Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 97: Lose control?

Chapter 97: Lose control?

Belle wanted to ask what was wrong, but she heeded his warning, keeping her distance and granting him the space he needed. Watching him struggle like this made her heart ache, yet she knew there was nothing she could do.

His confession echoed in her mind, and panic set in at the thought of being tied down. What would it feel like?

She knew nothing of Hezekiah’s past in bed, nor had she ever thought to ask. Her only intention had been to share one night with him, just enough to conceive. But seeing him like this stirred a curiosity she had never entertained before.

Was this how he had been with the women before her? Tying them down? It sounded rough, almost violent, yet no rumors had ever surfaced of a woman being harmed by the king during his affairs. If no one had died beneath him, then perhaps... it wasn’t dangerous.

The thought unsettled her. Unable to bear his torment any longer, she spoke.

"Hezekiah... you can tie me down if you want."

His head snapped up, golden eyes locking onto her in question.

"Do you even know what that entails?" His voice was low, edged with restraint. "You will sustain injuries. And if I lose control..." He exhaled sharply, jaw tightening. "You may not be able to walk come morning."

A lump formed in her throat. The warning sent a chill through her, making her rethink her offer.

"I..." she hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"Leave." His command was sharp, firmer than she had ever heard him speak to her. "Before I lose control of my wolf."

Belle stiffened.

"If I leave now, what assurance do I have that this won’t happen again?" She pressed.

His response was swift. "It won’t."

Before she could argue, he turned toward the door.

She watched him, frustration simmering beneath her skin. Then, just as his hand reached for the handle, she demanded, "What are you hiding from me?"

He paused.

For a moment, she thought he might answer. But without a word, he stepped out, shutting the door behind him.

Silence filled the room.

Fury bubbled inside her, not because he hadn’t mated with her, but because after all this time, he was still keeping secrets from her. How had he managed to suppress his wolf for a year, only to lose control now? Then a thought struck her. Had he always struggled to control it?

They had never shared so much as a hug during the one year of her stay in the castle, so if he had difficulties suppressing his urges, she would have never known.

Gritting her teeth, she stormed out of his chambers, uncaring of the fact that she was half-dressed.

She moved swiftly through the corridors, thankful that the servants had retired early for the night due to the mating ceremony. There was no one around to witness her disheveled state.

Upon reaching her chambers, she pushed the door open and shut it behind her with an exasperated sigh.

The room was dark. She groaned, realizing the maids had likely extinguished the candles under the assumption that she would be spending the night with the king.

Navigating her way to the bedside candle stand, she fumbled until her fingers brushed against a match. Striking it, she lit the candle, the warm glow flickering to life.

Just as she turned away— A figure loomed before her. A shadow in the dim light. A presence she had not sensed until this very moment.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Then—

"AHHHH!!!"

A bloodcurdling scream tore from her lips.

"Shush." A finger pressed against her lips, silencing her.

Belle frowned as realization struck.

Quinn.

Fury flared in her chest. She yanked his hand away and spat, "What are you doing in my room?"

Her voice dripped with anger, yet he ignored the question entirely.

"Why do I feel like the mating didn’t go well?"

The remark sent a chill through her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"I have no idea what you mean. Leave." She turned away, lying through her teeth.

Before she could take another step, she was suddenly lifted off the ground and thrown onto the bed.

"Are you nuts!!" she flared, pushing herself up, only for him to pin her down, his body hovering over hers.

"Get off me!" She shouted, but Quinn only smirked, as if eager to provoke her further.

"You didn’t know about his sexual habits, did you? How did it feel watching your husband lose control?"

His words hit a nerve, and her frown deepened.

"You knew." Her voice was laced with accusation. "And you never told me? What right do you have to question me?"

"We had a deal." His voice was calm, almost too calm, making her heart wane in uncertainty. Then he added, "I was to stay away from you. And it was the worst decision I ever made."

A smirk curled his lips as he finished speaking.

Belle’s breath hitched.

"So that’s why you said those things to me?" She asked, recalling their tense encounter in the corridor after her recovery.

"No." He met her gaze, unwavering. "I did that to see if I could let you go."

Silence settled between them.

"But I obviously couldn’t." His voice dipped lower. "So I have decided..."

"Decided what?" She asked, her tone unexpectedly softer.

"To make you mine again."

Before she could react, his lips crashed against hers. Belle stiffened. She hadn’t expected it.

The moment she grasped what was happening, she bit down on his lip, forcing him to recoil with a sharp intake of breath.

"Get off me!" She yelled, shoving him until he finally relented.

Quinn wiped his bleeding lip, but instead of retaliating, he asked, "Can you endure two months in a harsh environment?"

The sudden question caught her off guard. She turned to him, eyes narrowed.

"I endured far worse in your estate," she responded coldly.

He didn’t argue. He couldn’t. They both knew how much she had suffered at Izabella’s hands, how cruel it must have been, carrying his child in such a place.

A heavy silence settled between them.

Belle sighed in frustration. "Why do you ask?"

"You will find out soon enough. Just be prepared." His gaze was unreadable. "It’s the only way I can protect you. Your father will stop at nothing to get you out of this castle."

Confusion flickered in her eyes.

"What are you saying? Tell me what’s going on. Where do I have to go?" The exhaustion in her voice was undeniable.

"You will get to know." He insisted, and she lost it.

Dropping her hand to her forehead, she let out a shaky breath.

"Why is everyone keeping secrets from me? Do you all think I am a child who needs to be kept in the dark? Why does everyone make decisions for me?"

Her voice cracked, frustration mounting, tears threatening to spill.

"It’s getting more and more unbearable!"