Chapter 19: Calm..

Words : 1341 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 19: Calm..Zavren moved. His body turned in a swift motion, his hand catching the arrow just inches from his chest. His lips curled into a smile, clearly intrigued, as he watched the bow fall from Ariana’s hand. She hadn’t meant to let go—at least, it didn’t seem like she had wanted to. His bored expression lit slightly. Ariana stood frozen in shock, her lips parting slightly in fear and astonishment. The very thing she had gotten angry at Zethan for doing... was exactly what she had almost done. Raven’s eyes flew wide open, his mouth parting in disbelief as he took a sharp step back. It had happened so fast—first he and the king were talking about something important, and then an arrow was shot straight at the king. Did she just try to shoot the Alpha King? For a second, he forgot how to breathe. "Your Highness..." he began, voice cracking as he tried to lighten the moment, "it seems your wife-to-be wants to see you dead before the wedd—" But his words died on his tongue the instant Zavren turned to him. Even though his eyes were devoid of emotion, it was even more scary than any emotion showed. Those grey eyes staring at him looked like they were burning his soul slowly. Raven quickly scratched the back of his neck, laughing nervously. If it was another person, he was sure they would have missed—but this was the king, His Majesty. "Your Highness, I will be taking my leave now," he said with a respectful bow before dashing out. He had no desire for his throat to become the next target practice—or warning. Ariana’s body remained still as Zavren turned toward her. To her surprise, his lips curled again into a smile wider—the kind that showed the trap the predator had finally set had worked, and now the prey had nowhere to hide or run. With each step he took closer, her heartbeat pounded louder. Every movement of his feet sounded like an easy access to death itself in her ears. What h... had she done? She had let her intrusive thoughts take over... She had nearly shot the Alpha King with an arrow. If punishment awaited her, she wouldn’t be surprised. She deserved it. Not to mention she was nothing more than a mere human with no wolf... Useless Oh, Ariana, what have you gotten yourself into? she screamed internally. What shocked her even more was how fast he had moved—how effortlessly he had turned and caught the arrow. There was no denying it would have pierced his back if he hadn’t reacted. It was like things like this were not new to him like this had happened countless times. Ariana’s body shivered slightly as he finally came to a stop in front of her. She lowered her gaze, trembling. She could not face him now. Was he going to punish her? Send her to the dungeon? Will she get whipped... Oh no... Zavren’s eyes glinted dangerously as he raised the arrow, the tip pressing gently against her chin, forcing her face upward. The cold steel against her skin made her shiver even more. "Is killing me part of your birthday wish, sweetheart?" he asked softly, his grey eyes dark and unreadable as they bore into hers. Ariana shook her head immediately, lips trembling. "If it is... try harder," he said with a hint of mockery. "Do you really think a mere arrow could kill an Alpha? Don’t be foolish—if you must do something, be smart about it." Her body stilled. Was he... advising her on a better way to kill him? W..What is wrong with this man? Zavren’s hand moved, lightly gripping her jaw. He lowered himself, leaning in until just a few more inches would bring their lips together. "I will punish you tonight, Snowflake," he murmured, voice low and firm. His gaze was so intense it made Ariana’s legs wobble. Her stomach twisted. What kind of punishment? What had she done to herself? Why would you let your body take control? Oh... She had to escape. She couldn’t allow herself to be punished by Zavren—not tonight, not ever. She didn’t mind leaving. It was better to find somewhere, anywhere, outside this castle. Even if it was still months away, she couldn’t imagine giving birth here. She couldn’t bear the thought of her child witnessing this madness. Ariana’s hands tightened around her dress, her teeth clenched together in rising panic. Zavren said nothing. He just stood there, silently watching her. His stillness, his silence—it was more unsettling than anger—not to mention he was so calm. Her breath caught as she slowly lifted her head to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked. He didn’t blink. Didn’t move. B..BADUM... BADUM. Ariana’s heart pounded fast and speedily as all emotion crashed like two magnets shattering glass. "You keep doing things that marvel me, hmm," he finally said, voice low and calm—too calm. "You already have a basket full of punishments... and yet, you keep adding more baskets, huh?" He moved to push a strand of her hair behind her but froze as Ariana flinched back, her both hands shielding her face as if she thought he wanted to slap her. Zavren’s face darkened in displeasure. Ariana’s face drained of color. "Go to your room," Zavren said quietly, his deep voice ringing blankly, his expression unreadable. Before Ariana could respond, he turned and began to walk away, his footsteps steady, composed. That calmness frightened her more than if he’d shouted. Was he angry with her? Anyone would be. And yet... he hadn’t raised his voice, hadn’t laid a hand on her. She had flinched, expecting a blow, but nothing came. ’Oh, Ariana,’ she scolded herself. ’Why did you flinch? He wasn’t going to hit you...’ Her steps were slow and heavy as she made her way down the hallway toward her room. She needed a plan. She had to leave this castle—tonight. Everything had spiraled out of control... and all because of a single smile. As she turned the corner into the hallway, her body froze at the sound of voices. "The mute lady—why is she even here? I heard she arrived yesterday during the ball. She’s a villager—the one who killed a man?" one maid scoffed. The group was supposed to be dusting the large, framed paintings along the corridor walls but it seemed they had found gossip more enlightening. "I don’t know why His Majesty went to such low lengths to bring a lowlife like her in," another added with venom. "And she’s even staying in his quarters? He never lets anyone in there. Not even me! Only the head maid. At least she’s not in his main chamber... but still." Then a third voice joined in. "We don’t even know if he’ll keep her around. I heard there’s a high chance he’s marrying Princess Sofia. She’s pregnant for him—with twins or is it triplets?" Ariana’s legs buckled slightly as she reached for the wall, holding it for support. Her heart pounded in her chest. P..Pregnant... with twins? Was Z... Zavren engaged? "Shh!" one of them hissed. "Did you hear that? Keep your voices down. What if someone’s coming?" A brief silence followed. Ariana slowly began to walk forward, her heart thundering. She needed to calm her head. She needed to go to her room. Her lips trembled slightly as she reached the group. They turned around, eyes widening when they saw her. Their bodies stiffened—except for one, who continued dusting with a smug smile. "What are you doing? Do you want your heads to roll? Bow! She might report us to the King!" one whispered harshly. The smug maid laughed. "And how’s she going to do that? Is she going to tell the King?" she asked sarcastically. "What if she heard what we said?" another murmured, beginning to panic. "And how is she going to hear it?" the first maid replied with a wicked grin. "She’s deaf and dumb."

Chapter 19: Calm..

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