Chapter 4

That evening, Jekia came back to the palace. He wasn’t alone.

His mage, Emelio, had returned with him. As we sat down for dinner, they had a lot to talk about. And since most of their conversation involved me, I got to listen in.

“While they appreciate how you’ve managed these lands, they do have some concerns,” Emelio was saying.

I studied Emelio as he stood next to Jekia. He was tall, dressed in a tailcoat and dark pants. His skin was as pale as moonlight, almost glowing, and his hair was a dark red, pulled back into a long ponytail. But what really caught my attention were his eyes. They were the strangest I’d ever seen. They had no pupils, and the irises changed colors depending on the angle. Yet, he seemed to see perfectly fine. I wondered if all mages had eyes like that.

Jekia brushed off the concerns. “They can say what they want, but there’s no rule against me claiming a woman, human or not.

“She’s a beta, so there shouldn’t be any issues. Besides, I’ve done my duty, watching over my lands for thousands of years.

“I think I’ve earned this much,” he said.

“Yes, I agree, and so did they when I brought it up.

“There’s never been a problem with alphas in the Veil being more content with a partner, especially a beta.

“But there were some concerns about your lady being a human who stumbled into the Veil, even if she has awakened as a beta.

“You understand how that might look to some of them,” Emelio continued.

“You talk as if I care about their opinions,” Jekia scoffed. “If they don’t say anything to me, then it’s accepted.

“Besides, Lana agreed to our arrangement willingly.”

~I’m not so sure about that~, I thought, but I kept quiet.

Emelio nodded. “Yes, that’s true. But there’s one more thing they wanted me to discuss with you.

“They don’t want you to have any children with our lady right now.”

Jekia shot up from his chair, the legs scraping loudly against the floor. “Why would they give such an order?! I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me, and they would deny me the right to have children with the woman I’ve chosen?!” he roared.

I stayed still, ready to move if I needed to. I’d never seen Jekia this angry before, and I didn’t know what he might do.

Emelio stayed calm. “They didn’t say it would be forever, but they’re not comfortable with rushing into it with such a young human girl, even if you’ve claimed her.

“Also, there’s the matter of how powerful a beta she seems to be. Lacula even speculated that she could be a blooming omega,” he said.

“Omega?” I echoed.

“Silence!” Jekia snapped at Emelio. He took a deep breath, standing tall.

“Fine, I won’t argue with their wishes, but I’ll keep Lana here as I please.

“I don’t harm her, and she’s well cared for, so we’ll leave it at that. Is that clear?”

“As you wish, sire,” Emelio agreed without hesitation or fear.

Jekia came over to me, helping me up. “Let’s go. I want to spend some time with you before we go to bed,” he said.

“Sure,” I agreed.

I’d been trying to accept my situation over the past two days, but Sage’s words were still echoing in my mind.

Could I really use my status to my advantage? I wasn’t sure if I was ready to try that yet.

It would take time to overcome the fears that had been ingrained in me since I was young, even if I’d managed to do so with him earlier.

But Jekia was always in control when we were together. I doubted he would give that up anytime soon, no matter how charming or bold I was.

Jekia led me out of the room, staying quiet as we walked down the hallway. I glanced at him, noticing his calm demeanor. But I knew appearances could be deceiving.

“Jekia, if I may, are you feeling better now?” I asked.

“I am. I didn’t mean to scare you with my outburst.

“Sometimes, people lose their temper over certain things,” Jekia replied, his face neutral.

“Yes, I understand that,” I said. “Do you have any plans for us?”

“I do. I thought we could spend some time in the library. I’ve noticed you’re interested in my books, so you can show me which ones you like.”

This was unexpected. Jekia was showing interest in something I enjoyed. But I was cautious. So far, everything we did seemed to benefit him.

“That sounds nice. Maybe you can show me some of your favorites too,” I suggested.

“I’ll think about it.”

We decided to visit the library nearest to our place, my favorite one at that time.

After selecting a few books from the shelves, we settled into a secluded corner on the far side of the expansive room.

A small lamp provided a warm glow, compensating for the setting sun, and a drawn curtain ensured our privacy.

“You seem to have a fondness for these romantic stories,” Jekia observed, glancing at the books I’d chosen.

“Is that so surprising? Most women are drawn to tales of love and romance, even if they sometimes end in heartbreak,” I replied, comfortably nestled against him.

