Chapter 27 – Whispers of the Past
Kate's muscles still hummed with the raw exertion of training, her skin slick with sweat and her breath ragged. Ryker had pushed her hard, but not cruelly—every strike, every block, every correction of her stance was as much encouragement as it was challenge. Her Lycan side, still new yet commanding, responded with feral precision that startled even her.
By the time they returned to the palace, Kate felt both drained and invigorated. Her body ached, but in the most satisfying way.
Ryker glanced at her with a half-smile that carried both pride and amusement. "You fought like you've been doing this for years."
Kate laughed softly, shaking her head. "If that's what years feel like, then my body disagrees."
He chuckled, and together they headed inside, parting briefly to their own chambers to clean up.
---
The hot bath was bliss. Kate let the water soak into her sore muscles, steam curling around her face as she sank deeper, closing her eyes. For the first time since the arena, she allowed herself to feel something so simple—peace.
By the time she dressed in a soft cream gown that brushed the floor lightly, her hair braided loosely down her back, she felt almost herself again.
Lunch was light yet lively. The palace cooks had prepared roasted chicken with herbs, fresh bread, and berries sweetened with honey. Kate sat across from Ryker at the long dining table, though the room felt intimate despite its size.
Ryker spoke casually about the pack's current matters—rogue patrols near the borders, preparations for the harvest festival, a new alliance request from a neighboring Alpha. Kate listened carefully, her eyes curious.
"Do you ever stop working?" she teased him, nibbling on a berry.
His gaze softened. "When I'm with you, it doesn't feel like work."
The words sent warmth rushing through her, but she quickly looked down at her plate, hiding her blush behind the rim of her goblet.
---
After lunch, Ryker was drawn back into his Alpha duties, a stack of reports waiting for him in his office. Kate, however, decided to take a walk across the grounds.
The pack lands stretched wide, bathed in golden sunlight, the scent of pine and earth mingling in the warm breeze. Wolves trained in the yards, children ran through the gardens, and everywhere she turned, eyes followed her—but now, they no longer held disdain or suspicion.
"Luna," a warrior bowed his head respectfully as she passed.
Kate startled slightly but managed a warm smile. "Good afternoon."
Another pair of women, carrying baskets of herbs, curtsied. "Your presence brings light to the pack," one of them said shyly.
Kate felt a lump rise in her throat. Only days ago, whispers of "wolfless" and "unworthy" had shadowed her steps. Now, the air felt different—softer, accepting. She exchanged words with those she passed, offering smiles, gentle touches on shoulders, small moments of acknowledgment that left her heart swelling.
When she saw Lila sparring with a group of younger warriors, Kate paused to watch. Lila caught her eye mid-swing and grinned. "Care to join?"
Kate laughed and shook her head. "Not today. I'll leave the bruises for Ryker."
The group chuckled, and Kate continued her stroll, the warmth of belonging wrapping around her like a second cloak.
---
By the time the sun sank low, painting the sky in pink and violet hues, Kate returned to her chambers. The palace glowed with soft lantern light, laughter drifting from the halls where pack members shared evening meals.
When Ryker appeared at her door, he was dressed in a simple black shirt, the top two buttons undone, his hair slightly tousled from running his hands through it during work. The sight of him made her pulse quicken.
"Walk with me?" he asked.
She slipped her hand into his without hesitation, and together they strolled through the quiet corridors before retreating into his chamber.
---
The moment the door closed behind them, the air shifted. Ryker pressed her gently against the wall, his eyes burning with desire and tenderness all at once.
"You're radiant," he murmured, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.
Kate's breath hitched, her hands sliding across his chest, feeling the strength beneath. "And you're overdressed," she teased boldly.
Their lips met in a kiss that was both tender and consuming, slow at first before deepening into something that left them breathless. Clothes fell away, replaced by the heat of skin on skin. Their bodies moved together with growing urgency, passion unfolding like a wildfire that could not be contained.
When Kate and Ryker kissed, the world seemed to ignite. The bond flared between them, tighter and more overwhelming than before, a thread of unbreakable connection knitting their souls as one.
For the first time, Kate felt not only Ryker's emotions but his voice in her mind—warm, raw, and utterly hers.
Mine.
Her gasp melted into a laugh, tears stinging her eyes. Always.
They came together with a rush of passion, hearts pounding in unison until exhaustion carried them into a tangle of limbs and whispered promises beneath the sheets.
---
The Morning After
Sunlight spilled across the room when Kate stirred awake. Ryker was still beside her, his arm draped lazily over her waist, his face softened in sleep. She lingered a moment, tracing the line of his jaw, before slipping quietly out of bed.
After a shared bath that left them both chuckling at stolen kisses in the water, they dressed for the day—Kate in a pale green gown cinched with a silver belt, Ryker in a tailored black suit that fit him like a second skin.
Breakfast was lively, with laughter echoing through the dining hall, but soon Ryker rose, his expression shifting to something more serious.
"It's time," he said quietly. "We need answers about your lineage."
Kate nodded, her stomach tightening with anticipation.
---
The Achieve
Back to the palace archives where housed in an ancient stone wing of the castle, shelves towering from floor to ceiling, filled with scrolls, tomes, and records spanning centuries. The scent of old parchment and ink filled the air, mingling with the faint musk of time.
Ryker led the way, his hand brushing hers occasionally as though to steady her nerves. Kate's heart pounded as she gazed at the sea of knowledge before them.
Lila was already waiting, her expression sharp and focused. "I've gathered what I could on the Lycans," she said, holding a thick leather-bound book. "But much of it is… fragmented."
Kate reached out, fingers trembling as she opened the tome. Drawings of powerful, wolf-like figures stared back at her, flames inked around their bodies. She swallowed hard, her eyes drawn to one line etched in faded ink:
The child born of true Lycan blood shall awaken a power feared and revered, a bond to fire and spirit.
Her pulse roared in her ears.
Ryker leaned close, his voice low. "Kate… this isn't coincidence."
Kate closed the book slowly, her hand tightening on the cover. She felt the weight of her fate pressing down, heavy yet undeniable.
For the first time, she whispered aloud the fear she had carried in silence. "Who am I really?"