Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Alice
I sat at my desk, mind racing with plans. I couldn't let the past repeat itself. I had to get pregnant fast and get the hell out.
The image of Cedric defending Victoria flashed through my head—how he'd ordered me to be her servant, threatened me with Amy... I'd sworn I was done with him. So why did my chest still ache like this?
A knock at the door.
"Come in."
One of Cedric's guards entered, head bowed. "Your Majesty, the King requests you vacate this chamber within three days. Your new quarters are beside His Majesty's suite. He's ordered the finest furnishings—"
There it was. Right on schedule.
The room was different this time around, but the outcome was the same—I had to move out so Victoria could have the Queen's chambers.
Last life, he'd dumped me in some dank corner on the west end of the palace. This time, he was being "generous"—putting me next to him.
Big fucking deal. It was all for show.
"Fine," I said flatly. "I'll be out tonight."
The guard blinked, clearly thrown. He probably expected me to fight for those three days.
"Your Majesty, the King said within three days—"
"I said tonight." My voice dropped lower. "Anything else?"
"No... no, Your Majesty." He bowed and backed out.
The door clicked shut. Silence again.
I took a breath and turned to Amy. "Pack my things. Just what I need."
Three days?
I wouldn't waste one.
If he wanted me gone, I'd go. But not to that suite beside him—somewhere far away. Somewhere he'd never think to look.
"Your Majesty!" Amy's voice shook with rage, tears welling. "This is wrong! Why should you leave? This is your room! You're the Queen!"
Her voice rose higher as tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Amy." I kept my tone gentle. "We'll be fine. That's all that matters."
"But Your Majesty—" She was still fuming. "This room represents your position! What right does Lady Victoria have to it? And if you leave, those nobles will—"
"Because he wants to give it to her. He's the King. No one defies his orders." My voice was quiet. I understood Amy's concern, but none of it mattered anymore. "Stop crying. Let's pack."
Those nobles had never accepted me anyway. To them, I was a curse.
Amy wiped her tears and turned to gather my clothes.
"Amy, that empty room by the storehouses on the west side—we'll move there."
"That room?" Amy whirled around, horrified. "Your Majesty, it's tiny! No sunlight! Right next to the warehouses! You can't possibly—"
"Which means it'll be quiet. No one will bother us." I kept my voice level. "I want to be as far from them as possible."
Amy's mouth opened and closed. More tears fell. "But... but..."
"Don't cry." I sighed and opened the wardrobe. "Just grab some clothes. Leave the rest."
"Leave everything?" Amy looked stunned. "But these jewels, these gowns—"
I shook my head. Amy went silent and resumed packing.
Soon, she'd packed one small bundle.
"Your Majesty, is... is this all? Are you sure you don't want more?"
I nodded. "This is enough."
Amy bit her lip. "Your Majesty, do we really have to move to that room? Maybe... maybe we should just go to the suite His Majesty arranged?"
I shook my head. "Amy, I know it's hard following me to a place like that. If you don't want to come, I can arrange for someone else to—"
"Your Majesty, I'll follow you anywhere!" Amy said immediately. "I just hate seeing you treated this way..."
"Come on. We've got cleaning to do." I glanced around the room one last time. It had never been mine anyway.
But this time, I wouldn't cry and beg for his mercy like before. This time, I was walking away.
I pushed open the door—and froze.
Cedric stood there. My heart jumped. When the hell had he shown up?
His gaze dropped to the small bundle in my hands. His frown deepened.
"That's it?" His voice was low, clearly displeased. "Where's the rest?"
"Don't need it." My tone stayed flat. "You gave it to me. Now you're taking back the room. The stuff should go back too."
"Alice!" His voice shot up. "I'm asking you to change rooms! Not throwing you out! Those things are yours!"
I ignored his anger and stepped past him.
"Alice!" He grabbed my wrist, hard enough I nearly dropped everything. "Did you hear me?"
His voice dripped with frustration.
"I heard you." I tried to pull free. "You wanted me out. Now I'm out."
"I told you to move to the suite beside mine!" Anger simmered in his voice. "Where the hell are you going?"
"Cedric, you've already decided to give your precious Victoria this room. Why do you care where I go?" I met his eyes, unflinching. "Where I move is none of your damn business! Let go!"
"What are you talking about?" His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Alice, what game are you playing?"
"Game?" I laughed bitterly, rage surging through me. "Think whatever you want."
Cedric's face darkened. His chest heaved. "What's with this attitude? I ordered the new room furnished as well as this one! I'll compensate you! What more do you want?"
