I Bought A Male Escort, Turns Out He's The Lycan King novel Chapter 111

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**Leaves Falling Like Promises**
**By Amara Grant**
**Chapter 111**

**KAT**

As I slowly emerged from the depths of sleep, the warm rays of sunlight poured into my room, casting a golden hue across the bedspread. I distinctly remembered drawing the curtains tightly shut the night before, yet they were now wide open, allowing the light to flood in. Hunter must have slipped in during the night again, his presence still lingering in the air like a comforting whisper. When had he returned? And more importantly, why had he left so soon after?

With a stretch that felt like a release from weeks of tension, I noticed a refreshing sense of vitality coursing through me, unlike anything I had felt in ages. There was a palpable shift in the bond we shared, a vibrant energy thrumming beneath my skin. My wolf, the part of me that had felt so dormant and fearful, was now wide awake, alert, and present. It was a strange sensation, one that no longer filled me with dread. I felt as though I had been gifted a newfound confidence overnight, a stark contrast to the timid creature I had been grappling with over the past few days.

No, it was more than just confidence. It felt as though those intricate threads of awareness woven deep within me had finally come together, creating a sense of wholeness I had longed for.

*“When the bond settles, you’ll understand,”* Hunter’s words echoed in my mind, a reminder of the wisdom I had been too frazzled to appreciate before sleep overtook me. But now, curiosity propelled me out of bed, a spring in my step as I hurried to wash and dress. I chose another simple dress, one that flowed gently around me, and ran my fingers through my pixie-cut hair, attempting to style it with a casual air before I opened the door and settled cross-legged before it.

If I truly possessed more strength than I had ever realized, as Hunter had asserted, then I wanted to muster enough courage to step over that threshold. I yearned to defy the Alpha King’s command. Yet, deep down, I knew it was wishful thinking. Could I ever truly be stronger than my father? What I truly desired was to carve out a life for myself far away from the suffocating confines of the castle.

I glared at the empty space before me, my frustration bubbling up once more. I could easily peek outside, but my feet felt as though they were glued to the floor. There was nothing tangible holding me back—no magic, no trap. It was merely the blood that coursed through my veins and the bond I shared with my father that kept me shackled. The sting of betrayal flared up again. My father didn’t seem to care that my trust had been shattered. If he wished to bear the burden alone, then so be it.

A door creaked at the far end of the hallway, and I caught a whiff of pine before Nathan stepped into view. He paused, taking a moment to study me, before sliding down the opposite wall, his long legs sprawled out in front of him.

“New hobby?” he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.

I rolled my eyes, my gaze returning to the threshold.

“Father has ordered me to remain here until the mating ceremony,” I explained, my voice steady. “But today, I’m determined to break free. Even if it costs me everything.”

Nathan smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“As long as it kills you and not me,” he replied, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Could it really cost me my life? I wasn’t the first to challenge an alpha’s command. Betas often rebelled, testing their limits against the authority of their alphas. But I wasn’t a beta, and my father was no ordinary alpha.

“Is that girl, April, still here?” I asked, shifting the focus away from my own turmoil.

“Across the hall from my room. She’s still holed up in there with her parents,” he replied casually.

My gaze snapped back to his face, sensing the slight shift in his aura despite his nonchalant tone.

“Don’t take any risks. She’s the Lycan King’s person,” I hissed, my voice low and urgent. “We don’t want to attract that monster’s attention now; it’s not worth it.”

A frown flickered across his features before it smoothed out, replaced by a laugh.

“We definitely don’t want that monster’s attention,” he agreed, still chuckling.

But there was nothing amusing about the reality I faced. The Lycan King’s brutality was etched into the pages of my history and politics books. Nathan had seen more of the world than I had; surely, he understood the gravity of the situation. It was best to let Hunter deal with that ruthless man. Yet, I was not one to pry if it didn’t involve me, so I refrained from pressing him for more details.

“Move aside. I’m ready to give it another shot,” I declared, rising to my feet and smoothing out my clothes.

Nathan stood as well, but instead of stepping aside, he remained in place, an amused glint in his eyes. I could feel his curiosity as I approached the doorway, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I lifted my foot, just as I had done before.