Chapter 48
L had to be in bed for weeks, and this felt like a punishment. It wasn’t his choice, but he had to
obey the
King’s order. However, one factor made this all an even bigger torture.
“How is our patient doing today?” Zara waltzed in with a bright smile.
“Go away, Cruel Bird. I don’t trust you anymore!” He grunted and tried to turn away, but his eyes still
grazed over her toned legs in high heels. She only wore those for asions. He knew that from all the
times he discreetly watched her during The Luna Trials.
“Feathered Gods! You sure are grumpy today!” She scoffed, slipping out of her favourite leather jacket
and revealing that she was wearing one of her tightest little ck dresses. This one was not too long
either, and the thought of what was underneath made him growl internally.
“Go away, or I swear even Kai’s orders will not keep me away!” He warned her, knowing he couldn’t
touch her even though it was all he was thinking about the whole time.
“Actually, I hoped you could be my plus one to the Engagement Announcement and the Marking
Ceremony tonight,” she said nonchntly. After they yed their usual staring contest, Zara leaned
back against her jacket on the chair, demonstrating to him her curves at a better angle on purpose and
started looking for something in the
pockets.
“You are ying with fire, Birdie,” L gave her a withering nce, to which she chuckled. She was
toying with him for weeks, visiting him daily, knowing he had to restrain from any kind of physical
activity due to the poison in his blood that proved not that harmless. They had been detoxifying him all
this time. The treatment was painful and weakened him significantly. Yet every night, the cheeky bird
slipped into his room, whispered dirty promises into his ear, touched him where she wasn’t supposed to
and then disappeared into the darkness. Last night, as he was getting stronger, she flew straight out
the window, leaving only her tiny underwear behind on purpose.
On purpose, because bird shifters’ transformation wasn’t physical like it was for wolves, cats and bears,
they were using magic, and the clothes disappeared and appeared together with the human form.
The mighty Beta of The North would never admit to her that he kept the teensy piece ofce in the
drawer right next to his bed. He’d rather die from that poison after all.
He should have thrown it away, burned it… But something stopped him each time, and each time he
saw it, he
thought of how sweet his revenge would be.
“But I am serious this time!” She giggled and produced a piece of paper, waving it in the air before his
nose. He had a few identical ones somewhere here in the bedroom. The results of his blood tests. “The
doctors say that the poison trace is insignificant now, and it will be gonepletely in a week or so, but
you can certainly return to all the physical activi”
L did not let her finish as he yanked her onto the bed, towering over her instantly and getting the
paper out of her hand. His eyes quickly read the very bottom line that confirmed Birdie’s words, and a
satisfying growl emerged from the depths of his chest.
Zara sucked in a deep breath, trying to wriggle out from under the giant Beta, but he held her in ce.
“The announcement,” she mumbled, but he stopped her by cing his index finger on her lips.
“This,” he whispered as the smirk spread on his handsome face. “I think we can miss that
announcement ande straight to the Marking Ceremony.” He traced her lips, making them part and
leaned down to her so that she could feel his hot breath on her skin. “But before that, you owe me so
much, Birdie.”
“I don’t remember!” She rolled her eyes and tried to get away again, but he could tell she was just
ying, so he pinned both her hands to the mattress and enjoyed her looking helpless under him.
“No worries,” he smirked at her. “I will remind you.”
“Will you?” She taunted, voice raspy and hitched.
“Of course,” he grew one w and cut a strap of her dress, making her gasp. “You promised to let me
peel off every piece of clothing from you.”
“Did I?” She blinked innocently,
“You did.” L cut the second strap off. “I hope you have another dress for tonight,” he chuckled
and then hooked the golden zip at the front and pulled it all the way down, letting her breasts bounce
out of it.
Another growl escaped him, and he traced his sharp w over her skin to her already hard ni.pple. Her
chest went up and down as he removed the rest of her dress to see that she was not actually wearing
anything
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underneath.
“No undergarments?” He arched his brow, and she bit her lip, not a shade of embarrassment in her
eyes.
“I think I lost mine!” Zara tilted her head yfully. “Have you seen them anywhere here by any
chance?”
“I don’t remember,” he lied, mimicking her tone from a few seconds ago, and finally took her in.
Retracting his
w, he caressed her soft skin, feeling how this made her little heart beat faster.
They were not made for each other, but it felt so right for the two of them. Here and now.
