"I was wondering where you disappeared to," Thornak said gently.
"I needed a moment," she replied. "The stares… everything… it was too much."
He stepped closer, but kept a respectful distance. "I thought it might be."
She looked at the water, her voice barely a whisper. "Sometimes I feel like I've been dropped into a story that isn't mine."
"You haven't," he said. "You are the story, Lara."
She turned to him, confused. "Why me? Everyone looked at me like I didn't belong. Like I was a mistake standing beside you."
"You weren't a mistake," he said, voice firm. "You were meant to stand beside me."
She blinked. "Thornak…"
He hesitated, then took a slow breath. "Lara," he said softly, "I have been in love with you since the moment I saw you."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"That's why I've felt this pull toward you from the start. Why I couldn't stay away."
She stared at him, stunned. Confusion written all over her face. Her heartbeat echoing in her ears. "That… that explains a lot."
She shook her head slowly, trying to grasp the weight of it. She looked up at him, her expression uncertain. "But I'm not anyone important. I've never been schooled for this… I don't know the rules, or the expectations. I just... I just read too many books and tried not to be noticed."
He smiled faintly. "And yet I noticed you."
She blushed, eyes dropping. "That doesn't mean I'm ready for… whatever this is."
"You don't have to be," he said softly. "You don't have to change, or impress anyone. Least of all me."
Her voice caught. "But everyone expects something."
"You owe them nothing," he said, his voice quiet but resolute.
Lara looked up at him, eyes shining with unshed emotion. Then, without a word, she stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.
Thornak held her close, one hand gently cradling the back of her head, the other wrapped protectively around her.
He didn't move when she hugged him
just breathed her in like she was air after a lifetime beneath the surface. He craved her scent. Then his hands slid around her waist, pulling her closer, his grip firm, possessive.
Her head tipped up, eyes meeting his. Something unspoken passed between them, sharp and hot and inevitable.
His mouth found hers, hungry, like he'd been waiting lifetimes. She melted into him, her heart pounding.... his forehead resting against hers as they parted just enough to breathe.
....
The following day, the great throne room of Vargorath was heavy with expectation.
The Alpha leaders of the clans stood in the throne room. Men and women of immense power marked by years of battle and dominance.
Queen Maravelle sat tall and proud, wearing a deep red robe, her silver crown shining in the torchlight. Beside her were several lords of the court, murmuring quietly.
Then the heavy doors creaked open.
King Thornak entered followed by Kael, his black ceremonial cloak trimmed in white fur, the sigil of his line embroidered in silver across his chest.
The room went quiet. People showed respect but also a little fear, especially after the moon binding ceremony.
"Your Majesty," said Alpha Rendric of the Ironfangs, stepping forward. "Our loyalty remains as ever. Yet word reaches us that your chosen is but a... mere girl. Is it true? Will she be our queen?"
Thornak was sitting on his throne unfazed, his gaze unreadable. "She is no mere girl."
Another voice rose, Alpha Serana of Stormfall. "Then who is she, my king? What clan bore her? What Alpha claims her as blood?"
"She is not known to any of us." said Lord Halric. "The Queen must be from a powerful lycan family."
The murmurs grew louder.
Thornak's gaze swept over them, and with a single lift of his hand, the room fell silent. "Her bloodline is of no concern to you. Her name is Lara. She is to be my Queen.That is all that matters."
They exchanged glances.
Queen Maravelle's face remained still
"But if she has no clan," Lord Halric pressed, "if she was not raised in our traditions… how can she carry the weight of a queen?"
"She will carry it because she is my chosen one," Thornak replied. "Do you question my choice."
A bit of tension passed. Then Alpha Rendric slowly dipped his head. "No, Your Majesty."
One of the younger Alphas, bold but clearly uncertain, dared one final question. "But she bears no crest. No known lineage. How can one not of a powerful Lycan clan claim the title of Queen?"
A murmur rippled through the room again.
Thornak descended from his throne, his golden gaze burning like fire. He stopped before the young Alpha. "If you think a name or a sigil outweighs my word, you have forgotten who rules here. She is my chosen, and by that alone, she is Queen. Let any who doubt it speak," his voice dropped into a dangerous growl, "if they dare."
A hush swept the hall. Wolves lowered their heads in silent submission, eyes fixed on the floor beneath the crushing weight of his dominance.
Even the elders' breathing seemed measured, as if not to disturb the thick, electric silence. No one spoke. No one dared.
He returned to his throne, making it clear to them that Alpha or not, the Lycan King would always do as he pleased. He never used his power and title like that but there was a first time for everything.
As he took his throne, Thornak's voice rang one last time through the hall. "Lara is under my protection. Insult her, and you insult me. Question her, and you question the divine bond we are bound to uphold."
The room bowed as one.
As Thornak left Kael came up behind him.
"You could've ended all this by telling them she's your mate. Why didn't you?"
"Because I want Lara to love me first, by choice, not because of the bond. And telling the council would be telling the entire kingdom. She deserves more than pressure and politics."