Bloodbound to the Beastly King

Adina stepped into the room, lips between her teeth as she tried to steady the tray in her hands. Thorne looked up from what he was doing, and his face relaxed on seeing her. He leaned back against the chair, watching her walk towards him.

"You asked for tea, my king," she said quietly, dropping the tray on the table.

"I did."

Adina had no words left to speak. She carefully took the small kettle and poured the hot water into the cup, while trying her best to ignore Thorne's gaze on her. She could feel his eyes on her, watching her.

It was unnerving, and yet… she liked it.

After she was done with the tea, Adina picked up the tray and turned to leave, but she didn't get to.

No— Thorne held her back, his hand wrapped around her wrist. Her gaze fell to it, and she looked back at him. "Your majesty…"

Thorne didn't reply, his gaze was stuck on his hand wrapped around her wrist. Eventually, he looked at her and gave a small smile.

"Don't leave… not yet," he said.

Adina's brows furrowed slightly. "Your majesty…"

Thorne looked away for a brief second, then back at her. "I did something…" he began, confusing her even more.

Why was he telling her he did something?

"My king…"

"What happened in Blood Crest shouldn't have happened. I took you there for the festival, to see you in a different light. I should've protected you. I didn't do enough and—" he shook his head, letting the words die.

Adina couldn't believe her ears. Was Thorne blaming himself for what happened? How was this even possible?

"I didn't do enough, and you were forced to cover up for something that should've never happened," he paused for a second. "I'm sorry."

Adina blinked. What in the gods' name was happening? The king was apologizing to her? For not protecting her? No—she had to be dreaming, but even so— this couldn't happen in her dream.

Adina opened her mouth to speak, to tell him he had nothing to apologize for. It wasn't his fault she listened to a stranger and went off to some private place. It wasn't his fault Radek was a creep.

A knock interrupted her, and she paused, seeing how Thorne's persona changed. He didn't look like the man who'd seemed remorseful for something that wasn't his fault. No— now he looked deadly serious.

Adina stiffened slightly, her grip on the tray tightening. It was time to get out of here. Just as she was about to pull her wrist from his grasp.

"Come in," he called for the person to come.

The door opened slowly, and the person stepped into the room.

Adina's face went pale at the sight of the very man who had her pinned against the wall. Radek. Her body went rigid with fear.

Radek stepped into the office, looking less like an alpha and more like a pathetic little runt. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Adina standing next to Thorne, his gaze dropping to his hand holding hers.

He forced a smile on his face. "Your Majesty," he greeted, dropping to one knee, head bowed in a show of respect?

Thorne didn't seem impressed, though. He merely glanced at Adina, seeing her look as pale as a ghost. He squeezed her hand slightly, letting her know he was there and Radek couldn't do a thing.

Radek moved to stand but stopped.

"I didn't say you could stand, did I?" The king's voice boomed through the walls. Radek glanced at him, a little shocked. He forced a smile on his face again. "Forgive my ignorance, your majesty. I'll stay on my knees for as long as you require."

Thorne hummed, and just then the door opened again, this time Councilman Carter stepped in alongside Caelum, Mason, and Veronica.

All of their eyes fell on the Blood Crest Alpha who was currently on his knee. Carter's face turned red. "Your majesty, don't you think this is too—"

"Interrupt me again, Carter, and I shall have his head," Thorne spat out darkly. "Don't test my patience."

Adina swallowed hard where she stood; she wished the ground would open and swallow her. She looked down, unable to face anyone in the room.

Thorne stared at Carter, who went silent, his jaw clenched tight. He bowed. "My apologies," he muttered tightly.

Thorne's gaze shifted to the man on his knees. "I'm sure you're aware why you've been summoned here today. Is that right?"

Radek nodded, "Yes, my king."

"And what do you have to say to this?"

Radek took a moment then looked at Adina, "Adina," he began.

Adina, who'd been staring at the floor, stiffened on hearing her name from his mouth. Oh, how she hated it. She looked at him, surprised to see him staring at her.

"I want to apologize for my insensitive and inappropriate behavior towards you. You were a guest in my pack, and you were with the king. I didn't treat you with the…" he paused, glancing back at Carter, whose gaze was stuck on Adina. He swallowed again and looked back at her. "I didn't treat you like a guest, and what I did was completely inexcusable. I'm truly sorry."

Adina said nothing.

She didn't nod. Didn't blink. She just stared at Radek, gaze flat, unmoved. His apology slid off her like oil on stone. What was she supposed to say? It's fine?

