The scent of roasted meat filled the air before Adina even saw the tray. Her stomach twisted in response, part hunger, part nausea. She sat up, propped against pillows, Thorne's oversized shirt swallowing her thin frame.

The door creaked open, and a maid stepped in, balancing a silver tray. But it wasn't just any maid.

Adina stilled.

It was the taller of the two slave girls who'd attacked her in the yard, Megan.

The girl froze too, clearly not expecting to find Adina. Her eyes widened before narrowing with contempt.

"You?" she spat, setting the tray down harder than necessary. "Gods, you're shameless."

Adina clenched her jaw, saying nothing.

The girl crossed her arms. "Sleeping with the king now, are we? That's how you do it? Sell your body and land yourself in the Alpha's bed?" She snorted. "You're filth. But I'll admit, this is a new low, even for you."

Adina glared hard at her. "I suggest you watch your—"

Megan scoffed. "You suggest I what? You bitch! Tell me, how did you do it? Sneaking your way into the king's bed… You really are a whore."

Adina's fingers curled around the sheets. "Shut up."

Megan laughed mockingly, "Why? Touched a nerve?" She paused, wrapping her arms around her chest as she looked at Adina up and down. "You're even wearing his clothes. You're such a shameless bitch! I wonder how you did it. Must be why you have an attitude with us. You really think you're better than the rest of us, don't you?"

She leaned in, eyes filled with malice. "Tell me, how'd you do it? Did you crawl into his bed after everyone went to sleep? Spread your legs and beg like the traitorous little bitch you are? Must've been quite the performance to make the King overlook the fact that you're a filthy slave just like the rest of us."

"Get out!" Adina snapped.

But the maid leaned in closer, smirking. "He'll toss you away soon, you know."

The door swung open behind her, and she jumped back and turned.

Thorne stood in the doorway, eyes cold and unreadable. The moment Adina's gaze locked with his, something surged inside her.

Mate.

The voice was calm, fierce, and achingly familiar. Adina blinked, her lips parting. Her wolf. Her wolf was back. After everything, the pain, the mark, the silence…her wolf was finally back.

Thorne didn't spare Megan a glance. "Out," he said flatly, and the girl bowed stiffly and fled.

Adina jumped to her feet, still weak from all that's happened. Her heart pounded hard in her chest; she was feeling everything at once.

She looked up at Thorne, and whatever flicker of hope stirred in her chest was crushed by the look in his eyes.

She curled into herself, his words from the morning echoing in her head. 'I'm not your alpha.'

Thorne cocked an eyebrow up, and she immediately looked down, her heart racing. He stepped forward, stopping right in front of her.

His gaze flickered from her hair, face, and body. His Lycan throbbed beneath his skin at the sight of her in his clothes. Her scent assaulted his senses.

He clenched his jaw hard, forcing his thoughts to stay still. His gaze flickered to the mark on her neck, and his hands curled into a tight fist.

"That mark on your neck…" he began, voice hoarse and gruff. It sent a shiver down Adina's spine.

Thorne stepped closer, eyes cold. "No one," he said, "must ever know about the bond between us."

Adina looked at him, startled. "W-what?"

"You will cover your neck every day. You will live as you've done and will never speak of what happened yesterday. I will never acknowledge you as my mate. Never."

His words were like a punch to the gut. Adina stared at him, numb. He will never acknowledge her as a mate.

Without waiting for a response, Thorne turned to leave but doesn't, not with Adina holding him back.

"Wait—" she whispered, and her hand shot out, fingers brushing his wrist.

Thorne paused. He turned slowly, his gaze dropping to where her hand touched him.

Realizing what she'd done, Adina yanked her hand back like she'd been burned.

"I—sorry," she stammered, voice cracking. "I just… I need to know."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Why? Why did you mark me if you didn't want me?"

Thorne's face darkened. His silence stretched long enough to make her regret asking…but then he finally spoke up.

"None of what happened yesterday was my will."

Adina flinched.

"If I had a choice," he said coldly, "I wouldn't even look at you." He stepped closer, the cold in his eyes crueler than anything she'd ever seen. "Do you really think I'd choose you? A murderer?" His lip curled. "You killed your Alpha's heir. Do you think anyone would want that as a mate?"

The tear that had been clinging to her lashes slipped down her cheek. She staggered back as if he'd struck her.

Thorne's gaze flicked to the mark on her neck, then to her trembling fingers clutching the edge of the bed.

Without another word, he turned and walked out.

________

"She was where?" Elara's voice cracked with shock.

Megan, who had rushed in with new information, fidgeted under her gaze. "In the king's chambers. I saw her. Lying in his bed. Wearing his clothes."

Elara's breath stilled in her chest. "You're sure?"

Megan nodded quickly, "She even had food brought to her like she was royalty. I told her off for it too. I told her she's nothing but a whore clinging to power—"

"Shut up!" Elara snarled, and the girl flinched and shut her mouth.

Elara turned away, biting down on her lower lip so hard she tasted blood. Her thoughts spun violently. Adina. In Thorne's room.

Adina. In his bed.

She paced around, hands clenched into fists. "What the hell is going on? Why? What is she to him? Why the hell does she get to wear his clothes? Why is she in his room at all?"

"You still don't get it, do you, Elara?" A new voice said, and Elara paused.

She turned around only to find Thessara standing by the doorway.

"Aunty Thessara," Elara whispered as Thessara stepped into the room, glancing at Megan, who quickly rushed out.

"What do you mean by that? What am I not getting?" Elara rushed out.

Thessara chuckled, seeing Elara panic like this. She shook her head. "What is the salve girl to the king?" She paused, smirking. "She's his second chance at redemption. Adina is the king's mate."