Rox POV

I went to work the next day, making sure it was filled with tasks, but my mind never strayed far from the mortifying voicemail I had accidentally left on the King’s phone. I avoided the king at all costs, delegating duties to my team and ensuring I’d be in and out quickly. Despite my best efforts, the weight of his presence lingered like a shadow, making my pulse race.

Finally the end of the day came and I needed to get out of there quickly. When I reached for the door to leave, his hand caught my arm and before I could react, I was pulled  into a small sitting room near the exit. The door clicked shut with finality, and when he locked it, my heart sank.

“Rox,” his deep, rugged voice filled the space. “Why the fuck are you avoiding me?”

His tone was blunt, his crimson eyes, a sign his Lycan surfaced, pierced through as he stared me down. I think I made him mad, kill me now, I think to myself.

"I-I… It’s nothing, Your Majesty,” I stammered, looking anywhere but at him.

He stepped closer, crowding my space, his towering 6’5 frame casting me in shadow. The air grew thick as my back pressed against the wall, his proximity intoxicating.

“Nothing?” he repeated, his lips curling into a sly grin. “I find that hard to believe, especially after that… interesting voicemail you left me.”

My cheeks burned, mortified and I panicked. “It was a mistake,” I mumbled, my voice barely audible. “Please… don’t tell anyone.”

His smirk deepened, and his eyes flickered with mischief as he leaned in. “Oh, Rox,” he murmured, his voice a velvet growl. “Mistake or not, it sounded like your true desires. And trust me, I’ll find out just how deep they go.”

My breath hitched as his words settled over me, leaving me weak and unsteady.

“I.. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whispered, though my voice betrayed the trembling beneath my resolve.

His lips grazed my ear, his breath hot and deliberate as he got closer to me. “Oh, I think you do. I’m going to explore every inch of those desires. And soon, you’ll beg for more.”

Before I could protest, his body pressed against mine, and I felt every inch of him—hard, commanding, and inescapable. He embraced me, his arms around my waist and I succumbed to his dominance.

My thoughts scrambled as soon as I felt his rock hard bulge. My pussy ached and throbbed, as warmth pooled in my core, betraying me completely. A jolt of electricity shot through my veins as his lips brushed mine, soft but deliberate, sending sparks flying. It deepened, savoring each other, with fervor, until he slowed down.

Suddenly, Mist stirred within me, her presence undeniable. My eyes glowed a vibrant purple, and I glimpsed his Lycan, Drexius, standing beside her. Cassian pulled back slightly, his glowing crimson eyes locked onto my glowing purple ones.

“Nice to meet you, Mist,” he murmured, his voice dripping with dominance.

He buried his nose in my neck, tracing a pattern, inhaling deeply before placing a lingering kiss over the spot where his mark would go.

“Don’t avoid me again,” he commanded, his voice low and firm. His thumb brushed my bottom lip, flaring his nose, before he unlocked the door and walked out, leaving me trembling and dazed.

I managed to leave the pack house and run home, my body buzzing with the aftermath of our encounter. As soon as I stepped into the shower, I let the cold water wash over me, desperate to cool my racing thoughts.

‘Mist, what is happening?’ I demanded.

‘We found our mate,’ she replied, her tone brimming with excitement. ‘The sparks, the glowing eyes—it’s undeniable.’

‘Why didn’t he say anything?’ I asked, confused.

‘Drexius said he almost did but wanted to see your reaction. He searched for me, but I stayed hidden until you accepted him.’

‘Accepted him? I didn’t say anything!’

‘Your body did. When you felt the sparks and let him kiss your mark, that was all the acceptance he needed.’

I sat on my bed, overwhelmed. Everything had happened so fast, and now I had to process it. Tomorrow, I’d hit the gym to clear my head. Sleep would be elusive tonight—I already knew that much.