Chapter 2 The Dark Alpha

• Knight let his eyes linger on the hem of her white gown, sweeping over her hands, her hips, and the top of her scarf-covered head, before she noticed a smirk appear. Or did he smirk? It was gone immediately. sending her doubting her consciousness.
• His uncle stepped forward until he was beside him, then turned to the people and began to address the court. "According to the law, if a Duke dies, every exiled person is free and allowed to come home."
• Knights's gaze never left her, his head tilted up in every shade of majesty, his eyes telling promises—gruesome promises he didn't need to say out loud.
• "My nephew will no longer be a criminal until the new Duke says otherwise." Andre turned to her, " Depending on who the new Duke is."
• Ayra hid Frozen Fingers in her gown, then looked up at Knight. Thirteen years ago, she betrayed him in the worst way possible.
• She felt a sense of relief he was alive, yet her deeper self understood his presence.
• Her fingers dug into her skin, and feeling the warm, silky liquid sliding down her palm, she knew what she had just done.
• "Is that blood?"
• The carefree baritone hit her, sending ripples down her spine. There was no way in the world that it could have come from him, but when Ayra looked up and found him inches away, she knew it did.
• At that moment, only he existed—he and the thought of whether he would strike her.
• But to her surprise, he reached into his pocket and drew out a white, perfectly folded hanky, then reached for her hands.
• And when he touched her, she gasped, not because of the current, rushing through her veins but because it was a sacrilege to touch a priestess.
• He ignored the council's murmurs, eyes on her fingers, and wrapped the fabric skillfully around her wound.
• There was silence between them. Then...
• He muttered, "Guess it's time I tell you I came for you."
• Her hand tensed in his grasp, her blood running cold, hearing him say what she had always known.
• Despite the heat radiating from his pupils, he grinned so wide that she felt tears fill her eyes. "You remember. I also didn't forget."
• "Knight," Thorstein voiced quietly, "Leave her alone; this isn't where to sort things out."
• But he ignored his brother.
• Instead, Knight tightened his grip around her wrist, and cocking his head to the side, he breathed, "You'll wish you never met me, Ayra."
• He let her go so unexpectedly that caught unawares and pulling back. she tripped but was snagged by Thorstein with his hands wrapped around her waist, supporting her while she struggled to catch her breath.
• Finally, Knight pulled his eyes away from her and turned to the side, where the late Duke's wife and Thorstein's mother stood. When she pulled back, despite her attempts to regain composure, his lips twitched, and then he disappeared.
• out of the temple.
• As quietly as he walked in.
• ***
• Hours later, Ayra was on her knees, facing the sacred fire.
• "Goddess, help."
• She had been mumbling the words since the moment she staggered out of the courtroom and into the temple.
• She shivered, unsure if it was from the cold, memories, or future illusions.
• "I know it's my mess. I made the mess, but please, spiritual mother, do not leave me hanging."
• Everyone knew something about Knight was wrong from the time he was little. He was quick to rage, with a yearning to be among the destruction and a deadly determination.
• He was supposed to be dead. There was no way a fifteen-year-old boy could have survived going rogue and transformed into a man who could send shivers down her spine at a mere glance.
• Ayra touched the scars on her fingers, looking at the small sacred bowl she had wasted her blood in.
• But no one. Nobody forewarned her about the reality that the malevolent entity was someone she had to turn against to preserve her integrity.
• She needed the tears, but crying was a sacrilege.
• But how could she carry on so quickly when she knew she would die, and the next priestess was still a little girl who had no clue what it took?
• "Goddess Selene...."
• "Goddess nothing, Ayra," she heard the powerful feminine voice behind her.
• Although she couldn't look back because it was prohibited, she knew who that was and could picture her stance, always ready to assert her views over everyone else.
• "No one is allowed in here," Ayra muttered. "I gave the orders."
• She laughed, a sound that contrasted deeply with the evil of her being. "Crossing paths with you has never been my hobby, not after our history."
• "I forgot all about it..."
• "Oh, you can't just do that, Ayra, not when we are about to make another one."
• "We won't."
• "Let me speak," she said, her voice never losing its tone. It was soft and musical, adding to the eerie mystery around her. "Knight shouldn't be here, which means Thorstein being the next in line is inevitable. Thorstein is taking that seat."
• "If Selene says so,"
• "I don't give a fuck what she says!" Her voice rose, chilling Ayra to her core. "Do you know what we lose if Knight becomes Duke? We will perish, especially you..."
• She was the sacrificial lamb, and now a platter was ready to receive her head.
• "He won't miss the chance to have you under the guillotine, Thorstein, Ayra. Thorstein is a fit, and we all know it."
• "I refuse to commit another crime against Knight," she whispered, gazing at the blue glow of the fire. "I had the excuse that I was young and foolish fifteen years ago, but now..."
• "I do not think you understand all I'm saying...." She sounded irritated.
• Ayra nodded. "I understand you perfectly, but I can't commit another crime against Knight. Whoever Selene says is Duke will be Duke."
• Still behind Ayra, she huffed, "You won't last a minute in his presence."
• "Then so be it."
• Silence enveloped the courtroom, and she shut her eyes, waiting for her next words, ready for the threats she knew were coming. The silence lingered more than it was supposed to. Only the crackling noise of the blue flame filled the temple.
• "You'll be running back; I know you will," Astrid finished.
• Ayra heard her footsteps leaving the temple, the cold slipping in when the gates were pushed open.
• Ayra shut her eyes as the gates jammed close.
• Did she mean what she said? Was she ready to die?
• Engrossed in her thoughts, she didn’t hear Mel come in.
• "What did she say to you?" her assistant asked.
• "Nothing," Ayra lied. "Is Knight still in the packhouse?"
• "He is."
• She inhaled deeply. "Get me my cloak."