BLOOD MOON LYCAN QUEEN

CHAPTER 8 - SAYING GOODBYE - RAELYNN'S POV

The first thing I registered upon waking up, was that I wasn't in my own bed, but then I remembered I had spent the night with my mate, that still took some time to wrap my head around. The second thing I registered was the fact that I was alone, tangled in sheets that smelled overwhelmingly of Caspian.

A soft, frustrated groan escaped my lips as I untangled myself. Caspian's personal suite within the castle, was bathed in the early morning light filtering past the heavy velvet drapes. I stretched and cringed a little from the pain between my legs, but thankfully, it didn't hurt as much as yesterday. I couldn't wait to fully heal.

''Me too, so we can sleep with mate again!'' Zhi said sleepily, before curling up again.

''Why do you think he's immune to silver?'' I asked her as I sat up and ruffled my hair, ''I wonder if we can build up an immunity too.''

Slipping silently out of the bed, I walked down the hallway, following the smells of breakfast, frying bacon, strong, dark coffee, and to my delight, blueberry muffins.

I rounded the corner of the formal dining area, ready to flash Caspian a sleepy smile, when my confidence evaporated entirely.

He wasn’t alone.

Caspian was seated at a mahogany table, a steaming mug cradled between his hands, looking utterly perfect in a loose black woolen robe that enhanced his broad shoulders. Across from him, already deep into a bowl of fruit and toast, sat Dorian, Caspian's Beta and for some reason, they'd been talking via the link instead of out loud, so I didn't hear he was visiting.

They paused their conversation the instant I entered the room and looked at me.

My cheeks flushed scarlet, the heat rising all the way to my ears. Caspian's shirt, which had felt perfectly fine two minutes ago, suddenly felt like a scandalous, transparent handkerchief. I became acutely aware of the length of my bare legs and the way the fabric was unbuttoned around my chest, which I quickly started to do up, before yanking frantically at the hem of the shirt, trying to pull the fabric down to cover my knees. It was a completely futile gesture, and the movement only drew more attention to my predicament.

Caspian's expression changed with terrifying speed. The soft, sleepy look of a moment earlier was replaced by something dark, intense, and possessive. His light gray eyes darkened to the color of storm clouds rolling in, and he growled, causing Dorian to look away.

Caspian moved before I could even stutter out a greeting. He launched himself out of his chair with such force that the wood scraped loudly against the floor, and he crossed the distance between the table and me in two long, powerful strides.

''Raylynn, put my robe on!'' Caspian ordered, his tone harsh and vibrating with a primal authority that made my knees lock up.

Before I could react, he had ripped off his heavy robe and pulled it quickly over me and tied it tightly closed at my waist. The scent of him was instantly overwhelming, a dizzying mix of dominance and comfort.

He then grabbed my chin and tilted my head up, so I was looking into his eyes, ''You are mine now, so don't ever come out half naked in front of other men like this again,'' He commanded, his voice low and dangerous, though his hands were surprisingly gentle as he straightened the collar around my neck, and I looked down. The command wasn’t for me, I realized, glancing swiftly at the deeply uncomfortable Dorian, who was suddenly intensely fascinated by a flower on the table. The command was for the room, a clear statement of ownership and protection directed at his Beta.

''I'm sorry,'' I whispered, my voice thick with embarrassment. ''I truly didn't know anyone else was here.''

Caspian simply looked down at me, his gaze softening marginally, though the possessiveness never left his eyes. He lifted a hand and gently pushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

''Come eat,'' Was all he said in response, turning my body toward the table and applying a firm pressure to my lower back as he guided me toward the empty seat beside him.

I shuffled awkwardly to the chair he pulled out for me, and Dorian finally managed to lift his eyes, offering me a polite, strained smile.

''Good morning, Luna,'' Dorian greeted me as I sat down. His demeanor was polite, deferential, and utterly professional.

''Hello,'' I replied, feeling a little more grounded now that I was covered. I instinctively wanted to smooth over the formality. ''You can call me Raelynn, or Rae.''

Caspian, who was now back at his own seat gathering a plate, turned towards me immediately.

''No he can't,'' Caspian told me, and continued putting an array of food onto my plate, scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, thick slices of toasted sourdough, and a small pile of glistening fruit and the muffin I'd been smelling. ''Eat.''

I frowned slightly at the mountain of perfectly prepared breakfast presented before me as I picked up my fork. Caspian served me a cup of coffee exactly the way I liked it, dark, a splash of milk, no sugar.

I pushed a piece of fruit around, the question burning in my mind.

''What's wrong?'' My mate asked, sounding slightly irritated, but mostly concerned by my pause, as he reached for his own lukewarm coffee.

I looked up at him, genuine surprise overwhelming my lingering embarrassment.

''These are all my favorites,'' I whispered, touching the perfectly fried bacon. ''The specific sourdough bread I love, the way you prepared my coffee, even this muffin. How did you know?'' I hadn't mentioned my favorite breakfast foods to him.

Caspian looked utterly unfazed. He reached across the table and buttered a piece of toast and bit into it.

