<i>Zephyrine </i>


    The dusk had settled before my eyes, and the night darkened with lightning. Thanks to the storm, most of the pack had gone to bed early, leaving everything unnervingly quiet.


    I stood at the window with my arms folded beneath my chest, his words echoing in my head, about us meeting tonight, this very night, at the tavern.


    My gaze lingered on the gate, though I already knew the truth. I couldn’t go. I must not go. If Varyn discovered it, he wouldn’t just be angry, he would be furious.


    Turning away from the window, I climbed into bed and pulled the nket over my body.


    I shut my eyes, praying for sleep, but it refused toe. All I felt was the raw burn of the runes that had appeared agonizingly on my skin this morning.


    I had been lucky my brother wasn’t in the pack at that time. He would have demanded answers. I swallowed hard, trying again to force sleep, only for the warmth to spread once


    more.


    It climbed to my chest, the runes glowing faintly as they branched further across my body.


    What had first appeared only on my arm had now reached my back, curling down to my waist, forming sacred symbols I couldn’t understand.


    Their presence on me left me feeling exposed. Vulnerable. Too seen.


    I opened my eyes and gave up. Rising from bed, I reached for a cloak and grabbed Blue’s diary from the rack before slipping to the window.


    Peering out to ensure no one was watching, I leapt down,nding softly on my feet. I didn’t hesitate.


    In a blur, I sped toward the walls, vaulted over with ease, and shot into the darkness like lightning, leaving only the whisper of air behind me.


    The tavern came into view at the darkest hour. From a distance, I stopped, my breath shaky, my heart unsteady. I pulled my hood tighter around my face and began forward slowly.


    This is thest time, I told myself. Thest time I would meet Lycannar. I had to tell him to stop binding me with his runes. I had to return Blue’s diary. And most of all, I had to warn him not toe to the ceremony, because it was a trap meant to lure him out.


    <b>17:47 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>29 </b>


    +10 Free Coins


    That was what I repeated to myself over and over, until I reached the tavern and froze<b>. </b>His powerful ck horse stood in the stable, <b>set </b>apart from the rest.


    Its presence alone sent a chill through me. I missed him. I still felt something for him, even after everything. That truth, I couldn’t deny.


    Lowering my gaze, I slipped inside. I bypassed the noisy drinkers andughter and made my way toward the chamber where we had once shared our first kiss<b>. </b>


    I reached the door and shivered, fear slicing through me. Fear of seeing him again. Fear of standing before him once more.


    I hadn’t yet gathered the strength to enter when the door opened softly. There he stood in the doorway. Lycannar.


    Dressed in all ck, a fur cloak draped over his shoulders, he looked impossibly dominant. His silky hair fell loose, and the rings at his brow caught themplight, casting him in a glow that made him almost too beautiful to look at.


    We stared at one another for what felt like eternity. Then he opened the door wider and stepped aside, silently inviting me in.


    Clenching my jaw, I broke our gaze and crossed the threshold, bypassing him to step into the chamber. To my surprise, the table was set with food and drink.


    What was this? Did he think this was a reunion?


    “You haven’t been eating well,” his voice came from behind as the door shut and locked. “Your body shows it. I’m worried.”


    His words sent something sharp through me, and I turned, my gaze fixed on him.


    “And whose fault is that?” I asked quietly. “Hmm? Whose fault is it that I can’t eat?”


    He didn’t answer. His face betrayed no emotion, only that unyielding look in his eyes, the one that always broke me.


    Then, before I could react, he sank to his knees before me.


    A king, on his knees.


    “I won’t ask forgiveness,” he said softly. “I don’t deserve it. I won’t ask for your understanding, because even I cannot understand losing myself. But I beg you, Zephyrine, I beg you with everything you hold dear, ept my apology. I am sorry for losing control. I am sorry for


    apter <i>265 </i>


    killing your father on the battlefield. I will atone for that sin with anything, with everything… except letting you go to another man as his bride. I need you.”


    Pinned between rock and fire, helpless beyond reason, I could only stare. His voice, his words, his posture, it tore me apart. <fn979c> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find?novel</fn979c>


    Sadness swelled, heavier than before. Sad that we hade to this ce. Sad that everything had to be this way. And sadder still… that even after it all, I couldn’t bring myself to choose.