Moon String

The King's Private Area

Chapter Thirteen:The King's Private Area

Lyra's POV

By the time we'd finished eating, I was convinced the Lycan King was trying to fatten us up for some mysterious royal ritual.

I leaned back in my chair with a satisfied sigh.

"...If this is imprisonment, I'm beginning to reconsider escaping from here"

Liora laughed.

"You've been complaining about him all day"

"I can complain and appreciate good food at the same time"

She shook her head.

"I don't know how your mind works"

"Neither do I"

Silence settled between us for a moment.

Then...

"I'm bored again"

"I knew that sentence was coming."

I sprang to my feet.

"I'm going exploring"

Liora immediately closed her book.

"You don't give up now,do you?"

"Nope" I responded

"The King specifically told you not to wander"

"He also told me not to test his patience."

"And?"

"I'm simply conducting research."

She folded her arms.

"Research."

"Exactly."

"On what?"

"How quickly I can annoy the most powerful Lycan alive."

She stared at me.

"...You're impossible."

"I've heard that before."

"From who?"

"You."

Liora sighed the sigh of an older sister who had already accepted defeat.

"Just... don't get yourself arrested again."

"I make no promises."

She pointed toward the door.

"I mean it, Lyra."

"I'll be back before you know it."

"You'd better."

I flashed her my brightest smile before slipping out of the room.

---

The palace was much quieter than before.

Servants hurried through the corridors carrying baskets of flowers and polished silver trays.

The moment they noticed me...

They stared.

Some whispererd ,some covered their nose because of my rogue scent

Others quickly lowered their eyes.

A little boy hiding behind a maid peeked at me curiously before his mother gently pulled him behind her skirts.

I scratched my cheek.

"Do I have two heads or something?"

No answer.

Right.

Wonderful.

One elderly noblewoman stopped directly in front of me.

Her nose wrinkled as though she'd smelled rotten meat.

"You."

I blinked.

"Me?"

"Who are you?"

"I was hoping someone here could answer that"

Her expression darkened.

"You smell like a rogue"

"And you smell like expensive perfume"

Her eyes widened.

I smiled sweetly.

"Have a lovely day."

Before she could recover from the shock, I hurried away.

"...That went well"

---

The palace gardens stretched farther than I expected.

Rows of blooming flowers danced gently beneath the breeze.

Butterflies floated lazily from blossom to blossom while birds sang from the towering trees overhead.

Beyond the gardens lay the forest.I decided to leave the pack house and it's noisy members and go towards the forest.

Something about it called to me.

Almost...

As though it already knew my name.

I glanced over my shoulder.

No guards.

No servants.

Perfect.

I slipped between the trees.

The further I walked, the quieter the world became.

The noise of the palace disappeared completely.

Only bird remained.

Sunlight poured through the branches in scattered patches of gold.

Wildflowers carpeted the forest floor.

The air smelled fresh.

Clean.

Free.

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply.

"...Now this feels like home."

A smile found its way onto my face.

For the first time since entering the Lycan Kingdom...

I felt peaceful.

Then I heard it.

The sound of water running.

I followed the sound until the trees suddenly opened.

My breath caught.

Before me lay a crystal-clear lake, so still it reflected the sky like polished glass.

A waterfall spilled down smooth rocks into the shimmering pool below.

Flowers surrounded the water's edge, their petals glowing beneath the afternoon sun.The flowers gave off this beautiful soothing scent that made me want to stay here forever.

"...You've got to be kidding me."

This place was beautiful.

No.

Beautiful wasn't enough.

It looked untouched.

Like the Moon Goddess herself had hidden it away from the rest of the world.

I slowly walked toward the water.

I dipped my fingers beneath the surface.

Cool.

Refreshing.

A grin spread across my face.

"No one's around..."

I looked left.

Right.

Still no one.

"...A quick swim won't hurt"I said out loud

Within moments, I took off my clothes and folded them neatly beneath a tree.

I slipped into the water.I began swimming.Right there ,I decided I would always come here to relax and swim off tension.

The coolness wrapped around me like silk while my n*****s hardened due to the cold water.

I sighed happily.

"Oh..."

This...

