Claimed by the Prince of Darkness

Chapter 23: Chased by awkwardness

Ruelle’s breath hitched as she tried to gather her thoughts. She had followed him with the intention of thanking him, but now, under his cold gaze, her words felt trivial and foolish. But clenching her hands and straightening her posture, she tried to pretend that she wasn’t intimidated by him, even though every instinct in her body screamed for her to run back to her building, to the safety of the light.

"I—I wanted to thank you," she said, her voice steadying. "For the carriage ride earlier."

Lucian’s sharp gaze bore into her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, it seemed as though he might dismiss her altogether. But then, he repeated, "Thank me?" He took a step closer, and though there was distance between them, she felt her heart begin to pound at his nearing proximity. "You think I care about your gratitude, human?"

Ruelle faltered, her initial resolve weakening under his icy gaze. His words stung. She said,

"I just thought it was appropriate since you offered—"

"I didn’t offer you anything," Lucian interrupted, his red eyes narrowing slightly. He stepped forward again, the space between them shrinking. "You assume much. The only reason you were in that carriage was because I owe Sawyer a favour. Don’t flatter yourself for mistaking my tolerance for kindness. I couldn’t care less about your fragile human concerns."

The sting of his words echoed in the stillness surrounding them. Why had she thought thanking him was a good idea? But she knew why—because if it weren’t for his carriage, she would have been wolf meat.

"Whatever your reason... whether or not you care about my’fragile concerns,’ you still allowed me into that carriage. I just wanted to thank you. That is all," Ruelle said firmly as she bowed and stared at the ground, making it easy for the words to flow.

When Lucian didn’t utter a word or move, Ruelle tensed. Her eyes flicked upward to meet his, brooding and cold. His gaze stripped away her every attempt at staying calm. He finally remarked,

"No wonder you were stranded in the forest. A smart person would have known to head to Sexton before dusk, not wait until the dead of night to wander the woods like lost prey."

do with anything? She frowned before saying, "The carriage I was

for her,

heard every word. Before she

the leaves. Without another word, he began walking past her, heading in the direction

turned, his eyes catching hers once again. For a brief moment, the hard edge of his expression softened, but

and matter-of-fact. As if toying with her, he asked, "Why? Planning to assist me with the measurements? Maybe you’d like to lie down and see if it fits." One of

his words, the sharp edge of his mockery biting deeper than she cared to admit. When the second howl of the wolf echoed through the woods, a little too close

time. She had done what she came to do—she had thanked him. If he didn’t want to accept it... he could feed it to the wolf in the forest! Or

word, Ruelle turned on her heel

around him was still and cold, the distant echo of the wind through the trees the

but his sharp gaze flicked to the side. Emerging from the shadows, a sleek, silver-black wolf padded towards him, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. The creature’s soft growl vibrated through the air as it came to a stop beside him, its large head nudging his hand. And his hand, almost instinctively, moved to the wolf’s back,

from Sexton, in the town of Stormford, Caroline stretched her body in bed as she pried her eyes open. She was feeling incredible being married, and after learning that

find... nothing. The

and

me to bring you a cup

already be ready," she said, a note of irritation creeping into her voice. Tea was hardly what she was

milady. He

repeated, her voice rising in disbelief. "Without a single