Zara arched her back as hisrge palm travelled from her belly button to her neck, eliciting a rush of
goosebumps on the way to cup her chin and make her look at him.
“First, my hands,” he reminded her, and his fingers brushed down to knead one of her breasts, thumb
ying
with its firm bud.
A little moan left Zara’s lips, and that free hand went lower. Her core was already heated and moist
when he reached her folds, parting them slightly with his fingers. The little bundle of nerves was
throbbing when he touched it, and her whole body jerked from the contact. She was so close, and he
barely even started.
“Not so soon, Birdie,” heughed as he slowly inserted a finger into her and curled it inside, making her
tremble again. “You tortured me for weeks! I think I have to return my debt to you f
“You can try!” She narrowed her eyes at him, but another moan left her as he added one more finger,
pumping them in and out slowly, building her up.
“No worries, I will!” L promised menacingly, finally finding the ridged sensitive spot inside her
walls. Each time he touched it, her inner muscles clenched around him tightly, making him thrilled in
anticipation.
He bent down, still holding her arms captive and whispered as their eyes locked, “Then my tongue.”
L shed his lips with hers, tasting her properly for the first time and enjoying every second of it.
He never thought he would be able to feel this way again. Not after his mate had died. Not after he
killed all those responsible for it. A part of his soul was dead that day. He could never even imagine
he’d ever recover from this.
His service to his King and Alpha kept him going for so long. He ate, drank, ran in his wolf form, slept
with random women, fought in battles, and protected his country, but… it did not feel like he was living
until now.
Now life had colours. Now, he wanted to see what was next. He was excited. He couldn’t wait any
longer.
The tiny bird moaned into his lips, making him lose it. He wanted her. He wanted all of her. Every day.
All the time. Preferably forever.
His hot tongue left a wet trail on her neck. L sucked in the delicate skin next to the corbone,
biting it slightly where he would mark her when she allowed it. She clenched around his fingers again,
and he got them out, hearing a disappointed noise leave his woman’s mouth.
“Oh,e on!” Zara groaned in frustration.
“I am so not done with you yet!” The Beta gave her a roguish grin as he licked her juices off his fingers
and then
bent back down to twirl his tongue around the peak of her breast. And then another. He made sure not
to leave an
inch of her body untouched as if he was staking his im on her. Although, there were no ifs. She was
his to im. and he wasn’t going back on this.
Finally, when she was already covered with crystals of sweat, he kneeled before her and parted her
weakened
legs.
“Lan!” She used his nickname for the first time, probably not even knowing she did it, and that made
him lose thest bits of sanity. He couldn’t take it slow anymore and made sure to make firm, tactical
slides of his tongue down her core to make her tremble in his arms. His fingers returned to work,
pumping in and out faster than before as his tongue concentrated on the little quivering bud.
Zara screamed as the rel.ease shattered her mind into millions of tiny pieces, and the lycan let her ride
it, not stopping even for a second. Her legs weakened, and he threw them onto his shoulders, digging
his palms into her flesh for support. The lycan knew he could give her much more than this, and he
intended to.
Sheced her fingers into his blonde hair and kept him there until another wave of pleasure surged
through her body.
L watched her with flushed cheeks on his bed, and a part of him wanted her to always stay here
with
him. Just like that.
He stood up and draped one of her legs around his shoulder, brushing his tip over her wet entrance
and ready to make that woman his, when her foot pushed him away gently.
“So cruel!” he snarled softly, thinking it was another of her games as she was already standing next to
him. But when Zara shoved him to sit on the edge of the bed and kissed him on the lips, he took the
opportunity to explore more of her body with his hands.
“I can’t believe you forgot!” She giggled as she tore off him and took a cushion from the bed, throwing it
on the stone floor between his feet. “It’s my turn now!” she said and kneeled, wrapping her little fingers
around his manhood.
“Zara…” He didn’t even finish the sentence when she traced his length from base to the tip with her
warm tongue, her eyes at him the whole time. “You are the most beautiful… taunting little thing alive!”
his breathing rasped as she took as much of him in as she only could.
L threw his head back, finding her short silky hair and entwining his fingers into it. She bobbed
her head while moaning, stroking the rest of him with his hand, making him snarl and swear under his
breath because of how good it felt. “Mine!” he growled so loudly that the walls around them shook, and
Zara stilled.
