Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King Chapter 31

EMILIA'S POV

No.

No, no, no.

My heart was a drum inside my chest, beating so violently I swore the whole room must have heard it. His words—his damn claim—coiled around me like chains.

'You're not leaving my sight for the rest of the day.'

I screamed in my head, over and over, the words clawing at me. No. I have to escape. I can't let him ruin this. Not tonight. Not when I've waited this long. Not when freedom is right there, almost within my reach.

I forced my breathing steady, biting down so hard on the inside of my cheek I tasted blood. I couldn't let him see. If he suspected even an ounce of my thoughts, if he so much as sniffed out a whisper of my plan, I'd be done for.

So I smiled.

Calm. Composed. A good little puppet on his lap.

But inside, my mind raced. Every second that ticked by during that damned meeting blurred into one long torment. Voices rose and fell around the table as Alphas droned on about territory lines, rogue attacks, and supply disputes. I heard none of it. My entire being was focused on one thing only: finding a way out.

I shifted slightly in his lap, testing the strength of his grip. His arm tightened instantly around my waist, pulling me flush against him. My stomach twisted with disgust. To the others in the room, it probably looked intimate, protective. To me, it felt like a warning: Don't even think about it.

So I sat there, silent, fuming, while he kept me caged against him.

The hours dragged, slow and suffocating. When the meeting was finally called for a short break, I thought—finally. I could slip away, even for a moment, just to breathe.

But the second I tried to rise, his hand clamped down, dragging me back down onto his lap like I belonged there.

"Stay," he murmured, low enough only I could hear.

Stay. Like I was some pet.

The fury roared hot inside my chest, but I swallowed it down, forcing my face blank as the others filtered out of the room. Soon, it was just us. Him and me.

And his mouth. His mouth on my neck.

I stiffened as his lips brushed my skin, soft but suffocating, his nose buried against the curve where my shoulder met my throat. He inhaled deeply, a growl of satisfaction rumbling low in his chest.

What the hell is wrong with him?

I forced myself not to flinch, not to shove him away. The more I fought, the tighter he'd hold me. I knew that by now. So I sat still, rigid as stone, even as his hand curved possessively around my thigh.

At last, food was brought in. I thought, Good. He'll let me go now.

But of course, he didn't.

The tray was set down, and instead of releasing me, he shifted me higher on his lap, keeping me pinned against his chest with one arm while the other reached for the food.

My temper snapped.

"Are you serious?" I hissed, twisting my head just enough to glare at him. "Are you really going to eat with me sitting here like some—"

I cut myself off before the word toy could slip out.

He said nothing. Not a word. Just tightened his grip until my ribs ached. His silence was louder than anything he could have spoken.

The answer was clear. Yes. He was going to eat with me on his lap.

Rage simmered in my veins, hot and suffocating. I clenched my fists against my thighs, nails biting into my skin as he lifted a piece of meat to my lips like I was some pampered doll.

"Eat," he ordered.

"I can feed myself," I snapped.

His eyes flicked to mine, cold, sharp, daring me to resist.

And then—he pressed the food to my mouth.

I turned my face away. He followed. He pressed harder.

My jaw locked, fury trembling through me, but I knew that if I fought harder, I'd draw attention when the Alphas returned. I couldn't risk that. I couldn't risk my plan.

So I opened my mouth and bit down. Not gently. My teeth scraped his fingers on purpose.

He didn't even flinch.

The longer it went on, the more my rage built, coiling tighter and tighter until I thought I'd burst. If he noticed, he didn't care. He fed me bite after bite, his other hand stroking lazy circles into my hip, his lips brushing my hair as if this were some twisted show of affection.

I was seconds away from screaming when the thought struck me.

If he wouldn't let me leave willingly...Then I'd force him to.

I shifted on his lap, just a little at first, testing. His grip tightened. His breath hitched against my ear.

My lips curled.

Then I did it again—harder this time. I rolled my hips sharply, grinding down against him.

His curse ripped out immediately, low and guttural.

And I felt it. The hard, unmistakable evidence of what my little move had done to him pressing against me.

Heat flooded my face—not the good kind. The angry, disgusted kind. But still, I did it again.

"I have to pee," I whispered through clenched teeth, shifting deliberately. "You can't just keep me here all day."

His hand clamped tighter around my waist, fingers digging into my sides. The message was clear: Don't.

So I did it again.

His groan vibrated against my neck, rough and dangerous. His breath fanned hot against my skin, and I almost laughed. Once again, I was the one driving him crazy.

"Let. Me. Go," I hissed, wiggling again, sharper this time.

For a moment, I thought he'd snap. His eyes burned into me, wild and feral, like he wanted to drag me straight to his chambers and lock me inside forever.

But then—he let me go.

Abruptly, suddenly, almost like it pained him to release me.

I slid off his lap, smoothing my dress with shaking hands. His gaze followed every movement, dark and hungry, promising this wasn't over.

But I didn't care.

Because I was free.

At least for now.

The doors creaked open. Alphas filed back in, their voices low, their eyes sharp. I moved quickly, slipping between them, my pulse thrumming with victory.

I made it to the hall. One turn. Just one more turn and I'd have a moment to breathe, to think.

But before I could, a hand shot out.

Strong fingers wrapped around my wrist, yanking me hard into a shadowed corner.

I gasped, stumbling, my back hitting the wall. My head snapped up, ready to fight, ready to curse—

And froze.