Chapter 19 Nineteen

• I sat on the edge of my bed when I finally grew tired of trying to fall asleep.
• A heavy sigh escaped my throat as my hands gripped the sheets.
• No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to quiet the thoughts that are now racing in my head.
• They all led back to him... The Lycan King.
• I bit my lip as the mere memory of our conversation earlier that night sent a shiver down my spine, and I cursed myself for the foolishness I had done.
• I lost control...
• And I know I just crossed the line, hugging him was a huge mistake...
• Yet the feel of his powerful form being too close to me, it felt so.... Nice...
• I let out another sigh, trying to erase the thoughts from my head, the reason why I am still wide awake at this hour of night.
• But he he said he never mind, that means he allowed me to hold onto him as if he were my only anchor in this chaotic world.
• And warmth of his body still lingered on my skin, and it was an unwelcome reminder of just how vulnerable I had been in his presence.
• I buried my face in my hands still feeling mortified beyond belief.
• He was King Marcus, the Lycan King, handsome, powerful, and kind in ways I never expected. What had I been thinking? He was a ruler, and I… well, I was nothing.
• Just a wolfless girl with no pack to call home, living under his roof because I had nowhere else to go.
• I stopped for a second, and all of a sudden, the memory of that fateful night flashed through my mind once more, the scent of blood thick in the air, the lifeless body of Alpha Aric before me, and the agonizing rejection that followed that very same night.
• The memory of how Alpha Alaric, the new Alpha, had looked at me with nothing but disgust, denying me the position of not just being his Luna but also the right to still call my pack home as if I were a curse rather than a gift from the Moon Goddess.
• I had been cast aside, abandoned by the very people who were meant to stand by me... So what possible reason could I have to believe that the Lycan King, King Marcus would be any different?
• But then he said he would protect me, he will stand by my side, no matter what...
• I shook my head before forcing myself to lie down though I already know for sure that sleep would not come.
• But just only a few minutes later, I sat down again.
• My heart betrayed me, I feel like it was whispering foolish desires I had no right to feel.
• No...
• Marcus had shown me kindness, but that did not mean he saw me as anything more than a lost, broken girl in need of shelter.
• And yet… the way he had looked at me tonight, the way his voice had softened just for me, the way he laughed and chucled and smiled at me, seemed to left me question everything.
• I let out another wary sigh as I threw myself back to bed, I burried my face on my soft pillow and closed my eyes, only to open them again when not so long that I tried to keep my eyes closed, I have already been greeted by a pair of golden eyes, looking at me intently...
• As if the image of it was already residing in my memory, renting free...
• The crisp morning air carried the scent of damp earth as I padded onto the training grounds. The sky was still painted in hues of violet and gold, signaling the early hour.
• My limbs felt heavier than usual and my head clouded with exhaustion.
• I hadn't slept at all last night, but that didn't mean I could skip training.
• The court council made it clear that weakness was not an option in this Kingdom, not even for me.
• "Foxy?"
• A familiar voice called out just as I was fixing my hair into a bun.
• I turned to see Lucas eyeing me with suspicion.
• His broad frame and piercing silver eyes were intimidating to most, but I had known him since I got here.
• "You're here early."
• He remarked, stepping closer. His sharp gaze didn't miss the sluggishness in my movements.
• "And you look like you've been dragged through a battlefield."
• He added. I scoffed and chose to leave my hair untied.
• "Just a little tired."
• Lucas folded his arms.
• "A little? You look half dead. What's going on?"
• I hesitated, debating whether to brush him off, but Kael was relentless when he sensed something was wrong.
• "Foxy."
• His tone held a warning.
• She sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.
• "I just... I couldn't sleep."
• "Why?"
• Lucas pressed.
• I opened her mouth, then immediately regretted it when the words slipped out before I could stop them.
• "I was thinking about the King."
• Silence.
• Wait... What?
• My entire body stiffened after realizing what I had just said, I shot Lucas a horrified look, as if I could somehow take it back.
• Lucas, on the other hand, simply blinked before a slow, knowing smirk spread across his face.
• "Oh?"
• "No-! Not like that!"
• I stammered, as heat started rushing to my cheeks.
• "I meant- I was just- thinking about the his converssation with Serio and the warriors yesterday and-"
• Lucas chuckled, clearly enjoying my flustered state.
• "Right. You spent all night thinking about the King's... Conversation with Serio and the warriors."
• He teased, still refusing to drop the smug smirk plastered on his face.
• I groaned and roughly rubbed my temples.
• "You're impossible, Lucas."
• "And you're adorable when you panic."
• He nudged me playfully before stepping back.
• "So, tell me, what about the King's 'conversation with Serio and the warriors' kept you up all night?"
• He said wiggling his brows.
• I clenched my fists.
• "Drop it, Lucas."
• He grinned, he seemed utterly unrepentant.
• "I mean, he is rather impressive, isn't he? Strong. Commanding. A true King, let alone how good looking he is, kind..."
• Luca smirked when I shot him a glare.
• "Tell me, do you admire him, Foxy?"
• "Of course, I admire him! He's the King!"
• I snapped when I immediately realized that I had walked into another one of his traps.
• Lucasl laughed.
• "Relax, little wolf. I'm just messing with you."
• I groaned again and turned away, muttering.
• "I should have stayed in bed."
• Lucas clapped a hand on my shoulder.
• "But then you wouldn't have given me the highlight of my morning."
• I shot him another glare, which only made him laugh harder.
• "Come on..."
• He said, nudging me toward the training dummies.
• "I'll spar with you. Let's see if thinking about the King has improved your reflexes."
• I huffed but followed him nonetheless. Exhausted or not, I wasn't going to let him win so easily.
• Even if my heart was still racing for entirely different reasons.