His firm chest was a comforting pillow for my cheek, and his steady heartbeat was a soothing rhythm in my ear.

“Indeed, heartbreak is a common theme in these stories,” Jekia agreed. He put the books aside, leaning back against the cushions with an arm draped around me.

“You look a bit worn out tonight. Did you spend most of the day outside?”

“I did, actually. The weather was so lovely, I couldn’t bear to stay indoors,” I answered.

That was mostly true. I wasn’t about to tell him that part of my fatigue was due to my encounter with the fox, Sage.

Although he couldn’t touch me, our mutual self-pleasure had left me somewhat drained. Even the memory of it sent a thrill of anticipation through my body.

I scolded myself for such thoughts. It was bad enough that I had to submit to Jekia whenever he desired. I shouldn’t be entertaining fantasies about the fox dominating me as well.

Jekia sighed wearily. “I’m feeling it too. I hate days when I have to deal with so much, but it’s unavoidable.

“I have responsibilities that I can’t shirk. But maybe I should be less resentful of their demands.

“It wouldn’t be right to neglect my duties, especially with the current unrest in the eastern lands.”

I looked up at him, intrigued. This was the first time he’d mentioned the other territories.

“Has something happened to the ruler there?” I asked.

“Partly,” Jekia replied. “It would be more accurate to say that the problem ~is~ the ruler of the eastern lands.

“He’s been a headache from the start, and even the Higher Ones have started to take notice.

“I’ve had to deal with the fallout from his disastrous reign, just like the other two rulers, which includes an influx of refugees seeking sanctuary in our lands.

“As you can imagine, this has led to a housing shortage and increased tensions.”

“It sounds like his subjects are suffering under his rule,” I observed.

“Indeed, they are. The reports from those lands are distressing. If I could get permission, I’d kill that ogre myself and annex his lands until a new ruler could be appointed.”

His seriousness was a revelation. Beneath his arrogant exterior, Jekia seemed to have a genuine concern for others.

This unexpected side of him made him more appealing, but I quickly reminded myself not to get emotionally entangled.

“So, what can be done about this situation? If you can’t intervene, will the Higher Ones?” I asked.

“Possibly, but for now, all I can do is wait,” Jekia said.

After a brief silence, he spoke again. “There’s something else I’ve been thinking about today that I wanted to discuss with you.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“I noticed a familiar scent when I returned, and I’m pretty sure he came here hoping to see you.

“He’s too curious for his own good, and your allure would undoubtedly stir his blood. Did a fox named Sage contact you through the barrier?”

I wasn’t sure where this was leading, but I knew I had to be honest. Jekia would know if I lied.

“Yes, he did talk to me,” I admitted, sitting up to face him. Jekia remained reclined, watching me quietly.

“We had an interesting conversation, and Emelio hinted at some of the things we discussed. I know you don’t have to tell me anything, but I’m going to ask anyway.

“Am I really that powerful a beta to you alphas in this world?”

Jekia shrugged, looking slightly uncomfortable. “It’s not surprising that he would talk about such things, or that Emelio would.

“But it does tie in with what I wanted to discuss. Yes, you are an incredibly potent beta. Any alpha in your presence would be instantly attracted to you.

“I admit I felt the same when we first met, but it’s become much more pronounced since you arrived in this world.”

“It seems that being in this world makes a difference,” I commented.

“For humans, yes, it can. Living within the Veil can unlock latent potential in humans, including the ability to be a beta.

“In your case, the effect has been far greater than I could have anticipated.”

“What about this omega thing that Emelio mentioned? Is that a level beyond beta?” I asked.

“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s enough that you belong to me,” Jekia replied.

He refused to discuss the omega issue. Not that I was surprised. But I figured I could ask Sage if he returned.

If I could negotiate another deal, he might tell me what I wanted to know.

“Alright then,” I conceded. “I guess I’ll drop it for now if you don’t want to talk about it any more.”

“Good girl.”

Jekia sat up, pulling me into a heated kiss. I knew this was his way of signaling his desire for me that night.

He never kissed me otherwise, a fact that was disheartening when I let myself dwell on it.

Another sign that I was far from being the wife I’d imagined. I felt more like a puppet, dancing to his tune.

He pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against mine, his eyes closed. I closed mine too, reaching up to touch his face, marveling at the softness of his skin.

This man stirred up such a storm within me, a storm that I was sure had nothing to do with the labels of beta or omega.

