Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle-Chapter 23: Did You Just Raise Your Voice At Me?

Her breathing grew heavier, but she forced herself to remain still, blending into the background like any other lowly maid in attendance. No one could know what was truly brewing in her heart.

But you're wrong.

Her fingers curled into fists, fresh blood dripping onto the hem of her simple gown.

I am here, and I will make sure you suffer.

You killed my parents. You butchered my people.

I will return the favor.

I will slaughter your wives, your concubines, and your children. I will make your people tremble at my feet, just as you made mine. This is a blood debt, and I will see it paid in full.

A cruel, bitter smile tugged at her lips.

You think I'm dead, don't you?

But I'm still standing, Lupien. I am Princess Sorayah Drakon. I carry the blood of dragons in my veins, and I will not die until I watch you beg for your life at my feet.

A single tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away before it could fall, but the resolve in her heart did not waver.

"All hail His Highness, the Alpha Emperor!"

A deafening voice rang out across the courtyard.

A hush swept over the crowd, and one by one, everyone fell to their knees, bowing their heads as the Emperor himself made his entrance.

Everyone knelt.

Everyone, except her.

Sorayah was frozen in place, her entire body stiff, her breathing shallow unaware of what is going on around her.

She stood there, her gaze fixed on the man who had once whispered love into her, who had held her close and promised her forever,

She felt sadness and betrayal. Her heart pounded against her ribs as images of his lies, his false affections, his merciless slaughter flooded her mind.

Without thinking, her feet began to move forward, her hands trembling as they reached for the dagger Dimitri had given her.

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What if I just kill him now since no one is watching?

Just one stab and he's dead.

Her fingers curled around the hilt.

But just as she was about taking a second step, a strong hand grabbed her arm.

With a sharp yank, she was pulled backward, her body colliding with a solid chest before she was forcibly thrown to the ground.

Her mind reeled, the cold stone floor shocking her back to reality.

What... what was I about to do?

Her hands trembled as she let go of the dagger, her breathing erratic.

Around her, the voices of werewolves chanting Lupien's name still echoed through the courtyard. The sheer noise drowned out everything else including Dimitri's voice, which now hissed in her ear, laced with pure venom.

"Do you have a death wish?" His tone was dangerously low, meant only for her ears.

Her blood turned cold.

"Have you already forgotten where you are? This is the palace. How dare you not bow before the alpha emperor?!"

Sorayah swallowed hard, her lips parting, but her voice trembled as she tried to respond.

"I...I'm s-sorr..."

The words barely left her mouth before a fresh wave of emotion clawed its way up her throat.

Tears, the very ones she had fought so hard to suppress, spilled from her eyes before she could stop them. She quickly wiped them away, but Dimitri had already seen.

His eyes darkened, but it wasn't because of Sorayah's tears.

"Are you so desperate to die?" His voice was almost mocking. "Is this your way of avoiding servitude to me? I thought you were strong. I thought you could endure anything."

He leaned in, his breath ghosting over her ear as he whispered, "Listen to me, Sorayah. You have no right to die until I decide it's time. Do you understand? Your life, every single breath you take belongs to me."

Her body tensed, rage coiling within her like a serpent ready to strike.

"Even if you were to die," Dimitri continued, his voice smooth yet chilling, "only I have the right to kill you. No one else. Or...

His lips curled into a smirk.

Perhaps I should remind you by starting with your...."

"My sister!"

The words shot out of her mouth like an arrow, sharp with raw fury.

Her body trembled, her eyes ablaze with uncontained anger.

"You keep using her to control me, don't you?" Her voice shook, but it did not falter. "You like seeing fear in the eyes of your captors once you threaten them with their loved ones. You enjoy watching them squirm, don't you? Is that all you're only good at?"

Dimitri merely arched a brow.

Sorayah exhaled sharply, rage and helplessness warring inside her.

"Stop using my sister as leverage when you already have me bound to your will!"

A flicker of something, interest, perhaps amusement flashed across Dimitri's face. He let out a low scoff, tilting his head as if studying her.

"Did you just raise your voice at me?" His smirk deepened, but there was a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

Before he could say anything more, a powerful voice rang through the courtyard.

"Rise."

The command came from Lupien eunuch himself.

One by one, the werewolves who had been kneeling stood, lifting their heads as the Alpha Emperor and his new Luna took their seats on the ceremonial throne.

Dimitri turned back to Sorayah, his eyes dark with warning.

"You...."

But before he could finish, Sorayah did something no one had ever dared to do before.

She turned and walked away from him.

From all of it.

The shock that coursed through Dimitri was instant.

His entire body stiffened as disbelief and fury clashed within him.

Had a mere human maid, a slave whose life belonged to him just dismissed him?

The realization sent a slow, icy wave of something unfamiliar down his spine.

"She really had a death wish afterall and I believe it's high time I fulfill that." Dimitri uttered under his breath and immediately he rose up from his seat and followed after Sorayah just before Lupien could notice him.