Chapter 2 The Scent of Damnation

Chapter Two

Kaelen

The moment her scent hit him, Kaelen knew he was damned.

It rolled through the air like wildfire and winter-clean, sharp, maddening. The beast inside him, the thing he kept shackled behind walls of iron will, surged up with hungry recognition.

Mate.

The word echoed in his bones, primal and unwelcome.

He didn't flinch. Didn't let it show. But every second she stood before him, fierce and flame-haired, made it harder to breathe. She was too calm for a conquered royal. Too proud for a prisoner.

Too much his for this to be a coincidence.

His father would have called it a gift from the gods. His generals would call it leverage. But Kaelen knew better.

Fate never gave without a price.

He circled her once, slow and silent. The scent of her was intoxicating-sweet with fear, laced with defiance. Omega, yes. But not docile. Not broken. She watched him with ice in her eyes.

"I will not kneel," she said, voice tight.

Kaelen stopped behind her. Close enough to feel the heat radiating off her skin.

"I don't recall asking you to."

His voice came out low, rougher than intended. The beast clawed just beneath the surface. It wanted to touch her. Claim her. He clenched his fists instead.

She didn't know what she was. Not truly. The bond hadn't clicked for her yet-not in the same, visceral way it did for an alpha. That gave him an edge. A narrow window to think before instinct ruined them both.

Not here. Not yet.

"Take her to the north wing," he ordered his guard. "She is to be kept in isolation-treated with respect."

Elira's eyes snapped to his, confusion flickering. "Why?" she asked.

He didn't answer.

Because I can't afford to lose control in front of them.

Because touching you would break me.

Because I don't know if I want to protect you... or destroy you.

Kaelen turned away before the words could escape.

The moon was rising. And the curse always got worse beneath its light.