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 "Baby, are you uncomfortable? Does your belly hurt?" "No, I'm just alittle tired.

I havent slept well, worried about you guys," Imurmured, stroking the furry chest of the massive black lycan carrying me effortlessly through the woods.

He lowered his enormous head, pressing his wolfish nose against my neck, tickling me as he inhaled deeply.

I pinched his pointed ears lightly, my heart settling because he was by my side.

Aldric kept moving, carrying me with him.

Ever since he came back, he had been in full obsessive mode, and I wasnt complaining.

We had stopped to rest several times in the wild, and by dawn, we were nearing the lycan camp.

I saw the large tents set up outside a cemetery, and in the distance, the intimidating, dark castle filled with my worst memories.

"Your Majesty, we've been waiting for you.

How is the Queen?" Beof approached with several wolves to receive us.

By force, I had gotten used to being called the one in charge.

"I'm fine, Beof, thank you," I answered for myself, feeling a bit embarrassed to be carried like a princess in my massive lycans arms.

---- "Aldric, put me down, love..." "Beof, we're heading straight to the castle.

Start packing up the campwe'll be leaving soon.

1ll give you my signal." Aldric completely ignored my request to put me down and instead gave orders to his men before stepping through the iron gates of that eerie cemetery, which creaked open with a spine-chilling groan.

Behave yourself in the meeting, No growling like a beast," I warned as his massive paws crushed the withered grass, the white mist swirling around us.

Funny, considering how much you love when I take you like a beast and grow! in your ear in bed.

I thought that drove you wild." He licked my mouth with that wolfish tongue, and I stared at him, baffled at when exactly the cold-hearted lycan king had become this shameless.

"T almost forgotnow that you're busy protecting the pup, you're going soft.

Guess Ill have to find another scratcher soon, one thats more active." "Valeria!" he actually roared in my mind, his animalistic eyes narrowing with fury at the mention of another scratcher.

When we get home, I want to see if you keep up this attitude.

Keep challenging me, and you have no idea what the consequences will be." He bit my bare shoulder before soothing the spot with a slow lick.

with warmth.

"Pm sorry, [let my guard down for a second.

I didnt have a Selenia around to pull off those specter-slaying assassin moves," she teased with a small smile.

"T think you found yourself an even more dangerous killer, my dear Celine," I whispered in her ear.

I didnt need to be a male to see and smell all the warnings etched into her body.

Aldric and even Quinn had taken a step back the moment she got closer.

We pulled away, feeling more at ease.

It felt good knowing we were all safe and that Celine had finally found her other half in the most unpredictable being.

"welcome to my castle," the prince finally spoke, his voice magnetic and cold, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through anything.

Tm pleased to see the Selenia bloodline still endures." ---- Thesitated for a second.

In reality, there was something worrying me, but I didnt want to tell Aldric and make him anxious.

Isqueezed my mothers hand, glancing toward him.

He was speaking with Quinn about the war.

alright, we'll talk about my concerns later," Mom understood immediately.

I didnt even trust our bond.

My relationship with Aldric was too close, too openhe might overhear me.

At last, we entered the palace, and everything felt strange.

I didnt remember it being this glamorous insideit had always given off a sense of decay.

Looking up at the grand staircase, I was stunned to see Celine descending with who I assumed was her matethe powerful being who, from what I had been told, was actually related to my mother and me.

His ruby eyes scanned us, intimidating, his aura declaring he was the absolute ruler of this place.

Aldric stepped beside me, gripping my waist possessivelyjust as Quinn did with my mother.

These males and their who-can-piss-farther contests...

"Your Majesty," Celine greeted Aldric with respect before turning to me, stepping forward.

You have no idea how relieved I am that youre safe.

You scared me to death." I hugged her tightly, and she returned the gesture

ina low voice.

She hesitated, looking at him.

only if you agree.

Besides, I dont really want to be Queen again.

I could serve as a regent under my daughter.

I still believe in merging the realms," she confessed, lowering her head.

Quinn cupped her chin, tilting her head up to kiss her, making us all avert our eyes.

Goddess, I did not need to see my mother like that.

I quickly hid behind my giant redheaded lycan.

Still, Thad to admitI was happy for her.

Quinn was a good man.

They spoke softly between themselves, and in the end, my mother made her decision.

"] accept, but only under one condition.

I dont want any more division between the races.

No more Lycan Realm and Dark Realm.

Iwant one united kingdomunder your rule," she looked at us, her eyes landing on mine.

"Daughter, I will help you.

You dont have to do anything just bring your pup into this world in peace." I turned to gauge Aldrics reaction.

With a deep sigh, he nodded in agreement.

---- "Actually, I think the best person for the job is someone who already knows how to run the realm," Zarek said, looking straight at my mother.

Quinn nearly spit out his wine.

suddenly, he wasnt acting so smug.

No, my mate isnt well" Within these walls, with my powers, she will always be like this.

And Gabrielle, no one is more suited than you to handle the bureaucracy," Zarek argued, and he had a point.

"Your daughter controls the lycans, you return to the throne, and my army will, as always, defend the crown.

No one will dare try anythingI can guarantee that I will keep the peace in these lands.

Besides, I need to go out and recruit.

I cant stay here playing king." He added that last part, but I didnt understand it.

There was something he and my mother were discussing, excluding the rest of us.

"Gabrielle..." Quinn called her, gazing at her intently.

"T cant make this decision lightly.

I need to discuss it with my mate.

And I also cant be tied down hereI want to see my daughter," my mother replied firmly.

"Pll activate the sealed portal so traveling between castles will be just a doors distance apart," Zarek continued tempting her, and honestly, I didnt think it was a bad idea.

"You...

do you want this?" Quinn suddenly took her hands, asking ---- "Ahem...

What my mate means to say is that with the pup on the way and so much chaos in the realm, its too much for just the two of us," I interjected, squeezing my wild ones thigh.

"Prince, I know the throne has always belonged to the Selenias, but things have changed.

Unless my mother wants to be Queen again, I honestly have no interest in ruling." Tglanced at my mother with slight apprehension, hoping not to see disappointment in her eyes.

But I had to say it I couldnt keep it bottled up any longer.

"T know, my child.

know you dont want it, and I never intended to pressure you, Vale.

I only wanted to make sure the Dark Realm didnt fall into the wrong hands.

And thanks to the Goddess, it didnt," my mother reassured me, easing my heart.

"It wasnt thanks to the Goddess.

It was thanks to my mate, Celine, " Zarek corrected immediately, and I watched as Celine gave him a slightly awkward smile, discreetly pinching his arm.

For the love of the heavens...

was the future of the realms really being discussed by this band of lunatic outcasts? Myself included? "'So that leaves us at square one.

No one wants the responsibility," Aldric stated the obvious.

"Its unbelievable.

People are out there killing each other for the throne, and here you guys are tossing it around like a ball," Quinn commented lazily, sipping his drink as if it had nothing to do with him,