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Twisted Desires

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Chapter 6:The Unspoken Truth

I opened my mouth—to lie, to hurt him, to push him away.

But the words wouldn’t come.

Because in this moment, with his warmth searing into me, I hated how much I still felt him.

He saw it. He felt it. And he smirked.

"You can’t," he murmured.

I swallowed, my pulse hammering. "Let me go."

Virendra’s eyes searched mine, as if waiting for me to admit the truth.

When I didn’t, he exhaled sharply and stepped back—just enough to give me space, but not enough to break the tension between us.

"This isn’t over, Jayant," he said, his voice a promise.

And then, before I could say another word, he turned and left—but his presence, his touch, lingered long after he was gone.

The chamber felt colder after Virendra’s departure, but his presence still clung to the air like a lingering storm.

I stood frozen, my back still pressed against the wall, my heartbeat unsteady. His scent, his touch, his words—they wouldn’t leave me.

"Say it again. Look me in the eyes and tell me you no longer belong to me."

My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms. I should have said it. I should have screamed it in his face.

But I hadn’t.

And that alone was proof that I was weak.

I moved to the basin of cool water and splashed it on my face, desperate to cleanse away the emotions clawing at my chest.

"This isn’t over, Jayant."

His voice echoed in my mind, deep and full of promise.

No.

I would not let him pull me back into his web.

I had been a fool once, blinded by love, by whispered words and stolen touches. And where had that love brought me? Betrayal. Humiliation. Ruin.

I had vowed to destroy him the way he had destroyed me.

I had vowed to make him watch as I erased him from my life.

But then why… why did my body still react to his presence? Why did my heart still remember the way he held me?

No.

I slammed my hands against the table, breathing heavily.

"Love makes you weak, Jayant."

My mother’s words from years ago rang in my ears.

"An Omega of royal blood does not fall foolishly. We choose. We conquer. We survive."

Yes.

I would survive.

I would not let my emotions rule me.

Taking a deep breath, I straightened my robes and walked out of my chamber with purpose.

The suitor ceremony was not over. The selection was yet to be made.

And if Virendra thought he could shake me, then I would show him just how wrong he was.

I would stand before the court with my head held high.

I would let those Alphas court me, let them touch my hand, let them whisper promises in my ear.

I would let Virendra watch as I chose someone else.

Because even if my heart still remembered him, I would not give him the satisfaction of knowing it.

I would kill every last feeling I had for him.

Even if it killed me first.

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The great hall buzzed with conversation, the scent of expensive oils and floral garlands hanging in the air. Today, I would let them see what Virendra had lost.

Dressed in deep blue silks embroidered with silver, I descended the marble steps, my posture regal, my chin high. An Omega prince untouched by pain. Unshaken. Unmoved.

Even if it was a lie.

I felt eyes turning toward me—whispers, admiration, desire. But I was looking for only one gaze.

And when I found it—burning, stormy, filled with something dark and unreadable—I let my lips curve into the smallest of smiles.

Then, I turned away.

Toward the Alpha who had been waiting for me.

"Your Highness," Raja Udayveer greeted me, his deep voice steady. An Alpha of strength and ambition, the perfect weapon against Virendra.

I allowed my smile to deepen, offering my hand. "You honor me, Raja Udayveer."

His large fingers brushed against mine as he took my hand, bowing slightly. The touch was polite, controlled—nothing like Virendra’s.

"You think you can replace me?"

I pushed the memory aside.

"You look radiant today, my prince," Udayveer said smoothly, his golden eyes assessing me. "Tell me, what must a suitor do to win your favor?"

I let out a soft laugh, just loud enough for Virendra to hear. "He must prove he is worthy, of course."

I felt the shift in the air before I even saw him.

A low, dangerous growl rumbled from across the hall.

Virendra.

He stood at the far end, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his jaw clenched. Every muscle in his body was taut with restraint, but his scent—rich and spiced, tinged with fury—gave him away.

Good.

I turned my attention back to Udayveer. "Would you care to accompany me for a walk, my lord?"

"I would be honored."

As we stepped away from the crowd, I felt the heat of Virendra’s gaze scorching my back. Let him burn.

......................

The palace gardens stretched before us, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. Udayveer walked beside me, speaking of politics, alliances, the future. But I barely heard him.

Because I knew Virendra was following.

And just as I expected, when Udayveer reached for my hand again, Virendra struck.

A hand clamped onto Udayveer’s wrist, stopping him mid-motion.

"You should know," Virendra said, his voice calm, but deadly, "that touching what belongs to me comes with consequences."

The air tensed.

Udayveer straightened, his Alpha instincts bristling. "As far as I know, Prince Jayant does not belong to anyone."

Virendra’s grip tightened. "Then you are a fool."

I stepped forward, placing a hand on Virendra’s arm. "Enough."

He turned to me, his eyes burning with unspoken rage. "You enjoy this, don’t you?" His voice was low, for my ears alone. "Trying to make me jealous."

I tilted my head, meeting his gaze with cool defiance. "Is it working?"

His jaw flexed. His hand twitched as if fighting the urge to grab me, to pull me against him.

But I didn’t let him.