Bloodbound to the Beastly King

Adina didn't even see her coming.

One minute she was talking to Kora while cutting vegetables, and the next, she cut her finger. A panicked Kira had immediately taken over the vegetables and asked her to leave the kitchen before she poured boiling soup on herself.

Adina didn't argue, she stepped out of the kitchen as she was told. She knew she was distracted, but who wouldn't be after what had just happened hours ago? Alpha Radek apologizing to her? On his knees?

That was one thing she hadn't seen coming. For the longest time, she thought Thorne blamed her for what happened… She thought he would blame her internally even if he didn't say it. Perhaps she still had a lot of things to unlearn from living in the Crystal Moon Pack and being Roman's mate.

She sighed as she walked through the hallway leading to the king's wing. She barely made it a step further as a hand shot out from nowhere and grabbed her.

Adina yelped as she was yanked into a room she'd never really paid attention to. Her back hit the wall with a dull thud, and she winced from the pain.

"What the—Lady Freya?" She shrieked, eyes wide with fear.

Freya stood before her, jaw clenched hard, eyes shooting daggers at the woman she had pinned against the wall.

"What did you do?" Freya spat out disgustingly, stepping closer to Adina.

Adina blinked, startled and confused. "What?"

Freya's eyes turned darker, and she gripped Adina's jaw tight, her fingers digging into her skin. "Does that… jog your memory? You filthy little thing," she snarled.

Adina struggled against her hold. It was rather shocking that a woman like Freya was this strong. "What are you talking about?" She managed to spit out, irritation building up in her.

Freya's lips curled into a bitter smirk. "So you've forgotten, huh? Just because you serve the king now, you've wiped your memory clean?"

"I don't know what you're talking about—let go of me," Adina tried to pull away, but Freya's grip didn't budge.

"What did you do with Radek, you fool!" She snarled, pressing her even more into the wall. "You seduced him and blamed him for this. Isn't that right? I know it's your type of scam. You seduced him because he's an alpha, and now you turn to the king and sob your eyes out to him. You accuse him of assaulting you," Freya spat out, not stopping. She continued, each word dropping from her lips like poison.

"You're a vile woman, Adina. Have you forgotten I know who you are? What you are capable of," she hissed out. "If you don't want me singing to the king like a damn songbird, then you better tell him you lied. Tell him Radek would never do anything to you. My father's name will not be tarnished all because of you! If you don't, I'll make sure the king learns about you—"

Adina's hand shot up. She didn't know what exactly snapped inside her, but in that moment, something shifted. Her fingers wrapped around Freya's wrist and yanked her hand away from her face, pushing the woman off. Freya stumbled slightly from the force.

"I said let go," she snapped.

Freya froze.

Adina's chest was rising and falling fast, her heart hammering like a drum in her chest. She was so done with this.

"Alpha Radek assaulted me, and that is all there is to it. I did not lie then, and I am not lying now. I will not be taking back my words because he did that to me," she gritted out.

"What?"

"You—I will not let you threaten me for this. I will not be taking back my words," she paused, shaking her head. "You think you know all that happened back in Crystal Moon, but you were only there for a day! You have no idea how my life had been before that."

Freya rolled her eyes. "Ah, yes. The classic victim blaming. Cassandra did tell me you were a master manipulator, and now I can see that for myself. Cut the bullshit, Adina. I know you! I know—"

"YOU DO NOT KNOW ME!" Adina yelled, the sound echoing through the room.

Freya's eyes widened in shock.

"You know nothing about me. You were there just for a day! One day, and you think you know it all. You think that gives you the right to threaten me. I may be nothing to you. I may be less than trash in your eyes, but I am a person, and I deserve even the littlest dignity as a person."

Freya's lips curled, and then she burst out laughing. She laughed so hard, her stomach hurt. "Dignity?" she said and laughed again, finally wiping a tear from the corner of her eyes.

"You're a slave, Adina. A murderous slave. What dignity are you talking about? What dignity does a thing like you deserve?" she shook her head like she couldn't believe what was coming out of Adina's lips. "You're so stupid. The king has given you the position of his personal maid, and you've forgotten all about who you used to be. Who you are? Do you think the king will retain a filthy thing like you by his side when he learns what you've done? Do you think he'll keep you at his side when he learns that you killed Cassandra's pup? That you k—"

"I did nothing to Cassandra! She attacked me first! She was going to kill me. I did what I did to survive. I also had my pup. She wasn't the only one who lost a child. I did too," Adina snarled, unable to bear the brunt of it anymore.

It was always this. Care about Cassandra. Talk to Cassandra. Give it to Cassandra. Cassandra's the daughter, you're not. Cassandra deserves it, you don't.

Adina panted hard, feeling something snap inside her. "I will not take back my words against Alpha Radek. I don't know what punishment he got, but judging from your reaction, I'd say it was pretty bad… and I am happy about it," she gritted out.

The door jerked open just as the word left her lips. Standing in front of it was Radek's mate, Veronica. And she looked like she heard it all.

Her gaze fell on Adina first, then her own sister. She didn't acknowledge Adina as she opened her mouth to talk.

"Excuse me," Adina said, not wanting to listen to their conversation or stay in Freya's presence any longer. She bowed curtly and stepped out of the room, walking as fast as her feet would carry her.

Veronica turned to her sister, her face ice-cold. "Pack your things. We're leaving."

Freya's head snapped up. "What? No!" She looked absolutely wrecked. "We can't leave yet—I haven't gotten what I came here for. The king—"

"The king is done with everything, concubine," Veronica snapped. "So shut up and do as you're told. Father's already outside, and he's furious. He doesn't need your whining on top of it."

Freya's jaw trembled, but she said nothing. She turned away stiffly but was stopped by Veronica. "What secret was Adina talking about?"

Freya turned to look at her, then shrugged. "That's for me to know. I don't see why you're asking. You have a lot more on your plate. Focus on holding that mutt you call a mate on a leash, and I'll mind my own business," she snapped before walking off, leaving Veronica fuming behind.

_________

Carter stood outside, wishing for his daughters to arrive. The beta stood before him, studying his face.

"My lord, perhaps we can—" he was cut off sharply.

"Gather the council," Carter said through clenched teeth. "There's to be an emergency meeting."

"An emergency meeting will disrupt the peace within the council. Perhaps it'll be wiser to wait till tomorrow. You think the king will execute Radek before we can interfere?"

Carter's eyes snapped to him. "It's an emergency because it's a God damn one. Their first-born daughters are all being shipped back to them like animals waiting for their masters. It is an emergency!" he snapped, pausing in his steps.

"Besides, I must control the narrative immediately. Radek's a mutt—but he's not useless. He knows too much. If Thorne keeps him locked up too long, he'll start talking. And once he talks—he's finished."

The beta hesitated. "If he talks, then perhaps he's already served his purpose. Especially after this incident he's pulled. Should you keep him under your wing anymore?"

Carter glared at him. "You don't get it. There's more to Radek than meets the eye. He's a ticking bomb. And I need that bomb to stay under my control. He can't be away from me for more than a week. It just can't happen."