Chapter 7
Roana is shocked when the Lycan King, her terrifying mate and ruler feared by all, unexpectedly appears in her quiet café. Her heart races with fear and confusion as she wonders why he has come—whether to reject or humiliate her. Instead of responding to her questions, he offers her hot chocolate and insists they share it together, which unsettles her deeply. Roana tries to keep her composure, firmly telling him she does not want to engage with him or their mate bond, expressing her bitterness and self-loathing over a lifetime of rejection and insignificance.
Despite her defiance, the King remains unfazed and reveals that Alpha Alexander is looking for her, threatening her fragile freedom. He challenges her to choose between returning to Alexander, who betrayed her, or considering an alternative he offers. Although wary and suspicious of his intentions, Roana listens as he makes a bold proposal: to become his Luna. The offer shocks and enrages her, and she sarcastically rejects the idea, convinced that someone like him could have anyone but her by his side.
Roana asserts her independence and warns that anyone who tries to take her freedom will face her wrath. The King, amused by her audacity and strength, acknowledges that she is the first person to speak to him as an equal and recalls her striking him when he was injured. Despite her fear of the consequences, she stands her ground. The King’s demeanor shifts as he touches her gently and calls her “interesting,” then formally offers to protect her freedom by making her his contracted Luna, promising to keep Alexander away from her.
The chapter ends with Roana caught off guard by the King’s intense presence and the weight of his offer, leaving her heart pounding and her emotions conflicted as she faces a dangerous and uncertain choice.
Chapter 7
Roana.
“What are you doing here? Your Majesty!” I struggled to steady myself. The man standing before me was none other than the Lycan King—the very same ruler feared by all in the southern territories—and, to make matters infinitely more complicated, he was also my mate. Just perfect. Exactly the kind of situation every girl dreams about: having her terrifying, impossible-to-ignore mate suddenly appear in her quiet little café.
My heart pounded wildly, as if it wanted to leap right out of my chest. Why had he come here? Was it to reject me? To humiliate me in front of everyone? And how on earth had he even found me in this forgotten corner of the world?
No, of course. He was the King—the ruthless Lycan King who ruled with an iron fist. So naturally, his visit was probably just another reminder of how insignificant and powerless I was in his eyes. That made perfect sense.
Instead of replying, he slid a mug across the counter toward me, his voice sharp and commanding. “Let’s enjoy the hot chocolate together p>
Together?
I glanced down at the mug. The cream on top had formed little bubbles, almost as if mocking me. Together? Was he seriously expecting me to be charmed into submission with whipped cream and cocoa? My hands trembled slightly as I reached out, but I forced my gaze away from his intense stare.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to.” I tried to keep my tone polite yet firm, even though my chest was racing and my stomach twisted into knots. “Tell me why you’re here. If it’s to thank me—which, spoiler alert, it’s not—you can save your breath. And p>
I clenched my jaw, gripping my apron like it was my only lifeline. “If you’re here to reject our mate bond, go ahead. Knock yourself out. I’m not crying over this. I have zero intention of pursuing it p>
All the fears, frustrations, and carefully buried self-loathing that had been building inside me poured out in a sudden rush. Love had never been meant for me. I had spent my entire life being overlooked, rejected, and abandoned. Accepting defeat was practically my superpower.
But he didn’t even flinch. He simply took a slow sip of the hot chocolate, as if my words were invisible. Droplets of rain clung to his dark hair, making him look… ridiculously stunning. Yeah, just rub salt in the wound, why don’t you? My fingers tightened around the fabric of my apron, and despite my efforts, my knees betrayed me by trembling ever so slightly.
I turned away, grabbing a pot to clean it, desperate to focus on something normal. Reject me, leave, end this ridiculous scene.
Then he finally spoke.
“Alpha Alexander is looking for you. Looks like your so-called freedom is about to end p>
My eyes widened in shock. The pot slipped from my hands, crashing to the floor with a sharp clink. Fantastic. Just what I needed.
The idea that the Lycan King knew about me and Alexander sent a chill racing down my spine. My fingers shook uncontrollably. He was terrifying—and here I was, standing in front of him like a tiny sparrow, flapping helplessly in a storm.
“How much have you found out?” I asked, my jaw tight and my voice lower than I intended.
A smirk crept across his face as he leaned back casually. “What’s more important? Going back to the cheater who betrayed you… or considering the alternative I have to offer p>
Alternative? That sounded promising—like a coupon for disaster.
But the fact that the Lycan King himself had come here to present me with an alternative to Alexander’s obsession felt like another cold, calculated trap. I couldn’t read the thoughts behind his dark, heavy aura.
What exactly could the King want from me to make him come all this way alone?
“Let’s hear it, Your Majesty.” I sat down on a stool, pretending my pounding heart and sweaty palms weren’t betraying me. I put on a brave face, but my trembling knees were a dead giveaway.
