<i>Zephyrine </i>


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    “By the time I reached the battlefield, the ground was already drenched in blood. Ashmere warriors had fallen, and so had mine. Everyone was retreating back to camp. To the demon warlord, there was no apology for my men’s deaths. He insisted he had only followed orders beyond his will. He had ced my army in the frontlines, isted. But he vowed the Ashmeres would pay for it.”


    His pale–gold eyes caught mine, steady and piercing, and I braced myself for what he would say next.


    “I love shedding blood more than you can imagine, Zephyrine. Revenge too. I have lived by an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But I swear to you, that is not what happened in camp. I carried my uncle’s warning that the werewolves would be betrayed, ughtered. I never asked how he knew, but I never doubted him. And before long, the truth came. The messenger we sent to returned with your parents, carrying grim news that the Ashmere camp was ame. The warlord and generals had been butchered in their sleep.”


    I froze. My breath caught in my chest.


    “The Abyss warlord and I mounted our horses and rode into the Ashmere camp. We found only ruins. Your kind surrounded their own, arrows let loose mercilessly right before my eyes.”


    My knees weakened, but Lycannar’s hand closed around mine, steady and grounding.


    “Cornered by their own kind, trapped by werewolves they trusted, the Ashmeres fought back, but they were stunned, betrayed. They fell one by one. Among thest still standing was your brother, Varyn.”


    Lycannar’s expression softened, his features drawn with memory.


    “Your brother fought fiercely, Zephyrine. He tried with everything he had to reach your parents, but they were already dead. And when the attackers turned on him, I… I chose to intervene. I had no reason to. The Ashmeres had ughtered my men; I should have left him to his fate. But I didn’t. Though I had sworn not to fight that night, though the full moon still lingered in my veins, I rode into the chaos. It took a single sh, w marks that never heal unless by a rare–born healer. I tore through the betrayers and pulled thest of the Ashmeres out alive.”


    I stared at him, stunned, my lips parting in disbelief. Memories of Varyn’s words returned, a whisper in my mind. My heart stammered in my chest as I breathed, almost to myself,


    “You… you were the monster he wrote of? The one who saved him?”


    He arched a brow, then shrugged faintly.


    “I shifted that night. I couldn’t stop it. The aftermath of the full moon. I lost control. After tgw rescue your brother stayed with the Abyss warriors afterward. There he learned the truth that the battle was never meant to be fought. Your kind had been told demons were invading; demons were told werewolves sought their realm. Lies spun to ignite war. Varyn bowed to me, asked if there was any way to undo the dead, to bring back my men. But I forgave him. The Blood Army always knew death would im them sooner orter. I have seen it <i>too</i>. It was my failure as a warlord not to shield them more.”


    A shadow passed across Lycannar’s gaze. The pain there made my chest ache and there I understood then what my brother meant when he wrote of ‘world within world.’


    Sat, Sep 6


    He meant the truth of Lycans and demons.


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    “Eventually, he left with his men.” Lycannar continue. “They retreated with honor, bowing to the Abyss warriors and earning respect. I watched him ride away, and I left too. That day I hung my armor for good, left my des to gather dust. I funded every family of my Blood Army for life, but nothing reced the men themselves. From then on, I withdrew. I believed Varyn would make it home safely. But now, hearing from you that he vanished on the battlefield five years ago… it means he never did. Yet I swear it, Zephyrine, I saw him leave.”


    The truth left me hollow. I dropped my gaze, leaning into him as guilt wed through me. My heart ached unbearably. If only I could turn back time, warn my parents, keep them from that war. Tell them the Blood Army was not their enemy, that their warlord was not the monster whispered in campfires but a man, an apex predator, yes, but one who would never strike unless dared.


    “How can I ever repay the lives of your men, Lycannar?” My voice trembled, thick with shame. “How can I walk into your kingdom without my conscience tearing me apart?”


    He gently tilted my chin, pressing his lips to mine. His kiss silenced the storm of my guilt.


    “If I had led that battle, I would have in your kind as well. I don’t believe in passing the sins of parents onto their children. My obsession for you was born long before I knew who you truly were, and it will never change. Nothing will make me turn away from you.”


    I searched his face, stunned at his unwavering resolve. Still, he wanted me. Still, he loved me.<fn4466> Th?s chapter is updated by f?ndnovel</fn4466>


    “Lycan…” I whispered, overwhelmed, and he kissed me again, drawing me against his chest. My hand pressed to his heart, and for the first time, I felt the weight lift. I wasn’t as broken or lost as I had been moments ago.


    When he pulled back, I moved away only to dress, then reached for his hand.


    “You can stay away from the ck Tower for one night, can’t you?” I asked, and when he straightened, he nodded.


    “Thene. Pass the night in my bedchamber. Make love to me again. Earlier I held back, afraid of being caught, but now I don’t care. Let them gossip, let them scorn. I am yours. Let my love and devotion repay the lives of your army. I know it isn’t a fair trade, but it is what I can give.”


    I hadn’t even finished when he pulled me into another kiss, fierce and iming. And when I lowered my gaze, I knew I was his. Entirely his.


    Send Gifts


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