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Sage My fingers keep straying to my lips, still tingling from his kiss. From my first real kiss. Everything about it was different, better than the fantasies I’d conjured in my mind - the raw emotion in Alaric's eyes, the gentleness of his hands on my face, the way he held me like I was something precious. The memory of it makes me shiver - the way he gently but firmly demanded I let him in, the silk of his tongue sliding against mine as he dominated our kiss, showing me what to do. For a moment my lack of experience had gotten in my head, but then Alaric groaned, his sound of pleasure putting my mind at ease. He tasted of pine and winter wind and something wild that called to parts of me I didn't know existed. How his hands trembled slightly when they cupped my face, like he was touching something infinitely precious. The low sound he made when I gasped against his mouth, like something finally breaking free.It was so unlike the measured, controlled way he always carries himself.
Alaric Dawn light catches in her silver-blonde hair as she kneels in her ruined garden, methodically replanting what others destroyed. She doesn't flinch when I approach, doesn't startle at my presence anymore. The thought makes my beast purr with satisfaction."The moonflowers will bloom again by the next full moon," she says without looking up. "They're more resilient than people think."Like you, I don't say. Instead, I kneel beside her in the dirt, not caring about my formal clothes. "Show me how to help?"Her surprise makes something in my chest ache. "You don't have to—""I want to." I take the small trowel she offers. "Which ones first?"We work in comfortable silence, her hands sure and gentle as she guides mine in proper planting technique. My beast settles into rare peace, watching our mate create something beautiful from destruction."You're good at this," she says softly. "Building things back up."The words spark something I've been considering since our kiss. Since watch
Sage My hands shake as I try to memorize the ancient words. Three days seemed like plenty of time until now, hours before the ceremony."Again," Iris instructs, pacing our practice room. "And remember to keep your chin up this time.""I pledge my loyalty to this pack," I recite, "to honor its lands and protect its members. Under moon's witness, I choose this home, these wolves as mine—" My voice cracks on the last word."You've got this." Iris squeezes my hands. "Just like we practiced."But nothing feels practiced about the way my heart races, about the significance of what I'm about to do. For the first time in my life, I'm choosing where I belong.A knock interrupts us. Queen Helena enters, carrying something wrapped in silvery fabric."Every new pack member needs proper ceremony clothes," she says softly, unveiling a dress that steals my breath. Silver-white fabric shimmers like moonlight, delicate embroidery depicting healing herbs along the hem."I can't—" I start, but she shak
Sage "Really, Elizabeth, my grandmother's remedy would be much more appropriate," Victoria's voice carries across the training field where I'm tending to a sprained ankle.But before I can retreat, the young wolf I'm treating speaks up. "I prefer Sage's healing. Her methods work better." Elizabeth meets Victoria's cold stare steadily. "And she's pack now. The King himself said so."Warmth blooms in my chest as Victoria stalks away. These small moments of acceptance keep catching me by surprise - wolves defending me, seeking me out, treating me like I belong.Even now, watching morning training from my spot near the sidelines, I notice the difference. Warriors nod respectfully as they pass. Young wolves wave. Some even join me, curious about the medicines I'm preparing."The silver-leaf poultice you showed me saved three warriors last night," the head healer tells me as I make my rounds. She hands me a set of keys. "You should have access to the private stores. You're one of us now."I
Alaric She moves through the training grounds with growing confidence now, no longer trying to make herself invisible. My beast purrs watching younger wolves seek her out, seeing her slowly claim her place in our pack. In the morning sun, her silver-blonde hair catches light like starfire."My King." Garrett's voice pulls me from my vigil. If his use of my title instead of my name didn’t, his expression tells me everything before he speaks. "Three more packs report attacks. The mutations are spreading."Ice slides down my spine as I read the reports. The attacks follow a pattern, but one that makes no sense - small packs and large ones, traditional and progressive, no clear connection except growing brutality."The Northern Alliance is demanding action," Garrett continues. "They say as Lycan King—""I know what I am." I rub the back of my neck, cringing when the words come out sharper than intended.The council chamber buzzes with tension when I enter. Lord Marcus stands first, his ag
Sage "Just a little more yarrow," I instruct the River Pack healer, showing her how to mix the poultice. Her wounds from the attack still make her movements stiff, but her eyes are eager as she learns.More refugees arrived during the night - three families who barely escaped with their lives. Their injuries show the same strange patterns I've been noticing: wounds that resist traditional healing, marks that seem almost deliberate in their placement. Something about it tickles my memory, but I can't quite grasp what."The silver-leaf mixture you showed us yesterday helped," another healer tells me. "The burns finally started closing."Pride warms my chest as I watch them work. Not so long ago, I was afraid to show my healing knowledge. Now other packs seek it out."You've given them hope," Alaric's voice makes me turn. He stands in the healing wing doorway, power wrapped around him like a cloak but his eyes soften when they find mine. "Walk with me?"The moon rides high as we stroll t
