Peace.It's all I feel in this moment. The tranquility of this space envelops me, a soothing balm for my fractured soul. As I breathe in deeply, the air fills my lungs, reminding me of a much better time, a time just before the horrors began.Memories long buried rise to the surface, and I'm transported back to a warm summer evening. I'm a child again, snuggled up close to my mother, her loving arms wrapped around me. I lay my head on her chest, listening to the steady heartbeat, her voice in my ears warm and filled with love, assuring me that everything is alright with the world. My father sits beside us, his warm breath tickling my skin as he leans down to press a tender kiss on my forehead. I feel safe, protected by the people I love most in this world. In the distance, my brothers' loud voices ring out as they engage in a playful spar, their laughter and shouts carrying on the breeze as they try to determine who's the stronger amongst them.Simpler, happier times. I wish I could
I slowly stepped out of the king's chambers, gently closing the door behind me and sagging against it, a weary sigh escaping my lips. My hands trembled, but I tightened them around the tray I was holding, closing my eyes as I tried to catch my breath. I took a moment to collect myself, feeling a semblance of control wash over me.Being in the king's presence had always been nerve-wracking, but it was nothing compared to what had just occured. Having to be that close to him, feeling his weight on me, his breath on my skin... It was all so overwhelming. He'd slept on my body, twice. And I had allowed it. Not just allowed it, but reveled in it. In the feel of his body against mine, my fingers in his hair, his warm breath on my neck. So much that I didn't want to leave.But he was unpredictable, and the idea of him waking up to meet me again didn't quite sit well with me. So, when I noticed his grip on me slipping, I had crept out from underneath him and snuck out of the room with the tra
It was safe to say I couldn't return back to sleep after that dream. I tossed and turned on the bed, terrified of closing my eyes and entering back into the dream where I was being intimate with the beast. My body still tingled with need, shame and embarrassment filling me up even as I lay curled up on the bed. So many questions gnawed in my mind, demanding answers I was too afraid to discover. One thing was certain however, my dreams were trying to tell me something. But what? Is it something I didn't want to acknowledge just yet? I was so confused. Dawn had begun to break when I finally drifted into a restless slumber that was immediately interrupted by Helen who was going up and about, getting ready for her day. I yawned loudly, scratching my hair as I tried to make sense of my surroundings, shaking off the remnants of sleep. "Good morning Helen... " I murmured, my voice barely audible. "Good morning to you too." She answered, her voice full of life. She was already dressed and
I would spend the rest of the day lying next to the king, his hand wrapped possessively around my waist, his head resting on my shoulders. The warmth of his breath danced across my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I battled with my arousal and desires, trying to calm the flames that threatened to consume me. The king, on the other hand, seemed absolutely clueless about the turmoil brewing within me. Or at least, I thought he was.As the hours ticked by, he would occasionally rub his face against my neck in a self-soothing manner, dragging in lungfuls of my scent into his lungs. My heart rate refused to calm, and it was a struggle to resist the urge to turn around and run my fingers through his hair, holding him close. The tension between us was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder if he could sense it too.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the king's breathing slowed, and he fell asleep. The steady rise and fall of his chest was the only sound in the chambers, a sooth
"Is everything alright? Why do your eyes look puffy?" Helen asked when she caught a glance of me in the morning, her brows scrunched up in concern. I stiffened, trying to plaster a smile on my face and failing terribly at it. Sniffing, I tried to cover up that attempt. "I'm fine.. And the puffy eyes, I had trouble falling asleep last night. I had a nightmare." I said, my voice slightly hoarse. Helen's eyes narrowed and she looked like she wanted to ask me more questions but just stopped herself just in time."Okay, if you say so." She muttered, shrugging her shoulders as she got ready. I paused, staring at her with a bit of longing. The truth is, I wanted to ask her about my dreams and what they meant but I was too scared of what she would think. Forcing myself to speak, I tried anyway. "Helen?" I called out, my voice barely above a whisper. She looked up at me almost instantly, her eyes locking onto mine and my heart skipped a beat. "Yes?" she replied, her tone neutral.I hesitate
I froze, the dread in my heart multiplying as Lady Nymeria whipped her head to face me, her eyes narrowing into slits. Why did he have to say that when she was still around!? How did he even see me?!!! I caught the expression on Lady Nymeria and immediate wished for the ground to open up and swallow me. "She still feeds him!?" She parroted, her voice shrill and filled with so much shock. Alfred paused, realising his mistake but knowing it was too late now. "Yes, she does, my Lady." He answered, his voice as calm as the ocean. Of course I do, why shouldn't I? I wanted to retort back but caught myself just in time. Delivering a quick bow and greeting, I started to make my way to the kitchen but like the speed of light, Lady Nymeria was behind me, yanking me back with a particular painful grip on my hands. She took a step closer, her nostrils flaring as she caught a whiff of something in the air. Then they glimmerred with barely restrained fury and for the first time in her presence,
