After a brief uproar, silence settled over the room again, and Andriel seized the moment to continue. If they thought they could say whatever they wanted, they’d have to listen to what he had to say too.“My cousin is dead, as is my mother,” Andriel said. “Both conspired to kill my mate and my brother’s mate. Beyond that vile plan, he wanted to kill me and Brian to take the throne. And I wonder how many of you might be involved in that scheme.”“You really think we’d be capable of something like that against you?” the councilor asked, his indignation clearly forced.“I have no doubt!” Andriel declared, his voice calm but brimming with conviction. “You couldn’t even wait for me to say goodbye to my mother before hounding me, as if you were in a rush to dethrone me. And you think I shouldn’t suspect you?”The man swallowed hard, lowering his gaze, hesitant. Before the silence could stretch on, another figure stepped into the center of the room. A new councilor intervened, sensing his co
The atmosphere was heavy. Some women wept as the coffin was slowly lowered into the grave. Perla’s friends were deeply shaken, and though Andriel and Brian felt the sting of loss, they still couldn’t openly express their grief in public.Andriel’s ex-girlfriend, who had once pretended to be his Luna, tried to approach to offer comfort, but Taylor’s presence made her back off. The council already knew they were mates, and it made no sense to let her stand by Andriel’s side now.Stella didn’t attend the funeral, staying at the mansion at Andriel’s request to care for his son. After recent events and betrayals, he couldn’t entrust his child to anyone he didn’t fully trust.Andriel had done his best to keep his son’s existence a secret, at least until the council meeting. The council, however, showed barely concealed impatience even as the burial was underway. As soon as it ended, several members approached, casting suspicious glances at Taylor before speaking."Are we having our meeting
The two entered Philip’s office. Andriel chose to sit on the edge of the desk, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the Lycan before him. Lawrence appeared nervous, as if bracing for the king’s reaction.“Sir, back then, you didn’t let me explain what happened,” Lawrence said hesitantly. “I hope now, with you calmer, you’ll hear me out.”Andriel’s expression remained unchanged. He merely gestured with his hand for Lawrence to continue. Though Taylor had already explained the situation, Andriel wanted to hear it directly from Lawrence.“I believe most of us know by now that Taylor is your mate,” Lawrence began, choosing his words carefully. “And I understand why you feel jealous and possessive of him. But I want to assure you that’s not the kind of relationship I have with him.”“Oh?” Andriel raised an eyebrow, his tone neutral, as if he knew nothing. “Then what kind of relationship do you have?”“Just friendship,” Lawrence explained, his words laced with sincerity as he hoped Andriel would
Andriel moaned as Taylor kissed his back, sliding two fingers inside him. He braced himself against a tree, his body relaxing under Taylor’s skilled touch. A thin layer of their natural lubrication eased the movement, but Andriel’s impatience was palpable.“Taylor, I want you inside me—I can’t wait anymore,” he pleaded, his voice trembling with arousal.Taylor’s tongue traced slowly along Andriel’s neck, teasing further. “In such a hurry? I didn’t realize you loved feeling me slide into you this much.”Taylor knew exactly what Andriel was feeling; he just wanted to draw out the game.“Stop talking,” Andriel shot back. “You want this as much as I do.”A smile curved Taylor’s lips at Andriel’s insistence. He complied, gripping his erection and positioning it at Andriel’s entrance, sliding in slowly. He felt the slight tremor in his mate’s body, followed by a groan heavy with excitement.“Don’t tease me like that… or they’ll come looking for us, because I’m not stopping anytime soon,” Ta
Andriel noticed Taylor’s hesitation to respond and decided to press on, hoping to dispel any lingering doubts."Taylor, for a while, I questioned the goddess’s ways too, doubted how she works," Andriel began, his voice gentle but resolute. "But after a lot of reflection, I realized everything happens as it’s meant to. I never hid my desire to be a father from you, and we both know we couldn’t have a child naturally. Still, the goddess gave me a son—a son for both of us to raise. I wanted to share this experience with you, and now we have that chance.""So you believe this was the destiny the goddess laid out for her?" Taylor asked, still grappling with Andriel’s words, his voice heavy with uncertainty. "To bear your child and then die, giving us the chance to raise him together?""No one crosses our path without a reason, Taylor," Andriel said, his voice steady but brimming with emotion. "I won’t deny I still feel jealous, but I believe Lawrence came into your life because the goddess
Taylor didn’t have time to greet Andriel or say anything before his mate charged at Lawrence with staggering speed, landing a blow that sent the Lycan crashing into a tree. Taylor’s shock lasted only a moment; he knew he had to act fast. If he didn’t intervene, Andriel might kill his new friend.He rushed toward them, seeing Andriel’s claws already out, poised to strike Lawrence again. But Taylor threw himself between them, Andriel’s claws halting just inches from his skin."You’re really going to stand in front of him to protect this Lycan?" Andriel demanded, indignation lacing his voice."You’re being irrational, Andriel," Taylor shot back. "You’re trying to hurt someone who’s done nothing wrong.""Nothing?" Andriel growled, his eyes locked on Lawrence, who looked dazed and unsure how to respond. "He’s been hovering around you since that training session, and now I find you two in a cozy embrace, and you’re telling me he’s done nothing?""If anyone deserves to be hurt, it’s me," Tay