"The king hasn't spoken to me since last night," Arianna said to Selene as they stood in the garden, her voice edged with concern. "I haven't seen him either."Then she turned to face Selene fully, a hard expression on her face. "I thought you said the Ouroboros wanted nothing but peace-that they were trying to settle with the Moon Realm, not assault it.""Aria, I have no idea what's going on," Selene said, shaking her head. "I'll have to wait for the Grand Lord to return with him."Arianna let out a long breath. Worry gnawed at every inch of her. Now, it would be even harder if anyone found out about her hidden blood.The Emissaries had caught the Ouroboros. Ancient Lycans must have found out, and the hatred within might have doubled.She might never be accepted. Her relationship with Duncan might be ruined, or..."Aria," Selene's voice snapped her back. "Your hair. You should dye it again; more of it..." she paused, "is turning silver. I'm sorry.""You should have ended me," Arianna
Arianna tensed at the king's words; her gaze met Selene's, who trembled with a blade ready to snap her neck.The rogue leader-an Ouroboros?How could it be?Her fists clenched-if Selene knew about this, she wouldn't forgive her for deceiving her all this time."I... I have no idea about it, Your Grace," she breathed, her voice slightly trembling. "I swear on my life. I knew nothing about this."The tension in the air remained as the king stayed quiet and still.Arianna prayed silently under her breath that it wouldn't lead to bloodshed.Selene gasped lightly when the blade was withdrawn from her neck. Arianna also breathed out in relief, but it was just momentary as realization and concern hit her."You understand your place, Selene. You understand the reason why you still have your head," Duncan's eyes darkened. "Do. You. Not?"Selene, whose head was lowered, replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for sparing my life.""Once the prisoner arrives, you must get every detail from him. O
"Happy Birthday, Lylah Greystone."Lylah had heard this from many-maids and even some of the warriors who never spoke to her, from Brigid who teased her, but she never thought she'd actually be here, hearing the King himself wish her.Not only that, he had allowed her to dine with him on the same table.She was a breath from squealing.Many beats passed before she finally regained her senses.She stood and bowed fully, her head almost touching her knees. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"Arianna pressed her lips together, suppressing her laughter and giving Duncan an appreciative look."You're welcome," Duncan replied.Lylah sat back, leaning close to Arianna and whispered, the excitement clear in her voice. "The Grand King of the realm just wished me 'Happy birthday.' It feels like a dream.""I know, right?" Arianna whispered back, and they both straightened their spines, facing their respective meals."Is there anything you want for your birthday, Lylah Greystone?"Lylah's heart skipped a
At the first hour of dawn, Lucas finally arrived at the imposing gates of Lord Valoreth's manor, deep within the southernmost highlands. The soldiers opened the gate, allowing the Grand Lord in.Lucas stepped down from the carriage, his gaze drifting to the tall building that seemed to reach the sky, sprawling across the fine land like a living relic. The air surrounding it was slightly chilly, regardless of the season.The domain stood proudly on its own, bustling with soldiers and servants attending to their respective duties for the day.Some referred to this place as the Pride Hold.A figure clad in a black cloak-one of Lord Valoreth's nobles-approached Lucas."Welcome, Beta Lucas. Lord Valoreth has been expecting you," he spoke with a calm, polite voice.There was a dull ache in Lucas's chest that refused to go away-one he had tried to ignore. But now, standing here, it worsened, and he knew exactly what had caused it."Lead the way," Lucas nodded.The interior of the manor was l
"When will you return?" Lylah asked as she watched the soldiers help Lucas pack for his travel."A day before the full moon," he replied, his voice clipped."That's my birthday," Lylah shrugged, and Lucas glanced at her. "The day before the full moon. I'll turn eighteen and finally get my wolf," she added with a smile."That's nice, little wolf," he said, his smile tugging gently as he ruffled her hair. "I only hope your wolf won't be as stubborn as you."Lylah chuckled as he withdrew his hand, her heart fluttering whenever Lucas did that.She watched him climb onto his horse."Isn't your Lycan form faster than a horse?" Lylah tilted her head, curious.The smile on Lucas' face widened with amusement. "Take care, little wolf, and practice everything I taught you."Lylah nodded and watched him leave, along with Falcon and a Lycan warrior.____A thud snapped Lylah from her thoughts of the Grand Lord. She looked up and found the same young males who had tried to bully her that fateful da
Indeed, she had found an interesting book—filled with captivating descriptions and drawings that kept her hooked until the very end.She had wanted to learn more about politics, to go deep—deeper than just crowns and titles. The twisted games and strategy of ruling. However, she ended up reading something else entirely. Back at the pack, Arianna barely had friends, but she had once overheard the female servants talking about how they pleasured their males at night.Arianna had found the topic disinteresting—surreal, even—that women would gather to talk so openly about their private lives. She didn’t understand the excitement in their eyes and simply shrugged it off.But when she sat in the library with the book, her face flushed, her eyes widened at the pages showing how to please a male. Her lower lip had been thoroughly tortured by thoughts of doing such things to Duncan… and here she was, doing exactly that.“Urgh… fuck!”Arianna bobbed her head deeper, letting his tip hit the bac