His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. A grin tugged at his lips. Was it amusement? Surprise? I couldn’t tell. Whatever it was, it wasn’t helping my rising blood pressure.
Then he said it.
“Be my Luna p>
I choked. Literally. My throat burned and my mind short-circuited. Be his… what?
Suddenly, the fear and frustration I’d been feeling began to melt away, replaced by a bubbling up of the self-loathing I’d always kept buried deep inside. Whatever I’d just heard was no joke.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I scoffed loudly enough for him to hear. My hands trembled, but I forced the sarcasm out anyway.
“What did you say?” His brow lifted. No one spoke to him like that.
I didn’t care. Even if it meant my death, I wasn’t going to let anyone belittle me.
“What I said is—Your Majesty! You’re hilarious. Be your Luna? Don’t make me laugh. Everyone knows a man like you could have a goddess at his side, not a woman built like me. Or maybe you’re here just for some amusement. To test whether the woman who accidentally became your mate has the audacity to dream. Or are you simply looking for a laugh at my expense, inspecting my ridiculous body before tossing me aside p>
His smirk vanished, replaced by a calm, indifferent, unreadable expression. He clicked his tongue, staring at me intently, then leaned in closer.
I raised a hand, not daring to meet his gaze fully. My chest hammered uncontrollably.
“And about my freedom, Your Majesty—I’m not some pathetic creature who can be defeated easily. Whoever tries to take it will face my wrath first!” I hissed.
Whether it was Alexander or the King himself, no one was going to ruin my life. My voice wavered slightly, betraying the panic I was trying so hard to hide.
Then I remembered exactly who I was standing in front of. The Lycan King. A man who hated hearing “no” and who had killed countless people for defiance. My stomach dropped. I shouldn’t have spoken so freely. Good job, Roana. You forgot how to act completely.
“Pfft! Hahaha p>
His laughter echoed through the café, louder and more powerful than the thunder crashing outside. And his beauty—like a perfect sculpture—was almost hypnotic. My body reacted against my will, drawn to him like a magnet, betraying every ounce of fear I was trying to hide.
“What’s so funny?” I muttered under my breath, my fingers gripping the edge of the counter tightly.
“Nothing.” He smirked and stood up. I narrowed my eyes as he approached. “You’re the first person who’s dared to look me in the eyes and speak to me like an equal p>
He leaned in close. My heart raced and my knees wobbled. “You’re definitely not scared of me. No wonder you dared to strike me when I was injured p>
Oh no. He remembered. What was going to happen now? Attacking the King was a crime punishable by death. Would I be beheaded? Goddess, what on earth was happening to me?
“I… why would I be scared?” I stammered, panic creeping into my voice. “You were being a dick and moving too much! I saved you, okay p>
“Being a dick?” His grin widened, tilting his head slightly. “You have a sharp tongue p>
Before I could respond, his fingers brushed lightly against my lips, sending a shiver down my spine. His thumb pressed gently as his red eyes locked onto mine. “You are… interesting.” He lifted my chin with a slow, deliberate motion.
“Roana Milestones. I have an offer to preserve your freedom. Be my contracted Luna. I will keep that motherfucker out of your sight.” His voice was low, dark, and slow, his breath warm against my bottom lip. I gasped softly, caught off guard by both his words and the intoxicating scent that surrounded him.
The encounter with the Lycan King leaves Roana caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—fear, defiance, and a spark of something unspoken between them. Despite her fierce insistence on independence and her sharp tongue, the King’s unexpected proposal challenges everything she thought she knew about herself and her place in this dangerous world. Her heart races not only from the threat looming over her but also from the undeniable magnetic pull he exerts, hinting at a deeper connection beyond mere politics or power.
This chapter captures the raw tension of two strong-willed individuals confronting their shared fate, where vulnerability and strength intertwine. Roana’s struggle to maintain control while facing the King’s commanding presence underscores the themes of freedom, identity, and unexpected alliances. The promise of protection offered by the King carries with it both hope and uncertainty, leaving Roana—and the reader—on the edge of a precarious new beginning.
The next chapter promises to deepen the tangled web surrounding Roana’s fate, as the Lycan King’s unexpected proposal hangs heavily in the air. Will Roana dare to accept a bond that could secure her freedom yet bind her to a powerful and dangerous ruler? The emotional stakes are high, and the tension between defiance and survival will only grow more intense. Readers can anticipate a stirring mix of vulnerability and strength as Roana navigates the precarious balance between fear and desire.
Meanwhile, the looming presence of Alpha Alexander and his obsession adds a shadow of impending conflict that threatens to disrupt any fragile peace. The choices Roana makes will ripple outward, challenging alliances and forcing her to confront painful truths about loyalty and trust. With the King’s enigmatic intentions and Roana’s fierce spirit at the forefront, the next chapter is set to explore the complexities of power, identity, and the price of freedom in a world where nothing is as simple as it seems.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.