Anna's pov
"Annalise…?"
"Annalise…?"
That's my name—and that's how it echoes through these palace halls every morning, afternoon, evening… even at midnight.
But that's okay. How can I complain?
Twelve years ago, I survived a fatal car accident. My parents didn't. I was just a child, alone, broken. The ruling Alpha and his wife, Alpha Conan and Luna Elizabeth, took me in. They became my family. They gave me everything.
So, I gave them everything in return: my loyalty, my obedience, my submission, my strength. Name it.
No matter how exhausted I am, I never flinch when called. I owe them my life.
I tore the sheet off my body, slipped into my clothes, and rushed downstairs.
In the hallway, I ran a hand through my messy hair, eyes half-shut with sleep. That's when I collided with something-no, someone. Hard. Solid.
My heart stuttered. I didn't need to look up to know who it was. His scent alone was enough.
Clyde.
"I'm sorry, young master," I muttered, finally glancing up.
My heart… it always betrayed me around him. I knew it was wrong. Forbidden. Dangerous, even. But loving him had never been a choice.
"You can look at me, Ana. No one's here," he said, lifting my chin gently. His touch, warm. His hands, the softest I'd ever known. His emerald eyes searched mine like they always did, like he already knew all my secrets.
"Come with me." He pulled me into a small, dark room beside us and shut the door.
It was pitch black. I couldn't see him, but I could feel him, his breath on my skin, his body close. Too close. This wasn't the first time, but that didn't make it any less forbidden. If his parents ever found out… I wouldn't survive it.
He kissed me, slowly, then rested his head on my neck before his hand slid down, caressing my lower back until it cupped my butt, squeezing softly.
"You have such a soft ass. Are you coming to the village with me?"
"I guess I am," I whispered. "Can you go without your right-hand man?"
He smiled, brushing another kiss across my lips.
"I wouldn't survive without you, Ana."
His kiss deepened, stronger, and hungrier. I pulled away to breathe, but barely got a second before he yanked me back, lips reclaiming mine. His grip tightened on my butt, pressing me hard against him until I felt his hardness poking into me.
"Annalise!" His mother's voice rang out again.
He groaned in frustration. "Later," he whispered, opening the door.
I stepped out, fixing my dress and hair, wiping his taste from my lips.
Luna Elizabeth sat in the living room, legs crossed, her mind distant, probably thinking about her husband, still away on the battlefield.
"I'm sorry, I was… busy in the kitchen," I said, head bowed.
She barely acknowledged me in a kind of 'I didn't ask anyway' manner.
"The rain's not letting up, so I've ordered the guards to prepare the cars. You'll leave with him now. I trust you to keep those village girls away. I don't want their filthy hands all over him. Remember, he's already matched, until his coronation."
My throat tightened, eyes teary, but I bowed to hide them. "I understand, my Luna. I'll do my best."
"Good. Pack for a three-day stay. His clothes, too. Be in the car in thirty minutes."
I knocked, but there was no reply. Pushing the door open, I found him shirtless, his wet hair dripping down over his quickly developed body.
"You look upset, Anna?"
I forced a smile and walked into the closet. "Do I? Nah. Just focused."
"Let's not fight," he said.
"Your mom said you should stay away from girls."
"Oh, but I'm careful," he teased.
I returned with his packed bag. "Are you ready?"
He pulled me close and planted a kiss on my lips.
"You should learn to control yourself. This could ruin everything," I whispered.
"And yet, I'd ruin everything for one more second with you," he murmured.
I passed by to open the door. "After you, young master."
---
The drive was long and rainy. When we arrived, the staff showed us to a small guesthouse with one bedroom.
After returning from the bathroom, I noticed his eyes all over me. It was uncomfortable, suffocating, even.
"I'll take the couch," I offered. "Use the bed."
I wrapped myself in a blanket, thunder matching the loud beat in my chest. I was beginning to think about being in his arms. God, he's eighteen, a man by age, however, I'm still 21 with no family name.
"Goodnight, Anna," he said softly.
"Goodnight…"
But sleep didn't come, just like most nights, especially when the sky roared with thunder.
The crack echoed again, louder this time. I curled tighter on the couch, pulling the blanket to my face, but it wasn't enough to keep the memories away.
"No, Mama!" I cried out, bolting upright. Drenched in sweat, shaking, heart pounding like it wanted to escape my chest. My breath came in short, sharp bursts.
"Ana?" Clyde's voice cut through the haze.
He was already sitting up, face shadowed but tense.
"You're crying," he said, climbing out of bed and kneeling beside me. "Was it the crash again?"
I nodded, still trembling. He knew. He always knew. On the nights he was injured from battles, I stayed to care for him.
Without a word, he scooped me into his arms. I didn't resist.
He lay me down in his bed, pulling the blanket over us both. His warmth surrounded me. I clung to it like it was the only solid thing in my world.
"I hate seeing you like this," he whispered, brushing my damp hair back. "I wish I could take it all away."
He held my head steady, eyes locked with mine.
A few minutes passed. Then, his lips brushed my forehead, lingering.
"I will keep you safe tonight, here, in my arms."
He trailed down to my cheek… then hovered just above my lips.
"You should sleep," I whispered, trying to resist what I already knew I wanted.
"I can't. Not when you're like this."
His gaze dropped to my lips. He leaned closer until I shut my eyes, and then came a series of soft, deliberate kisses, meant to calm me.
"I shouldn't be doing this," he murmured, even as his fingers gently massaged my scalp.
"Why does it feel like I belong to you?" I whispered.
Lightning lit the room again, I unconsciously clung onto him.
And he couldn't hold back.
Neither could I.
He started with a kiss and a break, as if he were afraid of something. He paused to take a loud break before kissing me again, deeper this time, desperate and hard. His hands trembled as they touched my skin, and I didn't stop him. I wanted him. I had always wanted him.
His touches were slow, searching my soul. From my dress to the warmth of his lips across my body. Our moans rose together in harmony, soft, intense. His hand guarded my hips as he entered slowly.
At first, it hurt. But the pain slowly subsided, replaced by pure ecstasy. With one final thrust, we came together.
"I swear." He whispered, still buried inside me. "Ana, on this night, the night I broke through you, I will never leave you for another."