Puppet king In love Varyn (pov)

That’s when it happened.

Exactly when she turned—offering me her favorite position.

A tear slips from me, shattering on her back.

My mind is empty. I can’t think.

She grabs my hand. Guides it between her thighs . I push further into her .

Shit. The bond drains me. I can’t pull back. She already feels my hard c*ck on her waist level .

“Come on,” she breathes.

“Bend over,” I whisper.

I hold it in Firm. Controlled. Every motion precise, every strike deliberate. She gasps. I drive harder.

“Can you go deeper?”

“Yes.”

I pound , The sound of our bodies against each other echoes over the shower’s hiss.

I turn her, tapping on my shoulder. She lifts her leg on me . I adjust. Buried In to her .

Her lips find me. Steady. Intent. It drives me harder. The heat explodes , I pound with obedience, I can feel her trembling.

“Come here,” I murmur.

Cradle her out of the bathroom still stuck in her , we collapse together to the floor. My body above hers. Perfect alignment.

Her hands cling. She kisses me. Controlled. Calming. Enough. Her scent is all the healing to my wolf needs .

Now I’m certain I can’t stop myself.

I hold. I drive. my lip on her left breast.

She locks her legs around me.

The sound she makes—I know it.

She’s close.

Her cries break loose. Loud. Unchecked.

I feel her spill around my me, her body shuddering.

Her legs loosen. She breaks into full ecstasy

“Babe,” I chuckle, breath rough.

“I’ll wait for you,” she whispers, smiling.

That smile—

it pulls at the bond, hard and deep.

“I’m almost there,” I murmur, voice low.

I keep moving, hands sliding over her like I can’t memorize the feel fast enough. My mouth grazes her ear as I draw her closer, rhythm steady, desperate. My breath turns uneven. Control slips no matter how hard I hold it.

Everything tightens. Too fast.

I groan and let go.

When it’s done, I rest my forehead against hers, spent, unsteady.

“I thought pregnancy would change you,” I say.

She laughs softly, breath warm against my nose. “I’m surprised it didn’t.”

We laugh together.

As I pull back, I shake my head. “You always say you’ll wait for me.”

“That’s because I want to enjoy you without participating,” she says, laughing at her own logic.

I look at her—my feelings bloom—i press a kiss to her forehead, admiration heavy in my chest.

“You still want to use the bathroom?” I ask, already lifting her.

I wash her, carry her back, lay her down.

Then I turn, and she climbs onto my back, arms wrapping around me from behind.

“You’ll never change,” she breathes. “Even now.”

“I will,” I say quietly. “For the baby.”

“When I give birth?” she asks.

The question stills me.

Will I be here when that day comes?

“I’ll change tonight,” I say, turning to cuddle her.

Her peaceful smile settles into me—and scares me all at once.

“Sleep well, babe,” I murmur.

“You too, King.”

Sleep takes me.

—

Morning.

Her arm is around me, breath warm against my face.

I rise carefully, slipping into the bathroom.

When I step back out, her eyes are open.

“Are you going out?” she murmurs, hand drifting to her belly.

“Yes,” I say softly. “I need to meet the council. I left food—wait for me.”

I lean down and kiss her.

“Be fast,” she whispers.

I close the door behind me.

At the council doors, Kade waits.

“How was it?” he asks the moment I’m next to him .

I stop.

“Morwen hasn’t seen me since I left your place.”

His jaw tightens. “I knew it.” A glance down the corridor. “Where have you been?”

“With Sereyna,” I say.

He startles, scanning the hall. “That’s reckless. Are you sure no one saw her?”

“Only Beth. My maid.”

“Still,” he murmurs.

I pass him without pause.

Inside, the elders rise as my foot crosses the threshold.

“I hear today’s council bears weight,” I say coolly. “Speak.”

I take my seat. The chair jolts my neck as I lean back. They bow.

My voice snaps, sharp as a howl. “What treason!”

Elder Orric Antonis steps forward. “Alpha King, there is death among our people. Mourning. The council chose these chairs so we may share their discomfort while we deliberate.”

Fury rips through me.

“Do you wish to die, Elder Orric Antonis?”

He drops to his knees. “Forgive me, Alpha King. The people cry negligence.”

“So now I neglect them,” I say, rising.

“No,” the council answers in unison, heads bowed.

“Who placed this chair?” I demand.

Silence.

“Who placed it?” I repeat, my hand closing around my Gamma’s sword.

A man rushes in and collapses at my feet. “Forgive me, Alpha King.”

“Exile him,” I say coldly. “If he resists, kill him.”

He is dragged away.

A new chair is set before I sit again.

“Continue.”

Elder Therandor steps forward. “Alpha King, the infirmary is depleted. Even the East Clan has begun sending their sick.”

“The East Clan?” I ask.

“Yes. Without imports, deaths will rise.”

“You oversee the infirmary,” I say, leaning forward. “If it fails, why are you kneeling instead of acting?”

He drops to the floor. “Forgive me, Alpha.”

“Fix it,” I say. “Now.”

Another voice breaks in.

“My King,” Orric says, “there is new information concerning your father’s death.”

My head lifts instantly. “Bring it.”

A ledger is placed in my hands.

“A castle maid testifies,” Orric says, “that her late mother saw the present Grand Luna leaving the female-ruled lands the night of the Grand Lunas’ slaughter.”

Rage flares.

“Are you all eager for death?” I snap. “My mother didn’t even know my father then.”

“Read on, Alpha King,” they plead, falling to their knees.

I do.

The maid was threatened. Tortured. Forced to silence—by order of the Luna of the female-ruled tribe.

My grip weakens.

A girl is brought in. Bruised. Broken.

I step closer. “Did the Luna put you up to it?”

She nods, tears spilling. “Please… help me, Alpha King.”

“Punish the enemy,” the council cries.

There is no feeling this case hasn’t dragged through me—except this. For the first time, I am afraid.

I turn and leave the chamber slowly, ledger heavy in my hands.

What does serenya’s mother really want?