Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 118: I Like You.

Chapter 118: I Like You.

The next day arrived swiftly. Anaya was already settled inside an adorned carriage, her breathing shallow but steady, her head leaned against the cushion, eyes fluttering shut in restless sleep. Surrounding the carriage stood a handful of loyal maids and guards. A second carriage stood nearby, already loaded with the belongings she would need during her stay at her aunt’s pack.

Standing beside the carriage, the Luna Empress gently caressed her daughter’s pale cheek. Her voice trembled with barely suppressed emotion as she whispered, "Goodbye, Anaya... My precious flower, Mother loves you. Always."

Turning toward Kisha, the Luna’s voice hardened. "Please take good care of her. Once you arrive at her aunt’s pack, send someone back to inform us that you’ve arrived safely. The guards accompanying you are all skilled in martial arts and sworn to protect her with their lives.. you have nothing to worry about on that front."

Kisha lowered herself into a deep bow. "Thank you, Your Highness. I will guard the princess with my life."

Without wasting another moment, she climbed into the carriage and gently guided Anaya’s head onto her shoulder, wrapping an arm around her to keep her steady and warm. The driver cracked the reins, and the carriage began to move.

****

Lupien’s pack...

After helping Lupien prepare for court, Sorayah made her way toward Dimitri’s manor.

As expected, She found Dimitri standing in the training ground....bow in hand, posture proud, eyes sharp with focus. He pulled the bowstring taut and released the arrow, the shaft slicing through the air before striking the bullseye with flawless precision.

Sorayah lingered a few paces behind him, her feet rooted to the spot. The memory of their kiss flashed in her mind with vivid intensity, sending an involuntary warmth to her cheeks. She bit her lip unconsciously before shaking herself from the moment.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Your Highness," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "You said we would continue training this afternoon. I’m free now."

"I see," Dimitri murmured, not looking at her just yet. He released his last arrow, letting it strike the center of the target. Only then did he lower his bow and turn to face her.

"But we can’t train within the palace walls," he said calmly. "There are too many eyes. And now... you have enemies, just as I do."

He gestured toward a nearby bench and sat down, stretching his legs. "We’ll train tonight when the world is quieter. For now, let’s talk."

He’s going to talk about the kiss too? Sorayah thought as she swallowed hard.

"What shall we talk about, Your Highness?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, feigning confusion. "

"About you," he said softly. "Let’s talk about you, Sorayah." Dimitri replied with seriousness etched in his tone.

Her brows furrowed. She hadn’t expected that.

"What do you want to know about me, Your Highness?" she asked, folding her arms with a faint smirk that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"How are things in the Alpha Emperor’s quarters?" Dimitri asked, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Is he treating you well... or harshly?"

Sorayah blinked at the question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I asked," Dimitri said, leaning forward. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine, of course. I’m under punishment....what else would I be?"

"You know what I’m really asking, Sorayah," Dimitri said firmly.

Without warning, he reached for her, his hands swift. He pulled her closer until her chest pressed against his, and their faces were inches apart. His eyes searched hers with quiet intensity.

"The Alpha Emperor... he’s developing feelings for you, isn’t he?" Dimitri asked, his voice low, almost pained. "And how are you coping with that?"

Sorayah scoffed and tried to pull back, but his grip was firm, though not forceful.

"You already know the answer, so why ask?" she said with a bitter chuckle. "The Alpha Emperor sees me as my dead twin sister....the one he loved. He keeps trying to get close to me... but it’s not me he sees."

Dimitri’s jaw tightened. His thumb brushed her cheek gently, almost absentmindedly.

"And do you wish... that he did see you?" he asked quietly. "Are you planning to get closer to him too?" Dimitri added, his gaze narrowing as he raised a brow.

Sorayah met his stare with a cool smirk. "Why do you care, Your Highness?" she replied, her voice laced with amusement. "Isn’t it every servant’s dream to become the Alpha Emperor’s woman? All it takes is a single night in his bed, and her life changes forever." Her eyes glinted with something unreadable. "We both know how this world works."

"I’m not talking about other maids," Dimitri snapped, his voice sharp with anger. "I’m talking about you, Sorayah."

His tone grew colder. "The Luna Empress already has her eyes on you. First, she tried to kill you and failed. Now she’s caught you in the Emperor’s bed. Do you really think you’ll escape death every time?" His voice dropped to a growl. "If you had started adding the medicine I gave you into the Emperor’s tea, he wouldn’t even be thinking about claiming you. He’d be too concerned about his deteriorating health."

Sorayah’s smirk faltered. She swallowed hard but held her ground.

Dimitri’s emerald eyes flared. "Have you forgotten? The Alpha Emperor is responsible for your family’s death. That alone should make you take any help I offer seriously. If you’re going to get close to him, it should be because of your revenge not because you’re developing feelings for him." His gaze pierced into hers.

Sorayah exhaled slowly. Then, in a quiet but firm tone, she said, "I see." Her blue eyes darkened as she raised her chin. "Then tell me something, Your Highness. Why did you kiss me?"

Dimitri stilled.

"It’s obvious it wasn’t about slipping pills into my mouth. You wanted to kiss me. So why did you do it?" Sorayah asked, her voice was steady, but there was a hint of vulnerability. "Don’t I deserve an answer?"

Her gaze sharpened. "You do realize killing you is also part of my revenge plan, don’t you? So if I’m going to get close to you, it should be for the same reason.. for vengeance." Her voice dropped to a near whisper. "We both know we’re not each other’s allies. You want the throne. I want blood. So why complicate things with something like a kiss?"

"We’ve both uncovered each other’s secrets," she continued. "You want to kill the Alpha Emperor, and I’ve agreed to help you. In return, you help me. But instead of sticking to that plan, you’re trying these ridiculous tricks...like kissing me. Why?"

Dimitri’s eyes fell to her lips. They were soft, parted slightly, and still glistening from the way she’d licked them earlier.

He inhaled, then finally said, "I like you."

The words hit Sorayah. She blinked, stunned, not sure she’d heard him right.

"I like you," he repeated, though his tone was more detached now, colder. "Because you’re good in bed."

Sorayah’s breath caught.

"You’re my sex slave, after all," he added cruelly. "So when I see you, I remember that night. The night I claimed you. And I’m just waiting to do it again."

Her heart pounded with fury and disbelief. "What?" she screamed internally, though her lips did not move.

That’s a lie. It had to be.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I won’t be your sex slave again, not after I complete my punishment. Even though the pregnancy was fake, the entire court believes it was real. They expect you to either make me a concubine or allow the Alpha Emperor to take me as compensation for the child I supposedly lost."

Her voice wavered but didn’t break.

"So tell me, Your Highness," she continued. "If you still see me as nothing more than a warm body in your bed, then why not let the Alpha Emperor claim me instead? Why not let him fall for me? It seems you don’t care either way."

Dimitri’s jaw tightened.

"I guess your focus is starting to shift now that you’ve spent time in the Emperor’s manor," he muttered. "Suit yourself. Becoming my concubine wouldn’t be much different from being a sex slave anyway."

His eyes flashed with hurt. "Get ready for tonight. We’ll train in secret."

With that, he turned and made for the training ground exit but a hand reached out, grabbing his.

He paused, startled.

"What now?" he asked, trying to mask the turmoil in his voice. Anger. Pain. Frustration. Something else, too....something deeper.

Sorayah took a shaky breath. "I need to confirm something for myself before you leave. I need an answer, and I want it directly from you."

"What is it?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

Instead of replying, Sorayah stepped forward, standing on her toes to meet his height. Her heart thundered in her chest.

Then, without another word, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

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