This was heaven.

I floated on my back, watching fluffy white clouds drift lazily across the sky.

For the first time in what felt like forever...I was really happy

There were no responsibilities.

No danger.

No angry Lycan Kings.

Just me.

And peace.

I swam from one end of the lake to the other, laughing softly as the waterfall splashed against my shoulders.

"This place is officially mine now."

A tiny bird chirped nearby.

"You agree."

It chirped again.

"I knew you had good taste."

Almost an hour passed before an uneasy feeling crept over me.The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood up.It felt as if...

Someone...

Was watching me.

My smile disappeared.

Slowly...

Very slowly...

I turned toward the trees instinctively.

At first...

Nothing.

Then a tall figure stepped from the shadows.

Black clothes.

Broad shoulders.

Crimson eyes.

My own eyes widened in horror.

"...You've got to be kidding me."

King Vaelric.

He wasn't saying a word.

He was just...

Standing there.

Looking at me.

Heat rushed into my face.

"What the hell?!"

I crossed my arms over myself as fast as I could.

"You disgusting pervert!"

---

Vaelric's POV

I should have been working.

Instead...

I was arguing with my wolf.

Again.

She hasn't eaten enough.

"I sent enough food to feed an army."

Good.

"You're impossible."

She deserves the best.

I rubbed my temples.

Ever since discovering my mate...

Leo had become unbearable.

Feed her.

Protect her.

Check on her.

Find her.

It was exhausting.

A knock sounded on my office door.

"Enter."

My Beta stepped inside and bowed deeply.

"My King."

"What is it?"

He hesitated.

"The food has been delivered to the rogues."

Leo practically purred.

"Are you happy now "

"Yes"Leo purred happily

"Foolish wolf"I muttered internally.

"And I don't give a f**k"

Good.

I ignored him.

"You may leave."

"My King..."

He didn't move.

I slowly raised my eyes.

"Did I dismiss you?"

His face paled.

"N-No, Your Majesty."

"Then why are you still standing there?"

"My apologies."

He bowed again before nearly tripping over himself in his rush to leave.

The moment the door shut...

Leo chuckled.

You frightened him again.

"He'll survive."

---

An hour later, I was seated with my council discussing border security.

"Our western patrol reported unusual movement near the mountains," one elder explained.

Another shook his head.

"We should increase the number of warriors stationed there."

Before I could respond...

The council chamber doors burst open.

A guard dropped to one knee.

"My King!"

Every conversation stopped.

"What is it?"

"Forgive the interruption..."

He swallowed hard.

"A rogue has entered your private forest."

The room fell silent.

A dangerous silence.

My expression hardened.

"My private forest?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I growled loudly.Who dared to step foot into my favorite spot.I had warned the pack members not to ever step foot into that area.The last person to dare disobey was beheaded.

And now,a rogue,a mere rogue dared step foot into my territory.

The elders exchanged nervous glances.

Everyone knew that place.

No one entered it.

No one.

Not unless they wished to die.

"Who?"

The guard lowered his head.

"...The female rogue that you released"

For a second...

Leo became suspiciously quiet.

Then...

Mate!

His excitement exploded through my mind.

She's there!

I narrowed my eyes.

"You knew."

Maybe.

"You deliberately stayed quiet."

Maybe.

I closed my eyes.

Just once.

Then opened them again.

"You are all dismissed."

The council froze.

"My King..."

"I said..."

My voice dropped into a deadly growl.

"Dismissed."

Every single person fled.

I turned toward the guard.

"No one follows me."

"My King?"

"If anyone enters that forest without my permission..."

I looked him directly in the eyes.

"They will answer to me."

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."

I disappeared into the forest.

The deeper I walked...

The stronger her scent became.How I loved her scent,it was strangely soothing.Leo was practically drooling.

She smelt so unique...

Her.

Leo was practically bouncing with excitement.

She's close.

"I know."

Then I heard laughter.

Soft.

Bright.

It echoed across the trees like music.

I reached the edge of the lake...

And stopped.

She was swimming beneath the waterfall, completely unaware of my presence.

Sunlight shimmered across the water.

Droplets sparkled against her skin.

She looked...

