I wake up to the discomfort of my neck twisted at an odd angle. Groaning softly, I blink my eyes open and realize I'm still sprawled on Cassidy's couch.
The dim light of the bedside lamp casts a soft glow around the room, making the shadows and dark corners more amplified.
My gaze drifts to Cassidy, fast asleep on her bed, her blonde hair splayed across her pillow like golden threads. The bedside clock reads 2:45 a.m.
Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I sit up. My body aches from the day's labor, and my legs feel as heavy as bricks.
I should've left earlier, but Cassidy wouldn't stop talking—or at least pretending not to talk—about Ethan.
It was oddly amusing how much she tried to downplay her feelings for him. The way her cheeks flushed at the mere mention of his name said it all.
I smile at the thought as I stretch and stand, careful not to disturb her.
It's quiet as I tiptoe out of her room and into the hallway. The soft hum of the estate at night is oddly calming, but the silence feels different here—thicker, heavier.
The dimly lit hallways stretch endlessly in either direction, and I quicken my pace, eager to reach the safety of my room.
I haven't taken ten steps when a loud piercing noise breaks through the night, slicing the comforting barrier of silence.
My heart leaps into my throat as I freeze in place, every nerve in my body suddenly on edge.
What's happening?!
I glance behind me, then ahead, trying to figure out which way to go. The hallways come alive with movement as enforcers rush past me, their uniforms a blur of dark colors.
My breathing quickens as I press myself against the wall, trying to stay out of their way.
"Rogues! They've broken into the estate!" someone shouts, with an urgency that raises goosebumps on my skin.
Rogues? My stomach twists. I've heard enough stories to know how dangerous they can be. My feet stumble backward as fear claws at my chest.
Before I can decide whether to head back to Cassidy's room or make a run for my own, I get swept into the current of enforcers moving down the hall.
My attempts to move against them are futile, and I'm carried along, my panic growing with every step.
I see him then...
Caspian.
Leading the group, his presence commanding and undeniable even in the chaos. His sharp profile stands out under the flickering overhead lights, his ink black hair blending into the darkness.
He's barking orders, his voice low and firm, and it's clear he's in control.
Of course he's in control. He's the prince. I almost want to roll my eyes.
I try to avoid him, ducking my head and inching to the side, but my heart skips a beat as his gaze flickers toward me.
For a moment, I think he hasn't recognized me, but his lips press into a tight line, and his expression hardens.
Great. The last person I wanted to run into.
"Delilah, what the hell are you doing here?" His voice slices through the air like a whip, stopping me in my tracks.
"I—I was just heading back to my room—" I stammer, but he doesn't let me finish.
"Go back. Now."
"I'm trying!" I snap, the tension of the moment making me bolder than usual. "But this is the only way to my room, and there's a crowd, in case you haven't noticed."
He narrows his eyes at me and I can see his frustration. But before he can respond, a commotion outside draws his attention. Without another word, he turns and leads the enforcers toward the chaos.
I should listen to him. I should head back to Cassidy's room and wait for the alarm to stop.
But instead, I follow the crowd, my curiosity and fear pulling me toward the source of the danger.
The scene outside is a blur of motion and noise. Enforcers clash with rogues, their snarls and growls mingling with the sounds of fists hitting flesh.
I spot Ethan among the enforcers. He's a good fighter, I give it to him. He moves like the wind, his wolf sleek and lithe.
Little wonder Cassidy is obsessed.
The smell of blood and body fluids lingers in the air. The rogues fighting with such ferocity meant to kill.
The enforcers, killing them in return.
I don't belong here.
That realization comes too late.
A rogue, more beast than man, lunges toward me, his claws outstretched and his eyes filled with murderous intent. My breath catches in my throat as I freeze, unable to move, unable to think.
But before the rogue reaches me, a silver blur steps between us.
Caspian.
He blocks the attack with effortless precision, his movements fluid and lethal. The rogue's claws rake against Caspian's arm, drawing blood, but he doesn't flinch.
In one swift motion, he slashes the rogue across the chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" he growls, turning to me with a glare that could cut steel.
"I—I didn't mean to—"
"Save it," he snaps, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the chaos. "You're coming with me."
I don't protest as he leads me toward the garden, his grip firm but not painful. The sounds of the battle fade into the background as we reach a secluded corner, the air thick with tension.
"Stay here," he orders, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Don't move until I come back."
Before I can respond, he's gone, disappearing back into the fray. I sit on the cold ground, my heart pounding in my chest.
My hands tremble as I hug my knees to my chest, trying to make sense of everything that just happened.
It feels like an eternity before he returns, his presence as imposing as ever.
The sounds of battle has ended a long time ago. The fight has been over, I deduce.
He's still bleeding, but the wound on his arm is already healing, the blood drying against his pale skin.
"Come on," he says gruffly, pulling me to my feet. "I'm taking you to your room."
I open my mouth to protest, but the look he gives me silences any argument I might have.
The walk back is tense, and though I'm not walking too close to him, I can feel the heat of his anger.
"What were you doing out at that time?" he demands, his voice low but sharp.
"I wasn't doing anything wrong!" I defend myself, though my voice wavers under his scrutiny. "I woke up on Cassidy's couch and was just heading back to my room."
"You don't get it, do you?" he growls, stopping abruptly and turning to face me. His grey eyes burn with molten silver, his frustration barely contained. "You're human. One scratch, and you're dead!"
His words hit me like a slap, and I recoil slightly, my own anger bubbling to the surface. "Why do you care if I die? I'm just a lowly omega! I shouldn't mean anything to anyone."
His jaw tightens, and his eyes darken further. "I don't care if you die," he grinds out. "But does that mean you should?"
The weight of his words hangs between us, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. His gaze pierces through me, and I struggle to find a response, my throat dry and my thoughts scattered.
Then, as abruptly as the confrontation started, he storms off, leaving me standing alone in the hallway.
I stare after him for what feels like ages before deciding to head to my room. His absence suddenly makes everywhere feel unsafe and theast thing I want is to be stranded in the hallway when another alarm blares.
If I'm going to think about his words, I can do that in the safe confines of my room.
I turn, but then I come face to face with my door. I had been so caught up by his presence and the argument that I didn't realise the reason he stopped was because we had arrived at my door.
Prince Caspian actually walked me to my room.
The thought lingers as I step inside, closing the door behind me. For now, the world outside can wait.