The next morning...
Lara approached the stables with a hesitant step, her cloak fluttering slightly with each motion. Her bodyguard waited outside as she entered. The morning mist curled around her boots. Then she caught sight of him, Thornak, standing next to a black horse speaking softly to it, a striking figure against the pale dawn. The dark stallion looked like a beast carved from shadow, still and powerful. But it was the man himself who stole her breath.
She didn't understand his interest in her, or the way her heart gave an odd twist. The way warmth bloomed in her chest just seeing him waiting. It was foolish. It had to be. He was a king, brutal, commanding, otherworldly and she was a mere wolfless wolf. Nothing about him should've felt safe or familiar. And yet…
As she stepped closer, her palms felt clammy despite the cold, her stomach tightening with each heartbeat. Her thoughts tangled as she tried to compose herself, should she speak first? Bow? Would it be strange to smile?
Then his eyes found her.
Thornak's breath caught in his throat.
She wore a simple riding dress of deep gray, cinched at the waist, the fabric flowing with quiet elegance. Her golden curls had been drawn back from her face, loosely tied to keep them out of her eyes, though a few strands had escaped and caught the early light. She looked effortlessly radiant, grounded, unassuming, and utterly captivating.
A primal tug stirred deep in his chest. Jax surged beneath the surface, restless and possessive.
Mine.
The king didn't move for a long moment, staring with quiet intensity as she neared. He didn't speak until he was sure his voice would sound steady. Even then, the gravel in it held something raw.
"You are here."
Lara offered a curtsey. "Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "No titles out here," he said. "Not when we ride. Just Thornak. Or Thorn, if you prefer."
Lara hesitated, startled by the familiarity. "As you wish your majesty…."
"Thorn." He injected and she gave a shy smile.
He led a tall, dark-coated mare toward her. "This is Nyra. She responds best to calm hands and a steady heart. She'll know if you're afraid."
She stepped forward, letting Nyra sniff her hand before brushing her fingers over the mare's velvety nose. "Hello, girl," she whispered.
She didn't miss the way Thornak watched her, curiously, intensely, like she was something he didn't quite understand yet but wanted to.
She climbed into the saddle with practiced, if careful, movements. Her posture was straight, even as her fingers fumbled slightly at the reins. She felt his eyes on her and flushed, but didn't look away.
"You ride well," he observed as they trotted out of the courtyard and onto the forest path. The dawn light spilled through the canopy above, casting dappled gold on the trail.
"I'm not perfect," she replied, her voice modest but steady. "But I'm trying."
He gave her a sidelong glance. "Perfection is boring. I prefer honesty. And you have courage. That's rarer."
They rode in silence for a time, the rhythmic sound of hooves mixing with birdsong. Lara focused on the path ahead, but part of her was acutely aware of him, his presence, his gaze, the weight of something unspoken that seemed to grow between them with every step.
As they reached a clearing where the morning light spilled through the canopy, Thornak slowed his pace, giving Lara time to adjust and catch up beside him. Her cheeks were pink from the breeze and the ride, but her posture was more relaxed now, and she seemed at ease in a way he hadn't seen before.
"You handle Nyra well," he said, glancing sideways at her. "Most riders take weeks before she lets them steer her without a fight."
"I just tried not to annoy her," Lara said, her fingers gently stroking Nyra's neck. "She reminds me of someone."
Thornak turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Someone I know?"
"She only listens when she wants to. Answers when it suits her. Proud. A little intimidating."
A slow smirk curved across his face. "Are you comparing me to a horse?"
Lara blinked, then let out a quiet laugh. "I didn't name names, Your Majesty."
Thornak chuckled, deep and amused. "Mm. So I am the proud, intimidating creature in this scenario."
"I said a little intimidating," she corrected, giving him a teasing glance before looking away again.
Thornak laughed, the sound rumbling and warm.
They slowed as the stables came into view in the distance. Thornak reined in slightly, giving her a thoughtful glance. "Tell me, Lara… have you ever raced?"
She looked over, startled. "Raced? No, I mean, I've ridden fast, but..."
"Then let's change that."
He gave her no further warning. His horse surged forward with a thunderous gallop, hooves pounding the earth.
Lara gasped. "That's not fair!"
But Nyra, sensing her rider's excitement, leapt into action before she could second-guess herself.
Wind tore past her face as the trees blurred, the world narrowing to hoofbeats, breath, and the distant silhouette of Thornak ahead. Lara leaned forward, gripping tight, her laughter spilling out despite herself.
She didn't catch him. Not quite.
Thornak was waiting at the stable gate when she arrived, just moments behind. His grin was fierce and triumphant.
"You cheated," she said, breathless, brushing windswept curls from her face.
"I gave you a chance," he said, dismounting with a lazy shrug. "Next time, try to keep up."
She slid off Nyra, boots hitting the ground hard. "Next time, I'll surprise you."
As Lara handed Nyra's reins to a stablehand and dusted off the hem of her riding dress, a soft voice, sweet as honey over steel, called out from the other end of the stable archway.
"There you are."
Lara turned to see Lady Selene, gliding toward them, her pale lavender cloak catching the morning light. Her hair was perfectly pinned, not a single strand out of place, and her eyes flicked from Lara to Thornak with practiced ease.
"My King," she said, offering a graceful nod. "I didn't know you were riding this morning."
