Zephyrine


    37%


    Finished


    “How do you feel?” Mearez pulled me toward the window, scanning my eyes and body as if searching for hidden wounds. “You don’t need to be polite. I know he can be… intense in bed.”


    I lowered my gaze and gave a small nod.


    “I’m fine.”


    “You have no bruises?” she pressed, taking my hand gently. “Hmm?”


    I shook my head and met her eyes, sighing. Her care was genuine, and it only made me love and respect her


    more.


    “I have no bruises, He only… choked me. But I’m fine.”


    She blinked at me, her expression softening with apology before she exhaled slowly and nodded.


    “I heard you issued a duel?” she asked, then added, “Lycannar seems to be taking it lightly. It’s as if he believes you’ll win.”


    My gaze drifted from Princess Mearez to Lycannar, who was speaking with Hades across the hall.


    “I can fight. He knows that. We spar.”


    “You spar?!” she gasped, almost horrified. “With… Lycannar?”


    “You sound terrified.”


    “I’m surprised,” she admitted. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”


    “Not at all. He’s only primal when we get intimate.”


    To that, Princess Mearez caressed my palm gently, her voice dropping to a soft vow.


    “Listen. You’re not alone anymore. The Blood family, especially me, Hades, and Serena will always be in your corner. If you need anything, Zephyrine… absolutely anything… don’t hesitate to ask.”


    “Princess Mearez…”


    “Call me Mearez,” she interrupted with a warm smile. “You’re my younger brother’s joy. For that, I will forever worship you.”


    Goosebumps spread over my arms. She truly appreciated me, not just for being here, but for epting Lycannar… and for giving myself to him. She knew. Everyone knew.


    I nodded my thanks, but before I could speak, Lycannar approached, his presence drawing my gaze down shyly.


    “It’ste. Are you sure you want to go home?”


    “Yes. The Dusk household will be worried.”


    “I’ll walk you. Come.”


    I nodded and nced toward his family still seated at the table.


    “I’ll go say goodbye first.”


    Leaving him and his sister, I approached the table. Their conversation faded as I bowed slightly.


    “Thank you for the meal. I’ll take my leave now.”


    “So soon?” Baron asked.


    “I’ve been here sincest night.”


    “Oh, alright. Which pack do you live in?” he asked, but before I could answer, Eiryn spoke.


    林茶 37%


    99 Finished


    “She’s been in Hue Pack for the past five years. Recently moved to White Pack.” She met my gaze with unnerving precision. “You’ll attend the council meetings as the King’s woman, won’t you?”


    I froze. A sudden responsibility I wasn’t ready for.


    “She’ll be avable for thatter,” Lycannar’s voice cut in as his arm circled my waist.


    “If she can’t start learning to rule, she should at least learn the etiquette of a queen,” Eiryn muttered.<fn1223> The rightful source is find?novel</fn1223>


    “I’ll help her with that,” Princess Serena, who had been silent until now, offered. She turned to me. “We’ll start after your duel. Agreed?”


    I hesitated. This was getting serious…


    “Okay.”


    I bowed again and let Lycannar lead me down a hallway until I stopped and pointed toward another corridor.


    “I think that’s the way to the exit,”


    “You can take this way <i>too</i>. Besides, I want to show you something.”


    He led me into the Royal Stables. My steps faltered as I spotted a white, powerful horse waiting near his own mount. My breath caught.


    “A little present for epting me into your life,” he said.


    I turned sharply to stare at him.


    “Did you say little?”


    “Hmm?” His eyes held no hint of emotion I could read.


    “Lycan..”


    <i>214 </i>


    “What?” His voice was low. “You don’t like it?”


    “I…”


    Finished


    “Then tell me what you want. I’ll get it for you. I chose white because it suits you. She’s my horse’s mate, so I thought we could twin…”


    I closed the distance and kissed him, silencing him for the first time. When I pulled back, my breathing was unsteady, and memories came rushing in.


    A white horse, a gift from my father before my first war. She had died in that same war five years ago… and I had never recovered. But this mare looked exactly like her, pulling me back toward the part of myself I had buried.


    I stepped forward and stroked her mane. She sniffed my face softly, already bonding with me. I giggled despite myself.


    “This must be expensive…” I murmured, then looked at Lycannar again and an unease crept into.


    my


    chest.


    Does this mean… I’m already in a rtionship with a king?


    “I don’t have a stable in White Pack. She’ll stand out…”


    “I thought you’d say that. I’ve already n to write to your Alpha to arrange everything. She’ll be delivered to your pack tomorrow. But tonight, you’ll ride in this carriage.”


    He gestured, and I turned to see the most exquisite carriage I had everid eyes on.


    “It’s yours. I had them make a less attractive one so it wouldn’t draw attention.”


    Less attractive? If this was the modest version, I didn’t dare imagine the original.


    Before I could say anything, I felt someone behind me. I turned to find a young woman, probably younger than me by <i>a </i>few years. Two messy buns framed her delicate face. She bowed.


    “This is Blue<i>,</i>” Lycannar said. “She’ll be your personal maid from now on.”


    “Lycannar!”


    “Just for tonight, she’ll settle with you. Tomorrow, I’ll send the letter for official permission. She’s a Lycan. She needs it to live in a werewolf pack. Go on. Good night.”


    “Lycannar…” I started, but he was already walking away, the people in the stables bowing as he passed.


    A king. That’s who he was.


    But a maid?


    I was still squatting.