Chapter 6

• Savvy
• The atmosphere that descended in Phoenix's living room at that moment was very tense. I had never found myself between such a rock and a hard place before.
• Terona Silver literally had all my attention, and he was waiting. Each second that ticked by counted. It steered me closer to the Alpha of Silver Moon pack and farther away from my mate.
• I told myself there was literally nothing left for me in the Royal Pack—as long as I got my people and myself out.
• All of a sudden, the time ran out, and I saw Terona glancing at his wristwatch. When he looked up towards me, aiming to speak, I beat him to it as I announced,
• “I agree.” My heart raced at this huge step I had taken, and I said again, “I agree to your terms and conditions, Alpha Terona. I will sign the contract.”
• I didn’t know I sounded desperate. I never remembered that we had a lot of audience. All I could see was this breathtaking man before me—a solution, a pillar of strength. Someone who was a path to my freedom.
• I waited impatiently for his response, but then, Phoenix Prince suddenly closed in on me, his fingers wrapping around my wrist like a vice.
• “What did you just say? A contract?” he asked, his eyes wide open in horror. “What contract do you want to sign with him?”
• His question sounded accusatory, and when I looked up at him, I caught the hint of jealousy beneath his words.
• His eyes glaring, I nearly scoffed in his face. Angrily, I freed my wrist from his grip.
• “When did you start caring about what I do? When?”
• “Will you shut the fuck up? I am your mate. I have every right over you. Now tell me. What does this contract have...” He paused as he rolled his eyes. Quickly, he turned to Terona, who had been watching the both of us with an unreadable expression. “Terona Silver, I have to apologize. Whatever my mate has informed you is all false. You see, she has been acting insane these past few days. That’s why I had her locked up in isolation. I apologize on her behalf that you had to come all the way to listen and watch how she displays her madness.”
• The lies my mate told hung in the air, leaving me stunned and speechless. I felt a deep embarrassment wash over me, unable to meet Terona Silver’s gaze. The Royal Pack, once my home, now seemed suffocating.
• As tears welled up in my eyes, my throat constricted, and a sob threatened to escape. But before it could, Terona Silver’s low, husky voice cut through the tension.
• “Don’t you dare,” he warned, his tone cold and commanding. I shuddered as a chill ran down my spine, and I forced myself to meet his gaze.
• His grey eyes burned with intensity, his jaw set in disappointment.
• “Don’t you dare shed tears,” he repeated, his voice firm but controlled. “Do you hear me?”
• I nodded, still trying to stifle my emotions. But Terona Silver took a step closer, his eyes boring into mine.
• “Say it,” he demanded, his voice firm. “Do you hear me?”
• I bit my lower lip, fighting to contain my sobs.
• “I do,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
• Terona Silver’s piercing gaze held me captive for what felt like an eternity, the tension between us escalating with each passing moment. It was astonishing how, in just a short time, he seemed to have asserted a level of control over me.
• His voice, low and commanding, had a profound effect on me, sending a shiver down my spine. I found myself involuntarily submitting to his authority, my instincts urging me to obey his every command.
• As I stood there, frozen in anticipation, I couldn’t help but wait with bated breath for his next instruction.
• At last, he dropped his gaze to swallow hard, and I saw the brief flash in his eyes before he extended his hand backwards. A waiting attendant handed him a glowing cylinder bottle, and from within its radiant depths, Terona Silver withdrew a silver scroll, its shiny surface glinting in the light.
• My heart skipped multiple beats as I beheld the sacred object. Its presence seemed to electrify the air, and I felt my very soul stir in response. I swallowed hard, my mouth dry with anticipation.
• “Here. This is the contract. There are clauses in it, and I would like you to read and understand them before signing. Okay?” he said again, this time more tender, more soft, while he handed over the contract to me.
• Before everyone, I took this from Terona Silver, and I made to drop my eyes on it, but then he asked,
• “Can you manage tonight in here?”
• “I... yeah, I think so.”
• After my response, he walked closer to me again, this time leaning over to whisper softly,
• “Go with the flow for now. Tomorrow, I will come to take you away from here.”
• His words sent a shiver down my spine. It was a promise, a vow, and I recognized the weight of it. As he leaned in, his cologne wafted up, making my head spin. His proximity made me feel strange, like I was melting into his presence.
• As he pulled back, I watched him, my heart racing with anticipation.
• What did he mean by “take me away”? And what lay ahead for me tomorrow?
• “Go in now. Let me watch you leave,” his gentle voice came again as a form of goodbye, and I nodded. Gently, I shifted my gaze from Terona’s captivating eyes to Irene, who had stood there watching us both, just like everyone else.
• I signaled her to take the wedding dress for the concubine, and at once, she did. She understood me even though I didn’t part my lips.
• As soon as she picked up the dress, I swiftly made my way to my quarters, my senses on high alert. With each step, I felt an unsettling presence, as if I were being watched. And I knew I was.
• By him. My new protector. The last of his lineage. The formidable Alpha from the largest pack.
• Terona Silver.