Zephyrine The sunlight bathed my face, and I stirred awake. But what made me flutter my eyelids open was the soft movement in the room. The sun had been partially shielded. I opened my eyes to see him. Lycannar. He stood by the window, one hand pressed to his chest, his pale-gold eyes fixed on me. The expression in them was like wonder itself, as though he couldn’t comprehend I was real. Heat rose through me, and I smiled shyly, lowering my gaze. I could feel him watching me, lingering on the curve of my bare breasts. The ache between my thighs pressed insistently, and I reached gently to cover myself with the blanket, but he came toward me with measured gentleness. “Good morning,” he murmured, taking the blanket from my hands and letting it fall, leaving my skin exposed to the warm morning sunlight. I stared at him, captivated. His eyes sparkled with pride as he lowered his lips to press a soft kiss to my temple. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, pulling back to meet my eyes. “How do you feel?” I lowered my gaze to my body. The dull ache I had been carrying stirred, a reminder of last night. And there it was. The sting of his claw on my arm but I stayed silent. I wouldn’t let him regret what we had done. “I’m fine,” I said quietly. In response, he caressed my lips, lowering to kiss me softly again. My heart swelled, full of love and longing. He was fully dressed in black leather boots and bracers today, well just like always. “Occasion?” I asked softly. “The throne room,” he said, nodding. “Today I’ll work with Baron, my beta. Honestly… it’s new for me, and I don’t feel ready to bond with anyone else yet.” I smiled at his words. When I caught his usual frown, I reached for his fingers and held them to my face. “You might not excel at bonding, but you will excel at ruling. You are a King.” He sighed.“That’s not how my people see me. They’re loyal because they fear my wrath. I’m the prince who lived in the Black Tower for years. Rarely seen, rarely speak… the one who abandoned his father at the memorial hall to make him suffer.” He nodded. “You are right. I am… strange. Weird.” I paused, remembering how I had indirectly called him weird last night. Somehow, it had struck him more than anything else. “Lycan,” I said quietly, and he fixed his gaze on me. “You are different. Not everyone will like you. You don’t maintain eye contact like others. You can’t last more than two nights outside this Black Tower. You won’t allow anyone near your sisters. You sleep in a bedchamber no one may cross, and you have a talking raven and a mysterious bodyguard.” I caressed his fingers against my cheek and sighed. “But being different makes you stand out. It doesn’t make you bad. Out there, men envy you, women want you. You don’t need to be like anyone else to have a happy life. You don’t need to bond with anyone else. As long as you do right by your people and protect what matters to you, your uniqueness is a blessing.” His eyes flashed, and he lowered his gaze, frowning. “That’s what my nanny used to say before I… well, before I stabbed her. Being different is a form of blessing,” he whispered, and I knew who he meant. Blue’s mother. “You’re sure people want me? The packs?” he asked, searching my eyes. “I know almost all the packs want to trade with you. You know the nickname we werewolves gave you? Apex. You’re famous.” He smiled gently. “Apex is my name,” he said. I blinked. “What? But you said Lycannar?” “Both. My mom gave me Apex; my father named me Lycannar. He hated Apex, said it sounded violent. And… well, he was right, in a way. I am violent. But you saved me from it. If it weren’t for the promise I made to you, I would have… added too many bodies to my long list of victims.” “Lycan…” I whispered, and he silenced me with a tender kiss, then pulled back to search my eyes, a hint of nervousness there. “I got you something,” he said, producing a necklace, pure gold with a tiny, almost familial pendant.I turned my gaze from it to him as he explained, “You know the anklets I wear? They suppress my beasts. I’m very dangerous without them. I’d shift and never return. This necklace is made from that same spell, but it does the opposite. It enhances your senses, your agility, and alerts me if you’re in danger.” He swallowed. “I know it’s a lot to ask, and I trust you can protect yourself. Still… I can’t lose you, Zephyrine. I’d lose myself. Please wear this for me. We’re not mated, and we’re different. Lycan and werewolf but this… this is for your safety.” I kissed him gently, savoring the moment. His unwavering devotion and love radiated from every gesture. For a brief moment, I debated telling him about my search for my brother, but I pulled back. Lycannar has a kingdom to rule, sisters to care for, and too many burdens to share mine. “Thank you,” I said, taking the necklace. He watched me for a moment before saying gently, “Anahita will make your breakfast. She’s head of the maids and brought up Blue. My sisters will join you later. When you’re ready, I will wait for you in the throne chamber.” I nodded. He leaned in to kiss me again. “Won’t you be mad I didn’t have breakfast with you?” He asked softly. “I’m sorry.” “Apology accepted. Go on, Lycannar.” He kissed me one last time and left the chamber. I sat there, staring at the amulet. He would know anytime I was in danger if I wore it. Slowly, I lowered my gaze to the claw mark on my arm. He hadn’t seen it yet. It wasn’t healing. Definitely, this was a form of danger, too.