Did she mishear him? Surely he wasn’t saying that…
He lifted her in his arms before she knew it and made her straddle him.
“Eyes to eyes, Birdie!” The Beta said as he lined himself at her entrance once again.
“Lan, what do you-” She wanted to ask what he meant because her mind worked in a way that she had
to know
the answer here and now. Were they just ying with each other, or was this serious?
He mmed into her roughly, making her arch her back and gasp in delight. This was a part of his
response.
“Look at me!” He ordered when he filled her, and she obeyed, her chest heaving. “You are mine,
Birdie.”
“Are you going to ask me first if I agree?” She shot her brow up, wrapping her arms around his neck at
the same
time.
“Are you going to say no?” He smiled, and there was so much in his eyes that she couldn’t keep up
with the
games.
“No,” Zara breathed out.
“Then I guess I have my answer,” he drew back and mmed into her again, one hand sliding up her
back to tug
on her hair and bring her closer.
“Then you are mine too!” She stated, and he imed her lips, entwining their tongues. He rocked his
hips back and forth a few times, filling her up and leaving her empty, until he couldn’t bear it anymore
and started simply pounding into her as hard as he could, driving his member to the hilt each time.
Zara dug her nails into him, biting his shoulder to keep herself present. That much pleasure threatened
to destroy her, and when the new climax cascaded through her body, she didn’t even know if she was
screaming or not.
He kept pounding into her, and soon she stopped counting her releases, simply forgetting herself in his
masterful hands.
L couldn’t have enough of her. His wolf was hungry for the little bird too. The long-forgotten
sensations of having someone they cared about were so overwhelming that he spilled his seed into her
without hesitation when the moment arrived. Then he held her in ce to ensure no drop was wasted.
Finding her lips again, he imed them gently this time while both falling back down to the bed.
They stayed lying in each other’s arms for some time until Zara sighed, sounding disappointed. “We
need to go. The Marking Ceremony will start soon.”
“I may have been sick, but I know the schedule.” The Beta chuckled and towered over her, spreading
her thighs again and positioning himself between them. “There are drinks and speeches in the
beginning. It can go on for a while. I am sure Kai and Savvy would forgive us if we are fashionably
late.”
“If you say so,” the girl giggled right before he crashed his lips into hers again and turned her around for
the
next round…
Riannon was nervous for some reason despite their perfect n. In the next few days, Bjorn would try
to kidnap Savannah one way or another. After his bold im and Kai’s speech today, there was no
chance for the arrogant bear to let it slide. He was probably already packing his things for the trip. They
even set up a perfect opportunity for him to approach her. Savvy would be on The Luna of The North
Tour around the capital, visiting the local packs. They predicted he would try to get her at the most
secluded one, but truthfully, it could be anywhere. If it didn’t happen on
tour, then the Coronation would be the next event.
“You are still worried,” Gideon wrapped his hands around his wife’s waist, casually brushing over her
belly. No one could tell it yet from looking at her, but he could already feel that Ria’s tummy wasn’t as
t as it used to be. He would probably be kissing it now if they didn’t have so many witnesses around.
“The n is good,” she smiled at him, but it did not reach her eyes. “I just wish I had a new dream by
now. But other than that ring, there is nothingtely!”
“The Crescent ring,” Gideon sighed and kissed her temple. For the past month, his wife kept seeing her
dead mother’s ring in her dreams, which only saddened her. There was no context to all this, no
exnation. She never
saw who was wearing the ring. Her wolf Onyx tried to reach the Moon Goddess to ask about it, but the
Goddess who
once blessed them was now silent. Gods did not like to exin their ns.
It was so painful because Riannon’s parents were long dead. Not to mention that she would really
prefer a clue
about the right course of action now instead of the unnecessary walk down Memory Lane.
Their n was good, yes, but there were weak points in it too.
“Yeah.” she leaned into her husband’s chest and closed her eyes. She kept looking for that ring
everywhere, but
no one in the Western Kingdom had it. Neither did anyone she had met in the North.
“It will all make sense soon,” Gideon tried to touch the golden crescent mark on her neck, forgetting
that she covered it today to ensure the whole attention was on Savvy. People usually stared at their
marks because they were special. One of a kind. And since Savannah and Kai were just chosen
mates, their marks would just look like two scars. Not that it mattered much if two people were in love,
but it was a polite thing to do to not draw any attention
away from them.
