ログインLucien’s POVFor the past few hours, Irene had been in my suite.She sat across from me at the dining table, completely buried in the ledgers I had given her.Obviously, she had made an absolute mess of the last one. Still, I needed a reason to keep her here."When are you going to tell her how we feel?" Knox asked inside my head."Not yet," I replied. "That might scare her away. She needs to trust me first."Knox huffed."Or you're afraid she'll turn you down due to your bad reputation with she-wolves.”I scoffed. "And whose fault is that? I've spent years being dragged around by a Lycan incapable of looking away from a pretty face.”The irony was almost offensive.Of all the Lycans the Goddess could have bestowed me with, she had given me one with the self-control of a drunken playboy."Excuse me?" Knox sounded offended. "I had standards.""Yes, by chasing every noblewoman with a pretty face?""That is a gross exaggeration.""You once made me attend three banquets in one week becaus
Emily’s POV Ever since we returned from the hunt, Malric had made sure I stayed in his suite. Even when I protested that this suite would soon belong to him and Sharina after their bonding tomorrow, he refused to yield.He said Sharina would have her own chambers as the queen, and that I would stay here under his care because of the child I carried.He said he needed to look after both of us.Still, I didn’t want it this way.Sharina would be queen.And I could not stay in her space.Because of that… I wouldn’t abandon my plan.I was leaving this castle.By midnight, the moon would be full. Malric and Sharina would complete their bonding at the Goddess Temple, in the presence of the Moon Goddess herself. By morning, their official mating ceremony would begin.My mind worked quickly, calculating every possible escape route between the moment he would leave for the temple and the moment he would return.That was my only window.But escaping the castle wasn’t simple. Not with security t
Irene’s POV “Good to see you, Irene,” Sharina said, inspecting her manicured nails as though she had come here for something far more pleasant than this.A smile tugged at her lips.“I’m sure you've convinced yourself you've slipped out of my grasp.”She laughed softly.“What a disappointing mistake.”Her eyes locked onto mine.“You haven't escaped me. Not even close.”I swallowed.“On your knees.” She ordered.I didn't dare argue. Even my mother was already on her knees, her entire body trembling.Sharina stepped forward, clearly enjoying my panic.“I was wondering how a maid suddenly became so important to the Lycan Prince.”Her gaze swept over me with open contempt.“Now I understand.”Her lip curled.“You've been warming the Prince's bed.”My mother's gasp echoed through the room.“Irene?!”“No, Mum,” I blurted out. “I didn't…”A sharp slap cracked across my cheek.My head snapped to the side.Pain burned through my skin.“How dare you imply I'm lying?” Sharina hissed.Then she t
Irene’s POV The moment my hands wrapped reflexively around the Lycan Prince, I froze.My heart thudded in my ears despite the rush of air as the horse ran.I expected him to nudge my hands away, but he didn’t. He must have known I needed to hold on or I would fall.His scent filled my nose, warming my body without permission. I leaned closer without meaning to, my heart still hammering wildly in my chest.He didn’t slow until we reached the castle. I expected him to head straight to the stables, but instead, he rode toward his wing.The horse came to a stop. I quickly untangled my hands from him, my awareness snapping back too late.“Thank you, my prince,” I said quickly, already preparing to dismount.“Wait,” he ordered.He came down first, but I didn’t want his help.I moved too quickly.The moment I tried to step down from the horse, my balance slipped. The horse shifted beneath me, startled, and I lost my footing completely.“Ah—!”I tumbled forward from the saddle.But strong ha
Irene’s POV If there was a way to physically hug the goddess, I would have done it without hesitation for keeping Emily alive.I didn’t need to see the maid she meant. It had to be the same one I had tried to warn her about, the one Sharina had sent.Goddess. I wished there was a way to expose this evil woman. And she'd be crowned tomorrow as the queen.That thought made my stomach twist.Oh moon… please don’t let that happen. She's a horrible person, please.“Irene,” the lycan prince's voice cut through.“Yes, my prince,” I answered quickly.He approached me with steady steps, his gaze dropping to my leg.“I told you not to leave my tent until I returned.”My fingers tightened on my dress instinctively.“I… I didn’t. I waited… even slept off inside your tent when you didn't come back.”He didn’t respond right away.Instead, he just looked at me.That silence alone made me uncomfortable.“You did well with the records I gave you,” he finally said.I blinked.Huh?My brain actually p
Sarah’s POVWhat I thought would be kept a secret until Malric and Sharina’s bonding was finally out.Emily’s pregnancy.Even though Malric hadn’t openly said it, I knew the bonding ceremony tomorrow was already at risk. And if he acted recklessly, it could end the same way King Darius’s situation had ended.I needed to act fast.I went looking for Sharina.“We have a problem.”Her attention snapped to me immediately.“What is it?”“I’m sure you don’t know yet… but Emily is pregnant.”I was sure the words landed heavier than expected because her expression changed instantly. Shock first, then disbelief.For a moment, she said nothing.“I’m sorry I had to tell you like this,” I added quickly. “That’s why I came to you.”She looked disoriented, obviously still trying to process what I had just said.“I heard you used your royal wish to secure the bonding ceremony tomorrow,” I continued. “That was smart of you.”I paused, choosing my next words more carefully now.“But that still doesn’t
Malric’s POVI was stunned to discover my little fire had never been touched before. The realization undid something inside me completely. And yet, beneath that shock, anger thumped immediately in my chest. Anger at myself for touching her at all, knowing the situation with the Luna healer I was me
Emily's POVHe locked the door behind him and sauntered toward me, his storm-grey eyes holding me in a seductive, predatory gaze. My chest pounded as I remembered the crescent moon mark on my back.I straightened immediately. “Mal… Malric.”He loomed over me, caging me against the wall. His head di
Emily's POV He claimed my lips again, slower this time, savoring each touch. His hands rested on my waist before sliding lower, pulling me impossibly close to him.My hands trailed along his thick neck. He turned me gently, my back meeting the bed as his broad body caged me in. Every brush of his
Emily's POV I woke up to heat.Not the lingering ache in my body, but something else. Something undeniable.My eyes fluttered open and realized I was pressed against Malric’s chest. Solid. Warm. I shifted slightly, and my hands brushed something warm and undeniably solid. My face dropped to my ha