Thornak returned her greeting with a courteous dip of his head. "It was a last-minute decision."
Selene's eyes lingered on Lara just a beat too long before she smiled. "I see. I hope the ride was… comfortable."
"It was," Thornak said. "Lara did well."
Lara lowered her gaze slightly, offering a polite, neutral smile, even as she felt Selene's cool interest pressing against her skin like frost.
Selene folded her hands. "A lovely mare, Nyra. Though not always easy. She's known to misbehave for those who lack confidence."
"She was well-matched," Thornak said, glancing toward Lara.
Selene's lips tightened just barely, the faintest crack in her flawless veneer. "I had hoped we might ride together this morning, as we once did. There's a new trail the steward spoke of through the east glen."
"Perhaps another day," Thornak said evenly. "The morning's already passed, and Lara likely needs to rest."
Selene blinked once, then smiled again. "Of course."
She stepped aside, allowing them room to pass. "I'll see you at the midday court session?"
"You will," Thornak replied, then turned toward Lara. "Shall we?"
Lara gave a respectful nod to Selene, murmuring, "My lady," as they passed.
Selene inclined her head in return, but her eyes lingered on their retreating figures, cool, unreadable, and quietly seething.
...
The heavy oak doors to Thornak's office swung open without a knock. Only one person usually entered that way.
Queen Maravelle.
She stepped inside, regal in a cloak of midnight blue lined with silver thread. The room, all stone and firelight, seemed to dim slightly in her presence.
"Your Majesty," came the clipped, familiar voice of Queen Maravelle.
Thornak didn't look up. He was leaned over a large map on the table, brow furrowed, fingers tracing a border near the southern forest line. "If this is about the horseback riding, I've already...."
"It's about the Moonbinding Ceremony," she cut in smoothly.
He stilled. Slowly, his gaze lifted to hers.
"What ceremony?"
Maravelle blinked once. "You forgot?"
Thornak straightened, clearly unbothered. "It must've slipped my mind."
The queen stared at him as if he'd sprouted fur and howled at the moon right there.
"It's in two nights," she said. "The highest-ranking Alphas and Lunas from five major Lycan bloodlines will be in attendance. Half the nobility is already arriving. The ancestral flame will be lit. Oaths will be sworn..."
Thornak rubbed the back of his neck. "Right. That."
Maravelle narrowed her eyes. "You cannot 'right, that' a sacred rite, Thornak. The Moonbinding honors the divine pact between the Lycans and the Moon Goddess. And this year, you're expected to stand beside a potential mate. Your people will watch."
He sighed. "And let me guess that's why you invited Lady Selene."
"She is the appropriate choice," Maravelle said coldly. "Her parents will be here, expecting to see their daughter treated with the dignity her bloodline demands."
Thornak returned to the map. "They can see her standing in the crowd. That should suffice."
The Queen stepped forward, voice sharper now. "Do not insult them or me with such carelessness. You will be expected to walk with Selene, Thornak. Not… not bring a local to the sacred circle. The Moonbinding is not merely tradition, it's power. And the court is watching."
His eyes snapped to hers, ice in their depths. "Lara will be there. You forget she is my mate. Where I go, she goes."
Maravelle's jaw tightened, but she didn't argue further. Not aloud.
Instead, she turned on her heel, her parting words clipped as the door opened again. "Try not to forget the kingdom next time."
The doors slammed shut behind her.
Thornak muttered under his breath and went back to his map, but his thoughts had shifted entirely.
Lara sat quietly in one of the palace's sun-dappled garden alcoves, her fingers trailing along the edges of a weathered book Jasmine had given her. The quiet was comforting, especially now that her adoptive parents had returned to the village, and her younger brother had started lessons with the palace tutors. The king had insisted they stay at the palace, and while Lara had agreed, she still felt like a guest trying not to step too loudly.
She looked up quickly when Iris and Jasmine appeared, their presence as graceful as ever. Iris's smile lit up the space, while Jasmine lingered a few steps behind, fumbling with something in her hands.
"There you are," Iris said, reaching for Lara's hand. "We've been looking everywhere."
"Oh," Lara stood at once, smoothing the folds of her skirt. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wander far. Was I needed?"
"Not at all," Jasmine said with a small shake of her head. "But Thornak sent us. You have a fitting."
Lara blinked. "A fitting?"
"For a gown," Iris explained, already looping her arm through Lara's. "You'll need something appropriate."
Lara's brow creased with quiet concern. "Is there an event?"
Jasmine's lips curved faintly. "It's the Moonbinding Ceremony. One of the most sacred traditions in Vargorath. Happens once in a lot of years."
Lara stopped in her tracks. "And… what does this have to do with me?"
The twins exchanged a look.
"Thornak wants you there," Iris said gently. "In something beautiful. You'll be seated near the front. With the high families."
Lara's brows drew together. "Why? I'm not...."
"Trust him," Jasmine said, turning to face her fully now. "He's not one for grand words, but he's placing you in a position no outsider's ever been invited to before."
Lara hesitated but nodded. "Alright. Thank you for coming to get me."
"You'll look beautiful," Iris assured her, giving her arm a little squeeze. "Besides, you'll be seated with us. It's only right you're dressed accordingly."
That made Lara's breath catch. She glanced between the sisters, but they offered no further explanation. Just smiles, and that same careful warmth that both unsettled and reassured her.
They guided her down the hallway toward the royal seamstress.