The perspective of Angela
As the figure entered the temple, the atmosphere within froze. The King of Alphas. His presence occupied the room like a heavy burden, attracting everyone's attention towards him. Entering in a commanding manner, the Alpha King's presence hushed the crowd with his tall, broad-shouldered frame and powerful aura. Nathaniel's self-satisfied look briefly wavered.
Angela found it impossible to shift her stare from him. She had never been this near to him, yet his reputation had always been prominent. Tales of his cruelty, his drive, and his complete authority filled every part of her life. And at this moment, he was present, positioned only a couple of feet in proximity to her.
He didn't appear monstrous. That was the initial thing that caught her attention. He was not warped by cruelty or overtly marked by the battles he had fought. He remained composed. Gathered. The type of predator that didn't have to roar to show its power to others.
His gaze, a profound and penetrating blue, scanned the room before settling on the motionless form of Ronan by Angela 's feet. Something briefly flickered in his expression, but disappeared before she could identify it.
"Very impressive," remarked the Alpha King, speaking in a smooth, low tone. It was the type of voice that captivated the room without needing to speak loudly, effortlessly drawing everyone's focus. I was surprised that you made it through, Angela .
She didn't reply. She experienced a constricted feeling in her throat, with her heart continuing to beat rapidly from the altercation. She still sensed the heaviness of the knife in her grip, the lethal strike that had taken Ronan's life. The man who was once her partner, her destiny—now a tool sent to murder her. She felt pain in her chest from the burden, but she refused to display any vulnerability. Don't stand in front of him.
The Alpha King moved nearer, glancing at her as if she were an object of interest, someone to be examined. His voice was cool and detached as he remarked on how you have become strong. "More powerful than I anticipated."
Nathaniel, who had been standing aside, eventually spoke up. I said she would be valuable to us. She is—"
Without saying anything, the Alpha King raised his hand to quiet him. Nathaniel's mouth closed suddenly, his smug expression disappearing as the Alpha King continued to focus on Angela .
The Alpha King spoke sharply to Nathaniel, telling him he didn't want to hear from him, as if scolding a misbehaving child. "I came to personally see her."
Angela 's muscles tightened. Every natural impulse in her being urged her to stay cautious, to shield herself from any scheme he had devised. However, she was unable to understand him. She was unsure of his desires or his reason for approaching her at that moment. Was this yet another examination, another heartless competition? Or was it something more severe?
"What is it that you desire of me?" she inquired, her voice rough yet unwavering.
The Alpha King's mouth formed a slight grin, but his eyes remained unaffected. "I've always desired this, Angela ." Regulate.
She clenched her fists by her sides. After being rejected, betrayed, and hunted, she had struggled for years to regain control of her life. She wasn't going to give it to him.
"I have no desire to be controlled by you," she said angrily.
His smile widened, and there was a chilling element in the way he looked at her, as if he found her resistance entertaining. "You don't understand." I have no desire to have control over you. I am curious to see the extents to which you are willing to go in order to manipulate your environment. Your bundle. Those who are against you. Even you should do it yourself.
Angela could feel her heart thumping in her chest. His words had a twisted quality that unexpectedly unsettled her. He didn't want to hurt her the way Ronan did. He was challenging her limits, testing her to measure her breaking point.
And that filled her with terror.
"I have no desire for power," she muttered, speaking softly.
"Deceiver," responded the Alpha King smoothly. Everyone desires power, whether they acknowledge it or not. "You," he said, moving closer with each step. "You possess the ability to wield greater power than you are aware of." That is the reason you are still breathing.
Angela tightened her jaw. His words felt heavy on her, resembling an ominous pledge looming overhead. However, she was not interested in what he was proposing. Power always resulted in suffering for her—deception, absence, ruin. And at this moment, as she stands here, she can sense that identical force, the identical alluring murmur in her subconscious.
"None of this was what I requested," she gritted through her teeth.
The Alpha King let out a soft chuckle. No one ever takes action. However, you are currently involved in it. The question remains: what will you do in response?
Prior to her reaction, the air changed. She sensed the faint smell of blood just before she felt the presence. Someone was rapidly approaching. Angela looked back and saw a figure approaching rapidly, moving with unimaginable swiftness.
Lucien is the name.
He had a look of both fear and desperation in his face, his eyes open wide as he came to a sudden halt in front of the Alpha King, gasping for breath.
Lucien gasped, his voice tight with fear as he addressed his lord. "We have been discovered."
The Alpha King glanced at Lucien, his forehead creasing with dissatisfaction. "Who is it?"
Lucien responded with a shaky voice, "The rogues." "They are launching an assault." "They are aware of our presence."
The tension in the room changed suddenly. Nathaniel muttered angrily, his eyes filled with annoyance, moving out of the shadows. Kael and the rest shared cautious looks, their muscles tightening in readiness for a confrontation.
However, the Alpha King stayed motionless, his emotions impossible to decipher.
"How much?" he inquired, maintaining a calm voice despite the urgency in Lucien's tone.
"There are too many," Lucien responded, anxiously shifting his gaze back and forth between the Alpha King and Angela . "They're rapidly approaching."
Angela felt her heart pounding, her mind switching back to survival mode. They had been discovered by the rogues. They were present, and their focus wasn't solely on the Alpha King. She was also being pursued by them.
The sensation was palpable to her.
The Alpha King's gaze met hers once more, revealing a sinister and threatening look for the first time. "He whispered that it seems like you will be taking your test after all."
Angela felt a chill as her blood turned cold.
The temple walls trembled violently with the force of an explosion before she could respond. Particles and waste fell from the sky, while the noise of growling and crying echoed around. The villains were present. They were prepared to engage in battle.
Angela 's instincts took over during the chaos. Her hand grabbed her knife as she looked around the room for the quickest escape route. Before she could act, the Alpha King's hand grasped her wrist, keeping her stationary.
"He said you're not jogging," his voice was firm. You desired authority. Now, struggle for it."
Angela forcefully pulled her arm away, with anger evident in her eyes. "I never desired any part of this."
The Alpha King's grin came back, frosty and strategic. "It's unfortunate, as it desires you."
The temple's doors suddenly flew open, and the rogues flooded inside.
The fight had commenced.