Torak laughed.

The sound curled around Adele, low, warm, dangerous, and alive.

He lifted his hand slowly. He was afraid she might disappear if he moved too fast. He brushed his thumb against her cheek.

"I have a place."

Adele blinked at him.

Then her brows pulled together almost immediately. "No way." She shook her head before he could even explain. "I can’t follow you out of the castle. In fact, I’ve never been anywhere outside without my father. They—"

Torak placed his finger gently against her lips.

Just like that, her words died. His eyes held hers. "I love that you haven’t lost your chatty self," he murmured, his voice quieter now, and more intimate. "But you don’t have to worry."

Her breath hitched slightly under his touch.

"Just say yes."

"Torak."

"Adele."

They stared at each other.

And then, she smiled.

It wasn’t her polite, restrained, or royal smile. She smiled a real one, and her eyes disapeared softly.

Seeing her real smile again made something inside Torak’s chest tighten painfully.

"What’s your plan?"

Torak’s lips curved slowly into a grin. "That’s my girl."

He pulled away and the moment he did, Adele felt a sudden emptiness. She felt like something warm had been ripped from her skin.

Her fingers twitched slightly at her side, like they wanted to reach back for him, but she didn’t.

She couldn’t.

"Meet me at the east side of the garden," he said. "Dress up... and try not to look too royal."

Her lips curved again.

"I already know you’re a Blackfen." He added.

Adele tilted her head. "Impossible," she teased softly.

Torak stepped closer again, took her hand, turned it over slowly, and pressed a deep kiss against the back of it.

Then, he released her hand, and left.

........

Adele pulled her cloak tighter around her body.

Her heart wouldn’t calm down. It hadn’t since he left.

She looked around carefully.

The garden was quiet.

She looked around again, and then, she saw him. Torak moved toward her from the shadows.

For a second, she didn’t recognize him.

He was dressed in a simple shirt, dark trousers and a hood drawn low over his face. He had no royal presence around him, or command.

Her heart raced anyway. He stopped in front of her and held out a bundle of clothes.

Adele took it slowly.

Looked down, then back up at him.

Her face scrunched immediately. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

Torak raised a brow.

"Wear it."

Adele recoiled slightly like he had insulted her entire bloodline. "No." She rejected even the idea of it.

His lips twitched.

"It doesn’t smell that bad," he teased. "Unless... you want me to go back to my room?"

Her eyes widened instantly. "No." She replied immediately.

"Then wear it."

She glared at him.

He stared back, unmoved.

Adele huffed softly. She turned her back to him. "Turn around." She ordered.

Torak obeyed immediately.

That alone made her pause for a second. She quickly changed.

The fabric was rougher than what she was used to. It was also simpler, lighter, and strange.

"I’m done." She announced softly.

Torak turned, and for a moment, he forgot how to speak.

For the first time since he ever met her, she looked free, different and less like a princess. She looked more like... someone he could reach.

"You’re still pretty," he said quietly. He could already feel her insecurity rising up. He had no idea why insecurity even existed in her world.

Adele rolled her eyes lightly, but her lips curved into a light smile.

......

The moment they stepped into the city of the park, Adele froze.

Lights.

The city of the part was alive with lights and noise. Even, laughter, music, and people. More people than she had ever seen.

Her hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes widened. "They... don’t sleep?" she whispered.

Torak watched her instead of the crowd. He watched the way her eyes sparkled, and watched the way she turned slowly, trying to take everything in.

"No," he replied. "Not here. This is where the commoners live."

She turned to him quickly. "How did you find this place?"

He shrugged slightly. "I’m the Beta of the strongest pack." however, his eyes softened entirely.

She looked happy. So happy that it hurts. That castle and her royal duties sucked life out of her.

She hadn’t been this happy for a long time. He doubt she had ever been this happy without him.

He led her deeper into the crowd, and then, they found themselves in a small gathering. People circled around a makeshift stage.

Two performers stood there, dramatic, and exaggerated. They were acting, to entertain the people around.

"...and the cursed Luna!" one of them announced dramatically.

The crowd burst into laughter.

Adele blinked. Then blinked again in realization. "They’re... talking about Aire?" she whispered to him, with her eyes on the stage.

Torak nodded slightly.

The performance was ridiculous and over-the-top. Even, dramatic in the most absurd way.

It was a twisted, comedic version of tragedy.

Adele tried to stay composed. Staying composed had never been hard to do within the castle, or with her father.

However, it felt so hard standing her, around these people who smelt a bit offensive yet lived genuinly, and laughed their hearts out then pretend she doesn’t wish to laugh.

One of the actors fell dramatically to the ground. He started talking about Aire’s father, and screaming about betrayal in the most exaggerated voice possible.

Unprepared, Adele laughed. It was a small one at first. Then she laughed again. This one came from the depth of her stomach, as she placed her palm over her mouth, and watched, wide eyed.

Torak didn’t laugh.

He watched only her, like nothing else in the world existed.

He loved her in this light. She didn’t look like someone bound by duty, or fear, or expectation.

She just looked... Alive.

The show was ending. Once it ended, the place would become rowdy. Torak didn’t want her to experience that so he reached for her hand, and made way through the crowd for them.

Adele followed him, with expectation for more. Sher blood rushed through her, brand new and fresh as adrenaline filled her whole body.

"Torak..." Her voice came out uncertain this time, when they were completely away from the crowd, and now walking through quiet streets.

They stood in front of a different place now.

The air felt... different.

The sounds inside were softer—but more dangerous. "What is this place?" she asked, when they stood before an entrance.

The world inside was dark, and dinly lit.

Torak smirked slightly. "You’ll see."

They stepped in, and Adele immediately stiffened. Her eyes widened again, but not in awe this time.

In shock.

People filled the place. They were all too bold, naked, and moaning into themselves. They were unashamed.

She turned sharply to him. Her cheeks flushed. "They are not serious." She gasped. "Are they seriously going through heat in public?"

Torak laughed. He actually laughed this time. "You should see your face." He joked.

Adele hit his arm lightly. "Torak!" Her voice dropped into a horrified whisper. "They’re not even trying to hide it!"

"I don’t think hiding is the point."

She turned away quickly. Then turned back again. In the next second, she turned away again.

"I can’t look." She grunted, with a playful edge in her voice.

"Then don’t." He teased.

Adele turned to them again. "I am not looking." She lied bluntly.

Her eyes flickered—then widened—before she turned away too quickly. Her breath caught at what she wasn’t supposed to be seeing.

"You just looked."

She laughed. "I didn’t—"

He pulled her suddenly, pinned her gently—but firmly—against the wall, and held one of her hands above her head.

The laughter died on her lips.

Her breath caught.

His other hand reached up, and slowly, he pulled her hood back.

Her dark hair slipped free. Her face was fully exposed now, but just to him.

His eyes darkened slightly.

"Torak..." she whispered.

He didn’t answer.

He leaned in, slow and careful, giving her time. And when she didn’t pull away, his lips met hers.

The kiss was soft at first. Then deeper. He let go of her hand, and pulled her closer from her waist, deepening the kiss.

Adele’s fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer. She had forgotten everything else.

The world.

The rules.

The consequences.

It was just—

Him, and her. And the thing they weren’t allowed to have.

Torak rested his forehead against hers when he pulled back. His breathing uneven, and his eyes were still closed.

He didn’t open them because he didn’t trust himself to let go completely, and not touch her.