The leaf and the wind

Drifting trhough the wind

Thion skillfully convinced him to shift back to human form, avoiding any potential distress for the children. Each step he took seemed to grow heavier, and an unsettling tension filled the air, stirring his Lycan instincts. The scent of fear was palpable, yet intertwined with something extraordinary. His body and cells engaged in an internal struggle, his heart pulsating blood with a lustful rhythm. A growl emanated from him, causing the branches to rustle. Beyond the last trees, his Lycan eyes beheld a mesmerizing sight.

Amidst the lowered heads, adorned with various shades of blond, brown, light-brown, and black hair, one figure stood out. Perfectly poised, head held high, eyes closed, and encircled by a halo of flames, there stood a truly breathtaking woman. His gaze remained fixated, his mind momentarily blank.

Emerging from a passionate kiss, he found himself immersed in an emerald forest surrounded by long lashes of flame. Her hands on his chest felt like redemption. Collapsing to his knees, he fervently declared, "Mine," acknowledging her rightful place.

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"What?" She broke the eye contact to survey her surroundings. Her parents were aghast, and the entire pack mirrored the same expression. In front of the two girls stood a group of Lycans, sharing the same astonishment, except for one who had a wide smile.

The king, broad and athletic, was striking with hair styled to perfection—long on top, short on the sides, chocolate-tinted, gleaming in the sunlight. He was imposing, fierce, and undeniably attractive. His adviser, a man with sparkling blue eyes, tall and sculpted like a slim god, stepped forward, ready to intervene if necessary.

Annie was stunned as the king knelt before her, claiming her. She shook her head in disbelief.

Annie: No, wait... What?

King: I cannot feel your wolf...

Annie: Of course not! I'm not a wolf, you lips thief!

The king growled, he stood almost two feet above her, giving a dark glare, making Annie flinch. Yet, all the stress she had bottled up for the past two weeks broke in a torrent of tears and rage.

Annie: Who do you think you are? You think you can just kiss me like that without even asking? Who do you think you are?

King: I'm the king! And you did too!

Annie: Oh right, well then I'm the queen of rabbits and I decide who to violate because I give myself any rights! I write the law; I can't do anything wrong, right? Because I'm the queen, right? And let me remind you that I didn't have a choice! I thought you would have me killed if I resisted!

King: Stand down! You are talking to a king! Respect me!

Annie: Because you are a king doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, MY KING! You earn respect. You can't just demand it and expect everyone to go along because of a word you gave yourself, all right? I AM THE GODDAMN QUEEN OF RABBITS, AND I DESERVED THAT YOU RESPECT ME!

Silence fell. His battalion anticipated the worst. Her pack dropped their jaws in wide-eyed shock just like herself. She could not believe she talked back to the cruel King. But strangely, nothing happened. The king looked agitated, and his Lycan retreated, ears down, tail between his legs, afraid of rejection. The king looked down, experiencing a strange guilt he had not felt since he was a child.

Suddenly, a laugh broke the heavy silence. It was a loud, heartfelt laugh that transformed into wheezing. The king turned to glare at his friend Thion, but the laughter continued, echoing through the tense atmosphere.

Thion: I'm so sorry! Sorry, My king! Really. It's just so absurd! The queen of rabbits! Oh my goddess, I can't...

He laughed silently. The king contemplated punishing him later. He looked at his mate, still as angry as before. Clenching his fists, unsure of the next move, he took her scent in, but something felt wrong. She was covered with the scent of a young wolf. He bypassed her to stang angrily in front of Lucas who looked down instantly.

King: His scent is all over you...

Annie: No! He's just a friend who tried to cover for me. You touch him, I reject you!

The king growled loudly toward her, but she roared at his face, making him stand down. While they entered a staring contest, Thion swiftly joined them.

Thion: My name is Thion Kendall Dawn, the king's right hand and trusted advisor. Since you have been chosen as his fated mate by the Moon Goddess, we would kindly ask you to join us and become the queen. Do not worry; we will treat you well and make you feel welcome. Wolf or not, we would appreciate it if you gave us a chance and followed us quietly.

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She grabbed the bag and the suitcases she had already prepared and walked back to where the king awaited her. Before leaving with him, she gathered the children in another group hug as they cried. Nathan approached her with tears threatening his eyes. He lifted his hand to grab hers. She covered his face with kisses before hugging him.

Nathan: At least you're okay... I'm happy that you are our queen and not a stranger... Here. Take this.

He gave her his favorite teddy bear, making her tear up.

Annie: But... It's Mr. Bear, I can't take it away from you.

Nathan: I have this now. And it's for you to never forget me. You just watch! One day I'll get stronger and stronger, as strong as the king, and I WILL fight by your side when I'm tall enough! You watch me!

Annie: I love you, Temper.

Nathan: I love you, Red.

She hugged him as tightly as she could. She then walked to her parents. They were crying in fear and pride. Their daughter would be their queen.

Annie: A bit better than the plan, am I right?

Her mom burst into sadness, moistening her shoulders; her dad hugged what he could from behind. She was surrounded with love here. She didn't want to leave with this arrogant king. Screech flew in circles over her. She smiled when her mother screamed at him to take good care of her precious daughter and made her promise to write them as much as she could.

Annie then walked over to Penny, who gave her a broken smile.

Annie: You would have made the worst queen in history.

Penny: And you the best.

She hugged her tightly, holding her crying little sister Posy's hand. The king kept watching her in the distance. Thion commented that despite the fact that she was an outsider, she was loved, making the king shiver. He had not felt this way for years, something within him ripped when he thought about taking her away from all this love and promised himself to love her as much as they did. He did not ask for her name, but her pack kept calling her Red. It suited her.

A breeze lifted, her hair dancing toward the king; she knew it was the plan of the universe. She had a role to play at his side. She breathed through it, closing her eyes, smelling the air of the home she had to leave. She was thankful that he allowed her to say goodbye and waited there patiently.

Alpha Mederick came and held her close.

Mederick: This will always be your home, Red. But it will be the greatest honor to serve you as a queen.

Annie: Thank you, Alpha.

Slowly, she turned around to meet Lucas's eyes. He tried to hug her but she dodged him.

Annie: The king will be angry if you hug me now. Look Lucas... I know how you feel about me. If I had stayed... I would of married you. But please, get over me. Find your fated mate and be happy. I loved you too, my friend. I wish you the best and happiness.

He nodded, tears filling his eyes again. He took a step back and joined his mother farther away after he whispered to her " I could never get over you, red..."

As Annie approached the King, she looked back and waved to her family and the pack. The wind carried her goodbye, but in her expression, they could see the pain etched on her face. It was like her heart had been broken, and as she walked away, it felt as if she left a piece of herself behind, dancing in the wind, moving into the unknown of her future.

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Annie: I can't believe you would look everywhere for the "Love of your life" but you didn't bring a car!

King: I have a car, but it's farther from here! It was faster this way!

Annie: It is not! I don't walk 100 miles per minute! Are you crazy?

King: It is! If you were a wolf, we would just have to run!

Annie: Oh, yeah sure, my beloved king. I'll run 150 kilometers for you.

King: Stop with the sarcasm and walk! You're the one who refused me to take you in my arms as we run back to the damn car!

Annie: I don't want to be a potato sack! I'm not a toy! I can't run for centuries and so are you. Seriously the audacity of that man...

King: What did you say? Hey! Stop running! Come back here!

Annie: I'll talk to you when we get in the car!

Thion: Oh boy...