Running after the Lycan king, I arrived just in time to see him lift Lady Nymeria off the ground while she was walking out of the castle, completely unaware of the danger lurking behind her. He slammed her against the wall with a force that made the stones tremble, a strangled gasp escaping her lips as he tightened his hold around her throat."Your majesty!..." She choked out, flailing her arms and legs wildly, her face turning pink with fear and horror. Her eyes bulged, and her mouth hung open in a silent scream.The king let out a low growl, moving even closer to her, his presence dominating the entire room and filling everyone with terror. Lady Nymeria began to cough, hitting the king's arms to try and dislodge his hold, but it was useless. Her struggles only seemed to enrage him further."Who gave you the order to touch Aira?" He snarled, his voice sending shivers down my spine. The sound was like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the castle.Lady Nymeria's struggles seized
I shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be holding her like this, sniffing her like this, but it's getting to the point where I can't help myself. Ever since she laid with me after my episode, her scent and warmth had been the only thing that could calm me down, quiet the voices in my head, and keep the nightmares at bay. Especially the nightmares. The night I had spent without her next to me, I had been plagued by so many of them, I had woken up restless and filled with a sense of doom.Her scent was intoxicating - like spring rain, wildflowers, and rainbows. It was as refreshing as it was addicting. I rubbed my nose against her shoulders, pinning her beneath me, dragging more of her scent into my lungs. The voices in my head grew silent, and all the tension in my body melted away, leaving me in a state of calm.I barely felt her fingers grab onto my clothess, pulling me closer as moans spilled from her lips. Her body was warm, pliant, and inviting. I could feel her heart racing, her
The next five days passed with bliss and happiness. So much so that I wished we didn't have to return to the castle. I loved the simple, rustic life here in the cottage and was rather nervous about how things would pan out in the castle, but Kael assured me that things would be alright, promising that we would occasionally come here to get away once in a while.Following the events of the mating night, the bond had been restored, and we could now hear each other's thoughts and emotions. I had loved it so much, though I did find it rather jarring when he listened to the soft musings in my heart. My erotic fascinations that I thought were private only to me. He said he would put up a shield later on when they returned to the castle and had to resume his duties, as he wouldn't want to be distracted, but I hoped he wouldn't so often.Like him, I loved listening to his thoughts as well. His were usually incredibly detailed, a sharp contrast to his simplistic outlook. We did get to know eac
"Gods, when you beg like that... " He trailed off, rising from the water and taking me along. I immediately wrapped my legs around his waist, while he led us to the bedroom. We tumbled to the bed together, drenching the sheets with our wet bodies and kael resumed kissing me, more ardently this time, filled with utter possessiveness and primal need. His hands roamed around my body, groping and squeezing while mine dug into his back, pressing his body closer to mine, as if we weren't close enough. "You're so beautiful... " He murmured, spreading my thighs apart and throwing my legs over his shoulders, practically folding me in half. "So are you." I gasped back, hazily kissing him, my spine arching as I felt his arousal nudge my weeping core. "Want you." I moaned into his mouth. "Want you too. You have no idea just how much I've been holding back.""I... I don't want you to hold back." I rushed out and he growled, the sound more animal than male. Fuck, I'm just as wanton as he thinks
"Wow... If someone had said I'd see this side of you, I would have laughed them off." I muttered, my fingers already reaching for the bindings on my dress.He cocked his head to the side, a crooked smile on his face. "What? Am I not allowed to take care of my woman?" he asked, and I felt my cheeks grow warm."My woman." I didn't know what to say to that, so I just focused on undressing until I was standing bare in the room, bathed in the warm candlelight, the air around us suddenly too warm.His intense gaze never left my body, and when I couldn't take it anymore, I headed straight to the tub and got in. I gasped as the water encased my legs, the surface rippling and scattering my reflection.Surprisingly, the water was warm, and I realized I liked it that way. I slowly submerged into the warm water, resting my body at the edge of the tub while Kael sat across from me, his body slightly tense.I bit my lip but refused to pull my gaze away from his, watching as the tension swelled and
