CHAPTER SIXTEEN
TANYA'S POV
Raymond's words hung in the air like a curse.
"Are you in love with this weak human?"
For a moment, everything went silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
My heart pounded violently against my chest, but I refused to show any weakness. I lifted my chin and met his gaze, my eyes burning with anger.
"Watch your words, Prince Raymond," I said coldly. "You are forgetting who you are speaking to."
His lips curved into a dangerous smile, but his eyes… they were no longer gentle.
They were dark.
Possessive.
Threatening.
"And you," he replied slowly, "are forgetting your place beside me."
Before I could respond, Daniel groaned softly behind me.
The sound snapped my attention.
I turned quickly.
Blood stained his neck, his body weak as he struggled to stay conscious. My chest tightened at the sight, but I forced myself to remain composed.
"Take him back," I commanded the guards who had just arrived. "And make sure he stays alive."
Raymond let out a low laugh.
"You care too much for a servant."
I ignored him.
Without another word, I mounted my horse and rode back toward the covenant, my thoughts in chaos.
That night, I couldn't rest.
Raymond's question.
Daniel's condition.
My own reaction.
Everything disturbed me.
I paced inside my chamber like a restless spirit, trying to understand what had happened.
Why did I stop Raymond?
Why did I protect Daniel?
Why did it hurt to see him bleed?
I clenched my fists.
"No… this is weakness," I whispered. "I don't care about him."
But my heart refused to agree.
The next morning, I went to the healing chambers.
I told myself it was only to make sure my servant was still alive.
Nothing more.
When I entered, I found Daniel lying on a stone bed, his body covered with healing herbs. His breathing was slow but steady.
For the first time…
He looked vulnerable.
Peaceful.
Not the stubborn, fearless man who always challenged me.
I stood there, watching him longer than I intended.
Then suddenly—
His eyes opened.
And they found mine.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
"Tanya…" he said weakly.
Hearing my name from his lips made something shift inside me.
I quickly turned away.
"You are lucky to be alive," I said coldly. "Next time, I won't interfere."
There was a pause.
Then he spoke again, his voice low but clear.
"Then why did you?"
I froze.
The question hit deeper than I expected.
I didn't answer.
Because I didn't have an answer.
Instead, I walked toward the exit.
"Rest," I said. "You are still weak."
Before I could leave, he spoke again.
"Even if you deny it… I know what I saw."
My steps stopped.
"And what did you see?" I asked without turning back.
A moment of silence passed.
Then—
"You chose me."
My heart skipped.
I clenched my jaw and walked out without another word.
Far from the healing chambers, danger continued to grow.
Inside the guest territory, Raymond stood with Eve once again.
His expression was no longer calm.
It was filled with anger.
"She is becoming a problem," he said coldly.
Eve smirked. "Or maybe you are losing control."
His eyes flashed dangerously.
"Watch your tongue."
Eve stepped closer, unfazed.
"You were supposed to win her trust quickly," she said. "Instead, she is hesitating."
Raymond's fists clenched.
"I will fix that."
"And the human?" Eve asked.
Raymond's gaze darkened.
"He should have died yesterday."
A cold silence followed.
Then Raymond spoke again, his voice lower this time.
"If he continues to interfere… I will kill him myself."
Back in the Lion Pack, I stood alone beneath the baobab tree.
The wind brushed softly against my skin, but it brought me no peace.
Everything was changing.
And I could feel it.
For the first time since I became a witch…
I was afraid.
Not of enemies.
Not of war.
But of my own heart.
Because deep inside—
I knew one thing for certain.
If I wasn't careful…
I was going to lose everything.
While still fighting with my thoughts, I heard a voice I had been trying to avoid ever since I accepted Prince Raymond.
It was my godmother.
She looked straight into my eyes and commanded me to sit down.
"Tanya, my child, my heart is broken because of your stubbornness and disobedience. I warned you to stay away from Raymond, but you went ahead and accepted his proposal. I am not trying to stop your happiness, but I am protecting you.
I miss that fierce little girl who was hurt by his people and swore never to love. A girl who chose another life just for revenge.
Have you forgotten your small bed inside the old dog house? Your parents' killers? Your inheritance? And those who tried to kill you and humiliated you? The dam… the water beasts… and the forest beasts?
Tanya, don't deceive yourself because of arrogance. You don't love Prince Ray—you know that deep inside your heart.
He is not what he seems to be. Be careful, and don't forget your oath. I have already searched your heart, but be warned—never fall in love with a human. It is an abomination in our covenant. It once destroyed our territory."
My godmother did not give me a chance to respond.
She left.
I remembered everything.
It had been so long… I almost forgot about my revenge.
What was wrong with me?
Accepting the proposal… forgetting my mission… my inheritance…
It was time to visit the humans.
My uncle.
To claim my rights.
As for the proposal—
I would cancel everything.
I am Tanya.
A lioness from the Lion Pack.
Reborn to destroy the evil ones—
Not to love.
The wind howled through the baobab tree as if the spirits themselves had heard my vow.
The war had just begun.
And this time…
I would not show mercy.
END OF CHAPTER SIXTEEN