Lycan King's Regret: Punished The Wrong Daughter

Arabella Toussaint:

This wasn’t a date.

I repeated the words to myself for what felt like the hundredth time as I stood in front of the mirror. People don’t usually take slaves on dates.

This was probably ... just a dinner because I saved his niece. That had to be it.

I glanced down at the simple summer dress that I chose. It fell just below my knees and was far prettier than anything I had ever owned.

Since I had no idea how to apply makeup, I didn’t even try. I tied my hair into a loose chignon, allowing the snow-white roots to show. After slipping on a pair of plain white flats, I straightened, still indecisive.

This date had taken my mind off that sticky note and Jasmine’s challenge. I had already hidden the sticky note in the empty carton with my response on it.

As expected, it was a ’yes’. I needed to come up with a plan and get rid of this stupid mark. My friend waited for me this long, and now I couldn’t let this opportunity slip.

Helena told me that empty cartons would be sent back within three days. I needed to relax and wait for the next carton lot. My jumpiness could draw unwanted attention.

With a sigh, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My heart thudded in my chest when a knock echoed in the room.

With a frown, I went to the door and pulled it open. My breath caught in my throat.

The king stood in the doorway with one arm resting against the frame above his head. Goddess. He was taller than most of the alphas I had seen.

Must be six three... six four?

He was still wearing his black shirt that hugged his chest, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and the top two buttons were undone, revealing the inky tattoos climbing his collarbone and disappearing beneath the fabric.

I swallowed hard. This was trouble.

His golden eyes lazily traveled from my face to my dress and all the way down. Standing in front of him, I felt underdressed.

"I ..."

His gaze returned to mine, "You look beautiful, princess."

I wish I could ask him to stop calling me that. Every time it felt like he was making fun of me. I exhaled a heavy breath and was pulled back by his voice, "Should we?"

He was offering me his arm, and for a second, I simply stared at it. Then nervously I slipped my hand around his arm.

We walked through the quiet palace corridors, and for some reason I felt like the Omegas were asked to stay away. Not even a soul could be seen there.

After several minutes, I was escorted to a private hallway where a pair of bronze elevator doors came into view.

I had never seen this part of the palace before.

"Is... is this an elevator?" I asked him in disbelief. I had only seen those in movies.

"Umm hmm," He answered.

After I followed him inside, the doors closed behind us. When the doors opened again, a cool breeze greeted us.

A beautiful rooftop garden stretched before me. The stone paths were lined with white roses and lavender. Tiny lanterns hung from flowering vines, giving a warm glow to the garden.

A soft gasp escaped my lips when I saw the entire kingdom glittering beneath the night sky.

"This..." I slowly turned away, unable to take it all in, "... is so beautiful."

Instead of saying anything, he pulled me gently towards him and pressed a kiss to the top of my head, "I knew you’d like it."

Wow. Every time he touched me, I would feel sparks flying everywhere. My skin, my body, my heart... and my pussy.

Everything was on fire whenever he was nearby.

He guided me towards a small round table beneath a flowering arch with a white tablecloth and two candles dancing between neatly arranged dishes.

Shit. It was a date. I looked down and wished that I’d go back in time and wear something more... appropriate.

I hesitated when he pulled out a chair for me. No one had ever done that for me before. After making sure I was comfortable, he took the opposite seat across from me.

The delicious smell made me realize that I hadn’t eaten anything since morning. At that very moment, my stomach decided to growl.

With a chuckle, he started putting food onto my plate.

A piece of steak, mashed potatoes, salad.

"I can serve myself," I tried to smile.

"I know," he also dropped a dinner roll onto my plate, "So..." he finally spoke, "... have you made any friends yet?"

Friends? Who would befriend a slave? Was he this dense?

"Umm... no," I raised one shoulder, not knowing how to answer this. It was an absurd question to begin with.

I came to know about Victor’s release from the whispers among the maids when they thought I wasn’t listening.

He studied me for a moment, "And why is that, Arabella? Is it because you underestimate yourself?"

I lowered my gaze in nervousness, "Maybe."

I kept eating my food while trying not to look at him. It didn’t seem to work. Every time I glanced up, I found him watching me instead of eating.

"W...what?" I asked at last.

Instead of answering, he quietly pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. My hand froze halfway to my mouth.

Shit. Did I do something wrong?

Without taking his eyes off me, he walked around the table, stopping beside my chair.

"Your Highness..."

I trailed off when he offered me his hand, "Can you call me Lucien?"

"Yeah. What is it, Lucien?" The words slipped past my mouth before I could stop myself. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he pulled me up, "My name on your lips... Goddess, Arabella."

Before I could understand what he meant, his hand settled behind my neck, "It’s hard to concentrate on dinner when you’re around."

I wanted to believe him. His golden eyes were now fixed on my face, and I could see a fiery intensity burning in them. Was it his Lycan?

Before I could speak, his mouth crashed onto mine, and my gasp was swallowed by the kiss. My body was pressed against his, and his tongue had boldly entered my mouth to taste me.