Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 161: I love you Sorayah.

Chapter 161: I love you Sorayah.

Sorayah’s courtyard echoed with the loud cries of the concubines, each one laid out on long wooden benches with their buttocks raised high in the air. The sharp, rhythmic sound of flat wooden sticks striking flesh reverberated through the air, accompanied by the anguished pleas of the punished women.

"Please forgive us, Imperial Royal Consort!" Celine wailed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice trembled, fragile and broken, as her frail body trembled with every stroke. "I realize my crime... please, have mercy..."

Her voice faded, her consciousness slipping as the relentless beating overwhelmed her endurance.

"Please, Your Imperial Highness! I’m sorry!" Rose cried out, her cheeks soaked in tears. "I promise never to commit such foolishness again!"

The wooden cane continued to strike her mercilessly, each blow more brutal than the last. Blood had begun to seep from her already bruised skin, staining the bench beneath her.

But despite the horrifying display, no lives were in danger. They were not human like Sorayah....they were werewolves. Their supernatural constitution ensured that no matter how brutal the punishment, they would recover. The moment they were released, their wounds would begin to heal almost instantly.

Around the courtyard, the servants and eunuchs stood in total silence. None dared to speak or move. Their heads remained bowed low in deference to Sorayah, their faces blank, hiding any reaction.

Only one among the concubines made no sound....Mira. Though her body trembled and sweat poured down her pale face, she grit her teeth and endured every stroke without a single cry. Her pride refused to let her appear weak or defeated before Sorayah, no matter the cost.

Finally, Sorayah raised her hand, a graceful yet commanding gesture that immediately halted the punishment.

"Do you understand the harem rules now?" she asked coldly, her voice sharp and unforgiving. "Or do you still need to be reminded?"

"I... I understand, Your Highness!" Rose sobbed, her voice hoarse and broken. "I understand everything!"

"I understand too, Your Highness," Celine added quickly, her lips trembling and her face ghostly pale, as though all the blood had drained from her.

Only Mira remained silent. Sorayah’s gaze flickered to her just as the woman’s body swayed and then collapsed. Mira had lost consciousness, her body giving in at last. Sorayah let out a soft scoff, her expression unreadable.

She understood. Even though the concubines were werewolves, they were fragile, pampered beings. They had never learned the art of swordsmanship or undergone combat training. Instead, they had been raised with silks, perfumes, and indulgence. Their bodies, though supernatural, were not made to withstand such punishment.

"Take them to their rooms," Sorayah ordered with a heavy sigh.

Without hesitation, three eunuchs stepped forward, lifting the unconscious and weakened concubines in their arms before quietly exiting Sorayah’s chamber.

Sorayah then turned to a group of palace maids standing to the side.

"Carry the boxes filled with treasures and follow me," she commanded, her tone firm and unwavering. "We’re going to see the Alpha Emperor."

With that, she turned on her heels and began walking toward the exit. The maids obeyed immediately, struggling slightly under the weight of the boxes as they followed closely behind her.

When Sorayah arrived at Dimitri’s grand chamber, she was informed that he had already concluded the palace meeting and was currently bathing in his private bathhouse.

"Just drop the treasures inside the room and leave," she instructed coolly.

The servants did as they were told, setting the boxes down with care before retreating silently, leaving Sorayah alone to await Dimitri’s arrival.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly until finally, the door to the bathhouse opened and Dimitri stepped out.

He was completely naked, water still clinging to his chiseled form, his long dark curls damp and framing his face. But Sorayah’s eyes didn’t get that far. The moment she caught sight of his "dragon" dangling between his legs, she immediately turned away, her cheeks flushing as she faced the opposite direction.

"What?" Dimitri asked with a mocking scoff. "Why did you turn your back?"

"Why would you come out naked from the bathhouse?" Sorayah asked, her voice sharp as she kept her back firmly to him. "Please put on your clothes. I have important matters to discuss with you."

"And why shouldn’t I come out naked," he replied with a shrug, "especially when I know you’re the one waiting for me? Besides, haven’t you gotten rid of your shyness by now? You’ve seen all of this before... so what’s there to be shy about?"

"I...." Sorayah started to reply, but the words caught in her throat. She fell silent, flustered and unsure of how to respond, yet still resolutely keeping her gaze turned away.

