I woke up in a large bed, the sheets soft against my skin. The room was warm, a stark contrast to the cold forest. For a moment, I forgot where I was, but then it all came back. Dante. The Lycan King. His words replayed in my mind, "You are safe now."
I sat up slowly, my body aching from the long journey. The room was beautiful, with a high ceiling and large windows that let in the morning light. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, wobbling a little. I needed to find out what was happening, where I truly was, and what would happen next.
As I made my way to the door, it opened, and a young woman entered. She had kind eyes and a gentle smile.
"Good morning," she said. "I'm Sophia. Dante asked me to take care of you."
"Thank you," I replied, my voice still shaky. "Where is Dante?"
"He had some urgent matters to attend to but will be back soon. In the meantime, why don't we get you cleaned up and have some breakfast?"
I nodded, grateful for the kindness. Sophia led me to a bathroom attached to the room. It was as grand as the rest of the place, with a large tub and fluffy towels. I washed up quickly, trying to erase the grime of the forest and the memories of Ryder's cruel words.
Once I was done, Sophia handed me some clothes. They were simple yet elegant, much nicer than anything I'd ever worn.
"These should fit you," she said. "Come downstairs when you're ready."
I dressed and followed Sophia through the corridors. The palace was even more impressive as we walked. Portraits lined the walls, and the floors gleamed under the light. We reached a large dining hall, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.
"Sit here," Sophia said, pulling out a chair for me. "I'll bring you something to eat."
I sat down, feeling out of place in such a grand setting. Soon, Sophia returned with a tray of food—eggs, bread, and fruit. My stomach growled, and I realized how hungry I was. I ate quickly, savoring the flavors.
As I finished, the door opened, and Dante walked in. He looked serious, but his eyes softened when he saw me.
"Good morning," he said, sitting across from me. "I hope you slept well."
"I did, thank you," I replied. "What happens now?"
Dante leaned forward, his gaze intense. "You are safe here. No one will hurt you. But there are things we need to discuss about your future, about us."
My heart pounded. "What do you mean?"
"You are my mate," Dante said gently. "I know this is a lot to take in, but it means you have a place here, with me, if you choose to stay."
His words were kind, but I still felt a sense of fear and uncertainty. "And if I don't?"
Dante's expression grew serious. "The world outside is dangerous, especially for someone like you. Staying here is your best option, but I won't force you."
I looked down at my hands, my mind racing. Everything had changed so quickly. Could I trust him? Did I have a choice?
"I need time," I said finally.
"Of course," Dante replied. "Take all the time you need. Sophia will help you with anything you need. You're not alone anymore."
I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a new beginning here.
Days passed, and I slowly adjusted to life in the palace. Sophia became a friend, guiding me through the vast hallways and introducing me to the various people who worked and lived there. Despite the grandeur of the place, I felt a sense of unease. I was surrounded by strangers, and though they were kind, I couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider.
Dante was often busy, attending to his duties as king, but he made an effort to spend time with me each day. He was patient, never pushing me for more than I was ready to give. His presence was both comforting and intimidating, a constant reminder of the world I was now part of.
One afternoon, as I walked through the gardens with Sophia, she turned to me with a curious look.
"You've been here a while now," she said. "How are you feeling about everything?"
I shrugged. "It's still overwhelming. Everything is so different."
Sophia nodded. "I understand. But you have a place here. Dante cares about you deeply. We all do."
I smiled weakly. "Thank you, Sophia. You've been so kind."
She squeezed my hand. "We're family now, whether you realize it or not."
Later that evening, Dante found me in the library. I had taken to spending time there, finding solace in the rows of books. He sat beside me, his presence warm and reassuring.
"How are you?" he asked.
I looked up from my book. "I'm okay. Still adjusting."
Dante nodded. "I know it's a lot. But I want you to know you can talk to me about anything."
I hesitated, then decided to take a chance. "Why did you choose me? Out of everyone, why me?"
Dante sighed, his eyes softening. "It's not about choosing. Mates are destined. From the moment I saw you, I knew. It's a bond that can't be explained easily."
I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deceit. But all I saw was sincerity. "And what if I can't accept this? What if I can't be who you need me to be?"
Dante took my hand in his. "You don't have to be anything but yourself. This isn't about duty or expectation. It's about you and me, finding our way together. If you need more time, that's okay. I'll wait."
His words touched something deep inside me. For the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, I could belong here.
Over the next few weeks, I continued to explore the palace and its surroundings. I learned about the history of the Lycans and their traditions. Sophia and I became closer, and I even started to form bonds with others in the palace.
One evening, Dante invited me to a formal dinner. It was a grand affair, with guests from various parts of the kingdom. I felt nervous, but Sophia helped me dress in a beautiful gown, and her encouragement gave me the confidence I needed.
As I entered the dining hall, all eyes turned to me. Dante stood at the head of the table, his gaze never leaving mine. He approached and took my hand, leading me to my seat beside him.
"You look stunning," he whispered, his voice filled with admiration.
"Thank you," I replied, my cheeks flushing.
The dinner was a whirlwind of conversations and laughter. I felt out of place but tried to follow Dante's lead. He was charming and gracious, putting everyone at ease. Watching him, I realized how much he cared for his people, and a newfound respect grew within me.
After the dinner, Dante and I walked in the gardens. The night was cool, the sky clear and filled with stars.
"I wanted you to see what our world is like," Dante said, his voice gentle. "To understand that you have a place here."
I looked up at him, feeling a mix of emotions. "It's all so overwhelming, but I'm starting to see that maybe I can belong here."
Dante smiled, his eyes lighting up. "That's all I could hope for."
As we stood there under the stars, I felt a sense of peace. For the first time since I had arrived, I allowed myself to imagine a future here, with Dante. Maybe this place could be my home after all.