No, this storm was in my heart.

Maybe it was foolish to even entertain the idea of having feelings for him. Just because he had kept me here and cared for me, it didn’t mean he felt the same way.

In many ways, I felt like a possession, the way he treated me.

He might have said I was his wife, but his actions suggested I was more of a plaything, there to entertain and satisfy him.

Despite myself, I had to voice a fraction of my feelings.

“Jekia, can I ask you something that might sound a bit naive?” I asked.

“I guess. I can always decide whether or not to answer,” Jekia replied, pulling back to sit up and face me.

I fiddled with my hands in my lap, unable to meet his gaze as I spoke.

“I understand what I’ve agreed to here, and I know that a lot of this is part of being your wife and beta, but I’m also a young woman, and there are beliefs that are deeply ingrained in me.

“I know it might be too soon to ask, but is there a chance that you might come to care for me?”

Jekia listened to me without reacting, seemingly unbothered by my question. His response was just as indifferent.

“You seem to overthink a lot of things, which I guess is a human trait.

“You’re also quite young for a woman, almost a girl. It’s no surprise that you worry about such things.”

My heart sank as he spoke, fear creeping in that I already knew his answer.

“So, you see me as nothing more than a convenient lover?” I needed to know.

“I see you as I see fit,” Jekia responded, glancing at my body before continuing. “You must understand what being in your position means with any ruler.

“And let’s be honest. A woman in the human world has no rights to act or speak freely. You should be grateful for what I give you here.

“If you were with a human man of high status, you’d be nothing more than arm candy and a bedmate to bear his children.”

I felt my cheeks heat up at his words, unable to stop the anger bubbling up.

“I don’t care what happens in my world, and you seem to forget that you claim to need me in yours, especially with your mage saying you’re being watched because of me,” I told him.

“I forget nothing,” Jekia retorted.

I gasped as he pulled me against him.

“Remember this: your feelings will always come ~after~ your duties to me, and what you are is now forever tied to what I am. No matter what your heart may want, you will always turn to me.”

My voice caught in my throat, coming out as a tiny whimper as he kissed my neck. His lips quickly moved down, over my collarbone.

As much as I wanted to argue, to resist him a little, my body wouldn’t let me. Once again, it felt like my very soul was at his mercy.

I leaned back against the cushions in the secluded nook as he continued. I felt him pull down the front of my dress, exposing my breasts.

A soft moan slipped out as he began to suckle them, switching between them.

The familiar heat was building in my lower belly, but I managed to stay somewhat aware of what was happening.

“Shouldn’t we…do this in our room?” I managed to whisper as he continued.

Jekia’s eyes were filled with desire as he looked up at me. “I don’t see why,” he replied, nudging my legs apart with his own.

“This palace is mine to do as I please in, and I need a release right now. It’ll help calm the anger from earlier.”

“You won’t hurt me, will you?” I asked.

“Why would I do that?” he scoffed. “If I hurt you, I’d have to wait for you to heal before I could have you again.”

It was a terrible way to justify not hurting me, but I shouldn’t have been surprised.

All coherent thought fled when I felt him push into me. I hadn’t even realized he’d positioned himself to do so.

A soft cry escaped me as he did, the familiar wave of pleasure washing over me.

His thrusts were smooth and deep, and it took all my effort to keep quiet.

I didn’t know if Edifel or Emelio were nearby and could hear me, and even if he didn’t care if anyone saw us, I did.

The worst part was that he seemed to know this too. I tried to stifle a moan as he thrust into me, whispering in my ear.

“You don’t need to worry about being heard. This area is secluded,” he murmured.

“I…,” I gasped, my hips moving on their own. It was torture for him to stay still like this.

Jekia chuckled softly. “I love hearing the pleasure I give you, and your body obviously wants me.

“Don’t test me, or I’ll make sure to take you right in front of that fox next time he comes around. I bet he’d get a kick out of that,” he threatened.

I had no doubt he’d follow through. Jekia wasn’t the type to bluff about something like that.

I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t bear the thought of being humiliated like that, especially in front of the other handsome male I found so tempting.

“Okay, okay!” I gasped. “I’ll do what you want.”

I kept my promise as he started moving again, forcing my mind to go blank as moans of pleasure slipped from my lips.

My heart pounded as the heat inside me built to an unbearable level.

A loud cry escaped me as the heat exploded between my legs, pleasure ripping through me and a haze clouding my mind, leaving me focused only on the ecstasy coursing through me.

