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Alaric"You can't be serious." I watch Sage prepare a basket of healing supplies and baked goods - a peace offering she intends to take into the pack village. "Not with tensions this high.""That's exactly why I have to do this." She meets my eyes steadily. "Eris wants them to see me as something dangerous, something to fear. The only way to fight that is to show them who I really am.""By putting yourself at risk?" My beast rises at the mere thought. "When half the pack believes her lies about your powers being dangerous?""And keeping me locked away in the packhouse only reinforces those fears." She touches my face gently. "Think about it, Alaric. If you keep me too protected, what message does that send? That even you don't trust me among our people?"The truth in her words doesn't make them easier to hear. Through our bond, I feel her determination warring with her own anxiety. But there's something else too - that core of strength that made me fall in love with her."At least let
Alaric"Where is she?"The wolf chained before me flinches at my tone, throat bared in instinctive submission. He reeks of fear – not just of punishment, but of something deeper. Someone more dangerous than even his king."My King, please..." His eyes dart to the guards, to Garrett, to anywhere but me. "If they find out I spoke...""They?" Power floods the dungeon cell. "Or she?"His silence is answer enough. Through our bond, I feel Sage's pain even from here – each breath sharp with broken ribs, each movement an agony as she refuses magical healing that might frighten the pack further. The rage building in my chest threatens to shatter my control."You will tell me everything." My voice holds deadly calm. "Every word she spoke. Every coin she paid. Every promise she made. Or I will show you exactly why they call me the Lycan King.""She'll kill me." The words burst from him. "Lady Eris, she... she has ways. Powers from the North. She said we'd be heroes, protecting the pack from dang
Sage The elders corner me in the library, their timing perfect - just when Alaric is occupied with border patrols and can't intervene through our bond."My dear." Lord Marcus's concern sounds almost genuine. "We've been discussing how to help ease these... tensions in the pack."I mark my place in the ancient text I've been studying, noting how they've positioned themselves between me and the door. "Have you?""This imprisonment situation has everyone on edge." Victoria's father joins in smoothly. "Pack members turning against each other, noble wolves in chains... it sets a concerning precedent.""They attacked me." My ribs still ache with the proof. "Or had you forgotten?""Out of fear." Lady Regina, one of the elder council members, steps closer. "Fear you could help dispel by showing mercy. By proving you're not the danger they believe."Through our bond, I feel Alaric's attention shift toward my unease, but I send back calming energy. I need to handle this myself."The pack sees o
Alaric "My King." Eris's voice stops me in the hallway. "Might I have a moment of your time?"Through our bond, I feel Sage's attention shift briefly before she returns to her work in the healing wing. These "moments" with Eris have become more frequent lately, each one more desperate than the last."I have duties to attend to." I move to pass her, but she steps deliberately into my path."That's exactly what I wished to discuss." Her smile holds calculated warmth. "Your duties to the kingdom. To our people.""Our people are being well served.""Are they?" She moves closer, her scent carrying notes of expensive perfume. "When half the pack still struggles to accept a queen with uncertain powers? When noble wolves whisper about tainted bloodlines?"I let my power fill the space between us. "Choose your next words very carefully.""I mean no disrespect." Her hand brushes my arm before I can step back. "I understand the attraction. Her power is... remarkable. And having such abilities at
AlaricTime freezes as I watch emotions flash across Sage's face - shock, hurt, understanding, and then... pure rage. But not at me. Through our bond, I feel her absolute certainty in my loyalty even as her power builds like a gathering storm."Really, Eris?" The fury in Sage's voice could melt steel. "This is what you've been reduced to?"Eris's triumphant smirk falters slightly. This clearly isn't the reaction she expected. "I merely gave him what he truly wants. What the kingdom needs. He was quite eager to—"Sage’s growl stops her short but she isn’t deterred for long. "You should be thanking me." Eris sits up, letting the sheet fall away deliberately. "I'm offering a solution that saves everyone's dignity. You can maintain your position in the healing wing, avoid the embarrassment of public rejection—""The only embarrassment here is you." Sage's power fills the room, making the air crackle. "Sneaking into another wolf's bed like a common—""Like a proper mate for a king." Eris's
Sage My heart pounds as I watch him enter our bedroom, water still glistening on his skin from the shower. Through our bond, I feel his breath catch at the sight of me waiting for him, vulnerable yet certain in my choice.Wetness pools between my legs from his hungry gaze alone. My shyness is quickly replaced by a sense of power that my king looks ready to drop to his knees for me, the words “fucking beautiful” whispered from his lips. The towel drops from his waist and I can't help staring, taking in every powerful line of him. Every hard plane, every defined ripple under his golden skin. My Lycan King. My mate. Through our bond, his satisfaction at my obvious appreciation mingles with his own hunger.My perusal stalls when my eyes trail to his long, thick member straining toward me, my entire body heats, a pink flush creeping over my skin. While he’s touched me in ways that make my blush deepen to think about, he’s never let me see all of him before now. A gasp escapes me at the si
