"Strip."

The command was sharp, laced with authority, cutting through the silence like the crack of a whip.

The deep timbre of Dimitri's voice sent a shiver down the spines of the gathered women. They had learned quickly in the past two days, obedience meant survival. At his order, they bowed their heads, hands trembling as they peeled away the thin, tattered fabric that barely shielded them from humiliation.

But one of them did not move. She stood frozen in place promting Dimitri's eyes narrow.

_________

Born in a world of deception, Princess Sorayah Drakon was forced to live as a prince, hiding her gender and her unique gifts. She can heal wounds, command the elements, disguise as someone else or animals, manipulate dreams, creates powerful illusions,  and ability to wield strength no other human possesses. 

Feeling trapped, she sheds her false identity under the cover of night to dress as a woman. One fateful night, during one of these secret escapades, she met Lupien Nightshade, the crown prince of the werewolves! It was love at first sight. 

But love soon turns into tragedy when Lupien kills her father, throwing the human kingdom into chaos. Humans were captured as slaves and Sorayah became one of them. 

She swore revenge, wanting to get close to Lupien to kill him but before she could, she was claimed by Dimitri Nightshade, Lupien's uncle! When she realized their interests aligned, Sorayah sought to gain his trust and use him as a weapon. 

Two enemies. One kingdom. A shared thirst for destruction.

But there was something else.

Something Sorayah hadn't planned for.

Dimitri Nightshade was irresistible. 

She hated him so much she wanted to carve his heart out with her bare hands but she couldn't deny the way he made her burn with passion. 

Will Soraya be able to bend him to her will?

Or will she be trapped in his claws forever?

Sorayah stared at him, her heart pounding. For once, there was no arrogance in his voice. Just cold, brutal honesty.


She then bent down to picked up her bow and arrow without hesitation, her fingers tightening around the familiar weapon.


But then her thoughts caught up with her actions. Wait… why is he doing this? Shouldn't Dimitri be nonchalant about her survival? After all, he wanted her to die in the war, didn't he? So why bother teaching her how to fight?


Unless… she paused, the realization creeping in like a shadow across her mind. Perhaps this is just a final favor, a last gesture of decency, teaching her how to hold her own for a little while before death inevitably claimed her. A warrior's mercy.


Or....Her eyes narrowed as the thought struck her. Does he actually care?


The Beta Lord caring about her life? That was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever allowed herself to consider.


Chapter 65 - Does He Actually Care?