Celine had carved out her secret training haven deep behind the ancient stone wall of the palace garden beyond the eastern gates. The area was hidden, it was an abandoned structure, long forgotten and overgrown, no one ever came here that's why she chose it.
She moved swiftly through the quiet palace corridors, she had memorized the route to her secret training ground. This was the only place where she could be herself, away from the cold stares and whispered insults.
The palace guards patrolled in patterns, and she had memorized them all. This wasn't the first time she had sneaked away to train, and it wouldn't be the last.
The palace loomed behind her, its towering walls casting long shadows across the land, but she barely spared it a glance. She had something more important to focus on.
Training.
Every morning, she pushed herself hard practicing her strikes, perfecting her dodges, and strengthening her body. She had learned that only through relentless practice could she hope to master the strange, raw power awakening within her. She couldn't afford to be weak, not in a kingdom where survival depended on power.
Today, her training felt different. A She persistent heat pulsed in her veins as if trying to break free. She pressed on striking at an imaginary opponent, her movements were precise and swift. She dodged, spun, and struck again. Sweat beaded on her forehead, she was pushing herself beyond her limits.
Then, everything changed. She wasn't alone.
Before she could react, something lunged at her. A glint of metal. A blade, fast and deadly.
She barely had time to spin, the dagger sliced through the air where she had stood seconds ago.
From the darkness, a group of three attackers emerged dressed in black leathers and armed with glinting blades. Their faces were hidden by masks. They circled her immediately. Whoever they were, they weren't ordinary thugs.
but their intentions were clear, she was the target, no guards,no witnesses.
Celine's mind raced.
Who had sent them? Her father?, Lady Rose? Or Lady Selene? No one should have known about this place. No one should have been able to follow her.
Her breath hitched. She realized she was outnumbered and unarmed in this secluded spot. Fear prickled along her skin, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of fierce determination. She had to defend herself. With a low growl of defiance she grabbed a fallen branch as her only weapon.
The first attacker lunged.
She twisted, using her momentum to strike his side. The staff connected with a sharp crack, and he staggered. But the second was already upon her. She gasped but forced herself to move, dodging the next blow just in time. Blood trickled down her arm but didn't let it slow her down.
She swung again faster, harder, but the third attacker caught her wrist, twisting it cruelly. Her staff fell from her grasp, landing in the grass.
Before she could react, the world erupted into chaos, a deep, guttural snarl echoed across. The trees trembled, the ground beneath her feet vibrated.
And then, out of the shadows it appeared from behind the attackers, a massive shape burst forth, a creature with eyes glowing a fierce gold and muscles rippling under thick, dark fur. It was Damian's wolf, the Alpha, untamed beast that had long been whispered about in hushed tones.
The attackers hesitated.
Then, a blur of darkness barreled into them.
Celine barely had time to register the massive creature before it was upon them.
Crack!
The first attacker barely had time to react before the beast slammed into him, sending him flying back into a tree.
The second turned to flee, but the creature was faster. Claws slashed, teeth snapped, and screams filled the clearing. The second attacker was thrown aside like a rag doll.
Thud!
His body hit the ground with sickening thud.
Celine's vision swam. The world tilted she barely managed to focus on the enormous beast standing before her, golden eyes, powerful and dangerous.
The last thing she saw before the darkness swallowed her was the creature moving toward her, its presence wrapping around her. Then, everything went black. Her body gave out before she could even comprehend what had happened.
Then, without warning, the creature's instincts took over. In one swift, almost tender motion, it scooped Celine into its massive jaws but not to harm her. Instead, it cradled her gently against its thick, warm fur lifting her off the ground.
…
Celine's first sensation was warmth, followed by the faint scent of something earthy, woodsy, and dangerously familiar.
Her eyelids fluttered, the world slowly coming into focus. She wasn't outside. She was in a room, dimly lit chamber with stone walls.
Her body ached, but the pain was distant, muffled. She shifted slightly, feeling something soft beneath her. A bed.
Then she realized, she wasn't alone. She turned her head, her breath catching in her throat.
Damian.
A shiver ran through her as she realized exactly where she was. She wasn't in her own chambers, she was in his.
He stood beside the bed, his broad shoulders rigid, his golden eyes burned with something she couldn't quite name.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, he moved. Slowly, he stepped closer.
"You're awake." His voice was rough but low.
Celine swallowed hard, her throat dry. "What… happened?"
Damian exhaled sharply, as if restraining something within himself. "You were attacked." His jaw tightened. "I found you before they could finish the job."
She frowned, struggling to piece together the memories. She recalled a blur of fur, the sound of a deep growl, and a powerful presence that had swooped in, "I saw… a wolf."
A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. "Did you?" His voice was carefully controlled.
Celine nodded slowly. "It saved me."
Something shifted in his posture. His hands flexed at his sides, as if fighting some unseen battle. Then, before he could question her further, he reached for her.
Celine tensed, but instead of hurting her, his fingers brushed lightly on her shoulder. The touch sent a jolt through her.
She inhaled sharply.
Damian froze. His expression darkened, his breathing suddenly heavier.
He was too close. Close enough that she could see the shadows beneath his eyes, the sharp line of his jaw, the way his lips parted ever so slightly.
His hand lingered a second too long before he pulled away, almost violently, as if burned.
The moment shattered.
His expression hardened, his fists clenching once more.
"This doesn't change anything," he bit out. "This cannot happen," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
The words stung, colder than the night air.
Celine flinched, but she forced herself to meet his gaze.
Then why did you save me? She wanted to ask. Why did you hold me?
But she didn't.
Instead, she watched as he turned on his heel, striding toward the door. He paused for the briefest moment, his fingers resting on the handle as if hesitating.
Then, without another word, he was gone.
The door shut behind him, leaving Celine alone in the suffocating silence.
She exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her chest where her heart still pounded.
What had just happened?
Her fingers curled into the sheets, her mind spinning. She stared at the empty space he left behind, her heart pounding, her skin still tingling from where he had touched her.
And for the first time since arriving in the Lycan Kingdom, she wasn't just confused, she was completely consumed.