Chapter 1

Darkness slowly crawls on the blue sky above after the sun has set on that afternoon. We earnestly watch as the brightest star that reigns in the sky disappear before our eyes.

Zanth heaves a sigh making me look up to his face. Curiousity fills my eyes. I began to wonder when did he start looking at me like that.

I nudge his shoulder and laughs shortly.

"You are making me feel like I am a masterpiece that you are trying to memorize," I whispered as a joke. Zanth laughs. He brushed his long fingers against his black curls. His hair being curly made him look different from Zuiveren. I loved it that he got Izles', his mother soft curls.

I trailed the chain of my gold necklace where his eyes is pasted and sat up from lying on my back with my head resting on his thick and rock-hard thighs.

I unhooked the lock of it, removing the necklace from my neck, "You can have it," i teased him.

Zanth once more laughs at me. He took the necklace from my hand. My heart did beat a little faster than the usual as he put the necklace back on my neck. His calloused fingers brushing my smooth skin felt like a source of voltage that jolts down to my spine and that sensation rapidly spreads across my body. I bit my lower lip.

The two of us remained in that position even after I had my necklace back on where it should sit. The silence is killing me. It wasn't because it's akward but because it's bringing me ideas that I should not have in the first place!

Zanth is my dear friend since forever. I am not allowed to have this desire for him. I just can't... and then I snapped. My body took over, turning around so we can see each other face to face again.

My hand trembles. I had to fist my palm until blood is close to bleeding out just so I could stop myself from cupping his face.

"Aren't you curious who your mate is?" I blurted a question that if I am on my sane mind. I wouldn't even think of asking him.

He caged my jaw inside of his hand and lightly squeeze my cheeks. Lips protruding as I stared in his eyes that is close to the color of his hair.

He chuckled, shake his head and then he finally let go of my cheeks.

"No. Not at all. I do not wish to torture myself with a thought that my wolf won't settle with its true mate. Unless she is someone from the circle as ours... then I wouldn't be able to end up with her," he said, like a broken-hearted man.

Right. Even, I. I don't think I'll end up mating with a lycan that the Moon God has paired for me unless he is from a family that holds wealth and power that the realm will benefit from if we ever wed each other, but I am a hopeless romantic. I want what the Alpha and the Luna has. They are each other's mate. I want that too.

"If it's not my mate. I'd rathe die than marry whoever it is," I said to him. Zanth nodded his head. It felt like he would do the same.

"Let's say the King let you live your life as an unmarried princess of the pack and the realm. What would you do then? You can't spend your days watching the sunset and eating cake."

His words made me think, "I'll ride Soleil each day. Teach young lycan to hunt. Rule the realm," I chuckled at my last word.

The first two things. Maybe I stand chance on making them come true and not just a mere wish but the last one. Zuiveren will ask my father to behead me for treason if he ever hear my desire to become the owner of the great throne.

That seat. My young heart has always wondered what it feels like to sit there. To become the owner of the sit of power that could change anyone's life within a snap.

"If you were to sit on the great throne. You shouldn't marry anyone then," he said. My gaze is now back at him. His eyes made a swift move. It met mine, "Your husband will want to take over that throne. The King Consort has the right to take over the throne once you met an unfortunate incident. You knew how the small council is. They will always take a man's side over the owner of the throne if she is a woman."

"Will glady keep that in my mind... but if I were to be the Alpha of Refulgent. I would want you by my side."

"I don't want to become the Alpha's husband," he said right away. I looked at him with my mouth half opened. Offended at how quick he denied me his hand even if I wasn't really asking for it.

"Not in that way, you cunt! You just told me that I shouldn't marry anyone. Even if it's you, I really won't. I meant I want you by my side as my beta and advisor."

"Ah." He sighed out of relief, "I thought... because you knew. My father would tempt me to take over the throne and then-"

"Will you?" I cut him off. I know he wouldn't but still. I want to hear it straight from his lips just because.

"One day. I just might. Which is why you should do me a favor and never give me a chance to do it."

The small smile on my lips froze. I stared at him. This is my first time seeing this side of Zanth. This persona that is after his father.

"You are wrong. I don't believe you." I shake my head at him.

"Even if an opportunity present itself. You won't hurt or betray me."

"And you believe that because?"

"You are Zanth. My shoulder to lean on when it felt like the world is crumbling under my feet. You won't betray me, ever."