Jekia let out a shaky breath as he leaned over me, thrusting hard a few more times before burying himself completely, a sensual moan escaping him.

His release filled me with a warm, erotic sensation, and I rolled my hips to prolong the feeling as long as possible.

“Ah yes,” he sighed, “I do love filling you.”

I closed my eyes, trying to slow my racing heart and ground myself back in reality. Another moan slipped from me as he thrust a few more times before pulling out.

“You’re…satisfied now?” I managed to whisper.

“Very much so.”

“You won’t…do what you threatened?”

Jekia laughed, amused. “No, I don’t see any reason to, even though I’d enjoy showing him that you’re mine.

“I’m sure the fox would love the chance to do this to you too.”

I lay still, opening my eyes as I felt him move off of me. I watched as he pulled his pants back on and buckled them, then moved the curtain and stood up.

“Pull yourself together and clean up. It’s getting late, and we both need to rest.”

I stayed where I was after he left, feeling strangely numb. I didn’t even care if someone else saw me like this.

The only thing on my mind was that I needed to find a way out of here. I had two more days before I’d be trapped in this world forever.

If I could escape, he couldn’t use me anymore, no matter what claims he said he had on me.

But his words about Sage stuck with me too. I was naive to think he was any different. If that fox got his hands on me, I had no doubt he’d use me for his own pleasure.

He already had, in a way, and he’d made it clear he wanted more.

All of this swirled in my mind as the night wore on, but I didn’t let Jekia know.

After lying in the library for a while, I finally forced myself to get up, straightening my dress before heading to the bathroom to clean up.

Then I went to our bedroom, where I found him already asleep in bed. I admit, I let out a small sigh of relief. At least I wouldn’t be taken again tonight.

The next morning was bright, with warm air flowing in through the windows. I woke up slowly, the sheet crumpled around my waist.

Another morning here. My time was running out.

But when I turned my head, I was surprised to see that I wasn’t alone. Jekia was still sleeping next to me, the sheet also around his waist.

He looked peaceful as he slept, the morning light making his white hair and tail shine. His deep breathing told me he was still fast asleep.

I turned to my side, taking in his handsome form. I couldn’t deny his physical appeal—his strong, lean body; his beautiful white hair and long white eyelashes; his handsome face.

This creature had everything a woman could want.

But his personality left a lot to be desired. Were all alphas in this world so arrogant and demanding?

I hoped not, and I had no intention of sticking around to find out.

But waking up to him still here put a damper on my escape plans. Jekia usually left early.

Did he plan to stay at the palace with me today?

After a few minutes of watching him, I saw his eyelashes flutter.

I didn’t move or look away as his eyes opened. Instead, I decided to play the part of a wife.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Very well,” Jekia murmured. He stretched, his tail shifting to rest on his waist.

I watched it, fascinated.

“Is it different having a tail?” I had to ask.

Jekia chuckled. “Not for me. I’ve always had my tail and ears. I was born a Luna Dog,” he reminded me.

“Is that why your hair and tail are white?”

“It is.” Jekia rolled onto his back, smiling at me. “Come, lay on me. I want to feel you against me this morning.”

I did as he asked, knowing better than to argue. Besides, I liked the feel of his skin against mine.

So I slowly crawled over him, lowering myself onto him and closing my eyes as he ran his hands through my dark hair, pulling my head down to kiss my forehead.

It was a gentle, sweet gesture. It almost made me forget how he used me.

“You’re usually gone when I wake up. Are you staying today?” I asked, looking at him.

“That’s the plan. I feel like I’ve neglected you a bit since you got here because I’ve been so busy.

“Even though I have a few meetings today, I want to spend the rest of my time with you,” he replied.

“Are you saying you plan to spend most of the day in bed with me?”

I wasn't exactly thrilled about asking, but I needed to know. Given his behavior, it wouldn't have been a stretch.

Jekia seemed amused. “Mostly not, but I can't promise I won't take you a few times in between my plans. I do like having my way with you.”

That didn't surprise me, but I kept that thought to myself.

“So, what's the plan after these meetings? Are we going out again?”

“You'll see,” Jekia replied. He pulled me in for a kiss before adding, “Once I'm done, I'll show you how much you can embrace this world.”

I just nodded, letting him kiss me again. This could be our last morning together, after all.

Soon, I'd make my escape and never look back.