Zephyrine Waking up in the morning in Black Tower hit different. The soft murmur of Lycan Kingdom traders, discussing their errands as they departed, filled in from the window. I rose to find Lycannar at the table, drinking his morning herbal tea. His royal robe draped over his broad shoulders, his hair still dripping wet. His eyes locked on me, fixed on the exact position I had seen him in the midnight hours before we gave in to our desire. “Good morning,” he whispered softly, and I felt a shy smile curl across my lips. I pulled the blanket to my chest and sat up, letting my tangled hair cascade down my back. His gaze never left me, and my heart swelled as I realized there was no avoiding the fact that I was utterly exposed. I leaned back against the headboard, studying him. “Good morning,” I finally murmured. “How do you feel?” I lowered my gaze, whispering quietly, “I’m fine.” “No soreness?” I shook my head, cheeks warming. “No.” Then curiosity got the better of me. “Lycan, I haven’t seen Chantel anywhere since yesterday.” He stared at me silently, and I quickly understood the weight of that quiet. “He’s your bodyguard. I just want to know where he is,” I pressed. “He is in his bed chamber down the hall,” he said at last. I bit my lower lip, noting a shift in him. His gaze flicked from my face to my chest, his jaw tightening. “Somehow… I hate how the blanket clings to your body so tightly,” he muttered. His eyes lifted, intense. “It was supposed to be me. I’ve never been jealous of a blanket until now.” A shiver ran through me. His obsession was awake, wild, and growing by the second.“I’ll take my bath,” I said quietly, quickly tugging the blanket away, hoping to appease him. I moved toward the exit, only for him to catch my wrist. “No morning kiss?” he asked. “I have to clean up. I’ll have bad breath.” He ignored my words entirely. In one swift motion, Lycannar pulled me onto his lap and kissed me tenderly. His hand slid to my breast, and I, caught between curiosity and desire, pressed myself closer, beginning to undress him. What began as a warning of his obsession turned swiftly into him claiming my body like it belonged to him alone. *** With his palm resting on my lower back, he led me to the dining room and pulled a chair for me beside him. “Thank you,” I said, lowering myself respectfully before Lord Dareth, Lycannar’s uncle, and his cousins, seated across from me. They returned the gesture with their own bows. I turned to the Lycan princesses sitting beside me, who smiled warmly. Breakfast began. The maids filled my cup, but I paused, staring at the meal. A few days ago, I had been poisoned, and I still didn’t know the source. I trusted the Lycan princesses with their dinner last night, but this breakfast with Lycannar’s cousins and uncle, and food prepared by the maids… I hesitated. “Uh… Your Majesty? I have something to inform you about,” Lord Dareth’s voice interrupted. I kept my focus on the meal, debating whether to eat. “It’s about the beta competition. We’ve completed it and have a winner.” Silence fell. I glanced at Lycannar. Of course, no competition had taken place because yesterday was merely the announcement. Lycannar didn’t respond but I could tell he was listening. “According to the contest, your cousin, Baron, won. He will be your beta. The elders and I have set the date and time of the ritual that will bind you both, as well as the ceremony for his ascension. It will be held two days before the next full moon.” Lycannar remained silent, merely nodding. Lord Dareth continued.“About the ceremony… do you remember the fearless, beautiful werewolf lady who is now the Alpha’s daughter? Keala Yadev?” I froze at her name wondering What about Keala. “She will be called to host the ceremony.” Silence descended over the room. I turned to Lycannar, waiting for his response. “The hostess that oversee my coronation should host the ceremony,” he said firmly. “I know you’ll say that, Your Majesty, because this mistress you have with you is her best friend. But worry not. Keala is knowledgeable in hosting,” Lord Dareth added smoothly. Mistress? That’s what others saw me as? Lycannar’s mistress? My heart thudded painfully. Then, suddenly, Lycannar grabbed the fork from his plate and drove it into his uncle’s palm. His sisters jerked back, his cousin’s eyes went wide, and Lord Dareth screamed. A maid dropped a tray in fright. “Lycannar!” the eldest cousin challenged, standing. But the king’s sharp glare pinned him in place. “Sit!” He dared not disobey. Slowly, he sank back into his chair as Lycannar withdrew the fork, the wound healing almost instantly. He tossed the fork aside, reached for his goblet, and drank as though nothing had happened. “She will be my queen soon. The queen of this kingdom. Call her dirty names, and you will pay with your life,” Lycannar declared. I froze at the public proclamation. Even the moon goddess bond couldn’t stop him now.