Chapter 4 Delilah:

My mother...

There's no place I go that I can escape her memories. Not even Goldencrest.

My heart clenches at the mention of her. When she was alpha means before she met my dad. Before she risked it all for me. "She's been dead seven years."

"I know that," he nods. "Why were you outside your pack's borders?"

My voice trembles, but I hold my ground. "It's complicated, but I wasn't with the rogues. I just left my pack last night."

He tilts his head, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "If you were running away from your pack, doesn't that then make you a rogue?"

His words echo in my head, the accusation sharp and cold. My breath catches as his gaze locks on mine. He's cornered me, and he knows it.

I had never thought of it like that, and the embarrassment of this takes root in my head.

A wave of anger bubbles up, unexpected and fierce, as I stalk closer to him. "Would you have stayed in a pack that treated you like garbage?" I snap, the words spilling out before I can stop them.

His brow quirks, but he doesn't interrupt. So I keep going, my voice shaking with frustration and my index finger pointing accusatory at him.

"Sweep the floors. Clean the bathroom. Eat the leftovers. Take the fall for everything. Get spit on. All because I was born human. You've never had to go through that, of course. All mighty Prince Caspian. But I did! And I hated it everyday of my life, so spare me if I was running away, if I was a rogue for a night because of it!"

His expression hardens, and I know I've hit a nerve. But instead of lashing back, he rises from the throne slowly, like a predator stalking its prey.

The air around me grows heavy, suffocating, and I feel my knees weaken.

"On your knees," he orders, his voice low and commanding.

"What?" I manage to choke out, fighting the weight pressing down on me.

"You heard me," he says coolly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I grit my teeth, but the pressure is unbearable. My legs give out, and I drop to the floor, humiliated and trembling. He takes his time stepping closer, towering over me like a shadow.

"You're right, I have no idea how your pack treated you. But it's not my problem, is it? Your mother knew what was coming when she mated with a human and I can't blame her either. But laws are laws."

"What–"

He raises a hand and my words die in my throat.

"You have a choice," he says, his voice as smooth as it is dangerous. "Go back to your pack-or stay here in Goldencrest. But not as a pack member. As a lowly omega."

I glare up at him, defiance sparking in my chest despite the crushing weight of his power. "And if I choose neither?"

"You die."

His eyes tell me he's serious. They don't take kindly to rogues, and I imagine myself dying like one of the rogues he killed last night.

"I'll stay here," I bite out .

He raises a brow, clearly expecting more resistance. "Life here will be hard," he warns. "Everyone is royalty or entitled. You'll be at the bottom of the chain."

"Better than going back to Moonhaven," I fire back, my voice steadier now.

He studies me for a long moment, his gray eyes unblinking. Finally, the weight of his authority lifts, and I collapse forward, gasping for air.

"Very well," he says, turning on his heel. "Cassidy will show you your duties. Don't make me regret this."

I scramble to my feet as he strides toward the door, my legs still shaky. Cassidy appears like magic, her grin as bright as the morning sun.

"You stayed!" she squeals, linking her arm with mine before I can even process what's happening. "Come on, let's get you sorted."

I follow her out into the hall, still trying to catch my breath. She chatters away, her excitement palpable.

"Okay, so omega duties aren't glamorous," she admits as we walk. "You'll water the plants in the greenhouse, help in the kitchen, dust whatever looks dusty, and-oh-stay out of the way of the court members. They're huge jerks."

"Sounds like a dream job," I mutter, earning a laugh from her.

"Hey, it's not all bad," she says, nudging me playfully. "And if it's too much, we can talk about getting it adjusted. You don't have a wolf, so your stamina's gonna be... limited."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I deadpan, though I can't help but smile a little.

She drags me outside to the training fields, where a group of enforcers is sparring. My attention shifts to the fierce movements of the warriors, but Cassidy's gaze is fixed on someone else entirely.

"Ethan," she murmurs, her voice softening in a way that catches my attention.

I smirk, elbowing her lightly. "You like the mean guy?"

Her cheeks flush, and she quickly looks away. "No! I just... admire his work ethic."

"Uh-huh," I tease, earning a swat on the arm.

"Shut up," she grumbles, though she's smiling.

We head back toward the main house, Cassidy still chattering about duties and schedules.

I'm starting to feel a tiny flicker of hope-like maybe this won't be as awful as I thought, when we turn a corner and nearly collide with him.

Prince Caspian.

He's as breathtaking as ever, all sharp edges and cool confidence. His eyes linger on me for a moment longer than I'm comfortable with before he continues walking, his presence as overwhelming as ever.

Once he's out of earshot, Cassidy leans in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "He's been unmated for a concerningly long time, you know?"

My entire body burns. "Why do I need to know that?"

She smirks, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Because, darling," she says, leaning even closer, "he's obviously in on you. You're the most beautiful rogue he's ever seen, I guarantee you."

"No I'm not," I try to argue, like I'm not getting delicious tingles from the conversation.

"You're still alive. Think about it," she grins. "And from what I've heard, when a Lycan like him finally chooses..." She trails off, letting the weight of her words hang in the air.

Before I can respond, a low growl rumbles from behind us. I freeze, my pulse racing as his voice cuts through the tension like a blade.

"Talking about me again, Cassidy?"

She jumps, turning back abruptly to face him. "I-I didn't mean-"

He glares daggers at her, and if looks could kill, she'd be a bloody mess on the immaculate white marble ground by now.

She shrinks back, biting her lip. Then his icy gaze shifts to me, piercing through me like shards of glass.

"And you," he says, his voice a low, menacing drawl that makes my stomach twist into knots. "Don't think for one second you're special."

My breath catches, and I feel Cassidy's shocked stare burning into the side of my face.

"You're only alive because I've allowed it. Out of charity," he continues, his words slicing deeper with every syllable. "And if I were to choose a mate..." His glare shifts to Cassidy for a split second, who shies even farther away before they shift back to rake over me with disdain, a cruel sneer curling his lips. "It wouldn't be some lowly omega. And it certainly wouldn't be a rogue half human."