His words almost made me laugh. Last life, I'd begged him not to make me leave, and he'd ripped into me.
This life, I was doing what he wanted, and he was still pissed.
"What did I do? Am I angry? Am I fighting with you?
You're the one who came here throwing a fit! And I don't want your compensation!"
"Amy." His voice turned ice-cold. "Get out."
Amy jumped but didn't leave right away. She looked at me, worried.
"Amy, go to that room and start cleaning. Don't worry." I didn't want her punished because of me.
Amy finally scurried away at my words.
The hallway emptied. Just the two of us.
"Cedric, you—"
Before I could finish, he yanked me into the room and slammed the door behind us.
BANG.
The sound echoed through the silent night.
His scent flooded the space. His eyes locked onto mine as he closed in, step by step.
"Cedric! What are you doing?" I backed up instinctively, watching him warily.
"What am I doing?" He kept advancing, eyes blazing like a beast losing control.
"Alice, I could ask the same question. I arranged a new room, and you won't take it.
The things I gave you—you're leaving them.
You're ignoring my arrangements, moving somewhere else.
Is it so you can be closer to Caspar? I punished him, and now you're heartbroken? "
I shook with fury. How dare he twist my friendship with Caspar into something nasty!
He was the one tangled up with Victoria. Last life, he chose her—left me and our baby to burn alive.
I lifted my chin, meeting his rage head-on, every word dripping with sarcasm. "Don't project your filthy thoughts onto me and Caspar! You think everyone's like you, playing both sides?"
Cedric's eyes went dangerous. "Who's playing both sides? Alice, explain yourself!"
I laughed coldly. "You know damn well! I'm moving out so Victoria can have the room. You two can do whatever you want without me in the way. What more do you want?"
His pupils constricted. A low growl rumbled from his throat.
Next second, he grabbed my wrist and hauled me against him. That dangerous presence swallowed me whole. "What do I want? Alice, don't forget—you're my mate. You belong to me! Didn't you always say you wanted to give me a child? Fine. I'll make it happen right now."
My heart slammed against my ribs. Before I could fight back, his mouth crashed down on mine, brutal and punishing.
Teeth bit into my lower lip. His tongue forced its way in, like he wanted to devour me whole.
My mind went blank. This hadn't happened last life! He never came to my room!
Why was this life different?
"What?" His fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Scared now? You had plenty to say a minute ago."
I bit my lip, forcing myself to stay calm, but my heart was going insane. If I could get pregnant fast, I could leave sooner!
"Scared?" I bit out the word, shoving Cedric hard. I dug through the messy bundle for the vial Mother had given me and drank it down.
Then I grabbed his collar and pushed him back onto the bed, climbing onto his lap. "You want a baby? Fine!"
Cedric froze. He clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily.
"Do you know what you're doing?" His voice was low and dangerous.
"Of course I do." I started unbuttoning my dress. My heart was about to explode out of my chest, but I kept going.
I'd never been like this with Cedric before. Never this bold.
Cedric lay beneath me, chest heaving. I could feel the anger in his eyes shifting to lust. His muscles tensed.
"Good." His gaze turned more dangerous. "Since you said it, don't you dare regret it."
"Shut up! I don't want to hear you talk!" I practically bit his lip, rough and wild, tearing at his clothes.
Cedric stilled for a heartbeat. Then his hand clamped behind my head, deepening the kiss, his tongue invading every inch of my mouth.
Cedric's hand slid between my thighs, finding my most sensitive spot.
"Mmm..." A moan escaped me. My body went liquid under his touch.
My wolf rolled excitedly in my chest, whimpering with joy.
His fingers traced slow, torturous circles, coaxing wetness from me. "Already this wet for me?" His voice was rough against my ear. "Your body's more honest than your mouth, Alice."
"Shut—ah!" My retort died as he slid two fingers inside me. My hips bucked involuntarily.
"That's it," he growled. "Take what you want."
I fumbled with his belt, finally freeing him. He was hard, thick in my hand. I stroked him once, twice, relishing the groan that tore from his throat.
"Fuck, Alice."
I positioned myself over him and sank down in one swift motion.
We both gasped. The stretch burned, but I didn't stop until he was buried completely inside me.
"Christ," Cedric hissed, fingers digging into my hips. "You're so fucking tight."
I didn't give him time to adjust. I rose up and dropped back down, setting a punishing rhythm. My hands braced on his chest as I rode him, taking my pleasure, chasing that edge.
"Is this—ah—what you wanted?" I panted. "Me using you for your seed?"