03

“You got the first rogue,” King Eric smiled as Ethan and I stepped into the round table room, the unconscious wolf slung over Ethan’s shoulder.

“He was definitely the test dummy though,” Ethan muttered, slamming the bound werewolf onto the stone floor.

The King looked at me—sincerely, as always—and made his way over.

“My precious Lilith…” He pulled me into a firm hug. My arms wrapped around him, melting into his scent, forgetting for a moment that Ethan was even in the room.

“Yes, King Eric,” I mumbled into his royal mantle, gripping the silk fabric between my fingers.

“How was your first night on duty?” he asked, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. That loving gaze he gave me—God, it made me forget the world.

“Easy,” I smiled up at him, reluctantly letting go of his robe.

Ethan coughed loud enough to break the moment. The King gave him a cutting glare, which Ethan matched without flinching. The mood darkened fast.

Luckily, the tension snapped when the rest of the soldiers filed in from their night shift, each carrying a captured werewolf in human form. The King stepped away from me and returned to his seat at the round table.

“You two too?” Nova asked, sounding more impressed than surprised. “They’re testing us.” She shook her head. We all silently agreed.

“That would mean there’s a traitor in the werewolf hierarchy,” the King said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“I was thinking the same,” Ethan added, his eyes scanning the captured wolves. “We’ll take these three back to our territory and return by nightfall.”

“Sounds like a solid plan, Beta,” the King nodded. “If you need anything before you go—”

“Just a word,” Ethan interrupted calmly, folding his arms. “Alone. With you, King.”

The King’s gaze sharpened but he didn’t object. “Very well. The rest of you are dismissed. Take off your uniforms and get some rest.”

Gabriel, Nova, and I bowed and turned to leave. His eyes lingered on me an extra second.

Behind us, I heard Ethan speak to his men, “Could you two wait for me outside?”

Nova groaned as we entered the castle’s main sitting area. “I’m beat.”

“How was your night?” I asked her, curious about how she handled her assigned wolf.

“Eh. Wasn’t as bad as I thought. Cliff’s actually kind of funny.”

“That’s good.”

“But I reek of wolf,” she cringed. “I seriously need to shower.” She turned to Gabriel, her tone softening. “How about you? How’d it go?”

Gabriel sighed and peeled off his uniform jacket. He winced, nearly toppling forward.

Nova rushed to him. “Gabriel!”

“I’m fine,” he muttered, brushing her off. “Just a few whips. They’ll heal in a few hours.”

Our jaws dropped.

Nova hurried to get some gauze, and Gabriel hunched by the couch, clearly trying to let his body finally rest. I sank into the cushions, eyes closed, letting the tension slip from my bones.

Then, uninvited, a pair of eyes flashed in my mind—eyes I’d been craving to see through all the darkness. King Eric’s. My heart warmed at the image of him.

But suddenly, that warmth shifted. I felt the ghost of a touch—Ethan’s. The way his nose trailed along my skin. His image pushed its way in, unwelcomed but stubborn.

I bolted upright, startling Nova.

“I’ll be in my room,” I said with a forced smile, fingers raking through my hair.

In the bathroom, I gripped the sink, splashing water over my face. His touch clung to me like smoke. I stripped off my clothes and turned on the shower, desperate to wash him off.

This wasn’t normal. For years, since the village attack, I’d only ever thought of one man. King Eric. My savior. My protector. My love.

The screams still rang in my ears. We ran—my father, mother, brother, and me. My father paused, glancing back as howls and flames consumed our village.

“Somaru, you can’t!” my mother cried, recognizing the look in his eyes.

“These are our people, Violet!” he choked. “I have strength—I can help!”

“No, Somaru!” she begged, clutching him tightly. But he kissed us all on the forehead and ran toward the fire.

“Dad!” my brother shouted and chased after him.

“Kash!” my mother screamed. He was gone before she could stop him.

I could barely breathe through the smoke. My tears mixed with soot.

“Mom, let’s go!” I screamed, pulling her away.

“We have to go back for them!” she sobbed, dragging me toward the fire.

“Mom, we’ll die!” I shouted. But emotion won. She tore away and sprinted forward—straight into a wolf.

A beast of a thing, standing arrogantly as mucus dripped from his snout.

My body froze. I took a step back, panic overwhelming me.

“Lilith—run,” she whispered.

We turned. The wolf leaped, landing on her. The crunch of her bones under his paw would haunt me forever.

“Mom!” I cried, crawling to her. Blood trickled from her lips.

“Lilith, get out of here,” she sobbed, cupping my face. “Please, baby girl—leave.”

“No, no, no,” I cried, holding her tiny in my arms. The wolf moved in.

But before it could strike, a shadow landed on it, snapping its neck in a single, vicious move and tossing the head across the clearing.

A man stepped forward. His glowing eyes pierced through the smoke. Strong. Flawless. Calm.

“Greetings,” he said softly, kneeling to my level.

My hand clenched my mother’s limp one.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered. “Want to come with me? I can protect you.”

His hand extended toward me. I looked down at my mother one last time, then reached out.

“There we go,” he murmured. “What’s your name, young lady?”

“Lilith.”

“Come with me, Lilith… it’s dangerous here.”

He lifted me effortlessly.

I was so young. So blind. And now—at twenty-five—I wish I’d had the strength then that I have now.

I turned off the shower, dried off, and slipped into my robe. The curtains were drawn. I collapsed into bed, sighing hard.

But Ethan’s face still haunted me.

“Shit,” I whispered, just before I jumped at the feel of hands on my shoulders. I relaxed—it was only King Eric.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, kneading the tension from my muscles.

I leaned back into him, eyes closing, breathing him in.

“You didn’t have to whip Gabriel,” I mumbled. My skin chilled from our close proximity.

Eric stilled. Then stepped around to face me.

“He disrespected us in front of guests. You know the rules.”

“But you know the wolves have terrorized us for years,” I said, pleading. “And yet you show mercy. You gave the captured wolves back to their pack! How is that fair after everything they’ve done? It’s not right.” Tears filled my eyes. “It’s just not right.”

“I understand, Lilith,” he said quietly. “But to scream ‘fuck your alpha’?”

He leaned in, cupping my face. “How would you feel if someone said that about me? To your face?”

I looked away, biting my lip.

“I wouldn’t like it,” I admitted.

“Exactly. Respect is earned. We don’t demand it. And not every wolf is our enemy.”

He kissed my forehead. “I love you, Lilith.”

“I love you too, Eric,” I whispered, burying into his chest.

He pulled back to look at me.

“Do you still…” he paused, swallowing. “Love me?”

I opened my mouth, the memory of Ethan’s cold stare flashing behind my eyes.

“I—I always will, King Eric.”

He smiled softly. “That’s all I need.”

He pulled me close again.

But something in my chest still didn’t feel right. A small, aching twist of confusion.

“What did the wolf want with you?” I asked, my head snapping up.

King Eric’s face turned blank. Without a word, he stood and left.

“Get your rest,” he called. “You’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

And just like that, I was alone again. Confused. Torn. Still wondering if love could exist in two places at once.