Chapter 141: Chapter 141 A Wicked Satisfaction
Phoebe’s POV
I spent my time in the infirmary immersed in medical texts, drawn to the knowledge they contained. Every page bore notes from Marcela and Helen, evidence they’d studied these volumes repeatedly.
"You need rest, my lady," Marcela said, finding me buried in another book. She’d urged me to sleep, but I ignored her pleas.
Instead, I peppered her with questions about medicinal herbs. The subject fascinated me. Too bad I wasn’t a healer—I lacked any healing abilities.
When I finally returned to my bedroom that night, something felt off.
The silence seemed heavier. The bed looked too vast.
I’d grown accustomed to Perry sharing my bed during his illness. Now, staring at the empty space, loneliness crept through me like a chill.
Would he visit tonight? He’d come several nights running before this.
Or maybe palace business would keep him away. Too occupied to spare time for me...
The possibility deepened my melancholy. I hated wanting these feelings. It felt like self-betrayal, craving him.
Why did I want someone who’d caused me pain?
But another voice in my head countered: I’d hurt him too. I bore responsibility for that.
I collapsed onto the bed, clutching a pillow to my chest. My neck throbbed—a cruel reminder of Perry’s wrath.
He hadn’t inflicted the injury directly, but I’d suffered because of him. Still, hatred wouldn’t come.
In my warped mind, I didn’t despise the notion.
After all, it had been forever. I couldn’t remember the last time someone defended me. No memory of anyone going to such lengths for my sake. Not even my father, not anyone...
Yet Perry had.
Yes, he’d killed for it, but what did they expect? They were dealing with the Mad King.
It felt... satisfying, having someone rage on my behalf, especially when I was too frightened to show my own emotions.
Did this make me wicked too?
I didn’t know. Didn’t want to think about it. I pressed my face into the pillow, seeking sleep, but it eluded me. Perry’s scent still clung to the fabric.
I inhaled deeply.
I waited, hoping he might come as he used to, but midnight passed without any sign of him.
Exhausted, I finally drifted off. I wondered what occupied him now.
In my dreams, I saw a white wolf.
——
"I pledge my loyalty to you, my king. I offer my life to you and the queen," Alpha Wallace declared solemnly, terror threading his words. He pressed his forehead to the floor, begging forgiveness for his actions.
He’d remained in the palace instead of fleeing to his pack when given the chance, following Elder Tricia’s counsel.
Even if he reached his territory, he couldn’t escape death if the king decided to end him.
Worse, the king might dispatch royal warriors to execute him and assault his pack after finishing with the Obsidian Claw pack and other rebels.
So he’d heeded Elder Tricia’s advice, hoping to demonstrate good faith.
Still, the situation unnerved him. The king sat motionless on his throne, saying nothing, merely glaring.
Wallace recalled how Alpha Howard had frozen at life’s end, stunned by the king’s overwhelming presence.
That was the royal family’s unique power.
They could stop thoughts for a crucial moment.
A moment that decided life or death.
This ability was legendary across the realm, and now only King Perry wielded such dangerous force.
"Stand," Perry commanded, his voice resonating deeply, his stare piercing as if seeing straight through to souls.
Trembling, Alpha Wallace rose. His youthful face gleamed with sweat and terror. He didn’t dare raise his head.
"I don’t need your loyalty."
The statement made Wallace’s heart stutter.
He swallowed hard, waiting for the king’s next words.
"You lack conviction. Someone so easily swayed is no better than an enemy."
Perry tilted his head, watching the young alpha’s face drain of color. "Indecision and cowardice."
Wallace twisted his sweaty fingers.
He wanted to speak, but opening his mouth, he realized he had nothing to say.
"Why would I need someone like you?"
Perry lounged casually. His rage had cooled considerably. Without this mess, he’d be in decent spirits.
Unfortunately, trouble never tired of finding him.
"If not for my mate stopping me, you’d be feeding my wolf by now."
Perry rested his head in his hand.
Phoebe had asked him to spare this alpha. Perry intended to honor that request—he didn’t want to upset her further—but Wallace didn’t know this, and Perry would keep it that way.
"So tell me, why should I let you live?"
Suddenly, Alpha Wallace’s claws emerged, and he did something unexpected.
