All Chapters of The Royal Mate Of The Cursed Lycan King: Chapter 41 - Chapter 45

Aria POVBy the time my legs finally decided they’d had enough, the fire had burned lower and steadier, the wild dancing easing into softer rhythms and low laughter. My chest still rose fast, my skin warm, my hair a mess I didn’t even bother fixing.I escaped the circle with a breathless laugh and made my way toward the edge of the clearing.Raiden was sitting on a fallen log, watching the fire like it held old memories only he could see. I dropped down beside him with a tired sigh that came straight from my bones.“Okay,” I said, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. “I officially can’t feel my legs anymore.”A corner of his mouth lifted. “I warned you.”“No, you didn’t,” I shot back, then softened. “But… thank you. For this.”He turned his head slightly, eyes settling on me. Not the fire. Not the people. Me.“They’re amazing,” I continued, nodding toward the pack. “Your people. They’re so… at ease. No tension. No fear. Everyone just fits.” I searched for the rig

Aria POVI watched Raiden disappear into the glow of torches and shadows, the smile on my face refusing to fade. For a king who carried the weight of an entire realm, he had a surprisingly gentle way of reminding me that life didn’t always have to be war, duty, or survival. Sometimes… it could just be this. Music. Fire. Laughter.I turned, ready to finally sit and let my legs forgive me for all that dancing when—Three figures stepped directly into my path.I froze.Three smiling faces stared back at me like they’d been waiting their turn.Wide smiles. Friendly eyes. Zero threat.The one in the middle—a tall guy with thick black hair and an expression that screamed golden retriever energy—lifted both hands in an enthusiastic wave. On his right stood a girl with deep burgundy hair pulled into a messy braid, her smile sharp and amused. On his left, a blonde girl with crossed arms and an eyebrow already raised like she was judging him.“Hi!” they all said together.In unison.I blinked.

Aria POVI didn’t know what to do.One second he was there—heat, weight, breath—and the next he was gone, like something had snapped him back to himself. I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, my heart still racing, trying to understand the space he’d put between us.I watched him walk toward the closet without looking back.No anger.No coldness.Just control—hard-earned and heavy.I exhaled slowly and pushed myself upright on the bed, pulling my knees in, grounding myself in the feel of the sheets beneath my palms. He was quiet as he moved, the room filled only with the faint sounds of fabric, wood, the distant night beyond the windows.When his towel slipped from his waist, I turned my face away instantly—too fast, honestly—my cheeks heating like I’d been caught doing something illegal.He didn’t even react.Of course he didn’t. Typical Raiden.I waited, swinging my feet lightly against the side of the bed, trying not to overthink everything that had just happened. When