Riannon noticed Brigit standing just a few feet away and looking out of the window, observing the
castle’s main square. The people were gone now as the royals wouldn’t be making a second
appearance tonight. The rest of the event was private. Only families of the Luna Trials contenders were
invited, following tradition, so the guests were kept to a minimum. Luckily, Penelope’s father declined
the invitation, and they didn’t have to worry about any problems from that end.
“Give me a second, okay?” Ria smiled at her mate, and he nodded understandingly.
“Go, spread your magic, my love,” Gideon lifted her hand to his lips to ce a gentle kiss before he let
go of her. “And I will go and scare Kai a bit more to make sure he worships the ground my sister steps
on.”
The Western Queen had a hard time trying to hold back her smile when she reached the only white
bear shifter in the room. Of course, none of Brigit’s family was invited due to the current situation.
Riannon knew who the strong woman before her tried to find with her eyes.
“He is stationed at the East Gate,” she told her, and Brigit flinched, meeting her gaze.
“Doesn’t matter,” she swallowed.
“Does it really?” Ria was not going to give up. “I remember you really wanted to find your mate. And
here he is, ready to do everything and madly in love with you. So, what’s the problem?”
“We aren’t going to end up together, Riannon.” Brigit turned away. “He will reject me sooner orter, so
why don’t I save myself the pain?”
“Why do you think so? ept him! Give him a chance to prove you wrong!” Ria ced her hand on the
woman’s shoulder. “Let him surprise you!”
“Always optimistic, aren’t you?” Brigit gave her a sad smile. “It’s the North, Riannon. I am a white bear,
and he is a Lycan Gamma of the Kingdom. This will never work. I will ruin his life-”
“You will be regretting this your whole life, you know?”
“I know…” Brigit’s voice barely had any life in it. “Excuse me,” she whispered and left the room abruptly.
Ria looked out of the window too, and noticed Aspen walking in the middle of the square. She hoped
that the two mates would throw away their fears and reunite today despite everything.
The Western Queen took a look around the room. The tables were sat here for the big celebration, with
a small tform in the middle, where Kai would mark Savannah in less than an hour. She caught
Princess Elene staring at her husband while she gave local omegas theirst orders for tonight. This
made Riannon groan quietly. She tried to
be kind, but she wasn’t a saint. That Northern woman needed a new object of adoration.
Kyle tried to be a gentleman a few good feet away from her, telling jokes to Petra and making her
laugh, while Evelyn watched him with a little smile on her lips. Astrid’s family was on their way but
runningte. The Southerner only had her friend Emma by her side today. However, both seemed
happy with everything. The ones not happy were Inga and her pack. Celia kept thempany as her
only living family was Aspen, and he was working tonight. It was clear that both girls still couldn’t get
over Penelope’s death. This was to be expected.
The music started ying, and all guests slowly returned to their ces. The future King and Queen
were about to arrive.
Savannah felt excited. Yes, they had to rush and fit everything into one day, but it did not matter much
to her. What was important was that once Kai’s mark was on her neck, her bond with Zack would
weaken. Gradually. she would be able to get rid of him even if he kept escaping them. Not to mention
that it would increase the chances of him epting her rejection the next time they saw each other. He
would probably beg for it himself, as this should hurt him like hell. They were true mates; the bond
between them was strong enough thanks to their mating. Only a mark was missing. As soon as her
neck was pierced with Kai’s canines, Zack would be in agony. She was surprised he wasn’t still having
s.ex with multiple girls to try and prevent her from going through with her decision. But the night
was young…
Kaiced their fingers together, and she nced at him, forgetting her worries. He looked so good in a
traditional northern coat. Just like a prince from a fairy tale. Savvy had hated fairy tales ever since she
was a little kid, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.
She was wearing a pale blue traditional bridal dress herself. The design was very simple yet elegant,
with northern patterns embroidered on her corset. The long skirt reached the floor, and a small train of
light fabric followed her as she walked.
Most of her hair was down in soft curls, but part was twisted in an intricate braid at the back of her head
with the North Star and Crescent pins adorning it. She did not want to overdo it, but it was essential to
show her respect to every Nnortherner present.
Savannah knew she wasn’t their perfect Luna choice, but she would do her best to make them change
their
minds.
