All Chapters of Property of the King’s: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The neutral border line was a wide, quiet clearing in the forest where the trees grew sparse. Soft green moss covered the ground, and a small, shallow stream cut right through the middle, separating wolf land from Lycan territory.I stood on the Lycan side of the bank, the cool afternoon breeze stirring my hair. Leonidas stood a few steps behind me, his massive frame calm and steady, his wild green eyes watching the tree line across the stream. He didn't hover or hold me back. He simply stayed close enough to let me know I wasn't standing alone."He is coming," Leonidas said softly, his deep voice barely louder than the rustle of the leaves. "Alone, just as he promised."My heart gave a heavy, nervous thud. I reached up and touched the claw mark on my neck, drawing comfort from its steady warmth before looking across the water.Alpha Riccardo stepped out from the shadows of the pine trees on the opposite bank.He didn't have a single guard with him. He wore simple dark clothes, withou

After bringing Aura inside the cabin, Leonidas’s guards made sure she had a warm blanket and fresh food. She was exhausted, her eyes heavy with fear, and it didn't take long for her to fall into a deep, uneasy sleep on the small floor mat near the fireplace. Silas was already fast asleep in his corner, his quiet, steady breathing filling the room.I stood by the window for a long time, watching the dark trees outside while my mind raced. Aura’s frantic words about the witches kept echoing in my head. Every time my anxiety spiked, the air around my feet grew bitterly cold. Small patches of white frost kept creeping across the floorboards near my boots, disappearing only when I forced myself to take a slow breath.I needed to clear my head before I accidentally froze the whole cabin.Quietly, so I wouldn't wake anyone, I walked into the small side washroom at the back of the cabin. A simple glass mirror hung on the wall above a small washstand. I filled the washbasin with cool water, sp

By the time the guards finished fixing the broken fence at the northern line, dusk had settled over the Lycan camp. The air turned crisp and quiet, carrying the faint scent of wood smoke from the small cabins scattered through the trees.I walked back to our cabin with slow, steady steps. My hands were warm now, the frost completely gone, but the image of those dark beasts kept playing over in my head. They were getting bolder, pushing right up to where people lived.When I pushed the front door open, the room was soft and quiet. Silas was sitting at the wooden table, carefully carving a small piece of pine with his pocket knife. Aura sat across from him, sipping warm water from a clay cup. She looked much better than she had last night—the dirt was washed from her face and her blonde hair was pulled back, but her dark eyes were still jumpy, darting to the door every time the wind rustled outside."How are things out there?" Silas asked, setting his knife down on the table as I steppe

The cool mountain breeze carried the clean scent of pine needles as Leonidas and I walked up the winding dirt path behind the Lycan Citadel. The sun had set an hour ago, leaving the sky painted in dark purple and deep grey. Below us, the lights of the citadel twinkled like tiny stars scattered across the valley.Silas was sleeping soundly back at the cabin, and Aura had gone to rest early. Leonidas had come by after his evening rounds, asking if I wanted to get some fresh air away from the crowded camp. I had agreed without hesitation.We stopped near the edge of a high cliff that looked out over the whole valley. A flat wooden bench sat under a large oak tree, looking out at the wide expanse of mountains in the distance."I come up here when the noise downstairs gets too loud," Leonidas said, his deep voice low and calm in the quiet night air. He pulled a thick wool blanket from his shoulder and laid it out on the wooden bench before looking at me. "Sit down, Nova. The wind gets cold

The morning of our departure arrived with a cool, quiet fog that hung low over the grass. I packed our few belongings into small bundles, making sure Silas had his warm coat buttoned up to his chin. He looked so much better than he had a week ago—his color was back, his dark eyes were bright, and he moved with steady, easy strength.Leonidas walked us to the edge of the Lycan territory, where the dirt path met the neutral stream. Two of his guards followed at a respectful distance, carrying our bags. Aura walked silently beside me, her eyes darting nervously to the trees every few seconds, her fingers tightly clutching her blanket roll.At the riverbank, Leonidas stopped and turned to look at me. The claw mark on my neck hummed with a gentle, reassuring warmth as his tall frame blocked the chilly morning wind."You don't have to do this if you feel uneasy, Nova," he said softly, his green eyes searching my face with quiet concern. "My doors stay open for you and your brother. If anyth