out of nowhere, a powerful body collides with mine, knocking me to the ground.
"(Y/N)."
"San?! Why the hell did you stop me?!"
It's only then that I see exactly where I was running: right toward a sheer cliff. Angry waves crash below, promising death.
"Thanks–"
"Thank you, brother. I'd hate to think what would have happened to my property if she'd toppled over the edge."
Yeosang's voice booms over the ocean below, his feral eyes narrowing on me as he ambles out of the night, flanked by an army of guards.
"Just let her go, Yeosang. She's–"
With a vicious growl, Yeosang lands a steel kick in San's side. He doubles over and wretches.
"You fucking piece of–"
Yeosang grabs me by the hair, pulling me up, dangerously close to the sheer cliffside.
"Always the same with you. Insisting on running. And my brother, always there to try to take what's mine. Well, let's bring this little game to a climax then, shall we?"
With no effort at all, Yeosang throws me clean across the hill, tumbling toward the edge of a thick, black forest.
"Run, (Y/N). Run and don't let me or my brother find you. Because the first one to hunt you down before sunrise can have you. And the throne."