로그인The world narrowed to the space between us as Lucretius began to lift my skirt, the fabric whispering against my skin in the cool night air.My breath hitched, a sharp, audible intake of anticipation as I watched him lower himself to his knees before me. The powerful, indomitable man who commanded armies and senates was now kneeling at my feet, an offering of utter devotion.My fingers found their way into his hair again, gently clutching the dark strands, grounding myself against the overwhelming swell of emotion and desire. He looked up at me, his gaze burning with an intensity that promised both worship and ruin. He held my eyes as he reached beneath the hem of my skirt, his fingers tracing a slow, deliberate path up my thigh until they found the flimsy lace of my panties. There was a pause, a heartbeat of suspended silence, and then with a sharp, decisive tug, he tore them. The fabric gave way with a rending sound that was shockingly loud in the quiet garden, and a sharp gasp es
The moment we stepped beyond the brighter sections of the palace grounds, the sounds of the banquet faded behind us. The distant music became nothing more than a faint melody carried by the evening breeze.Moonlight spilled across the stone pathways, silvering the gardens and casting long shadows underneath the towering hedges. I was the one leading him, or at least pretending to, because despite allowing me to tug him along, Lucretius never loosened his hold on my hand. Not once."Where are we going, wifey?" he asked calmly. I glanced over my shoulder and immediately caught the look in his eyes. It was the look of a man who already knew the answer. A smile tugged at my lips. "Why?" I teased. "Are you impatient, hubby?"His gaze turned dark and dangerous, yet held a hint of amusement. "Very."Heat immediately rushed to my cheeks, but I hid it by grinning at his honesty. Eventually, I led him toward a quieter section near the rear gardens where the palace walls shielded the area fro
A ripple of laughter lingered around the table. Lady Cordelia was still fanning herself dramatically while several noblewomen had completely abandoned any attempt to hide their amusement.Meanwhile, the subject of the conversation was finally reaching his limit. I noticed it before anyone else. Perhaps, because I knew him too well.Across the ballroom, Lucretius suddenly stopped pretending to pay attention to the officers surrounding him. Commander Blitzard was speaking. At least, I assumed he was.Because my husband wasn't listening. Not anymore. His gaze remained fixed on me. Completely and dangerously.One of the commanders followed his line of sight before groaning loudly. "Oh, for the love of the Moon Goddess." Several officers immediately laughed. Another slapped Lucretius on the shoulder and told him, "Go."A second one rolled his eyes. "Please."A third pointed directly toward me. "Your wife is right there."The surrounding officers looked thoroughly exasperated. Meanwhile
Marcelo's smile finally returned, not because he was comfortable, but because he had no other choice. I watched him straighten his posture slightly before taking a slow sip of wine, buying himself time, thinking, and calculating.The same way he always did whenever negotiations turned unfavorable.Unfortunately for him, this wasn't a negotiation anymore."Your Majesties are correct."The ballroom immediately quieted again. Everyone turned toward him. Even Rachelle looked interested.Marcelo inclined his head respectfully. "The attempt on Lady Euphyllia's life is a serious matter," he paused. "But that is precisely why I was concerned."There it was.The recovery attempt.Several nobles exchanged glances, listening, and Marcelo continued smoothly. "Lady Euphyllia endured a traumatic event." His gaze shifted toward me. It was the same expression he used to wear whenever guests were watching. "She nearly lost her life."I remained silent, letting him speak."Afterward, she disappeared fr
Everyone rose, including me. The ballroom bowed as one as the sea of nobles lowered their heads before their rulers. Then, the monarchs descended.Claude looked every bit the Alpha King, looking composed, powerful, and effortlessly commanding. Beside him walked Rachelle, looking radiant, elegant, and dangerous. The air of the General was still within her and was mixed with her Luna Queen aura.The entire ballroom watched their arrival. They were the current rulers of the Waevalon Kingdom. Every eye followed them. Every noble expected them to begin greeting dignitaries, acknowledge the influential houses, mingle with aristocrats, and fulfill the duties expected of monarchs.Rachelle's gaze immediately found me. Oh, no... I knew that look. It was the exact same one she wore whenever she was about to create chaos.I found Lucretius' gaze across the crowds and had the same look as me. We both know what was bound to happen as I caught him sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose. I coul
The silence lingered after my question. It was heavy and uncomfortable that neither Marcelo nor Seraphine answered.Because they couldn't.Not without walking directly into the trap they had created for themselves.I watched Marcelo's jaw tighten ever so slightly, which was only for a second. Then, the expression vanished, but I saw it.A soft laugh escaped me. The sound seemed strangely loud amidst the silence surrounding us. Then, I shook my head. "Oh, Moon Goddess..." My fingers lifted toward my neck.Immediately, Marcelo's eyes followed the movement. So did Seraphine's, and so did everyone else's. The noblewomen around me visibly leaned forward, looking curious and confused. Slowly, I brushed my hair aside and exposed the mark my Lucretius left. The room fell silent, and it was the shocked kind. Several noblewomen gasped outright. One nearly dropped her champagne glass. Another's fan snapped shut. And there it was. It was clear as day. A mate mark. Not hidden and concealed. No
"How may I help you, mister?" I asked politely.He stood just inside the entrance of my tent, no longer the quiet man leaning against a wooden post. In the lamplight, the tension I once sensed around him seemed sharper now. "I wished to thank you properly, Lady Euphyllia.""For what?" I asked."Fo
Before the advancement ceremony for the military soldiers who had been promoted, we held the mourning ceremony for our lost soldiers.It was brief, solemn, and heavy with the kind of silence that pressed against the chest. Names were read where some unfamiliar, others spoken with a pause that betra
Beside him was Lilith, clinging to him.I almost forgot that they were also here. And that we didn't get to witness to their wedding as Lucretius happened to be summoned back to the military as soon as possible. I hadn't seen Redmund again after the night of my wedding with his uncle.I remembered
I wasn't sure if I had spoken it aloud or if my heart had simply screamed too loudly for my lips to contain it."Father..." The man stiffened. It was subtle. Barely noticeable. Just a pause in his movement, a hesitation before his hand resumed wiping the stone. But it was enough to make my breath