“Did I say how much I love you?” Kai pulled her into his embrace, although it was almost time for them
to join the guests.
“Only about half a million times today!” She grinned at him.
“Ah, this is why it feels like it’s not enough!” He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. They had
to stay away from each other because of the preparations for the past few days, and he knew he
couldn’t do much to her
now.
Not yet.
But as soon as the ceremony was done and they paid their respects to everyone, he would take her
back to their bedroom even if he had to throw her over his shoulder again,
“I can’t wait for the formalities to be done!” Kai whispered, and she touched his cheek, her eyes
gleaming with happiness.
“Let’s go then!” She giggled. “The sooner we start, the sooner we are done.”
An omega opened the doors before them, and they entered the throne room decorated for the event.
Savvy had been to this spacious hall so many times, yet she found it the most beautiful tonight.
Candles were everywhere, Big, small, tall, short. On the tables and on themps hanging at the ceiling.
And even in ss holders
on the floor. It was the only light source now, and it seemed like they were walking among little fiery
stars.
ude and Chloe were among the guests right next to Elene. There was just one camera inside today,
as they still would have to show the footage to the worldter. They earned this right by trying to help
them to contain the damage control.
She was happy to see so many happy familiar faces tonight. Naya winked at her as they passed them.
Her
mother. Alpha Ramina, was present too, although Savvy did not notice her Luna or Naya’s biological
father.
A priestess of Fenrir was waiting for them at the stage, but they stopped before they could reach her.
As always.
it was time for a speech.
Some omega brought them their drinks, and guests also stood up with their sses. Discreetly,
Savannah checked if her wine had any scents that weren’t supposed to be there, but to her relief, she
found nothing. Kai gave her a reassuring squeeze, and their eyes locked again. Moon Goddess, she
couldn’t wait for his teeth to pierce her skin
and leave their forever mark.
“Today, you are all witnesses to my happiness!” Kai spoke with the confidence of a true king. “To me,
Savannah is already my Queen and my Luna, but the sacred rituals must be performed for the world to
ept my choice. And, to be honest, I can’t wait to start!”
A wave of understanding chuckles erupted through the room.
Only now Savvy noticed that L and Zara were still missing.
“Each Northern Royal Marking Ceremony starts with a sip of the sacred wine made from fruit that
grows on the mountain where Fenrir once walked and blessed by the priestesses from his shrine.
Please, share with us tonight this wine and our happiness!”
“By Fenrir’s will!” The northerners growled in unison while the rest of the guests nodded respectfully to
this.
Savannah couldn’t help her smile as her lips touched the liquid and her eyes locked with her beloved.
The guests followed their example and took their first gulps. They emptied their sses and ced
them back on the tray. The young omega bowed and went to the corner of the room.
Holding their hands together, Kai and Savvy stepped on the tform, bowing to the priestess. The
woman in a white and blue robe with tattoos on her face in the ancient northernnguage started to
read an old prayer to Fenrir as Savannah looked at her chosen mate.
The sound of the breaking ss distracted them, and they turned to see a very pale Naya in Alpha
Ramina’s
arms.
“Naya!” The werecat Alpha called her daughter. Another broken ss, and Celia, on the other side, fell
with her
face on the table.
“No!” Savvy whispered in disbelief and looked at Kai again, clenching his hands as hard as she could.
As if it could help the situation somehow.
“Protect my Queen!” Kai growled to the guards who were supposed to be outside the doors. They just
saw them a few seconds ago!
No one arrived.
Another broken ss and a loud roar Savannah couldn’t confuse with anything else in this world.
She lost the ability to speak the moment she saw Gideon trying to wake up Riannon, who seemed
unconscious.
TO
set
“Ria!” He sounded so scared for the first time in her life.
One by one, the guests were fainting. Savvy hoped they were fainting. It had to be just temporary! It
couldn’t be happening for real! Some tried to run, but they couldn’t make it to the door.
“Kai!” She turned to the Northern King and saw him struggling to breathe. “Kai!” Her piercing scream
was
something she couldn’t control. He fell on one knee, still holding her hands, and she dropped right next
to him. Seeing him like that was more excruciating than anything she had ever experienced.
“Kai!” She looked him in the eye, and he tried to say something to her.
“Savvy-” He grasped her in a desperate attempt to do at least something. His lips were barely moving,
“Run!” he said before he copsed to her feet.