Chapter 20: Chapter 20 The Sleeping Mad King
Phoebe’s POV
I had expected the room to be large, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Above me, a magnificent chandelier cast light across every corner, the space itself a declaration of wealth and authority.
The bed alone dwarfed the one I’d slept in back at the beta house—hell, it was even larger than the alpha’s.
This single room stretched at least three times the size of the alpha’s bedroom, maybe four. It was divided into separate areas: the first resembled a luxurious living space, complete with plush sofas, a television, and all the amenities I could imagine.
The design blended modern convenience with classic elegance, honoring tradition without sacrificing comfort.
The second section housed a study, where floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined an entire wall beside an imposing desk. Beyond that lay my sleeping quarters, complete with a bathroom featuring a tub that could easily accommodate five people.
The sheer magnitude of it all left me breathless. Everything felt too precious to touch, too grand for someone like me. Flynn’s warning echoed in my mind—don’t cause trouble.
I clutched my backpack tighter as I explored further, discovering a walk-in closet larger than my entire room in the omega quarters.
It stood completely empty, and when I tried arranging my meager collection of clothes inside, they looked pathetic—like scraps of fabric scattered across a banquet table.
Embarrassed, I shoved everything back into my backpack and tucked it into the closet’s farthest corner, out of sight.
At least if the king decided he didn’t want me and threw me out, I could grab my bag and disappear without the hassle of packing.
I wandered into the bathroom next, marveling at the intricate wall decorations. As a beta’s daughter, I’d lived comfortably in my early years—as comfortable as any beta’s family could manage.
But this palace made everything I’d known seem modest.
It took several minutes to figure out the shower controls. I peeled off my grimy dress and stepped under the spray, sighing as warm water cascaded over my skin.
Living in the omega quarters had meant cold water only, even during the harshest winters. This felt like pure luxury—a small slice of heaven I could claim for myself.
Expensive shampoo and soap sat waiting for me, and I lingered under the warmth longer than usual, reluctant to end this perfect moment.
When I finally emerged, a tray of food waited on the table in my sleeping area. The aroma made my mouth water, and for the first time in ages, I felt my lips curve into a genuine smile.
That night marked the first time in months I’d fallen asleep on clean sheets, with a full stomach, after bathing in warm water.
Sleep claimed me the moment my head hit the pillow. I barely remembered anything else, except for a strange dream where someone watched me sleep—though the memory faded completely by morning.
I’d trained myself to wake before dawn—an omega couldn’t afford to be lazy unless she wanted a beating or worse. Even when Kevin used me for his pleasure, Kira and Isabella showed no mercy.
They didn’t care when I appeared with bruises circling my neck or a broken arm. Kevin could be brutal, forgetting I couldn’t heal like other shifters. I wasn’t normal.
Despite my exhaustion, I woke in the pre-dawn darkness, checking the clock to find it was still two hours before sunrise—exactly when my day usually began.
My body went rigid when I realized someone lay beside me.
The discovery threw me back to those nights with Kevin, and for one terrifying moment, I thought it was him sharing my bed.
Panic wrapped around me like a constrictor, squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. I forced my eyes shut, searching for calm in the memory of the swing in our old garden.
My father had built it when I was small, and I’d loved the gentle push of his hands as I soared through the air.
I kept my focus narrow—just the swing, nothing else. Thinking about my father would only bring fresh pain.
Whenever Kevin forced himself on me and reality became unbearable, my mind would flee to that swing in the garden. It was my escape, my sanctuary from cruelty.
The technique worked now, steadying my nerves enough to notice that the man beside me wasn’t Kevin. Their scents were completely different.
I forced myself to move, turning my head slowly to find the king sleeping peacefully next to me.
His face was inches from mine, his cheek resting against my shoulder while his short black hair tickled my skin.
He looked so serene, almost innocent—nothing like the Mad King from the stories. In sleep, he seemed almost... vulnerable.
