Prince Caspian

Malory’s POV:

I wandered over to a lush, sun-dappled patch of grass a short distance from the courtyard bench and stretched out on the lawn.

All around me, the citizens of the royal city walked by, talking and laughing, while groups of young Lycans my own age traded mindless jokes and lighthearted banter. It was a beautiful, entirely ordinary afternoon, yet a sudden tightness squeezed my throat, and I felt hot tears prick the corners of my eyes.

A wave of profound gratitude washed over me. I was finally free from the agonizing psychological torment that had plagued my upbringing. I was no longer a burden to be tolerated.

As I lay there beneath the shadow of the royal palace, my mind briefly drifted to Mr. and Mrs. Grenade, and to my brother, Rhy. I found myself wondering if their hearts were breaking over my sudden disappearance. I had acted entirely on reckless impulse that night; at the very least, I should have left behind a letter to reassure them that I was alive.

I will master this training as quickly as possible, I resolved silently. I will return to them standing tall, showing the entire Knox pack—and Oliver—exactly who I am.

My flight from the pack lands had been a desperate act, but it hadn't truly been caused by Oliver's rejection itself. Rather, it was his vicious, arrogant provocation that had shattered my fragile state of mind, driving me to a precipice that nearly destroyed my family.

When I finally crossed back into their borders, I would be a hundred times stronger than Oliver Knox could ever dream of being. I wanted to see the look on his face when he realized he could no longer judge my worth based on his narrow, elitist views.

If my time among the Lycans had taught me anything, it was that true nobility believed all species deserved dignity, and those who used their power to intentionally break others would inevitably face retribution.

I glanced back toward the garden bench. My parents were still hopelessly lost in their own world, whispering sweet nothings to one another, completely oblivious to their nearby daughter. I shook my head with a small smile; such was the shameless reality of fated mates.

Suddenly, a shadow fell across my vision, blocking out the warm sunlight.

A young man stepped into view, possessing a striking, powerfully built physique where every muscle seemed perfectly sculpted. His eyes were a piercing, molten silver-gray, and his matching silver hair caught the brilliant afternoon sun like polished steel. He carried himself with an effortless, dangerously charming smile as he walked directly toward my patch of grass.

Perhaps it was merely my heightened instincts, but I could feel his intense gaze locked onto me long before he approached, making a prickle of awareness race down my spine.

I pushed myself up into a sitting position just as he came to a halt directly in front of me.

“Exquisite lady,” he murmured, his smooth voice dripping with charisma. “Would you do me the immense honor of granting me a date?”

I couldn't help but press a hand over my mouth to smother a sudden giggle. At first glance, I had pegged him as one of those arrogant courtly playboys who collected hearts for sport. I certainly hadn't expected him to be so incredibly blunt. What kind of gentleman openly propositions a lady within the first three seconds of an introduction?

“You possess a very bold sense of humor, sir,” I replied smoothly, tilting my head.

He offered a sly, knowing grin that I couldn't quite decipher. Then, with a fluid flick of his wrist, he produced a vibrant, deep crimson rose seemingly out of thin air.

The gesture was undeniably cheesy—a theatrical conversation starter pulled straight from a low-tier street magician trying to win over an audience with cheap parlor tricks.

“Sir, if your intention is to properly court a lady's attention, a single flower is hardly a grand gesture,” I countered, gracefully accepting the stem while secretly eager to see what his next move would be.

The enigmatic smile lingering at the corners of his lips deepened.

“Naturally, my lady. A single blossom is merely the prelude. A true gentleman must always employ a bit of mystery to slowly build toward a proper surprise, wouldn't you agree?”

I stared up at him, my eyes widening slightly as the air around him shifted. My initial impression of a reckless charlatan vanished, replaced by a sudden appreciation for the underlying aura of authority radiating from him.

“Who exactly are you?” I asked, realizing his standing in this court had to be significant.

Before he could offer a mysterious reply, the lighthearted atmosphere evaporated.

My parents, who had been lost in their romantic world just a moment prior, were suddenly stepping into the clearing. Their warm, relaxed expressions had instantly hardened into masks of regal dignity and absolute solemnity, causing me to automatically square my shoulders and listen.

“Welcome, Prince Caspian,” my father spoke, his voice deep and formal as his brow furrowed slightly, stepping forward to offer a firm, authoritative handshake.

I blinked, trying to process the encounter. Why had Prince Caspian been playing games with me before formally presenting himself to the monarchs? Had he merely wanted to amuse himself with my clueless reaction? I forced my face into an expression of stoic neutrality, determined not to appear out of place before the high court.

“The honor is entirely mine, Your Majesty. Thank you for extending the invitation,” Caspian replied.

The playful, rogue-like demeanor he had shown me a moment ago was entirely gone, replaced by the rigid, impeccable discipline of a seasoned military commander as he offered a deep, respectful bow to my parents.

“It appears the two of you have already crossed paths,” Elara observed, a knowing glint in her green eyes as she stepped to my side. “Caspian, this is Lady Mallory.”

Using my chosen public name, Mallory, was a tactical decision we had strictly agreed upon. Until I possessed the raw power required to defend my title, hiding my true status as the heir to the throne was the only way to safeguard against the ancient enemies lurking in the shadows. Caution was our greatest shield.

“A true privilege, Your Highness,” Caspian murmured, bowing elegantly over my hand.

Recalling his clumsy magic trick from moments prior, I had to fight a sudden urge to smile at how flawlessly he wore the mask of a courtly gentleman.

My father turned his gaze toward me, his usual warmth replaced by the stern demeanor required of a king in the presence of his military elite.

“Lady Mallory, allow me to introduce Prince Caspian. He is, without question, the most uniquely talented and brilliant young general I have ever had the privilege of commanding.”

Aldrich spoke with absolute conviction, clearly intending to paint the young commander as a legendary figure of the realm, though the revelation of Caspian's actual rank sent a jolt of surprise through me.

“Moving forward, your education will be placed entirely in his hands,” Aldrich commanded firmly. “Prince Caspian will be solely responsible for your physical training, combat tactics, and strategic evaluations. You will find that he possesses a wealth of lethal knowledge that cannot be found within the pages of any palace library.”

It was an incredibly powerful appointment, yet rather than feeling reassured, a sudden wave of apprehension washed over me as I looked at my new mentor.

Would an undisciplined rogue like him truly be able to forge me into the warrior I desperately needed to become?