Sage The packhouse has transformed into something from a fairy tale. Everywhere I look, servants hang crystal decorations that catch sunlight like trapped stars. The great hall, usually imposing with its ancient stone walls, now sparkles with silver and gold."No, no," Iris calls to workers arranging flowers. "The moonflowers need to be closer to the head table. They're Sage's signature after all."My chest warms at her casual inclusion of me in these royal preparations. But anxiety follows close behind - so much grandeur, so many protocols to remember."Stop thinking so loud," Iris scolds, linking her arm through mine. "You've got this. Though..." Her grin turns mischievous. "We should probably work on your dancing.""My what?""You don't think you're getting through a royal ball without dancing, do you?" She drags me toward the training hall, now cleared for dance practice. "Garrett! Perfect timing!"The Beta looks up from his paperwork, immediately suspicious of her tone. "Whatever
Sage I barely recognize myself in the mirror. The deep blue silk makes my pale skin glow, silver embroidered moonflowers climbing from hem to bodice. My silver-blonde hair is partially braided with crystal beads that catch light like stars, the rest falling in soft waves down my back."Perfect," Iris declares, adjusting my pendant so it nestles just right. "You look like moonlight itself. Just wait until Alaric sees you!""I look terrified," I correct, smoothing my skirts for the hundredth time."You look like you belong." She squeezes my hands. "And you do."The great hall takes my breath away - hundreds of crystal chandeliers casting rainbow light over gathered nobles from every pack in the kingdom. I wait at the top of the grand staircase as protocol demands, heart thundering.Then I see him.Alaric stands below in formal Alpha regalia, power wrapped around him like a cloak. But when his eyes find me, everything else fades away. His expression makes my heart stop - pure awe, like h
KieranRather than engaging with the royal physician’s attitude, I turn my attention to Elise. "May I?" I ask, gesturing toward her rounded belly.She nods, and I kneel before her, placing my hands gently on her abdomen.Closing my eyes, I extend my senses to assess the baby's position and Elise's overall condition. The child is indeed awkwardly turned, pressing against her spine in a way that causes significant discomfort without presenting any real danger."The baby's healthy," I assure her, opening my eyes. "Just a bit stubborn about positioning, like its mother."This earns a small laugh from Elise, some tension leaving her shoulders. "Can you help?""A specific stretching routine twice daily and some herbal tea to relax the muscles should encourage proper positioning," I explain. "Plus a firmer sleeping surface—this bed is like trying to rest on a cloud."The palace physician clears his throat. "I recommended complete bed rest to avoid complications.""Which would actually increa
Kieran"Hold still or I'll accidentally stab you with this pin."I glance down at the tailor kneeling by my legs, his mouth full of pins as he adjusts the formal tunic that supposedly makes me look like a respectable court representative instead of a forest healer way out of his depth."How much longer is this torture going to last?" I ask, resisting the urge to scratch where the stiff fabric chafes against my neck."Beauty requires suffering," the tailor mumbles around his pins."I'm aiming for 'not embarrassing' rather than beauty," I correct him, which earns me a dismissive snort."The prince was most specific about the quality of your attire," he replies, expertly pinning a seam. "Royal blue with silver accents to complement Lady Lyra's ensemble while marking you as an official representative of the healing community."The thought of Alexander personally selecting my outfit for tonight's dinner is equal parts amusing and unsettling. Twenty-four hours ago, I'd have bet good money t
Alexander A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. "Enter," I call, expecting another messenger or council member.Instead, Kieran stands in the doorway, hesitating at the threshold as if unsure of his welcome. "Your Highness," he greets formally. "I was told you wanted to see me?"I blink in surprise. "I hadn't sent for you yet, but your timing is perfect. Please, come in."He enters cautiously, his posture suggesting he's bracing for confrontation. I realize with sudden clarity how rarely we've interacted without Lyra present, how much tension still exists beneath our carefully maintained civility."The moonflower essence is secure in the reliquary," he says, clearly assuming this is about the ritual. "Queen Sage confirmed the potency exceeds expectations.""Good," I nod, "but that's not why I wanted to speak with you." I gesture to the chair Dominic recently vacated. "I have a proposition that requires your particular expertise."Curiosity overcomes wariness as he takes the off
