CHAPTER 65: NOT YOURS

With a single, sharp look from Alpha Lance, the elderly councilmen exchanged uneasy glances before bowing and filing out of the large room. Their footsteps echoed faintly against the stone floor until the heavy doors closed, leaving behind only the three brothers and Emira.

The sudden quiet felt heavy, almost suffocating to her.

Emira shifted her weight from one foot to the other, unsure of what was expected of her now.

Should she follow the elders out and disappear quietly, or should she remain here, waiting for one of the princes to dismiss her? The uncertainty made her heart pound faster.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a cold, commanding voice that cut through the silence like a blade.

"Come here, Omega."

Emira’s head shot up, startled. The Crown Prince had spoken. His black eyes were fixed on her, unreadable, yet filled with an authority that left no room for hesitation. She swallowed hard, nodded quickly, and took a step forward.

But before she could move further, a tall figure blocked her path.

Zen.

He stepped into her way with a lazy stance, but when he spoke, his voice was again tinged with anger. "What do you need her for?"

Emira froze mid-step, her heart stumbling in her chest. The tone was so unlike his usual teasing drawl that she blinked in confusion. Why was he angry? And why now? It reminded her of the night he had defended her in the courtyard. But that time, she knew he had cause to be angry. Why was he like this with his brother now?

She dared not lift her eyes for long, but in the space of that single glance she saw how the air between the two brothers had shifted. Tension crackled like sparks waiting to ignite.

But Emira did not waste more time wondering. She had already learned the hard way that hesitation before an Alpha’s order brought nothing good.

Even Alpha Soier, who had only been a mid-level Alpha, would not have tolerated such a delay once he had given an order. And this was not just any Alpha- this was the Crown Prince of Stormhold. The supreme Alpha.

Prince Zen might be able to stand against his brother, might even dare to refuse him openly. But she had no such right.

So instead of retreating, Emira bowed her head lower and carefully stepped around Zen. Every instinct in her screamed at her to move quickly before his displeasure became her punishment.

The closer she drew to the Crown Prince, the heavier the air felt. His dark eyes followed her every step, silent, unreadable, as though he were already weighing her worth.

Emira dropped to her knees before him, lowering herself completely until her forehead nearly touched the floor.

Her voice came out soft, "Your Majesty."

For a moment there was no sound at all. Then his voice descended, quiet yet absolute. "What is your name, Omega?"

Emira’s hands clenched against the stone as she answered, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to keep it steady. "Emira."

The Crown Prince’s dark gaze lingered on her bowed form, and his next words came out as sharp as steel.

"You want to be part of the Stormhold Pack?"

Emira’s throat tightened. She dared not raise her eyes, so she kept them lowered to the ground. Her fingers curled against the floor, and she forced herself to nod her head slowly. "Yes, Your Majesty," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

But before she could say more, another voice cut through the air.

"Brother."

Prince Zen’s tone was lighter than before, though there was a thread of irritation beneath the lazy drawl. "I really am too tired. You can interrogate her later. Come on, little fire."

"You can go Zen. Rest." Alpha Lance said slowly, not even showing the slightest bit of annoyance at being interrupted..

Emira swallowed her fear. If Prince Zen, the little fear she had kept at bay would return. She didn’t know why, but of the three Princes, she trusted him the most.

Thankfully, Prince Zen did not leave. Instead, he sauntered back to his chair and sat with a slow, lazy grace, leaving Emira facing all three of them.

She kept her gaze low, palms flat on her knees, awaiting her next order. Unknown to her, Prince Zen watched her with half-closed eyes, amusement and something sharper mixed together.

Prince Kael remained still and silent, an unreadable shadow at the edge of the room, as if just waiting for his next orders.

Prince Lance, however, rose without a word.

He walked down the two short steps that led to the floor where she knelt and Emira watched his black shoes stepping closer. He stopped a pace away and waited, as if considering what to do next.

Emira’s breath came in shallow pulls. She felt small and exposed, but she could not look away. Not when he was so near.

Lance reached out and lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers. His hand was cool, making her look up at him.

When her eyes met his, the world narrowed to the black depths of his stare. For a moment, she thought she might drown in them. There was no warmth there. There was a slow, calculating calm. She felt her limbs tremble. Her thoughts scattered like dry leaves in wind... His gaze was hypnotic and scary...

His voice was soft when he spoke, but still, Emira could feel a killing intent, "You do not bare your neck to me. You want to challenge me?"

She had to force herself to answer. The question felt absurd and enormous at once. Why would she challenge the Crown Prince? How would she dare to do that...

Jolted from the trance of his gaze, she obeyed without thinking. Her chin dropped. She leaned forward and bared the hollow of her throat to him.

His fingers came up and rested over the mark at the base of her neck and she felt the neck there beginning to throb. The touch sent a cold shiver along her spine.

Prince Lance’s face did not change. He held her for a long beat and then let go, before turning back, "Tomorrow," he said, and the single word carried both decree and dismissal. "She can join the pack."

He turned then, climbing back up the steps with the same slow, unhurried gait. "You may leave. Zen, take her."

Without waiting for a second time, Prince Zen jolted from his seat and said," Come, little fire..." Emira nodded and then with a bow towards the crown Prince, walked out behind the Prince, leaving the other two sitting there.

It was only as the door closed behind her that Prince Lance spoke again. " She is trouble, Kael. Better to get rid of her soon."