<b><i>Lycannar </i></b>


    I watch her stare at her reflection onest time before lowering the thin curtain to cover the mirror. Gently, she walks up to the table and takes a seat on the chair across from me.


    She looks… utterly lovely in her nightdress, and for a brief moment I can only stare at her bare shoulders and the curve of her neck. For some reason, I wish I were close enough to press <b>a </b>kiss against her tender, milky skin.


    But just as the thought rises, it dies when my eyes meet hers. Our gazes lock briefly.


    She had said no, and that has hurt me more than anything ever has. I try to understand, but I can’t. She said she loves me. Doesn’t that mean that whatever happens, we face it together? Or have I misunderstood what love means?


    Is the love she feels for me different?


    I lower my gaze, burying the questions, and reach for the dinnerid out before us. I open the gaze fixed dish, pick up a piece of cutlery, and hand her the other. She hesitates. I can feel her on me, but I keep my eyes on the te.


    “Thank you,” she mutters softly, finally epting it.


    We begin to eat in silence, but my appetite is gone. The beasts in me, who have always loved to consume their fill, are quiet tonight. After only three bites, I set the food aside and reach for the goblet of water, drinking slowly.


    Then I rise from the chair and pour myself the nightly potion to calm the beasts. After swallowing it down, I walk to the bed, sit, and bury my face in the hollow of my palms, sighing heavily <i>to </i>stayposed.


    Seconds pass, then minutes. Atst, I climb fully into bed, lying back as my eyes lift to the beautiful sketch of Zephyrine’s face etched in memory.


    I want her, just as always. I want her as I always do, but she… she does not seem to feel the same about me. And that breaks my heart.


    I lower my gaze, pull the nket over myself, and try to force sleep.


    The sound of her clearing the table carries through the chamber. Dishes clinking. Water running faintly from the kitchen. Minutester, she returns, her steps pausing in the middle of the room.


    I hear nothing more from her, no movement, and curiosity prompts me to crack my eyes open. She <b>is </b>staring at my ankles.


    A small frown creases her brows as she walks closer and sits on the edge of the bed, her fingers reaching for me. Instinctively, I pull back at thest moment.


    “Don’t touch it,” I say quietly. Her eyes lift from my legs to my


    face.


    “Why? Because I’m not your woman anymore?”


    I raise an eyebrow. Is that anger in her voice? And why does she sound as though I said such a thing?


    “You’re the one who dered yourself single, Zephyrine. Not me.” I turn slightly away, but her jaw hardens.


    “Why can’t you understand simple words, Lycannar?”


    “Because they weren’t simple,” I reply curtly. “You gave me hope and then crushed it. You said


    love me, that you’d love to marry me, and then the next second you say no to my proposal because you’re barren, or because of something my foremother said to you…”


    you


    “I’m trying to save your bloodline, Lycannar. Why are you angry when I’m doing you a great kindness<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    “Because you love me, Zephyrine!” I snap, sitting up atst, staring her down. “I am obsessed


    It


    both We share a bond no one else can break. You said with you. I want you.


    you goes ways. loved me and that should mean something. Love isn’t a word you toss aside when things get difficult. We were supposed to face it together. As a couple. Not one of us carrying the burden alone.”


    “Lycan…”


    “Our rtionship isn’t just about sex. It’s not about power, thrill, or good times. It’s about the bad times too. Aboutforting each other. epting each other’s ws, all of them. It shouldn’t be your problem alone, Zephyrine. You should call it ours, so we can find the solution together.”


    She falls silent, still. I know the weight of my words has struck her. For the first time, I’ve spoken in true frustration and misery, and she cannot brush it away.


    I sigh shakily, lowering my gaze,


    “But if truly this <b>is </b>the path you’ve chosen, then… maybe we should forget the matter. Let’s focus on something else. As you wish.”


    <b>17:35 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>19 </b>B..


    :


    No wordse from her. I lie back down, pulling the nket over me.


    <b>52 </b>


    +10 Free Coins


    Seconds pass. Atst, she climbs into bed as well, lying beside me. Our first night filled with tension. <fn5974> Checktest chapters at ?ovelFind</fn5974>


    Our first night touched by real anger. Many couples would have turned away, slept apart. But after minutes of silence, the distance bes unbearable for both of us.


    She turns toward me, finding me already waiting. Zephyrine leans in and kisses my lips, pulling back to swallow hard.


    “I’m sorry I didn’t think that far, Lycan. I just… didn’t want to be selfish.” Her voice is soft. “I respect and love your sisters more than anything. No matter what the world says, they will always be considered Blood. But Lycannar… you are the only true Blood to the throne left, and you need a true heir. Your offspring who will seed you.”


    I sigh deeply.


    “You know… my uncle Dareth said something today that weighs on me still. He said only the gods know how monstrous my offspring will be. Cursed, maybe. Worse than me. And thinking of it… maybe not bearing pups is a blessing in disguise.”


    I swear I see her heart shatter as I try to console myself. Her teeth bite down on her lower lip until she trembles. Tears well in her eyes, spilling silently down her cheeks.


    Without a word, she crawls into my arms, and I hold her close. We stay like that, wrapped in each other, until sleep finally takes us.