Alexander"They found her, but she's not exactly rolling out the welcome mat."Dominic drops a report on my desk, interrupting my third attempt to write a diplomatic response to the Northern territories. I've been staring at the same paragraph for twenty minutes, my mind constantly drifting back to last night with Lyra."Vega's niece?" I ask, pushing aside the draft to read the new report."Karina," he confirms, dropping into the chair across from me. "Lives in a tiny settlement called Blackstone Ridge at the edge of the Northern territories. Our messengers found her, but she told them—and I'm quoting directly here—'to go fuck themselves and the royal horses they rode in on.'"I can't help but laugh. "Sounds like she inherited her aunt's charming personality, if not her politics.""She's a healer," Dominic continues, "which makes her refusal more complicated. She's not just rejecting royal authority; she's rejecting what she sees as interference in healer business."I lean back in my
Lyra "I'm glad," I tell Kieran, meaning it despite the complex emotions churning beneath. "That you have someone to talk to."He looks surprised, then grateful for my response. "It helps," he admits. "Figuring out my place here, now that everything's..." he gestures vaguely, "different."The word encompasses so much—our relationship, our community's situation, our very identities shifting in this new context. I reach across the table to touch his hand briefly."Some things aren't different," I tell him. "You're still important to me, Kieran. That hasn't changed."His eyes meet mine, conflict evident in their green depths. "Just important in a different way now."I can't deny the truth of this observation. Before I can respond, a palace page appears in the doorway, bowing slightly when he spots me."Healer Lyra, Prince Alexander requests your presence in the royal study. He says it's regarding tonight's ritual."Kieran withdraws his hand from beneath mine, the moment broken. "You shou
Lyra The royal sanctuary glows with morning light filtering through its glass walls, illuminating Queen Sage as she tends to rare plants with her own hands rather than delegating the task to servants. She looks up as I enter, a knowing smile touching her lips."Lyra," she greets warmly. "You look well this morning."Something in her tone tells me she's perfectly aware of why I might look "well," and I feel heat rise to my cheeks again. "Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty.""Sage, please," she corrects, setting aside her gardening tools. "At least when we're alone. We're family now, after all."The casual acknowledgment of my place in her son's life—in the royal family—leaves me momentarily speechless. I've been so focused on the complications of court politics that I hadn't fully considered the simpler truth: I've gained not just a mate but a family connection.I kneel beside the spiral pattern of silver-blue blooms she’s tending, assessing their condition with a healer's eye. "
Lyra Sunlight streams through the curtains, painting warm patterns across the tangled sheets. I wake slowly, momentarily disoriented by unfamiliar surroundings before memories of the night flood back. The weight of Alexander's arm draped across my waist anchors me to both the present moment and the significance of what passed between us.I study his sleeping face, softer in repose than his usual royal mask allows. Dark lashes rest against cheeks still bearing faint marks where power surges manifested during our separation. The bond between us pulses with contented warmth, stronger and more stable than it's been since the temporary healing at the Cave of Whispers."You're staring," he murmurs without opening his eyes, a smile curving his lips."Just making sure you're real," I reply, surprised by the vulnerability in my own voice.His eyes open then, violet depths focusing on me with an intensity that makes my breath catch. "Very real," he assures me, pulling me closer. "And not going
KieranMira and I sit in silence for a while, watching stars appear one by one in the darkening sky. The distant sounds of palace life—guards changing shifts, servants carrying out evening duties—remind me how far we are from the simplicity of our forest home."I slept with someone else," I admit suddenly. "After Lyra left with Alexander that first time. One of the refugees from the northern settlement."Mira raises an eyebrow but doesn't interrupt."I thought it would help," I continue. "Thought maybe if I could just be with someone else, these feelings would fade or change or..." I shake my head. "It didn't work. Just made me feel worse, actually.""Because you were using them to try to forget Lyra," Mira points out. "That never works.""I know that now." I run a hand through my hair in frustration. "Gods, I'm a mess.""Yes, you are," she agrees with characteristic bluntness. "But that doesn't mean you can't figure your shit out."A sudden flush of anger rises in me. "Easy for you t
KieranThe palace gardens are annoyingly perfect—every shrub precisely trimmed, every flower arranged in meticulous patterns, like nature couldn't be trusted to look good without human interference. I find a secluded bench beneath a weeping willow, as far from the manicured beds as possible, and drop onto it with a heavy sigh.It's been two hours since I quietly slipped out of my chambers, unable to stay there any longer. The thin walls did little to muffle the sounds from Lyra's room, each soft gasp and whispered endearment like a knife twisting in my chest. I knew this was coming—hell, I practically pushed her toward the prince—but knowing something will hurt doesn't actually make it hurt less when it happens.I lean back, staring up through willow branches at the darkening sky. At least the stars look the same here as they do back home. Small comfort, but I'll take what I can get."Thought I might find you out here sulking."I don't need to look to recognize Mira's voice. She's bee