Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Wait Until We Are Alone
Phoebe’s POV
Terror clawed at my chest, a familiar companion that had haunted me through every nightmare I’d lived. No matter how many times fear wrapped its icy fingers around my throat, I never grew numb to its bite.
When the king strode toward the car, dread twisted in my gut like a living thing. But beneath the terror, something else stirred—anticipation that made my skin burn with shame.
My fingers found the mark on my neck before I could stop myself. I jerked my hand away, lacing my fingers together and fixing my stare on the seat ahead. Stay quiet. Don’t breathe wrong. Don’t give him a reason to end you.
This could be my escape from the Obsidian Claw pack’s hell. Or it could drag me somewhere infinitely worse.
The moment Perry slid into the car, the air turned electric. His presence hit me like a physical force, drowning my senses until I couldn’t think straight.
My hands felt clumsy and wrong. I clutched my backpack like a shield, pressing myself into the seat as if I could disappear into the leather. The space between us—less than a meter—might as well have been nothing. His scent invaded my lungs, rich and dangerous, making my wolf whimper with need.
I wanted to press my face against his chest and breathe him in until I forgot my own name.
The thought terrified me more than anything.
The car pulled away from the driveway, and suddenly he was there, looming over me, stealing every inch of space until I could barely breathe. His presence crushed down on me like a storm.
Up front, his royal beta Flynn watched us through the rearview mirror, curiosity sharp in his eyes.
"What is it? You’re not happy?" Perry’s voice was silk over steel. He leaned closer until his face hovered inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. I kept my eyes down, knowing the rules that kept me breathing.
Eye contact meant challenge. Challenge meant death.
"Look at me when I’m talking to you." His tone dropped, annoyance threading through the command like a blade.
When his hand moved toward my cheek, I flinched hard. Still, I couldn’t make myself meet his gaze.
"Look at me." The demand came sharper this time. I could feel his rage building, could smell it in his scent.
"Yes, my king. I... I am happy." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.
His scoff cut through me. Then his palm pressed against my chest, right over my hammering heart. "I don’t think so."
My heart betrayed me, pounding so hard I was sure he could feel it through my ribs. Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the car’s AC blasting cold air.
I wanted to shrink into nothing. His presence overwhelmed every sense until I couldn’t catch my breath, couldn’t think beyond the panic clawing up my throat.
"Fuck you." The words hit like a slap. His eyes burned with disgust as he stared down at me. "Wait until I get you for myself, and we’re alone."
Alone.
The word shattered something inside me. My teeth chattered as I bit down hard, trying to stop the tremors. I gripped my dress with white knuckles, head bowed in submission.
Kevin had used that same word. Before he’d torn me apart.
Would the king become another nightmare? The thought made bile rise in my throat.
Perry caught every tremor, every flinch, and his fury only grew hotter. But before he could strike, Flynn’s voice cut through the tension.
"We managed to secure two cities," he reported, his words pulling the king’s attention to the war against Valerium Kingdom.
Relief flooded through me as Perry finally pulled back, giving me space to breathe again. But when he glanced at my obvious relief, his jaw ticked with barely contained rage.
I must have dozed off at some point. The car’s stillness woke me, and for a confused moment, I thought I was back in my tiny room at the pack house.
Then I saw him.
Perry sat beside me, watching with an expression I couldn’t read. Reality crashed back—the selection, the car ride, the promise of being alone with him.
I dropped my gaze immediately.
"Get out!" His growl made me jump. He stormed from the car, leaving me behind like discarded trash.
Clutching my backpack, I stumbled out after him. But he was already gone, leaving me standing there with Flynn and the warrior who’d driven us. Lost.
Flynn stared after his king, clearly as confused as I was. When he turned to me, his expression held no warmth.
"Come with me."
I lifted my head just enough to follow him toward the palace, my legs shaking with every step.