"Alright then," Dimitri continued casually. "Should I call in the maids to help me get dressed, or will you do it?"

"You can call them in," Sorayah replied quickly, folding her arms across her chest. "I’ll just stay like this."

"Well, in that case, you’ll have to leave. And mind you, whatever discussion you came here for will have to wait until another time," Dimitri said, his tone suddenly firmer.

He stepped in front of her, still shamelessly naked, but Sorayah immediately turned her back on him again, avoiding his gaze and his body.

"Then I’ll come back later to discuss the matter with you, Your Highness," she said flatly.

But just as she took a step toward the door, Dimitri reached out and grabbed her wrist. With one firm pull, he dragged her toward his royal bed and pushed her down onto it.

In the next breath, he climbed on top of her, pinning her in place with his body.

"Your Highness..." Sorayah called out softly, her voice barely a whisper as she swallowed hard. Her heart pounded violently in her chest, and her trembling hand remained pressed against Dimitri’s bare chest...though she hadn’t even realized she was touching him.

"It’s Dimitri when you’re alone with me," he replied, a lazy smirk curling his lips. "I’ve told you that before, haven’t I?"

He let out a quiet scoff, his gaze never leaving hers.

"And for the record, you don’t have to tell me anything," he continued. "I already know why you came to see me. Still... it’s amusing, isn’t it? You only decided to visit my chambers when there’s something you want to discuss."

"Your... Highness," Sorayah said again, her voice strained as she swallowed another lump forming in her throat. Her eyes flickered with hesitation and confusion, her thoughts scattered.

"It’s Dimitri, young lady," he corrected, his voice dropping low and sharp with authority. "Or you’ll be punished. Right here in this bed."

His tone sent shivers down Sorayah’s spine, laced with something far more dangerous than amusement. The seriousness in his words silenced her completely.

For a moment, there was only silence between them.

And then, Dimitri spoke again....his tone unexpectedly softened.

"I miss you," he said simply, with a seriousness that made Sorayah’s breath hitch. "I’ve missed you so badly these past few days."

What...? Sorayah’s eyes widened, her gaze locking with his. No matter how hard she tried to look away, she couldn’t. It was as if their eyes had become magnets, drawn to each other with an invisible force.

He misses me? she wondered, her thoughts racing. Am I supposed to believe that? Why would he miss me?

Swallowing down her disbelief, she finally found her voice.

"Why... why would you miss me, Your Highness?" she asked, trying to summon courage into her trembling words. She didn’t know if Dimitri meant the kind of "miss" she was imagining. It seemed unlikely but still, she needed to hear it, to confirm it. After all, in this world, nothing was impossible.

Dimitri raised an eyebrow at her, a slow smile playing on his lips. "Should I start listing everything I miss about you?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement and affection.

He leaned in slightly, and with a tender touch, ran his fingers lightly along her neck.

"I miss your voice," he began.

His fingers traced upward, brushing over her brows.

"I miss your eyes. I miss your presence...your company... your lips. I miss everything about you."

His gaze darkened with intensity. "Only you and I are in the same boat right now. There’s nothing wrong with missing you."

Sorayah swallowed again, her heart fluttering despite her best attempts to suppress it. She drew in a shaky breath.

"Yes... Your Highness," she said finally, nodding slowly. "We’re both in the same boat. That’s the reason for the longing. We haven’t had a proper conversation in days, not to its full extent at least. But I understand your schedule is tight. You’re the Alpha Emperor. I don’t expect you to visit my chambers often."

She paused, then continued with solemn grace.

"But I can always come to yours. Even though I’m an Imperial Consort now... I’m still your servant. I’m here to serve you, whenever you need me. To give you information about the palace recent dramas."

Her tone was calm and respectful, her eyes steady.

"But... lying on top of me like this while you’re naked....that’s not appropriate. You and I are more like master and servant hence we should behave accordingly."

Her words were firm, even though her hand still rested against his chest, trembling slightly as she tried to push him away.

And then, without warning, Dimitri leaned in, his voice low but clear...

"I love you."

The words hit her like a lightning bolt, shocking her into stunned silence.

What did he just say?

Her brows furrowed in confusion as her entire body froze. Her heart skipped a beat, and her mind tried to catch up with the weight of those words.

"I love you, Sorayah," Dimitri repeated, his eyes never wavering from hers.