"That's exactly how I want my queen to be, so she won't shy away from me." She squealed in delight and rushed into his arms. Malzahar chuckled, catching her just in time. "My bear is here," she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.
"Yes, my queen. I am here," he murmured, inhaling her sweet scent. She pouted and pulled away from their embrace, looking up at him with curiosity. "Queen? Your queen, right?" she asked eagerly as Maeve hurried over.
"I'm so sorry, my king. Please forgive her," Maeve said, trying to pull Liora away, but the girl held on to him stubbornly.
"You shouldn't treat the king that way," Maeve warned, lowering her gaze. Liora gazed up at him, her eyes widening in awe as she turned to her mother. "King like... crown, throne—bow before me, king?" Her mother nodded, prompting Liora to gasp and stumble backward.
She clutched at her skirt and attempted to curtsy, but lost her balance and toppled to the ground. "Do I still get to call him my bear, or will I be in trouble for that?" Malzahar shook his head, his expression softening as he gently helped her up and carried her to the bed.
He knelt in front of her and checked her foot for injuries. "Next time, I'll break the hands that touched you," he said in a calm, calculating tone. Liora's eyes widened in surprise, but before she could respond, he met her gaze with a teasing smirk.
" You've really stirred up quite the chaos with your falling and drilling. What other hidden talents might my queen be concealing?" Her cheeks flushed, "I wasn't drooling." She quickly covered her face with her hands, only to peek out through her fingers. "Okay, maybe just a little—but that's because you felt warm."
Maeve's eyes widened as she glanced at her daughter. "Hmm, that won't get you into trouble, but it does come with a life sentence." His voice was playful and warm.
"What sentence?" she asked, curious about his response. She couldn't believe her bear was about to issue a "punishment." Gently, he placed his hands on her chest and whispered, "Staying right here with me." She dove under the covers, hiding her flushed face. "Nyra, what should I say to him?" she asked her wolf, who wore an amused expression before replying, "Let me take the reins, sweetheart; you're too innocent for this.
Leave the charming king to Mama." Liora closed her eyes, allowing Nyra to take over while still being present. "Just don't say anything we'll regret or Mum will be mad at us," Liora cautioned, knowing Nyra's tendencies. "Hush. Just watch and learn," Nyra smirked as she sat up confidently, pulling the covers away.
"Careful, Your Majesty. If you keep talking like that, you might find yourself stuck with me forever." Her voice was warm and self-assured, making Malzahar blink in amusement as the corners of his lips lifted. "A risk I'm willing to take," he replied, his tone teasingly warm.
"Nyra, I trusted you with my baby, and already you're batting your lashes at the king? Give her back control." Maeve recognized that it was Nyra, not Liora, who spoke. Nyra chuckled, fully aware of Liora's embarrassment as she avoided eye contact with the king.
"Alright, let's get moving; the palace isn't going to reach itself," Malzahar declared, bending down to tie Liora's shoelaces. "Here's her luggage," Maeve said, handing it over, and he accepted it with a gentle thank you. "And what about yours? Hand it over," Silos, who had been unusually quiet, stepped forward.
"It's alright; I can manage," Maeve replied, avoiding eye contact. "I wasn't asking; I was telling you," he gently took the luggage from her hands and headed out.
Liora narrowed her eyes at him, then turned to her mother. "Mum, why did he look at you like my bear looks at me?" She clutched her stuffed animal closer to her chest. "This is your last warning, Nyra," Maeve mumbled as she tapped Liora's head.
"Wait, what? What did I do this time?" Nyra huffed, pouting. "I told you to speak with more innocence, but you didn't listen. Now she knows it was me," Nyra scolded Liora, who ignored her and rushed towards Malzahar.
As they quietly walked to the car, footsteps came from behind them. "Are you really just going to leave without saying goodbye?" the Luna's voice called out.
"Of course not. I'll come back, but I want to stay with my mate for now," Liora replied, turning to face the Luna and the alpha standing by the car.
"I'm sorry for how you were treated, but unfortunately, you can't return to this pack," Derek stated, his voice firm and unyielding. "I, Alpha Derek of the Moonfire pack, banish you, Liora, and your mother Maeve from this pack. You have five minutes to leave..." Malzahar stepped forward, standing protectively in front of him, daring him to finish his sentence.
"Come on, Liora, we have nothing to do with them. Let's go," Maeve urged, pulling Liora toward the car and helping her into the backseat.
"But I want to say goodbye," Liora said softly, wishing to see her sisters one last time.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but we have to leave. We're strangers now," Maeve explained. "Let's move, man," Silos said, taking the keys and opening the front seat for Maeve. She got in and buckled her seatbelt. Malzahar slid into the backseat and gently lifted Liora onto his lap, unbuckling her seatbelt.
"Shh, don't worry, cupcake. You'll see them again," he whispered, comforting her as she nodded, tears still in her eyes. "Please, stop crying; I can't stand to see tears in your eyes," he said, burying his face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent.