Chapter Two

Lillian’s world was a blur of shadows and silver moonlight as the Lycans rode through the dense forest. The night air was cold, whipping against her skin as she struggled against her captor’s iron grip.

"Let me go!" she snarled, twisting in the saddle.

The warrior holding her barely reacted, his arms like steel as he kept her pinned in front of him. "Stop fighting," he growled. "You’ll only tire yourself out."

Lillian bit her lip, furious. She wanted to claw at him, scream for help—even though she knew no one would come. The human villages were miles away, and even if she escaped, she would never outrun a pack of Lycans.

Her gaze flicked to Aedric, who rode just ahead of her. His posture was relaxed, but she could sense the restrained power in every movement. His golden eyes, reflecting the moonlight, never left the path ahead.

They rode for what felt like hours before the trees began to thin, revealing a sight that stole Lillian’s breath.

The Lycan Kingdom.

A fortress of stone and towering spires stood nestled between the cliffs, illuminated by torches that lined the great walls. But it wasn’t just the castle that took her by surprise—it was the sheer number of Lycans. Hundreds of them roamed the grounds, some in human form, others in their massive wolf forms.

As they rode through the heavy iron gates, the murmurs began.

“She’s human.”

“The Moon Goddess made a mistake.”

“She’ll never survive here.”

Lillian swallowed hard, keeping her chin high despite the whispers. She would not show fear.

Aedric dismounted first, turning toward her. His warrior released her, and before she could react, Aedric reached up, his hands firm yet careful as he lifted her from the saddle. The moment his hands touched her waist, that same electric heat from before shot through her, making her stiffen.

“You will not be harmed,” he said, his voice softer than she expected. “You are under my protection.”

Lillian yanked away the moment her feet hit the ground. “I never asked for your protection.”

His golden eyes darkened. “And yet, you have it.”

Before she could reply, another voice rang out.

"My king!"

A tall, muscular Lycan approached—his black hair tied back, his eyes a deep shade of silver. His expression was unreadable, but Lillian could feel the tension rolling off him.

"General Garrick," Aedric acknowledged him.

The general's gaze flickered toward Lillian, and she saw the skepticism in his eyes. "This is the human?"

Aedric’s jaw tightened. "She is my mate."

Garrick didn't mask his displeasure. "A human queen? The council will not accept this."

Lillian crossed her arms, fire burning in her chest. "Then they are free to reject me. I never wanted to be here in the first place."

Aedric turned to her, his expression unreadable. "The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. You are my mate, my queen. And whether you like it or not, this is your home now."

Lillian's hands curled into fists. "You can't just decide that for me."

Aedric stepped closer, and despite herself, she had to tilt her head to look up at him. His presence was overwhelming—like standing too close to a wildfire.

"I can," he said, his voice dangerously soft. "And I have."

Lillian glared at him, anger and something far more confusing swirling in her chest.

She was trapped in a kingdom of beasts, bound to a king she did not choose.

But if Aedric thought she would simply accept this fate, he was wrong.

She would fight.

Even if it meant defying the Lycan King himself.

Lillian stood her ground, her fists clenched as Aedric’s golden gaze bore into her. He had declared her his mate, his queen, but she refused to accept a fate that had been forced upon her.

“I don’t belong here,” she said, her voice steady despite the chaos raging inside her.

Aedric’s expression was unreadable. “You belong where the Moon Goddess has placed you.”

Lillian’s pulse pounded in her ears. She had heard the stories—how Lycans revered the Moon Goddess, how they believed mates were bound by divine will. But she was not a Lycan. She was human, and she refused to be treated like some prize the gods had tossed at the feet of a king.

A sudden movement to her right made her turn. The gathering Lycans were watching her with thinly veiled hostility. Some sneered, while others whispered to one another. She caught fragments of their words.

“She won’t last.”

“A human as queen? It’s disgraceful.”

“She’ll break before the next full moon.”

Lillian lifted her chin, refusing to let their words shake her. If they expected her to cower, they would be sorely disappointed.

Aedric exhaled, his patience clearly thinning. “You are tired. You will rest.” He turned to Garrick. “Take her to the East Wing. She is not to be disturbed.”

Lillian’s eyes widened. “You’re dismissing me?”

Aedric’s gaze softened—just for a moment. “I am giving you time to adjust. We will speak again when you are calmer.”

Calmer? Calmer?

Anger surged through her. “You kidnapped me from my home, dragged me into a kingdom full of Lycans who hate me, and now you expect me to simply ‘adjust’?” She took a step closer, ignoring the gasps from the onlookers. “You may be a king, but I am not one of your subjects. You do not command me.”

A muscle in Aedric’s jaw ticked. For the first time since she met him, he seemed at a loss for words.

A beat of silence passed.

Then, to her shock, he smirked.

“Strong-willed,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. “Fitting for a queen.”

Lillian scowled. “I am not your queen.”

His smirk faded, and something dark flashed in his golden eyes. “Not yet.”

Before she could argue, Garrick stepped forward. “Come.”

Lillian hesitated, glancing once more at Aedric, but his expression had hardened once more—cool, unreadable.

With no other choice, she followed the general through the castle halls.

---

The East Wing

The chamber was grand—too grand. A massive fireplace crackled to one side, and an enormous bed stood in the center, draped in rich furs. The balcony doors were open, revealing the moonlit forest below.

Lillian turned sharply to Garrick, who stood by the door. “I want to leave.”

He regarded her impassively. “That is not possible.”

She stepped closer. “Why? Because of some ridiculous belief that I’m ‘fated’ to your king?”

Garrik’s silver eyes darkened. “Because you are now part of this kingdom. Whether you accept it or not, you are bound to Aedric.”

Lillian’s chest tightened. Bound. The word felt like a cage around her ribs.

“He doesn’t even know me,” she argued. “How can he claim I’m his mate?”

Garrick hesitated. Then, in a low voice, he said, “Because the bond does not lie. The moment he touched you, he felt it. And you did too.”

Lillian stiffened, recalling the strange, electric heat that had passed between them.

She shoved the thought aside. “That doesn’t mean I belong here.”

Garrick exhaled. “Get some rest. You will need your strength.”

Before she could protest, he turned and left, locking the door behind him.

Lillian rushed to the door and tried the handle. Locked.

Trapped.

She turned back to the empty room, her heart pounding. She needed to escape. Somehow, someway, she would find a way back home.

But as she glanced at the balcony, the wind carrying the distant howls of Lycans into the night, she realized one chilling truth.

She was not in the human world anymore.

She was in his.

And Aedric, the Lycan King, had no intention of letting her go.