It wasn't fine.

And so she said nothing. For the first time, she didn't feel scared or anxious. She felt nothing.

She glanced at Thorne, and that seemed to be all he needed. He looked at Mason, who immediately understood what he meant and then let go of her hand.

Adina stepped out of the room as quickly as she could, with Mason behind her. And when she stepped out, she inhaled deeply.

The air wasn't as suffocating as it was in there.

Silence engulfed the air; nobody spoke up, all of them waiting for Thorne. Thorne stood up, his gaze on Radek, heavy.

"That was a bullshit apology, but I expected nothing less from you," he began.

"Your majesty—" Carter rushed out, the smirk he'd worn earlier when Radek was speaking now gone.

"My king—" Radek blurted.

"That's enough," Thorne snapped irritably. "You were summoned here not just for your disgusting behavior with Adina but your crimes with your pack and the realm."

At this, the three of them stiffened. Carter had expected the councilmen to be there for this one, but… Thorne clearly had something else in mind.

"I won't let your insolence go on any further. You will be punished for the crimes you've committed, Radek."

Councilman Carter's eye twitched with anger, and he took a bold step forward. "My king, you can't make a decision without—"

"Without the council's approval?" Thorne finished for him, his voice dangerously calm. His gaze sharpened. "Let me remind you of something, Carter."

He stepped forward once.

"I am the king of the realm. My word is law. The council advises. I decide."

The silence that engulfed the room was so loud.

Carter's mouth opened, but he wisely said nothing. His daughter stood like a statue behind him, her face pale, lips tight. Veronica didn't dare speak. She wasn't even meant to be here but had begged her dear father.

"You're right, though," Thorne said, turning just slightly toward the window, hands clasped behind his back. "I won't punish him without formality."

"My king…." Carter said, his voice much calmer.

"But I can hold him in detainment until the council hearing."

Radek's eyes widened. "Detainment?"

"Yes," Thorne said simply. "You'll remain in the dungeon. No access to the outside. No visits. You'll sit with the consequences of your actions until the council is ready to deliberate. After which, I will give my ruling, regardless of whatever they decide."

"That's not—"

"I told you," Thorne cut in again, his voice deadly. "Speak again without permission and I will remove your tongue. I'm giving you a final warning as the head councilman."

Radek's mouth snapped shut.

Carter looked like he'd just been slapped.

Then Thorne shifted his attention to him, eyes narrowing. "And if I hear one whisper, just one—that you've tried to interfere with this process, you will be removed from your position as head councilman. You and your entire bloodline."

"Your majesty! I have served you. I have defended you! I have been a loyal subject to you. Will you really humiliate me and my household this way?"

"You have also made a man unworthy to be Alpha of your pack," Thorne snarled. "Make no mistake, Carter. You have been loyal, you have served me because that's your duty! As a member of Obsidian. Your loyalty lies with your king! That's the first rule you learn as a councilman."

His chest heaved, and he glanced at Caelum, who had stayed quiet all this while. "Lock him up until his fate is decided." He ordered.

In seconds, two guards stepped into the room and guided Radek out of the room, his gaze never leaving Carter for even a moment.

Once the door was shut, Thorne glanced at the councilman who looked betrayed. "You're excused."

The other bowed stiffly before leaving with his daughter.

Thorne exhaled the moment they left, turning to face the window. He heard Caelum's footsteps shuffle slightly.

"Radek in the dungeon? We do not have enough evidence to make the council keep him there for longer."

Thorne hummed, turning to face the beta. "We don't. But we do have enough to make them feel the heat. Carter's been running a little too wild these days. He needed a reality check and now…" He smirked, "I can find out what exactly they need my sperm for."

________

Carter stormed out of the palace, Veronica and his beta hot on his heels. He halted in his steps, turning to face his daughter. "Go get your sister. She leaves now!" He ordered.

Veronica nodded quickly then turned away, walking towards the main entrance.

Carter ran his hand through his hair. Thorne had deceived him. There was no hint of him detaining Radek yesterday, but today, he hijacked him.

He made them walk into a trap. Fucking bastard.

Carter turned to his beta. "What's his connection to the slave girl?" He asked.

"She's his personal maid," the beta replied.

Carter scoffed, personal maid? He thinks back to the moment the two had shared after Radek's stupid apology. "That girl is not just a personal maid. She means more to him. Find out exactly what they have together."