Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 103: Seize her!

Chapter 103: Seize her!

Lupien rose from the bed, stretching slightly as Sorayah began removing his nightclothes, revealing his well-toned, sculpted physique. Without wasting time, she dressed him in a regal red tunic embroidered with intricate dragon patterns.

She tightened the belt with calculated force, just enough to make him grunt in discomfort. She pretended not to notice.

"Careful, you maid!" the eunuch snapped from the corner, unable to stay silent any longer. "Mind your hands!"

"I can’t die that easily," Lupien muttered, suddenly grabbing Sorayah’s wrists and yanking her toward him. The move caught her off guard...her chest now pressed against his as their eyes locked, faces just inches apart.

The eunuch and the other servants had already averted their eyes, instinctively stepping back to give Lupien the privacy he clearly wanted....though he hadn’t asked.

"What are you trying to do, Your Highness?" Sorayah asked, lifting one eyebrow, trying to mask the jolt of panic rushing through her. She struggled against his grip, but his hold remained firm.

"What does it look like I’m trying to do?" Lupien asked in a low, husky tone, his smirk deepening...one that made dread coil low in Sorayah’s belly. "You keep trying to make me suffer... but none of that can kill me, can it?"

"You’re mistaken, Your Highness," Sorayah replied smoothly, keeping her tone neutral. "I’m simply a strong woman. My approach to things tends to be... intense. If I’ve offended you in any way, I apologize."

Still, she strained to pull away from him, her heartbeat hammering in her ears yet she refused to let her fear show.

And as if tormenting her wasn’t enough, Lupien reached for the wooden hairpin in Sorayah’s hair, gently removing it. Her long golden hair tumbled down her shoulders like a waterfall, cascading in soft waves.

"You look beautiful with your hair down like this," Lupien murmured, a warm smile curving his lips. He brushed a strand away from her face with surprising tenderness, while his other arm remained firmly wrapped around her waist, keeping her close.

"Your Highness?" Sorayah breathed, swallowing hard as she tried to maintain her composure. "You have a court meeting. Please... let me go."

"Sure," he replied with a shrug, finally releasing her from his grip.

"My hairpin, Your Highness," she said, her gaze flickering to the simple wooden ornament still held in his hand.

"This hairpin doesn’t suit you," Lupien replied thoughtfully. Without giving her a chance to respond, he walked over to a drawer and opened it, revealing a collection of exquisite golden hairpins adorned with various gems. He selected one....a golden pin decorated with shimmering blue pearls.

"This one," he said, holding it up for her to see. "It matches your eyes perfectly."

Before Sorayah could utter a word of protest, Lupien stepped closer again, his fingers slipping into her hair. He lifted the silken strands and tied them loosely with a blue ribbon from his desk. Then, with careful precision, he slid the jeweled pin into place.

"From today on," he declared, "you’ll wear this hairpin and must not lose it."

"But..."

"No ’but’, Sorayah," he interrupted with a firm tone, silencing her. "As for this wooden one... I’ll keep it." He slipped the old pin into his robe as if it were something precious.

"Anyway," he added casually, adjusting the sleeves of his robe as his eunuch stepped in to assist with the final touches, "I must go to the court now. While I’m away, kindly tend to my garden behind the quarters. I’ll be back soon."

He turned to flash her a final smirk. "Don’t miss me too much, Sorayah."

With that, Lupien strode out of the room, leaving Sorayah standing there, a storm of thoughts brewing within her.

"That crazy bastard," she muttered under her breath, her hand rising to touch the golden hairpin now nestled in her hair. With a frustrated exhale, she turned on her heels and walked out of the chamber.

The moment she stepped outside, two maids dressed in Lupien’s court colors were already waiting for her.

"His Highness, the Alpha Emperor, instructed us to accompany you to the garden," they said in unison, bowing respectfully.

’Can’t I get a moment’s peace?’ Sorayah thought bitterly, letting out a heavy sigh. Still, she gave a small nod.

"Very well. Let’s go."

The maids led the way, and she followed in silence. As they neared the garden, the sweet aroma of blooming flowers drifted into the air, growing stronger with every step. Soon, they were standing at the entrance of Lupien’s private garden, the scent now almost intoxicating.

The land before them was covered in a riot of color....flowers of every variety blooming vibrantly, butterflies flitting from petal to petal. A wide, genuine smile tugged at Sorayah’s lips as she took in the beauty. She moved forward instinctively, her fingers brushing the petals of a deep red rose. She plucked it gently, lifting it to her nose to inhale its delicate scent.

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out behind her. "No one is allowed to pluck flowers from His Highness’s garden!"

Startled, Sorayah turned. A maid she didn’t recognize was glaring at her. Unlike the others, this woman wore a different style of uniform marking her as a servant from another quarter. Two muscular guards flanked her, also dressed differently from Lupien’s men.

"I wasn’t aware of such a rule," Sorayah replied calmly, maintaining her poise. "Besides, the Alpha Emperor entrusted me with caring for this garden. I’m sure presenting him with this rose would only please him."

She smiled politely and placed the rose gently into a nearby basket already filled with trimmed petals and clippings.

"Seize her!" the unfamiliar maid barked without hesitation.

Before Sorayah could fully react, the two guards lunged forward and grabbed her by the arms. She gasped and struggled, but their grip was firm. The strange maid stepped forward, a cruel smirk on her face.

"Wait...what do you think you’re...." Sorayah began, but her words were cut short.

The maid raised her hand and blew a fine white powder directly into Sorayah’s face. Her vision blurred instantly, and her knees buckled.

Darkness swallowed her before she could utter another word.