____________________Lucian left the clan again after telling his father that he was going away from the clan. He told him that was just going to roam and the king told him to be safe out there. He was going to the werewolf's territory again. He wanted to take the bull by the horn. He was going to tell Alexia of their mating bond and if she rejects him, he will come back and accept his doom.He left the clan and was running to the werewolf's territory in his Lycan form when he noticed that someone was following him. He stopped running to the werewolf's territory and started going around in circles with the person. They weren't running with him but he could feel the presence. A strong presence. He found it ridiculous and annoying how his father would send spies to watch him. Maybe the king didn't believe him when he told him that he had no mate.He was still running around in circles when he realized that the presence wasn't a Lycan. It wasn't a werewolf. It wasn't a witch or warlock.

"It's nothing, Hertha. Nothing is wrong." She reached back to the wolf, trying to coax her but the wolf would not have it.Alexia decided to go for a run in the woods, just to calm Hertha. She took a cloak and dagger and left. She reached the entrance of the woods and kept her cloak on the ground, then, she took her dagger with her and transformed. Hertha leapt away into the woods and started running. She didn't know where she was going but her restlessness was taking her and she was running through the woods.When she finally stopped, she looked around her. She didn't know where she was but she was in the woods. She ran a hand over her face and shut her eyes, hoping it was a dream. But when she opened her eyes again, instead of waking on her bed, in her room, she opened her eyes in the woods again. Still unsure of where she was. She transformed back and rose from the ground. She heard the dried leaves behind her make noises and she swiftly turned around, her heart was beating rapidl

______________________He told her the next day over breakfast that he would be living the next. He needed to go back and reassure everyone of his safety. She did not respond and he did not need her to. For the whole day, Alexia and Lucian acted like strangers to each other.The following day, Lucian was set to leave. He was standing in Alexia's room when she came in. She wore a black flowing cotton dress with a gold threaded design on the front of it. Her hair was as usual packed in a bun. He didn't notice her come in but she came in and stood at the door, watching him. He was startled when he turned around and met her at the door. He was stealing her hairpin.She laughed out loud when she saw his startling reaction and his shocked face. He rubbed his nape and dropped his head."Hey." She called and walked up to him. She removed the one from her hair and added it to the one in his hand and he looked up at her"Just ask for it next time." She smiled at him. He didn't respond, he was

He walked to her on the bed and sat on it, pulling her in for a hug and she burst another stream of tears from her eyes. He felt like he was going to pass out. She was sad and he was too. Both their emotions were just overwhelming for him alone and it was taking him a lot not to cry too.He needed to make her feel another emotion. Her sadness was too much. He quickly disengaged from the hug and kissed her. She was flabbergasted. He could now feel her surprise. She didn't respond to the kiss and she pushed him away."Are you crazy? I'm married to your friend." She was shouting. He could now feel her anger. Great. It became worse instead of better. The sudden switch of emotions was draining him."I'm sorry." It was in a low tone.He turned to leave but she called him to wait and he stopped at the door. He turned around and she was in front of him, only inches away from his face. He wanted to say something but she smashed her lips on his, it was his turn to feel surprised and he was. The

She left for her run. He freshened up and went to sleep that night. The next day, the Lycan prince woke up with Alexia's scent in his nostrils. He sat up and she was there. Standing at the door and watching him sleep, smiling. He smiled at her too."That's creepy." His deep early morning voice echoed in the room."I couldn't help it." She came to the bed and bent down for a kiss."What took you so long?" She asked when they broke the kiss."Personal reasons. My best friend was mated and it was complicated" He explained and they kissed again. She didn't say anything else. She rose from the bed and walked away to the door and opened it."You should get rid of your morning breath. It stinks." She left the room and shut the door. He squeezed his face and breathed into his hand and perceived it. It stank.That day after dinner, Lucian lay on the bed with Alexia. They cuddled and held on to each other. She had told Lucian that they were not going to have sex. She didn't want to be marked