AlaricDawn paints her skin golden as I watch her sleep in my arms, still joined from our last coupling hours ago. The mate bond pulses with contentment, memories of the night flooding through me - her gasps of pleasure, the way she trembled beneath my touch, how she finally overcame her shyness to take control.I thought Sage lying naked beneath me, looking up at me with so much trust and adoration while I brought us both to orgasm, would be the most gorgeous sight I’d ever see. But watching her find her confidence, riding me with her head thrown back and her silky blond hair grazing my thighs while she took her pleasure from me… that was fucking stunning. The memory of that vision has me growing hard inside her. I should pull out, she’s probably sore, I took her so many times and wasn’t always gentle. But even so, I can’t bring myself to separate from her. Not yet. Through our bond, I feel her peaceful dreams, her absolute trust in being vulnerable with me like this. My beast rumb
SageAncient dust tickles my nose as I lean closer to the faded text, excitement building as I translate the archaic language. Through our bond, I feel Alaric's amusement at my complete absorption in research."You missed lunch again." His voice makes me jump as he sets a tray beside me. "And dinner.""I found something." I pull him down to see the text, not even tempted by the food despite having forgotten meals. "Look at this - 'The Trial of True Mates.' It was used in ancient times to prove mate bonds beyond any doubt."His hand traces patterns on my back as he reads over my shoulder. Through our bond, I feel his interest sharpen at certain passages."A ritual to demonstrate the depth of connection?" He frowns slightly. "What's involved?""That's what I'm trying to figure out." I gesture at the scattered texts. "The descriptions are fragmented, but it seems to involve some kind of shared trial. Something that proves the strength of the mate bond itself.""And these warnings?" His fi
Alexander"They need you specifically for the binding ritual to work." I mutter to myself, but Lyra picks up my train of thought."Which is why Selene led the attack herself." She says grimly. "She spotted me trying to escape. I used everything I know about the forest to lose her, but she pursued me for miles." She indicates her injuries. "I didn't escape unscathed.""How did you find your way here?" Dominic asks, suspicion edging his voice, making me growl under my breath. "The palace is heavily guarded, especially during the Gala."Lyra's gaze returns to me. "I followed the bond. It led me here—like a silver thread pulling me toward safety. I knew it was dangerous to come to the palace, but somehow I also knew it was the only place I'd be safe from her."The simple truth of her words reverberates through our connection. She came to me—to her true mate—instinctively seeking protection even at great risk to herself."We need to get you somewhere safer than this garden," I say, assessi
AlexanderThe remainder of the Gala passes in a blur of forced smiles and diplomatic niceties. I perform my duties mechanically—dancing with potential matches, engaging in political small talk, maintaining the façade of the dutiful heir considering his options. But my thoughts remain fixed on the conversation with Selene in the garden, her veiled threats echoing in my mind."The final night of the Gala approaches. Traditionally, the heir makes his intentions clear by then. I would hate for... misunderstandings to arise."What did she know about Lyra? How much had she discovered about our meeting in the forest? The questions circle endlessly as I navigate the crowded ballroom, accepting congratulations on my upcoming coronation from nobles who have no idea of the turmoil beneath my carefully composed exterior."You're distracted tonight," Dominic murmurs as he appears at my side, offering a much-needed glass of water. "More than usual.""Something's wrong," I reply under my breath. "Se
Lyra "Or another of your bloodline, though few remain." Thalia’s words bring me back to the present as she reaches for my hands, clasping them in her own. "The Northern delegation seeks a Silverspiral healer for their ritual. Whatever they plan, it involves the prophecy, the Lycan heir, and the disruption of the true mate bond you now share.""But why? What could they hope to gain?""Power," she says simply. "Control over the balanced power that the prophecy promises. If they can bind the heir to their bloodline instead of his true mate, they might redirect the fulfillment of the prophecy to serve their purposes."My mind races, connecting fragments of overheard conversations with this new information. "I overheard them speaking of a binding ceremony, of needing a healer of pure bloodline for a ritual to work properly.""A perversion of ancient magic," Thalia growls. "They would use your blood—your essence—to create a false bond between the prince and their princess, overriding the t
