Chapter 6 Lila The moment the Lycan King's gaze locked onto mine , I felt the air shift , as if the entire room had been stripped of its oxygen . His expression hardened , something fierce and haunted flickering behind those piercing golden eyes . His lips parted , and a single name , one that did not belong to me , slipped from his mouth . " Natalic … " The raw pain in his voice sent a chill down my spine . My heart stammered , confusion crashing over me in waves . He wasn't just looking at me , he was seeing someone else . Someone long gone . Who was Natalie ? Before I could react , his aura lashed out , thick with power , sending goosebumps crawling across my skin . His entire body tensed , and I swore I saw his fingers twitch as if he wanted to reach for me . Inside me , Ruby stirred , whimpering . He's our mate . My wolf's voice was almost frantic . Why isn't he claiming us ? I swallowed hard , my hands trembling at my sides . No. That wasn't possible . The Lycan King - the most ruthless ruler in the kingdom couldn't be my Mate . I forced my voice to be steady , though my throat felt tight with the lie I was about to tell . " No , Your Highness . My name is Elena Ashford . " His golden eyes darkened , and something inside him snapped . He inhaled sharply , blinking , as if shaking himself from a trance . The silence that followed was thick , suffocating The maid at his side cleared her throat . " She's the girl who fainted in the garden , Your Majesty . One of the candidates . " Recognition dawned across his face . His posture straightened , expression shifting into something unreadable . Whatever he had seen when he looked at me , it was gone now . Buried , " You , " he murmured , his voice lower now , controlled . " The one my teacher spoke of . " His stare returned , dragging over me with unnerving intensity . He was studying me ; not just my face , but something deeper . A shiver worked its way down my spine , but I held my ground . His wolf , barely restrained beneath the surface , seemed just as fixated . The pull between us - one I didn't understand - thickened in the air . Ruby whimpered again . He feels it too . He just doesn't understand why . Before I could process the weight of his gaze , a sharp elbow slammed into my ribs . 1/4 +15 Bonus Pain shot through my side as I stumbled . My head snapped toward the culprit : Isabella Her dark eyes burned with irritation as she sneered . " Didn't you hear the Lycan King speaking to you ? Such an rude girl . " I clenched my jaw , steadying my breath. Don't react . Don't give her the satisfaction . " Yes , Your Highness , " I said , my voice even , despite the lingering pain . His frown deepened . His golden eyes flickered from Isabella to me , catching the way my body tensed . Something darkened across his face . I had barely recovered when his hand shot out , gripping my chin with firm fingers . My breath caught . His touch was fire . His thumb brushed along the edge of my jaw , tilting my head slightly . The intensity of his attention made my skin burn . " You dare to space out in front of me ? " His voice was dangerously low . " Which pack are you from ? " I forced myself to remain still , even as every nerve in my body screamed to recoil . He was testing me . Searching for something . " Nightfall Pack , " I answered . My father's name rested at the tip of my tongue , but I held it back , unwilling to invoke him unless necessary . His gaze lingered a moment longer before he finally released me . " Stay in line , " he warned , his voice colder than ice . From the corner of my eye , Isabella smirked , crossing her arms . " Noble girls never run around the corridors like this . Shouldn't we punish her ? " I exhaled slowly . Of course , she'd try and dole out another punishment . Keeping my voice measured , I turned to the Lycan King . " My King , if Isabella hadn't tried to tear my face apart , I wouldn't have . been running through the corridor . I don't understand why she has been so hostile towards me . " His gaze snapped to Isabella , sharp and dangerous . Isabella stiffened . " I … I was only looking out for you - " His voice cut through her excuses like a blade . " Isabella , don't overstep . You will not touch the selection females again . " Her mouth opened slightly , as if to protest , but then she lowered her head in acknowledgement . " Yes , Your Majesty . " A flicker of satisfaction curled in my chest , though I quickly smothered it . Isabella wasn't someone I could afford to make an enemy of , not when I had to tread so carefully , and she was practically Royalty . The Lycan King , however , wasn't done . His gaze lingered on me again , his expression unreadable . Slowly , his eyes dropped to my lips . 2/4 Спарент +15 Bonus I barely resisted the urge to lick the lips in question , just to see if he'd respond as a Mate would . I could feel the pull of the Mating bond , but he wasn't reacting . Finally , he turned away , his voice clipped . " Wait for me . I want to see you tonight . " My hands trembled as I curled them into fists at my sides to keep from reaching out to him . I survived another day and avoided another punishment . It wasn't until I saw Damon saw Damon's back completely disappear that I sighed in relief and followed the maid away from Isabella towards the room I was supposed to wait in . It was luxurious , but I couldn't enjoy it . Not when my thoughts were still caught in the revelation that was Damon Sinclair . The fact that my wolf Ruby was restless didn't help me relax either . He's our mate , she repeated , frustration simmering . Why is he pretending he doesn't feel it ?! I paced near the vanity , the tension in my shoulders increasing with each pass across the rug . Maybe he doesn't know . Or maybe we're mistaken .. " My voice faltered . Impossible . When Damon touched us , it was intoxicating . The maid interrupted my thoughts , " Let's add something to your hair , " she said , her tone leaving no room for argument . She lifted a sapphire hairpin from a small box , the deep blue gems catching the light . I stared at it for a moment but said nothing , simply letting her work I sat in silence , my hands clasped tightly in my lap as I waited for what felt like hours while Ruby kept trying to get me to go after Damon . The weight of uncertainty pressed against my chest . Why me ? There were so many women here - daughters of powerful Alphas , noble - born and beautiful . I was nothing compared to them , but that was exactly what I was pretending to be . Damon hadn't acknowledged the pull I felt , so why had he demanded to see me tonight ? The question gnawed at me , each passing minute stretching unbearably long . He was exactly as expected - a terrifying male . And yet , the anticipation of seeing him again heated my skin . Ruby , my wolf , paced in the back of my mind . Go to him , she whispered , her voice impatient . I swallowed hard , urging her to calm for both our sakes . The air in the room got heavier as the night progressed . The candles the maid had lit earlier flickered , their soft glow casting long shadows against the walls . Then , the door creaked open . My body tensed as a tall figure stepped inside , his presence dominating the space in an instant . Damon . His gaze locked onto mine , stealing my breath , and I scrambled to my feet . 3