CHAPTER 58: RIDING

"We’ll stay here for tonight. Tomorrow, we will reach the pack."

Emira nodded quickly, her head bowed low, and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Every step was a battle. Her lower body felt as if it had been beaten into the ground, crushed under weight and pressure she was not made to bear. Her legs trembled, her thighs screamed with soreness, and the muscles along her calves burned with every movement.

The long hours of riding-nearly eight without proper rest-had worn her down completely. Her thighs and legs ached from being pressed tightly against the saddle seat for so long, and her backside throbbed not only from the ride but also from the ’interrogation’ that Prince Kael had so mercilessly put her through earlier. It felt as though the pain overlapped, one wound piled on top of another, until she could hardly tell where one ended and the other began.

Taking a single step felt like dragging her body through thick mud. Every time she shifted her weight, a fresh wave of soreness jolted through her, making her stumble. The only reason she hadn’t collapsed already was sheer willpower. If she let herself fall, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to get back up again.

What she wanted, more than anything else at this moment, was to lie down—anywhere, on a bed, on the floor, even on cold stone—and sink into the sleep her body so desperately craved. Her eyes burned with exhaustion, her shoulders slumped, and she could feel herself swaying as she walked.

She found herself wondering, almost bitterly, how the humans managed it. They were the ones who had created this strange machine, the way of travel that felt more like punishment than progress.

Even though her body healed slower than an alpha’s or a beta’s, it was still far better than the fragile bodies of humans. If even she felt this broken, how could humans endure this kind of torment daily without collapsing? The thought puzzled her but before she could give it much thought, Prince Kael’s sharp voice cut through them like a blade.

"Stop."

The single word froze her mid-step. Her breath caught, her heart skipped, and her back straightened against her will. She turned slightly, uncertain if he wanted to question her again or issue another order. Her mind scrambled for what answer she might need to give.

But then his next words fell, and her whole body stiffened.

"Take off your clothes."

For a moment, she could not move. The air itself seemed to stop. Her head jerked up at once, her wide eyes locking on his cold, unreadable face.

Her first thought struck her with brutal force- did he want her? Did he mean to take her here, now, without warning when she didn’t even have the strength to fight? A shiver of fear shot through her chest, curling like ice down her spine. No. No... He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. She tried to convince herself, but her body betrayed her, trembling under his gaze.

Her lips parted, but no sound came. She only stared at him, unable to hide her shock. The longer her silence stretched, the darker his expression grew.

"I don’t like repeating myself," Prince Kael growled in a voice tinged with impatience.

The sound cut through her, and Emira’s heart pounded wildly, fear and confusion twisting inside her chest. She was not in heat. She didn’t... but then another thought hit her. So what if she was not in heat? Her body belonged to him...

Trembling, she forced her stiff hands to move. Her fingers fumbled clumsily with the top button of her dress. Each small click of the fabric loosening felt unbearably loud in the silence. She kept her head bowed, her hair falling over her face to shield her from his gaze. Her hands shook, the ache in her arms from holding the reins all day making every movement heavier, slower.

However, her speed seemed to dissatisfy Prince Kael who lost his patience. By the time she had reached the third button, a low growl rumbled in his chest.

Before she could understand what was happening, his hand shot forward. With one harsh pull, the fabric tore apart under his strength, buttons scattering to the ground. Emira let out a startled gasp, clutching the ruined cloth to her chest to cover her nakedness, but he gave her no chance to resist.

Strong arms scooped her up as if she weighed nothing. Her sore legs dangled helplessly as he carried her with long, unyielding strides. Panic spiked in her chest, sharp and wild.

"Wait—" her voice cracked, trembling, "No—"

Her eyes darted toward the bed looming in the corner of the room. She stiffened, her nails digging into his arm as she struggled weakly. Terror flared in her throat. She wouldn’t be able to fight him. Fight this fate.

She drew in breath to scream, to fight, even to beg him to not do this, but the man did not stop at the bed, instead carrying her past it. Her eyes widened as she stared at him wondering where he was taking her, but in the next second, he pushed open a door and walked into the bathroom.

Before she could protest or ask him what was going on, he bent down and, without the slightest care for her shock, dropped her into the water where steam arose from the bathtub. The heat surged around her in an instant, making her gasp and flail as she tried to steady herself.

The heat wrapped around her instantly, sinking into her sore muscles, soothing the ache that had been clawing at her body all day. The shock of the warmth made her gasp, as she sat trembling in the bath, her hands clutching the edges, her eyes wide as she looked up at him.

"Sit there and don’t fall asleep. If you want to be able to walk tomorrow, so you will soak for at least thirty minutes." He then bent down and pushed a hand into her hair as he made her look up..."Don’t. Fall. Asleep."

Emira nodded, wide- eyed as she watched Prince Kael walk out of the bathroom.