Chapter 101Lucien rubbed a hand over his own mark, saying nothing as he moved from her to perch on the edge of the desk.Rowen looked between them, “Alycia...”But she simply gave him a small smile, chuckling softly, “It’s me. Ravenna. I mean... Alycia. We’re the same, actually. Two halves, but we could be one.”Rowen blinked rapidly. His brows drew tight.Rowen blinked, “What do you mean? What are you saying?” he asked, voice low.She shrugged, gaze steady. “We’re the same. You should know that by now. But I feel more like her now. Her memories, her childhood and all that…” She breathed in deeply, as if grounding herself in the truth she’d just spoken.“Ra… Ravenna?” he stuttered, inching closer.“My King,” she whispered, smiling softly as she lifted both hands to the back of his neck.“It’s really you?” His voice shook. “How did it happen? Alycia—”“You don’t need to confuse yourself,” she cut him off gently. “I’m here now, and I’m not letting anyone walk away with trying to harm m
Chapter 100Rowen stood near the center of the courtroom, his voice low but firm as he spoke with two guards stationed beside the marble pillars. His instructions were clear, every detail regarding the upcoming coronation of the Lycan queen needed to be perfect, no matter the chaos unfolding around them.“Make sure the ceremonial guards are trained and ready. I don’t want surprises that day,” he said, nodding at one of the men. “Double the patrols on the west wing too. And keep eyes on the council members that visited weeks ago. If anyone spots even a whisper of them again, report to me immediately.”He didn't trust them one but, and he knew he was right to be wary. Pausing slightly, his jaw clenched. “And the wolf girl, Pearl. The one who caused a ruckus on that day... I need her located. No matter what it takes."Rowen knew that even if nothing could be done now, he had made Alycia a promise, and he intend to keep it.That, and the issue with the girls from her pack. Rowen ran a h
Chapter 99“Come on, go ahead and ‘flog’ me to death, Danika.”Ravenna could see how shocked lady Danika was on hearing her sprout those words. Her eyes almost bulging out of their sockets, her neck tightening, as she took in harsh breaths. Her lips were twisted tightly, but no words came out.“I knew it,” Ravenna muttered under her breath. “You’ve always hated me. Even back then.”Danika clenched her fists, and her eyes darted away for a second.Ravenna gave her a sharp look before stepping around her, brushing past her shoulder intentionally. Danika’s nostrils flared. She clenched her jaw, turned swiftly, and marched out, robes fluttering behind her as she disappeared into the corridor.Moments later, the cell doors creaked again, and this time, Ravenna walked in.Her heels clicked slowly on the cold floor, echoing with every step. Her chin was lifted, her gown sleek, her presence commanding. When she spotted Roselyn in chains, a slow smirk spread across her lips.“Well, well, we
Chapter 98 Their bodies stayed connected, breathing heavy, movements slow and deep, like they were afraid rushing would shatter the fragile moment between them. Then he brushed his lips on her collar, the part where a mark should be. She shivered. His tongue lapped at the skin there, so torturously slow but hungry. Her hands went down to his shoulders, sliding to his back, her nails digging there as she held him tight. "I want to mark you," he said, his voice hoarse, as his hips moved upward. He'd always wanted to mark her, but this just seemed like the right time. She released a shaky breath. “P... perhaps we should take things slow... there’s a lot to be done. The... council... Roselyn…” "She almost took you from me. Again." Lucien's voice was low, angry. "I won’t let that happen. Not ever again." His thrusts were slower now. He pulled out of her to the tip, then pushed his length all the way in, hitting her deep, and her head fell back. Then he pulled her close and
Chapter 97Her fingers remained buried in his hair, her chest rising and falling as his mouth worked over her. Her skin felt too hot under his touch, her breath catching each time his tongue swept over her sensitive skin.“Lucien…” she whispered again, barely able to speak. Her hands slid down to his shoulders, and gripped them.But Lucien went still and his eyes unfocused. He wasn’t in the bath anymore. He was on his knees, in blood-soaked robes, rain slamming against the stone ground. Screaming her name. Her lifeless body just out of reach. His hands, shaking, covered in blood that wouldn’t wash off. Guards pulling him back. His brother’s voice yelling something—he didn’t remember what.He was breaking."Lucien," her voice echoed from somewhere in the present, but he couldn’t answer.His breathing grew shallow. His chest tight.Her hand found his again. “Lucien,” she repeated, louder this time.He blinked, and the room spun.Ravenna faced him. Her wet skin slid against his, but all
Chapter 96 One second, relief flooded Lucien—warm, unfamiliar peace washing over him as he held her close. But the very next moment, it was gone. It felt like breathing became a burden to him. The way she looked at him... no. No, it was so wrong. So, so wrong. She shouldn’t look at him that way. Not like that. Not with such blind softness, like he hadn’t done everything wrong. Like he was still worthy of her. She shouldn’t, not for a second, think he had been anything close to perfect. Hell. He thought he was over this. That time had buried the guilt, smothered it. But no. He'd only been lying to himself. And somehow, lying to himself had made it easier to make Alycia believe the same. But he wasn't okay. And hearing her say it wasn't his fault—it didn't sound right. Not in his ears. Not deep in his soul. "You don't understand." His voice snapped sharper than he intended. She twisted around to face him, brows drawn slightly in confusion. “Do you know how hard it was f