The Prince's Fury (^•^)
A frantic knocking tore through the chamber doors, and the bruised servant stumbled in, his pristine uniform now rumpled and stained. A fresh cut bled above his brow.
"Sir... please, Your Highness," he pleaded, his voice thin with terror. "If you don't come, the princess will keep breaking stuff in the tea room! Please, your highness!"
Lyraen let out a deep, weary sigh, the sound more of a gust of wind than a human breath. His shoulders sagged for a moment before straightening with princely resolve. "Alright," he replied, his voice a low monotone. "Let's go."
Before he walked out, he turned back to Usagi. His golden eyes, which had been so cold moments ago, were now soft and full of concern. He cupped her face gently in his hands. "Usagi... don't go anywhere until I come back, okay?"
She leaned into his touch, her hand covering his. "Yes," she replied, a genuine smile on her lips. "You can go. Just don't be late."
As Lyraen turned to leave, the bruised servant's gaze fell on Usagi. His eyes lingered on her small, droopy ears and the soft fluff of her tail, and for a split second, a hunger flashed in his eyes—a flicker of thought that was far from respectful.
Suddenly, a low, guttural growl ripped from Lyraen's throat, a sound so raw and animalistic it made the servant gasp and take a stumbling step back. Lyraen's body was taut with menace, his hands clenched into fists at his side.
"Don't look at my wife that way, ever again," he snarled, his voice stripped of all civility. "Unless you want your eyeballs out."
The servant's face went white. He scrambled backward, bowing repeatedly as he backed out of the room. The door shut with a sharp click, leaving Usagi alone in the deafening silence. She stood there for a moment, her heart thrumming, a strange mix of fear and wonder filling her. She had seen the wolf in Lyraen before, but never so fierce, so possessive. It was terrifying, yes, but in that terror was a deep, unshakeable comfort. She was his, and he would protect her with everything he was.