Chapter 4

• Kael's eyes fluttered open, grogginess giving way to shock as he took in the sight beside him. Chloe lying beside him sleeping, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm, her hair spread across his arm like a golden halo. Kael's mind raced as he tried to process how she got there - he had no memory of how he got into bed, no recollection of them going to bed together. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was still dreaming, but when he opened them again, Chloe was still there, her presence as real as the bed they shared.
• As Kael's gaze lingered on her, Chloe's eyes suddenly snapped open, and she too was met with a shock. She sat up with a start, her eyes wide and disoriented, before they locked onto Kael's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, both seemingly lost in a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Chloe exclaimed, her voice laced with panic, as she quickly scrambled out of bed and grabbed her clothes. "I don't know what happened, I must have had too much to drink..." She trailed off, her words tumbling out in a rush as she hastily dressed and made a swift exit, leaving Kael still reeling in bewilderment.
• Kael slumped back into the pillow, his mind reeling with regret and self-loathing. "Damn it, Kael! What the hell were you thinking?!" He cursed aloud, slamming his fist into the mattress. He couldn't believe he had let things go so far with Chloe, of all people. A woman he had just met and promised to help her get revenge and now...now he felt like he had betrayed that friendship.
• "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" He berated himself, his anger and frustration boiling over. He threw off the covers and got out of bed, pacing around the room in a futile attempt to shake off the lingering sense of guilt and shame.
• Kael's anger gave way to a crushing sadness as he sank onto the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. He felt like he'd betrayed himself and his values with Chloe. He couldn't believe he'd been so weak, so reckless.
• "Why did I do it?" He whispered, his voice cracking with despair. "What's wrong with me?" He thought about all the times he'd vowed to never have any time to do with his mate, to only be there for her as a friend, and now...now he felt like he'd shattered that trust. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he loathed himself for his thoughtless actions. "I'm such a disappointment," He whispered.
• When he saved Chloe's life yesterday, his wolf went crazy and recognized her as his mate. He thought Chloe had sensed it too unless he realized she was wolfless. He was only determined to help her and make her happy but not claim her as his or mark her as his mate.
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• Chloe curled up in a hidden alcove deep within the palace, her body shaking with sobs. She had never felt so lost and alone. Just a few days ago, she had been the Queen, with a kingdom to rule and a people to protect. But now, it was all gone, taken from her by her own lover, and to make matters worse, she had made a fool of herself by sleeping with Kael, a man she barely knew. She couldn't believe she had let her grief and loneliness get the better of her.
• "What was I thinking?" She whispered, her tears falling like rain. "I've lost everything, and now I've lost myself too." She buried her face in her hands, her heart heavy with shame and sorrow.
• Chloe's sobs grew louder, her body wracked with anguish as she felt the weight of her losses crushing her. She thought of her kingdom, her people, her throne - all gone, taken from her by her Aiden's betrayal. She thought of the days she spent in prison, locked away like a criminal, her name slandered and her honor stained. And now, she was a fugitive, a rogue Queen with no home, no army, and no hope. She remembered the look in Kael's eyes when they were both drunk, the way he had held her like she was precious, and she felt a fresh wave of shame wash over her.
• "I've lost everything," she wailed, her voice echoing off the cold stone walls. "I've lost myself. I'm nothing now. Nothing but a shadow of my former self." Her cries grew louder, her sorrow and despair threatening to consume her wholly.
• Just as Chloe thought she couldn't cry anymore, she heard a gentle voice behind her. "Oh my goodness, miss...are you okay?" Chloe turned to see a maid standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern. Chloe quickly realized she was still in her undergarments from the night before and hastily covered herself with her arms.
• "Who are you?" The maid asked, her eyes scanning Chloe's face. Chloe hesitated, unsure of what to say. She couldn't reveal her true identity, not here, not now.
• "I...I'm just a traveler. I came here yesterday." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
• "I got lost in the palace," Chloe said. The maid's eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded sympathetically. "Well, come with me, Miss. I'll get you some clothes and we'll figure out what to do with you." Chloe hesitated, unsure if she should trust this stranger, but something in the maid's kind eyes put her at ease. She nodded, and the maid led her away, wrapping a warm blanket around her shoulders.
• As the maid led Chloe through the winding palace corridors, her eyes darted around, taking in the opulent decorations and lavish furnishings. But her thoughts were elsewhere, still reeling from the events of the past 24 hours. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the maid's gaze lingering on her, a look of recognition dawning on her face. It wasn't until they reached a cozy chamber and the maid turned to her with a gentle smile that Chloe realized she had been found out. "You're...you're the woman Alpha Kael brought in last night, aren't you?" The maid asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Chloe's heart skipped a beat as she nodded, her face burning with shame.
• The maid's eyes softened, and she reached out to gently take Chloe's hand. "Don't worry, Miss. Your secret is safe with me. But perhaps you should get some rest. You look like you could use it." The maid said as she examined Chloe again who was still in her undergarments. With that, she ushered Chloe into the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
• Chloe's face flushed with embarrassment as her stomach growled loudly, betraying her hunger. She hadn't eaten in hours, and the maid's mention of rest only made her realize how exhausted she was. But it was the knowledge that the maid had seen her in a compromising position with Kael that made her want to crawl under a rock. She felt like a shameful secret, a dirty little affair to be hidden away from prying eyes. The maid's kindness only made her feel worse like she was a charity case to be pitied. Chloe's eyes dropped to the floor, her embarrassment and shame threatening to consume her. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, as she collapsed onto the bed, her stomach growling in protest.