Your Majesty

"Morning, sunshine."

I heard Owen's voice softly as I opened my eyes. He was sitting at the end of the bed, fully dressed, tying his shoes. I blinked, trying to shake off the lingering sleep.

"What time is it?" I murmured, still half asleep.

"It's 8:45 am," he replied, his tone light and casual. "Relax, it's Wednesday."

I sighed in relief. A day off. I watched him for a moment, noticing how neatly dressed he was, every detail of his outfit perfectly in place. He looked at me, catching my gaze, and gave a small, apologetic frown.

"Unfortunately, I don't have a day off," Owen continued, adjusting his collar. "And I'll be out of town for a few days for a seminar."

I tried to say something, to find the right words, but before I could, Owen leaned over and playfully wriggled my nose. "I'll be back before you know it. Too bad Shadow's not around, but at least you have Kevin."

I forced a small smile, remembering the excuse I'd given him. I had told Owen that Shadow had run off one night and I couldn't catch him, that maybe he missed his wild life and decided to leave. The truth, of course, was far more complicated—Shadow was still here, just in a different form and under a different name.

"Where's Kevin?" I asked, glancing around.

"He left a little while ago," he replied. "Said he had some sport classes he needed to attend nearby."

I could only imagine that Shadow was probably out exercising or maybe with Zeff, learning something new about his human form.

"Well, you should rest," Owen added, standing up and grabbing the gym bag he had packed for his trip. "I'll be going, but I'll make it up to you once I come back." He leaned down and kissed my head, his fingers gently running through my messy hair. The gesture was so familiar, so Owen, yet it felt strange, almost distant. "Love you, Lily."

"Love you too," I replied, my voice softer than I intended. I watched him leave, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. The door closed behind him, and I was left alone in the quiet room, the reality of my situation settling heavily on my shoulders.

As much as I wanted to believe everything was normal, it was clear that nothing about my life was anymore.

I decided to go out jogging, hoping the fresh air might help clear my mind. I waved at a few neighbors who waved back, their friendly faces a small comfort in the midst of my chaotic thoughts. My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out to see a text from Zeff:

*Shadow's with me training. I know it's your day off. Do you want to grab some dinner together?*

Shadow must have mentioned Owen was out of town. I couldn't help but smile. Zeff always found ways to be with me without interfering too much in my life with Owen. It was one of the things I appreciated about him—how respectful he was, even after everything that had happened between us.

I decided to cut my jog short and head back to the house, hoping to relax a bit in the shower. The hot water always did wonders for my tension. As I made my way up to the master bedroom, a strange feeling crept over me. Something was off. I pushed the door open, and my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

There, lying on my side of the bed, was William. He was leaning casually against the bedpost like he owned the place, his legs crossed. He had pulled part of the blanket up to his nose and was sniffing it.

"Hello there, darling," he said, his voice smooth and infuriatingly calm.

"What are you doing here? You're trespassing!" I snapped, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

"I was in the area," he replied nonchalantly, tossing the blanket aside with a look of distaste. "I don't like his smell at all—ugh, muddy and bloody."

"Just because we shared a dream doesn't mean you can waltz into my life whenever you please!" I shot back, my frustration boiling over.

"Oh, so you do remember it," William said with a smug grin, standing up from the bed and closing the distance between us. I tried to shove him away, but his hand caught my wrist.

"You weren't like this—"

"Don't test me," I warned, but he pulled me closer, his eyes dark and intense.

"That's not how you treat a mate," he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous purr.

I glared at him, and for just a fraction of a second, I saw something familiar in his eyes—something from the dream. *Is it real? Should I even try?* This isn't a dream, Liliam, it's real. But what if things end up differently?

"How should I, then?" I challenged, and with a surge of boldness, I reached up and grabbed a fistful of his hair at the back of his neck, pulling hard. A gleeful smile spread across William's lips. His grip on my wrist loosened, and he just stood there, waiting.

Oh my god. It's real. I felt a crackling excitement at my fingertips. He wants to be dominated. I'd never done this in real life before, but the electric rush running through my veins was enough to make me act.

I pulled him close, our lips barely touching, my eyes never leaving his. He followed my lead, his eyes locked on mine, a smirk playing on his lips.

I didn't know if it was some hidden magic or a dark desire buried deep within me, but I pushed William onto the bed. He complied, lying back as I straddled his abdomen. A low growl of excitement rumbled in his chest, his lips never losing their eager smile.

"Tell me, Your Majesty," I whispered, tracing his jaw down to his neck and the collar of his shirt. Sparks of yellow energy danced at my fingertips, and he shuddered beneath my touch, his gaze almost faltering. "Is this what you mean?"

With a strength I didn't know I had, I grabbed the hem of his shirt and yanked it over his head, leaving it tangled around his arms. I pinned his hands above his head, holding him in place.

I must have hit a nerve because I felt a surge of power, and his hips bucked beneath me, his arousal unmistakable.

"Your Grace."

A voice cut through the charged atmosphere, and we both turned to see a man standing in the doorway, bowing deeply in a formal suit. I felt William's growl of displeasure reverberate through the room.

"What is it?" he snapped, his tone laced with annoyance, though he didn't move from his position.

"The castle has sent word," the man said, flinching at William's tone but keeping his eyes down.

William glanced back at me, a silent plea in his eyes. He didn't move, still waiting for something. What was he waiting for? For me?

"Say please?" I teased, surprised when he lowered his gaze, almost blushing, and whispered softly, "Please."

I released his hands, and he shot up, growling as he pulled his shirt back on and stormed over to the other man, his anger palpable. He grabbed the man by the head, towering over him, and forced him to kneel in pain.

"Let it be the last time you interrupt me like this, Larry!"

Turning back to me, he smirked. "Well, my lady, I shall take my leave," he said with a mock bow, his hand over his chest. "I'll be looking forward to tonight."

And with that, he was gone, leaving me standing there, my heart racing and my mind spinning. What the hell had just happened?