All Chapters of The Royal Mate Of The Cursed Lycan King: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ARIA POVThe forest road stretched endlessly ahead of us, sunlight flickering through the leaves in lazy gold patches, and every time the horse moved beneath me, I became painfully aware of one thing:I was sitting in front of Raiden.On his horse.Between his arms.Pressed far too close to be legal in any kingdom.His chest was a solid, warm presence at my back, his arm loosely around me to keep me steady, his hand holding the reins right in front of my stomach. Every so often, when the horse bumped over a root, my shoulder brushed his chest—firm, steady, annoyingly distracting.Lucian rode ahead of us, chattering like the forest had built-in microphones just for him.“So this place,” Lucian began dramatically, “is the home of many legendary magical disasters. True masterpieces of bad decision-making.”I felt Raiden sigh behind me.I leaned my head a bit to the side so I wouldn’t be caught smiling too obviously. “Go on,” I said.“Aria,” Raiden muttered like a warning.“No, no, let hi

Raiden POVThe room felt smaller after that.Not because the cabin had changed—but because everything inside it now carried weight. Too much of it. History, bloodlines, vanished kingdoms. And her.Aria sat beside me, unusually still, cookie forgotten in her hand. Her shoulders were tense, chin lifted in a way that told me she was holding herself together by sheer will. I knew that look. I’d worn it through battles and betrayals alike.Lady Marisol’s gaze shifted from Aria to me. Her expression sharpened, the warmth fading into something grave.“Her power will grow,” she said quietly. “And so will those coming for her.”The words settled like a blade pressed to my spine.I felt Aria swallow beside me. The sound was soft, but I heard it anyway. I always did. Her pulse had quickened—fear or worry, I couldn’t tell which yet. Maybe both.I didn’t look away from Marisol. “They already are.”She nodded once. “Yes. But this is only the beginning.”Aria finally spoke, her voice careful, restra

Darius POVSelene turned and walked away like she hadn’t just insulted me in my own territory.I stood there for a moment, jaw tight, watching the door swing shut behind her. The audacity. The sheer nerve of that woman. Had she truly forgotten who she answered to? Or had she grown too comfortable hiding behind riddles and warnings, thinking herself untouchable because she dealt in shadows and spells?“Crazy witch,” I muttered under my breath, the words tasting bitter.I turned to Lyra.She hadn’t moved. She just stared at me, eyes glossy, lips parted slightly like there were a thousand accusations trapped behind them. The kind of look that begged for reassurance and blamed me all at once.“You’ll heal,” I said flatly, lifting my hand and gesturing lazily toward the burns crawling up her skin. The healers would handle it. They always did.She scoffed. “Is that all?” she muttered. “How comforting.”I didn’t answer.I couldn’t afford to. My head was already crowded with too many things —

Aria POVI hesitated for just a heartbeat longer—then I looked around.I don’t know what I expected to see. Fear. Suspicion. Distance.But none of that was there.Instead, there were nods. Soft smiles. Quiet approval. One of the women I’d teased earlier gave me a small thumbs-up like we were old friends. Kael met my eyes from across the ground and tapped two fingers to his chest in silent respect. Even the older warriors—scarred, hardened men—watched me with something that looked a lot like pride.My throat tightened.I hadn’t realized how badly I needed that.I turned back to Raiden, my smile coming easier now, steadier. “I’m ready,” I said, surprising even myself with how sure my voice sounded. “We should continue.”His eyes searched my face—not questioning, not doubting—just making sure. When he seemed satisfied, he gave a slow nod.“All right,” he said quietly.I drew in a deep breath, centering myself the way he’d taught me. My feet found the ground again. Solid. Present. Real.

Darius POVSomething inside me snapped.“Selene,” I said sharply, turning back to her, my voice low and dangerous. “Would you disobey your alpha?”The room went deathly quiet.Lyra stiffened behind me.Selene didn’t flinch. Not even a little.She met my gaze calmly, sadly even, and shook her head once. “You would do nothing to me,” she said. “Not because you can’t—but because you know I’m right.”That only made my anger burn hotter.“I am trying to save you,” she continued, her tone softer now, almost weary. “From yourself. Let that mysterious man try whatever tricks he claims to have. If he fails, then at least your hands will not be stained with things you cannot undo.”Lyra exhaled sharply. “Didn’t I say the same thing?” she muttered. “But no. No one ever listens to me.”I clenched my jaw so hard it ached.Enough.Without another word, I turned and stormed out of Selene’s chambers. The air felt suffocating, my thoughts louder than my footsteps. Anger buzzed through my veins, sharp