Free.

Leo sighed dreamily.

Our mate is beautiful.

"...She is."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I frowned.

Since when was I agreeing with my wolf?

I should leave.

That would be the sensible thing to do.

Instead...

I stood there for one heartbeat too long, watching her.Naked.unaware

She turned

Her smile faded.

Our eyes met.

"...You've got to be kidding me," she whispered.

"What the hell?!"

She covered herself with her small hands and glared at me with enough fury to set the entire forest on fire.

"Vaelric!"She screamed on top of her lungs

For the first time in years...

I found myself completely speechless.I was breathtaken by this beauty standing in front of me.I preferred seeing her always like this.

Naked.

"You disgusting pervert!" Her voice cracked through the night like a whip as she surfaced and spotted me.

She scrambled toward the edge, cheeks burning with fury and something far more dangerous. "How long have you been watching me?"forgetting she was naked.

I didn't answer.

Couldn't.

Not when every instinct roared at the sight of her climbing out of the pool, water cascading down her curves. Full breasts, flushed skin, the flare of her hips, the dark triangle between her thighs—she was bare to me in every sense.

My wolf surged forward, howling in triumph.

Mate.

Ours.

Claim.

She reached for a towel that wasn't there, cursing under her breath, but I was already moving.

The bond snapped taut between us as I closed the distance and held her hands.

Sparks—sharp, electric, undeniable—raced across my skin the moment my fingers brushed her arm.

She gasped, the same jolt hitting her, pupils dilating despite the anger still flashing in her eyes.

Before she could react, I had her pinned against the thick trunk of the nearest tree. The rough bark pressed into her back; my hard body caged her front.

One massive hand gripped her wrists above her head, the other braced beside her face. I towered over her, chest heaving, fighting the shift that threatened to rip through me.

My gaze dropped.

Slowly.

Possessively.

To the way her big, soft breasts rose and fell with every ragged breath, n*****s tightened into peaks from the cool night air and the heat pulsing between us.

Perfect.

Made for my hands.

My mouth.

My wolf snarled inside me, clawing at the walls of my control.He was fighting for control.And I knew exactly what he would do if I let him take control.

Take her.

Mark her.

She is ours.

Weak or not, the bond demands it.leo said.

I leaned in, nose brushing the frantic pulse at her throat, inhaling her scent—fear, arousal, the sweet wildness that drove me mad.

"You shouldn't be here," I growled, voice rough with restraint. "I can smell your sweet arousal…" My eyes flickered to wolf-gold for a heartbeat.

Her cheeks turned a bright red.

She squirmed against me, cheeks flaming deeper, but the movement only pressed her bare breasts against my chest.

Another burst of sparks flared where her skin met mine. Her breath hitched. Her gaze dropped—then widened.

My erection strained hard against my pants, thick and unmistakable, the sheer size of it leaving no room for doubt about what my body thought of her.

What both parts of me wanted to do to her right here against this tree.

"See what you do to me?" I rasped, lips hovering just above hers. "Even when I know I should walk away."

She was flustered, breathing fast, thighs pressing together as heat pooled low in her belly. Her eyes flicked back up to mine, a mix of defiance, desire, and raw vulnerability shining in them.

My wolf howled again, closer to the surface than ever.

And for the first time, I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep it leashed

I leaned in closer, lips hovering just above hers. His golden eyes locked on her mouth, breath mingling.

My wolf howled for the kiss, for the claiming, pushing me forward—

Then I froze.

Reality crashed back in.

No I couldn't.Accepting her meant risking everything. It meant accepting weakness.

With a sharp curse, I shoved away from the tree, releasing her wrists as if she'd burned me

I turned and stalked off into the shadows without another word, jaw clenched, fists tight at my sides.

My erection still throbbed painfully, my wolf raging at the retreat, but I forced myself deeper into the trees.

She stood there alone, naked and pinned against the bark by nothing but her own shock.

The sparks still tingled across her skin. Her breasts heaved with uneven breaths, cheeks flaming with humiliation as the cool night air kissed her exposed body.

I had left her—wet, aching, vulnerable, and utterly rejected.

The embarrassment burned hotter than the mate bond itself...