LyraI follow the hidden paths back to our secondary encampment, my mind still reeling from the encounter with Alexander. Every step increases the distance between us, and with it comes a physical ache I've only heard described in tales of true mates separated. The silver bond stretches taut between us, a constant reminder of what fate has decreed and duty denies.The dream flowers in my basket seem to pulse with their own soft luminescence in the fading light, their scent more potent than usual—or perhaps my senses are simply heightened by the awakening of the mate bond. Either way, their presence is a tangible reminder of my responsibilities to my people, responsibilities that now seem at odds with the pull of my heart.Our emergency settlement is well-concealed, nestled against a cliff face with natural caves providing shelter. Unlike our permanent enclave, this location is sparse, functional, designed for temporary safety rather than comfort. As I approach, I sense rather than see
AlexanderMy mother’s watchful eyes pierce right through me as she waits for me to speak. I consider lying, brushing off my questions as nothing more than curiosity. But I’ve never lied to her before, and I don’t intend to start now. "I found my true mate today," I say finally, the words both liberating and damning. "A healer named Lyra, from one of the hidden communities."Elara gasps softly while my mother's expression transforms from shock to a complex mixture of joy and concern. "The mate bond—you're certain?""As certain as you and Father were," I confirm. "The silver connection, instantaneous and undeniable.""Oh, Alex," Elara breathes, understanding immediately the impossible position I'm in. "The Choosing Gala, Princess Selene, the prophecy...""All pointing me in one direction," I finish grimly, "while fate pulls me in another."My mother rises, coming to me, her hands cool against my face as she studies me with those violet eyes so like my own. "A true mate is a gift beyond
Alexander The Grand Ballroom is even more crowded than the previous night, the competition among potential matches growing as the Gala progresses. By tradition, I should be narrowing my preferences, spending more time with those I find most suitable. Instead, I move mechanically through the required dances, my thoughts a thousand miles away in a forest clearing with a woman whose touch brought balance to my warring nature."Your Highness seems distracted tonight," observes Lady Mirella, the daughter of an influential Alpha from the Western territories, as we complete our obligatory dance."Forgive me," I say automatically. "Many matters require my attention with the coronation approaching."She simpers appropriately, but I can see the calculation in her eyes. All of them are watching, evaluating, strategizing—except Selene, who stands across the room in conversation with my father, her poise perfect as always but her gaze finding me repeatedly.I've successfully avoided her so far, pl
AlexanderEvery step away from Lyra feels wrong—physically painful in a way I've never experienced. The silver thread of our mate bond stretches but doesn't break, a constant pull urging me to turn back, to claim what fate has decreed is mine. My head pounds and my dual nature—healing and Alpha—roils inside me, more unsettled than ever before."Alex?" Dominic's voice breaks through my inner turmoil. "You need to slow down. You're practically running."I realize I've been striding through the forest at a punishing pace, as if physical distance might somehow diminish the connection I feel to her. I stop abruptly, bracing one hand against a tree trunk, struggling to bring my breathing under control."A true mate," I say, the words hollow with disbelief. "Now, of all times."Dominic says nothing, just watches me with concern etched on his features. He was there, he saw the connection spark between us, but he can't feel what I'm feeling—the bone-deep certainty colliding with equally powerfu
LyraMy healing ability activates instinctively, energy flowing through my fingertips into his arm. I sense immediately that something is wrong—his dual natures pulling against each other with increasing force, creating internal fractures where they should flow together."Your power is destabilizing," I tell him, medical concern momentarily overriding the more complicated emotions of our situation. "The Alpha strength and healing ability—they're fighting each other instead of balancing."He looks at me with surprise. "You can sense that?""I'm a healer," I remind him. "Diagnosing is what I do." I hesitate, then add, "But this is beyond my experience. I've never felt anything like the conflict in your energies.""The conflict has been growing stronger as my twenty-fifth birthday approaches," he admits. "Headaches, power surges, difficulty controlling either ability."His Beta watches our exchange with growing concern. "We should return to the palace," he suggests. "If you're unwell—""I
LyraThe moment I lock eyes with him, everything inside me shifts—rearranges itself around a truth I never expected to face. The legendary silver connection of true mates flares between us like a living thing, pulsing with recognition so fierce it nearly brings me to my knees.My basket tumbles from my fingers, precious dream flowers scattering across the forest floor. I rise to my feet, unable to look away from the man standing at the edge of the clearing. Even without the royal trappings, I would know him anywhere—the violet eyes that mark his heritage, the commanding presence that no plain clothing can disguise. Prince Alexander, heir to the throne, son of the king who descended from those who hunted my people to near extinction.My true mate."It's you," he whispers, his voice carrying easily across the clearing.I can't speak, can't move. Every instinct urges me forward, toward him, while every rational thought screams danger. The mate bond thrums between us, demanding acknowledgm