Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle-Chapter 27: His Personal Dancer.

Waves of shock and utter disbelief rippled through the gathered maids, their spines stiffening as they took in the grim sight before them.

"He killed himself. " Sorayah muttered under her breath, her body tensed up in fear.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the lifeless body of the assassin. His final act had been to take his secrets to the grave.

Without waiting for an order, one of the palace guards stepped forward, crouching beside the corpse to examine it. A moment later, he rose to his feet, walked up to Lupien and bowed his head before him.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Alpha Emperor," the guard announced. "It appears the assassin had a concealed poison sac in his mouth. By biting his own tongue, he allowed the poison to enter his bloodstream through the open wound, ensuring his immediate death."

Lupien's face darkened, his golden eyes blazing with fury. "Fool," he spat, kicking the corpse with enough force to shift it slightly. "You'll never know the luxury of a grave."

Turning to his guards, he issued his next command, his tone cold and unyielding. "Gather all the bodies and dispose of them in the wild. Hang the heads of some assassins at the city gate as a warning."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard responded immediately, bowing once more before motioning to the others. Within seconds, more guards stepped forward, moving swiftly to carry out the gruesome task.

Dimitri sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable as his sharp eyes surveyed the scene. "We will uncover the truth, Your Highness," he murmured, his voice even and controlled. "We'll catch the leader of the assassin organization."

Lupien exhaled heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'm sure you will," he replied, his voice dropping lower as he took a step closer to Dimitri. "Find out who orchestrated this uncle."

Dimitri's gaze remained steady. "I will fish them out," he vowed, his voice barely above a whisper before stepping back.

As the palace guards began the grim task of disposing of the corpses, the assembled nobles, powerful werewolves from influential families along with the remaining dancers and servants, prepared to leave.

But just as Sorayah turned to make her exit, Lupien's voice rang out, stopping her in her tracks.

"Stop there."

His tone was deceptively light, almost amused, yet laced with something far more dangerous.

Sorayah, along with the other dancers who were visibly trembling with fear, turned back to face him.

What now?

"You're quite the dancer," Lupien mused, his golden eyes locking onto her with unsettling interest. "I think I'd like to see more of your... talents."

Sorayah's heart sank like a stone in her chest. She kept her head lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.

"I'm flattered, Your Imperial Majesty," she replied evenly, keeping her voice carefully controlled. "But I am merely a humble dancer. I do not believe myself worthy of such attention."

Lupien's personal eunuch, a wiry man with shrewd eyes, let out a sharp chuckle. "You should be honored that His Highness wishes for you to dance for him. It is a privilege beyond your station."

Lupien himself laughed, the sound low and menacing. "Oh, I think you're worthy," he said, the glint in his eyes sharpening. "These assassins have thoroughly ruined my mood for the night. You will perform again, this time in my palace, for me alone."

A chill ran down Sorayah's spine, but she kept her composure.

"You are the leader of the dancers, are you not?" Lupien asked, studying her intently. "What is your name?"

She hesitated for the briefest moment before responding. "It is Akira, Your Highness," she said, her head still bowed, her hands clenched into fists to suppress her frustration.

"Akira," Lupien repeated, as if tasting the name. "I have decided. From this night forward, you are my personal dancer. You will perform for me every night in the palace to ease my stress."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the remaining dancers and servants but then no one dares to say a word.

Sorayah's breath hitched. Personal dancer? That meant she would be in his presence constantly, watched, scrutinized, and at his mercy. This was dangerous.

"Now," Lupien continued, his voice taking on a note of curiosity, "you should remove your veil. I want to see your face."

Sorayah's entire body went rigid.

"Your Highness!" she burst out, her voice tinged with barely restrained panic. She immediately dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead against the cold, hard floor. "I... I am afraid that is not possible, Your Highness. I fear my skills are still lacking, and I do not wish to offend your noble sight."

The eunuch's sharp voice cut through the air. "How dare a mere dancer refuse an order from His Highness, the Alpha Emperor?!"

Sorayah flinched at the outburst, but before anyone could react further, a collective gasp swept through the courtyard.

Lupien had moved.

Slowly, deliberately, the powerful Alpha Emperor knelt before her.

A shudder of shock and disbelief ran through the assembled witnesses but then those that worked in the palace know how Lupien is. He's can't keep his eyes off anything under skirts but then kneeling before Sorayah is unheard of but they don't dare reprimand the emperor.

Sorayah's breath came in shallow pants as she felt his presence dangerously close.

Gently, Lupien reached forward and took hold of her arms, lifting her to her feet as though she weighed nothing. When their eyes met, a strange flicker of emotion passed through him, something raw, something haunted.

Sorayah swallowed hard, panic roaring through her veins.

Did he recognize her? No that's impossible.

Lupien's gaze remained locked onto hers, an unreadable storm brewing in his golden irises. And yet, in the next second, he seemed to shake off whatever thought had momentarily seized him.

"I have already chosen you," he murmured, his grip firm yet oddly gentle. "You will report to the palace tomorrow night."

His voice was steady, but Sorayah wasn't fooled. She could hear the curiosity, the need to confirm something lurking beneath his words.

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