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AlaricThe black formal clothes feel like a prison as I stare at my reflection. My father's memorial service begins in an hour, and I still can't make myself move from this spot."My son." Mother's voice makes me turn from the window where I've been staring unseeing at the gathering crowd below. She looks smaller somehow, grief making her usually perfect posture wilt slightly. "The ceremonial guards are assembled. They await your approval for the procession order.""Let Garrett handle it." I can't meet her eyes, can't bear to see her pain."Alaric." She moves closer, her hand reaching for mine but stopping short when I tense. "He was so proud of you. Even at the end—""Don't." The word comes out harsher than intended. "Just... don't.""You'll be there?" Her voice trembles slightly, and something in my chest cracks at the sound. "The pack needs to see their Alpha's strength today."I nod, letting her believe the lie because it’s easier than admitting the truth: I'm a coward. She presses
Sage I scan the gathering crowd again, my heart sinking when I still don't see Alaric. The mate bond pulses with his pain and guilt, but when I reach for him, I hit solid walls. He's gotten better at blocking me these past days, each barrier higher and colder than the last."My King will be here shortly," I overhear Helena telling the council members, but her voice wavers slightly. She knows he won't come, just as I do.I hover uncertainly at the edge of the crowd, not sure where I belong. Without Alaric here, without anyone knowing what I am to him, I feel more lost than ever. Some of the noble wolves notice my discomfort, their whispers carrying clearly:"—doesn't even know proper protocol—" "—no place at a royal memorial—" "—probably relieved the old Alpha can't disapprove of her anymore—""Lady Sage." Victoria's honeyed voice drips false concern. "Perhaps you'd be more comfortable... elsewhere? These formal occasions can be so overwhelming for those not raised to them.""She's exa
AlaricFor a moment, I can only stare up at her in stunned disbelief. No one has dared use power against me since I became king. Even my father... My chest tightens at the thought, but Sage's foot pressing firmly against my sternum demands my attention."Did you just—" I start, rage building."Knock you on your ass? Yes." She looks down at me, violet eyes blazing. "Going to do something about it?"My beast rises at the challenge, but before I can act, she removes her foot and drops gracefully to straddle my thighs. The intimate position steals my anger, replacing it with awareness I've been trying to suppress for days. "Look at me," she demands softly, framing my face with her hands. "Really look at me."I try to turn away but she holds firm. "Sage—""No more running." Her thumbs stroke my cheeks, the gentle touch at odds with the power still crackling around her. "No more pushing me away. No more drowning alone in guilt that isn't yours to carry.""You don't understand—""I understan
SageThese past days have been a whirlwind of private joy mixed with public solemnity. The morning after our engagement, Alaric gathered his mother and sister in his study. I stood by his side as he apologized, voice rough with emotion, for abandoning them during their shared grief."I learned the wrong lessons from him," he'd admitted, holding his mother's hands. "About strength, about feelings. About family. I want to learn better ones now."Helena had broken down then, pulling him into her arms like he was still a pup. Iris joined the embrace, and I'd tried to slip away to give them privacy, but Alaric caught my hand. "Stay," he'd said softly. "You're family too."Later that day, he addressed the pack about his absence from the memorial. Standing before them, he showed a vulnerability I'd never seen him display publicly."A king who cannot face his own grief," he'd declared, "cannot truly lead his people through theirs. I failed you that day, but I promise to do better. To be the ki
Sage Time seems to freeze as Eris's words hang in the air. Through our bond, I feel Alaric's fury building like a storm, but outwardly he maintains that deadly calm that makes lesser wolves bare their throats."These laws," Eris continues, her perfect smile never wavering, "are quite specific about the requirements for a royal mate." She unrolls the ancient scroll with deliberate slowness, clearly savoring every moment. "Particularly regarding bloodlines and... certain natural abilities a queen must possess."My heart pounds so loudly I'm sure everyone can hear it. Victoria's smirk grows wider as she moves to stand beside Eris, their alliance now clear to everyone."Perhaps," Victoria's father suggests smoothly, "we should discuss this privately, my King? Such delicate matters—""No." Alaric's tone brooks no argument. "You want to challenge my choice publicly? Then do it properly. Read the laws, Eris. All of them."Through our bond, I feel his silent command: Stand tall, sweetling. Sh
Alaric "The council demands an answer, my King." Lord Marcus's voice grates on my last nerve as I stare out my study window. Below, I can see Sage in the garden, her silver-blonde hair catching morning light. Through our bond, I feel her trying to stay strong despite the whispers that follow her now."I've given them my answer." My voice could freeze the blood in their veins. "Multiple times.""The Northern territories grow impatient." He presses on despite my obvious dismissal. "Lady Eris's offer of alliance—""Is neither wanted nor needed." I turn from the window, letting my power fill the room. "Was I unclear about that?"The elder shifts uncomfortably but doesn't back down. "The laws are quite specific, my King. A royal mate must meet certain requirements—""Laws can be changed.""Not these." Now Victoria's father steps forward from where he's been lurking in the doorway. "They are woven into the very fabric of our society. To break them would be to invite chaos."Through our bond
SageThe ancient text blurs before my tired eyes as I search for anything that might help our situation. I've been in the library since dawn, surrounded by dusty tomes about healing pack history, hoping to find some precedent, some loophole in the laws Eris is using against us."—dangerous powers—" The whispered fragment catches my attention as two noble wolves pass nearby. "—remember what happened to her family's pack—""Destroyed for good reason, I heard," the other responds, just loud enough to ensure I hear. "Some abilities are too unpredictable to be trusted."Through our bond, I feel Alaric's protective instinct spike at their words, but I send back calming energy. Let them whisper. Every reaction just gives Eris more ammunition."You should rest." Iris appears beside me, frowning at the dark circles under my eyes. "You've been at this for hours.""I'm fine." But my hands shake slightly as I turn another brittle page. "There has to be something here, some explanation for why thes
Alaric"You can't be serious." I watch Sage prepare a basket of healing supplies and baked goods - a peace offering she intends to take into the pack village. "Not with tensions this high.""That's exactly why I have to do this." She meets my eyes steadily. "Eris wants them to see me as something dangerous, something to fear. The only way to fight that is to show them who I really am.""By putting yourself at risk?" My beast rises at the mere thought. "When half the pack believes her lies about your powers being dangerous?""And keeping me locked away in the packhouse only reinforces those fears." She touches my face gently. "Think about it, Alaric. If you keep me too protected, what message does that send? That even you don't trust me among our people?"The truth in her words doesn't make them easier to hear. Through our bond, I feel her determination warring with her own anxiety. But there's something else too - that core of strength that made me fall in love with her."At least let
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 offe
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 c
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 shoul
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. "T
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 to
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 been