"I gave that order," Thorn said, as he sat on his throne, his tone calm but resolute. "She's under my protection."
Maravelle rose, her cloak sweeping around her like a tide. "Who is she, Thornak? A rogue? A spy? Or another foolish charity case you dragged in from the woods?"
"She's my mate although I don't want this information to leave this room for now."
Gasps echoed through the room.
"Oh, that's rich," came the familiar drawl from near a pillar. Prince Aedric Stormbite, their cousin, leaned casually against the marble column, dark curls tousled and a smirk stitched permanently to his face.
Iris's hand flew to her chest, her eyes wide with shock, but Jasmine simply blinked, her stare sharp as ever.
For a moment, Maravelle said nothing. Then a smile curled at the corners of her lips, soft but calculating. "Your mate... at last," she said. "The Goddess has finally blessed you. I've waited years for this."
Relief flickered through Thornak's eyes-until Maravelle continued.
"But if she is no one, Thornak... if she has no lineage, no strength and no history..." her smile turned thin, "...then she will not be fit to rule by your side. The people would never accept a nameless girl as their queen. You will have to do what is best for the kingdom."
"I know what's best for the kingdom," he growled.
"I disagree," she replied coolly. "You may feel the bond, but duty does not bend for love. If she is unworthy, you will reject her."
Thorn's jaw clenched.
"I will not see the throne weakened by sentiment," Maravelle said. "If it comes to that, you will take Lady Selene as your queen. She is noble-born, powerful, and ready to stand at your side. What was she doing alone in the woods, Thornak? Do you even know?"
"She is my mate regardless. I will find out everything" he said, the words like iron. "but she stays."
Maravelle's expression froze for a moment before softening again. "Then prove she's worthy. Or choose Selene."
Kael stepped forward. "You weren't there. I saw her. She fought, bleeding, and still didn't stop. She's not some frightened villager."
"She might also not be cut out to be the Queen" Maravelle snapped.
"She is now," Thornak said. "If the Goddess marked her for me, then she belongs here. And I will protect her with my life."
Maravelle didn't respond, but her silence was no longer cold. It was thoughtful. Calculating.
As Thorn turned to leave, Aedric leaned toward the queen, whispering with a grin, "This is going to be so much fun."
"Aedric find out who she is, I don't want any surprises."
....
Warmth.
That was the first thing Lara noticed. Heat under her body. She was wrapped in heavy furs and blankets that smelled like smoke and pine. Then came the pain, like all her bones had been broken and put back together.
Her eyes slowly opened.
The room was dim, lit by the soft glow of a lantern and the warm light from a fire nearby. The air smelled of herbs and metal.
She tried to sit up, but a firm hand eased her back.
"Careful," said a calm, firm voice. An older man sat at her bedside, with white hair and a plain tunic. He had the look of someone used to obedience, despite his unassuming robes.
"You're lucky to be alive."
Lara blinked at him, her throat dry. "Where...?"
"You're in the Lycan King's chambers," he replied simply. "He brought you here himself. Carried you from the forest and ordered that I tend to you. Personally."
The king? Had she heard correctly.
"The Lycan King... brought me here?" she echoed.
The healer nodded once. "That's what I said."
"Why?" she asked, her brows pulling together.
He offered her a silver cup of water. "That's a question for him, not me."
Why would the Lycan King help me?
She leaned back against the pillows, her heart beating fast. Her body ached, but it was the rush of thoughts in her head that made her feel dizzy.
Lara stared at him. Until he rescued her she had never seen a Lycan before. She took the silver cup he gave her and drank slowly, trying to calm her breathing.
Why would a Lycan, no, why would the Lycan King...
She didn't finish the thought. She was too afraid to. She was no one important, she didn't even have a wolf, and yet, here she was. In his room. Under his protection. She saw the healer stirring a bowl of herbs
"Don't overthink it." She said almost to herself.
The healer looked up from his mixing table. "Pardon?"
She shook her head slightly. "Where is he? The king?"
The healer walked over with a basin of steaming herbs. "He left before dawn."
"Gone where?"
"He didn't say." He looked visibly irritated at her questions.
"Did he say when he'd be back?" she asked quietly.
The healer shook his head. "No. But he made it clear your health was his priority."
Lara didn't respond. Her eyes drifted to the window, the trees barely visible in the distance.
"Rest now," the healer said, placing a jar of salve on the bedside table. "You'll need your strength."
As he left, the memory returned like a storm: golden eyes, a massive creature more than a wolf standing between her and death. And later, those same eyes, looking down at her before everything went black.
....
The King's war room was quiet but tense. It was made of dark stone walls and tall windows that allowed sunlight to fall over the table covered in maps and scrolls. A big fire burned in the hearth behind him, creating moving shadows across the room.
Thornak stood at the head of the massive table, his arms resting on the edge. His golden eyes narrowed as he looked over the map, studying the red marks that showed where some attacks had happened.
Kael leaned against a pillar and sighed. "Three outposts in under two weeks. This isn't random anymore. Someone is orchestrating these strikes."
Thornak's jaw clenched.
"And they know our weaknesses." Ruvan, his Gamma, stepped forward and pointed toward the northern border. "They hit Ashvale Pass last. If they breach it again, they'll have a straight route to our inner provinces."
"We'll reinforce it," Thornak said. "Double patrols and fortify the ridge. I want sentries at every point."
Kael narrowed his eyes at the map. "Although, these tactics... they're too precise for rogues. This feels like the old insurgents again. The ones we never caught."
A heavy silence followed... There was a sharp knock at the door.
"Enter," Thornak commanded.
A guard stepped inside and bowed swiftly.
"My King. The... special guest has awakened."
Thornak straightened.
"Have the healer remain. No one goes in unless I say so."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The guard bowed again and vanished into the corridor.
Kael pushed off the wall, smiling faintly. "Going to check on your mysterious stray?"
Thornak smiled faintly and left the room.