I Paid for a Male Escort, Only to Discover He’s the Lycan King Novel – KAT “You look perfect, Princess Katerina.” My fists clenched tightly in my lap. I had to make a conscious effort to breathe and calm myself. Perfect. I looked like a doll. The kind meant for display, pristine and never touched. The useless kind. Pale porcelain skin with the finest makeup applied so expertly that it looked seamless. Big blue eyes with lashes that didn’t need extensions. Plump red lips with the usual polite smile. “Thank you,” I answered, nodding at the makeup artist. “They’re waiting for you downstairs.
Should I call your brother to accompany you?” My fists balled again. Lordswood Castle was more secure than any fortress. Bugs couldn’t get in without stringent vetting and permission, but even that wouldn’t be enough to get them into the inner keep. Yet they still accompanied me everywhere like a child. Still, all of this was for a good reason. Every sacrifice would be worth it in the end. “That won’t be necessary. Thank you, Alanna,” I said as I stood. “But the Alpha said—” “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I interrupted, maintaining the smile so deeply ingrained in me it felt fused to my face. I straightened the long skirt of my dress and adjusted my posture, although this was easy to do thanks to the corset.
It was as stiff as a board; I couldn’t slouch even if I wanted to. Only sparing a glance in the mirror, I nodded at the team of women who’d dressed me and headed out of my dressing room. I did look perfect, I had to give them that. Not a single strand of blonde hair out of place, shoulders straight, head held high. And every piece of clothing on my body was worth more than most people made in a year. I was the prize. The one raised to be envied. To complete my true mate’s life. To be a trophy. A prisoner.
My smile slipped, and my steps faltered at the door to my bedroom. I was being unfair. My life was a privilege; I had to be grateful. My parents loved me and gave me everything, and my dear brother, Kostas, would burn the world down for me if I asked. “Why do they even bother? She’ll be eighteen soon; I doubt a true mate will fall in her lap anytime soon. They’ve set their expectations too high; she’s just an omega.” My shoulders stiffened. They must have thought I left already. Omega. Weak. Doomed to submit to every wolf, a burden to the one I’d mate, yet the most treasured in my pack. The irony wasn’t lost on me. “Quiet! If you want to survive here, keep such thoughts to yourself.” “But everyone says—” “You’ll be out of the castle before lunchtime if you finish that sentence.
Prince Kostas will make sure you never step foot through the complex gates again.” There was silence after that, but I wanted that woman to finish what she was about to say. Everyone said what? I was stuck in the inner castle most of the time, and no one dared say a word out of place. Gossip hardly ever reached my ears, but when it did, it was the boring type. I bit back a huff. It was unladylike. Mother would have a fit if she heard me. Squaring my shoulders again, I stepped out into the wide hallway alone. There was still a chill in the air outside as we welcomed the spring, but all the rooms in my wing were nice and toasty. My father hated it if I so much as sniffled. He hardly let me out in the winter. But spring was here.
The flowers were starting to bloom. And that meant long walks in the gardens, and the Spring Ball. Some excitement after a long winter. Anything was better than sitting alone with my thoughts. My steps were steady as I approached the two guards in all black combat uniforms at the end of the hallway, and I almost laughed when they turned to me and stiffened.
The panic on their faces was priceless. “Your Royal Highness, please wait here to be accompanied,” one of them said with a small bow. I knew they would mindlink my brother the second they saw me, but I was prepared. I quickened my steps past them and turned into the next hallway, where several other guards waited. It was overkill, but