I started to back away, but the animal, already irritated, began to growl and paw at me. I swallowed, my eyes darting quickly, trying to find an escape route but painfully drawing a blank."Kael... I'm in a situation here!" I called out as the animal trailed after me, its growls growing louder and meaner. Just then, the bear let out a menacing sound, getting ready to pounce, and I let out a scream, curling into myself.When another figure jumped from right behind me, catching the bear mid-lunge, I only raised my head when I heard a painful whimper coming from the bear and the sickening sounds of bones cracking. Before me, Kael was holding the bear meters from the ground, the latter slumped, blood dripping from its mouth."Woah..." I muttered without thinking, and Kael discarded the dead animal, a mild look of disgust flashing in his eyes. "That's so cool," I added when he locked eyes with me. Kael didn't look too pleased."That's the end of hide and seek, young lady," he announced, hi
We continued to run through the woods till Kael reached a clearing that opened up to a small cottage nestled in the heart of the forest. Gripping his fur tight, I let out a sound of wonder, my eyes taking in the quaint dwelling bathed in the resplendent moonlight.Only then did Kael slow down, urging me to slide off his back. I did so, and he reverted back to his male form, a soft smile on his face. "Do you like it?" he asked, his eyes searching mine, and I scoffed."Like it? I love it! It's so beautiful," I muttered, taking several steps forward while he followed behind, holding my hands. "I've always wanted us to come here. This is where we'll be spending the next seven days," he informed me, and I felt my cheeks grow warm.Squeezing my hands gently, he led me to the porch, picking up a small torch that had been carefully laid out and lighting it up with a nearby fire striker. The kindling on the torch burst into flames, and he opened the door, leading us into the living space.For
Kael stared at me in disbelief, his eyes slowly widening as he held my gaze, a brow slightly furrowing. I managed a small smile, feeling my heart pound in my chest, my fingertips tingling. "You... You really mean that?" he stuttered, his deep voice shaking ever so slightly.I giggled, nodding my head vigorously. "Yes, Kael. I want to be bonded with you. I think I've had more than enough time to think about it, and I'm sure now," I whispered, searching his eyes.He let out a huff, a chuckle hidden somewhere in it, before sitting up, a huge grin on his face. Suddenly, he slipped out of the bed and pulled me along, placing me into a bone-crushing hug as he twirled me around. Laughter bubbled from my lips."I thought I would have to wait forever for you to say that," he said as he lowered me to my feet, pressing his forehead against mine. I let out a sheepish smile at that.He held my cheeks, his gaze transforming to something tender, almost reverent. "You have no idea how happy I am to h
I woke up to the sun shining against my face, a warm feeling spreading over my chest. Tossing and turning for a bit, I finally cracked my eyes open when I saw that Kael was no longer in bed. I must have overslept while he went on with his duties. Sitting up, I brought my knees to my chest, unable to help the grin that broke out on my face, my cheeks heating up.The night before had been magical, and I still blushed every time I thought about it. Kael had gone into great detail about the mating ritual, and hearing about the process had been both awe-inspiring and panic-inducing. Even now, as I thought about it, I had goosebumps.He had informed me that the mating ritual usually lasted a week, as per werewolf/lycan customs, where we would not only get to know each other personally but also had to engage in sexual intimacies. However, it came with its own twist. I had wondered how I would have the energy to go through that for seven days straight when one night with him had tired me out,
I sat submerged in the bath water, head leaned back, thinking about everything and nothing. Cracking my heavy eyelids open, I watched the water that reached my chest swirl and ripple around me, while I tried to make sense of my thoughts. Today had been a long day. After I had returned with Aira, we had hosted a celebratory banquet with all of my loyal subjects that had lasted well into the night, officially introducing her as my mate and, as time went on, my queen.As expected, there had been outrage because of what species she was. A human. Despite the years that had passed, my kind still held a deep animosity concerning humans that was only exacerbated by Morris's actions in bringing them back into slavery once more. I had been quick to counter it, however."If it wasn't for her quick thinking... " I said as I stood up from my throne, addressing everyone present in the hall with a loud voice while she stood next to me. "The Traitor Mortis would have succeeded in his plans of killing
Thank you for bringing me here." I whispered, and he nodded. He moved forward, and I followed after him, mildly surprised he was taking the route that led to my mother's cottage.We finally arrived there, and for a moment, I stopped, staring at the small building that had been my home for so long. I could still recall the memories I had made here with my mother - the happy, sad, and downright ugly ones. Fresh tears filled my eyes, and my hands began to tremble.Kael tenderly held my hands, and I glanced at him, seeing the encouragement in his eyes. I shakily nodded, cleaning off the stray tears with the back of my hands as I led him to the back of the cottage where she was buried.A shabby tombstone stood at the edge, hastily crafted, and for a while, I watched the space, the whole world around me going quiet. "Mom..." I started to say, my voice wobbly with grief, moving forward."A lot has happened since you left. I thought my life ended when yours did. But instead, it was only about