<i>Zephyrine </i>
<b>+10 </b>Free Coins
I have felt a certain energy the first time I saw Lycannar. An energy that seemed to call out to my wolf. I also felt a faint trace of that same energy when I met Chantel for the first time.
Now I feel that energy again, standing before this powerful man. I know he isn’t the King of this kingdom, but I swear he carries the air of a ruler.
From what I have heard so far, he is a man born from another woman, not from the dead Lycan King. Yet staring at him closely, I would bet my life he has a throne waiting for him.
He looks a little like Lycannar, more rugged, and from his posture he certainly carries the air
of <i>a </i>womanizer.
I swallowed, nearly pping myself for letting that thought cross my mind. Slowly, I bowed my head before him.
Whether he is a King or not, being Lycannar’s half–brother makes him a prince in this kingdom, the eldest sibling. I have seen how Lycannar addresses him with both respect and love<i>. </i>He deserves my bow.
His footsteps drew closer, and I looked up to see him standing before me. His gaze was fixed on me, steady and piercing, and I swallowed under its weight, staring into those striking eyes.
Up close… he was even more stunning. And intimidating.
“You are beautiful,” his voice reached me.
“Thank you.”
His gaze dropped gently to my hand, to the ring on my finger. He reached out, took my hand, and lifted it to inspect the band encircling my finger before looking back at me.
“You said yes?” The question carried weight, as though he wanted to be sure I knew what I had stepped into.
“Yes, I do.”
“You said yes to Apex?” he pressed, more firmly this time. I swallowed, recognizing he was testing my love, my devotion.
“I love him, and I said yes.”
<b>17:36 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>19 </b>B.
…
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“You won’t be able to pull that ring off now that it’s on you. <b>It’s </b>still fresh. You can still resist, say no, if you know yourmitment will waver once the truthes out. Because after this very moment, you’ll never be free again.”
He spoke as if this was myst chance to escape hell, and if I failed to take it, I would be doomed forever. I blinked at his face, wondering why he spoke like this.
Tension rose. No one moved. Not even Lycannar.
“If you think the love I have for your younger brother won’t stand the test of time and truth, then you are wrong,” I said firmly, standing before Hades, my heart thudding. “I love him as <b>a </b>King, as a man, and I will love him as my husband.”
He searched my eyes for one long, heart–stopping second, waiting for me to falter. When I didn’t, he leaned in, kissed the back of my palm, and straightened with a smile.
“Wee to the family, love. Tell me, what do you want for a present?”
I stilled.
“A present?”
“You’ve epted my little brother as your man. You deserve a present,” he said with a teasing smile.
<i>“</i>You make it sound like he’s a burden, which he never is.”
“Really?” he replied, smiling as his gaze shifted to Lycannar. I followed his eyes, staring at the man I was going <i>to </i>marry. Never had I been more proud.
He is the easiest of men, rarely speaks, handsome to the point of envy, powerful, wealthy, and a benevolent King.
I smiled to myself and turned back to Hades, only to see him staring at me, watching, as though studying me.
“You are in love with him. I see it clearly now.”
“My baby brother isn’t that bad,” Princess Serena said, and I was about to smile when Uncle Dareth’s voice cut in.
“But it would do her a lot of good if someone told the poor she–wolf what she’s walking into.”
I froze. Once could be brushed off, but twice now was suspicious. I turned to him, and he smiled at me.
“My dear, won’t you ask questions?”
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“If this is because of what happenedst night, Uncle Dareth, you should stop now. Whatever Zephyrine needs to know, her man will tell her,” Princess Serena said hotly, but the man only chuckled dryly before turning back to me.
“A ravaging beast, bound in golden chains at his ankles. Won’t you still ask questions?”
Silence fell. I stared at the man, remembering Lycannar had mentioned they argued yesterday. Did he have to be so blunt?
I frowned at Uncle Dareth.
“You are his uncle. You know how much he has endured. Why are you adding salt to an unhealed wound?” He opened his mouth to reply, but I raised my hand, not letting him finish. “I know he has secrets. I know truths willeter. Some I may even find terrifying, but we will work through them together. I respect you as his uncle and the King’s advisor, but you should not speak of my man like that. To mock his curse, his differences… it is not polite.”
Silence spread again. Uncle Dareth stared at me for what felt like an eternity, clearly not expecting me to take Lycannar’s side so firmly.
“You know he has fangs?” he asked suddenly, and I froze. This time, Hades lost his patience.
“What happened yesterday?” he demanded, to no one in particr. I stepped back, waiting. “Apex?”
“Baron wanted the crown. I asked him to try it on.” <fn9a8c> Th?s chapter is updated by Find★Novel</fn9a8c>
“And?”
“He nearly died, but I saved him. I think my uncle is still angry at me for that.”
At this, Hades turned to Dareth. His wife, Aunt Eiryn, cleared her throat.
“I want to apologize for that incident, Your Majesty,” she said, her eyes first on Lycannar, then on Hades. “My husband and son crossed a line. They should be punished, but I beg forgiveness on their behalf.”
Everyone turned <i>to </i>Lycannar, waiting. He lowered his gaze, silent for a long moment, before murmuring,
“I hold no grudges. They’d be dead if I did.”
The truth of it chilled the air. Everyone shifted uneasily.
<b>17:36 </b>Fri<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>19 </b>G
<b>51 </b>
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Hades sighed and walked toward Baron. His steps were slow, almost casual, but everyone froze when he paused behind the Beta who had coveted the crown. They stiffened further when Hades leaned in, ced a hand on Baron’s shoulder, and squeezed gently.
“Just because Apex doesn’t speak much doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous. Be careful, dear cousin. Be careful. We are one big family with the darkest secrets, and we should hold onto one another. The crown is Apex’s burden. If you wear it, you won’t survive ten seconds. That is one of his curses. Consider this a small insight.”
Then he straightened, smiling at me.
“My dear, will you lend me your fiancé for a while?”
I swallowed and nodded. Without another word, Hades walked toward the stairs of the tower. Lycannar rose from his seat.
“You don’t leave without informing me, okay?” he said, and I nodded.
“Okay.”
I watched him disappear up the stairs with his brother. After his departure, I let out a shaky sigh.
The burden. The weight. The hate and secrets. Why does Lycannar carry so much? What was his offense?