''It's my job to know,'' Caspian told me, his lips twitching faintly upward in a smile that was all arrogance and tenderness woven together. He spoke the words as if they were the most obvious truth in the world.

As I took my first bite, savoring the warmth and the shocking familiarity of the flavors, I noticed Dorian give Caspian a strange look. It was fleeting, a quick lift of the eyebrows and a subtle tightening around the Beta's mouth, a look I couldn't quite decipher the meaning of. Was it guilt? Or perhaps the look of a man who just discovered his Alpha was capable of far more domestic thoughtfulness than his usual rough exterior suggested?

The rest of the meal proceeded smoothly. Dorian, clearly understanding that I was meant to have time with my mate, kept his conversation focused strictly on Pack business, ensuring I felt included in the professional atmosphere without requiring me to contribute. Caspian, meanwhile, kept my coffee cup full and occasionally reached out to gently rub the back of my hand, a silent apology for his earlier harshness, confirming that his anger had been protective, not punitive.

The thick silk robe kept me cozy and secure, and the embarrassment slowly melted away, replaced by the deep, warm satisfaction of knowing my Alpha was utterly devoted.

Once the plates were cleared, I sighed contentedly, leaning back in the chair rubbing my stomach.

''Thank you, for breakfast. That was incredible,'' I said. Thought I was worried I'd get fat if he kept feeding me like that.

He simply nodded, acknowledging the praise without fanfare. ''Ready for the rest of the day?''

''I am,'' I confirmed, pushing the robe off my shoulders slightly, preparing to stand. ''I thought I would spend the morning with Jodi. I'm really going to miss her.''

Caspian stood up, circling the table to stand behind my chair. He placed his warm hands on my shoulders, squeezing them lightly. Dorian, meanwhile, quietly gathered his notebooks, preparing for his exit.

''That sounds good, and your friend can visit,'' Caspian murmured, leaning down slightly, so his breath tickled my ear. ''Don't wander too far from the castle, and stay with your guard, he'll let you know when we're ready to leave.''

''Do you know what time we'll go?''

His eyes met mine, a flicker of excitement running through them. ''We're leaving right after lunch. We have a meeting and I want you ready at the carriage by the time I arrive.''

My heart gave a sudden, excited leap. Travel with him to go to my new home, felt like a significant step.

''Understood. I'll make sure to settle up with Jodie quickly, then,'' I promised. ''I'll be ready.''

He lowered his head and pressed a firm kiss to the crown of my head, a gesture of approval and possessiveness that was becoming wonderfully familiar. ''Good. Don’t be late. And stay away from Dane.''

''I will.'' I said as I moved back, ''Goodbye.'' I waved to the men, before sneaking away.

Once I was back in the bedroom, I changed into my own clothes, and slipped back into the hidden passage and continued back to my soon-to-be old home to dress.

The morning sun, already high and unapologetic, streamed through the arched windows of my old bedrooms. It was a beautiful day, the kind that usually promised a fun day at the lake, but I'd promised not to go far from the castle.

A knot tightened in my stomach when I saw Jodie door. I was going to leave her here all alone and break her heart, even as mine soared with a dizzying, unprecedented happiness.

Caspian. The name, even whispered in my head, felt like a secret melody. It was odd, but I felt like I'd known him for years, perhaps because of my dreams. Wait. Was that one of my powers? Could I have visions? Was it our future I was dreaming about?

Jodie's door was ajar, she never closed it, not even at night. Her suite was small but cozy, and the air inside hummed with her unique blend of lavender incense and the faint, sweet scent of whatever obscure herbal concoction she was currently brewing.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" I announced, pushing the door open fully and stepping over a pile of knitting yarn.

A muffled groan came from beneath a mountain of blankets on her bed. "Five more minutes.''

''No, get up and come spend the morning with me.''

''No, it's my day off, I'm sleeping in!''

I grinned, walking over and perching on the edge of her bed, which immediately sank precariously under my weight. "Oh, is that so? And what if I offer to buy you a coffee and bagel and take you to the training fields to spy on a certain crush you have who I know for a fact is training today?''

Jodi emerged, bleary-eyed and disheveled, her usually vibrant curls a tangled mess around her face. She blinked at me, a lazy smile spreading across her lips.

''Really?''

''Really.'' I repeated.

''I'll be ready in five minutes,'' She said, shoving her blankets aside and leaping from the bed.

''I'll get the coffee and meet you there.''

''Deal!'' She shouted from the bathroom.

I went to the dining hall to collect what was promised, noticing a new guard following me around today, who tilted his head in a bow as I passed him, before waiting at beginning of the path that led to the training ground.

Within minutes, Jodi was transformed from a sleepy mess into her usual vibrant self, albeit with a slight edge of breathless anticipation.

''Thanks,'' She said happily, as she took the coffee and bagel I held up, but I noticed the guard give Jodie a strange look for some reason. Did he think it was beneath a Luna, a Queen to buy things for a friend?

Jodie happily drank her coffee as we walked.

The path to the training fields was a familiar one, winding through manicured gardens and past bustling workshops. We walked in comfortable silence for a while, our shoulders occasionally bumping. It was sweet, comforting, and agonizingly difficult to think about leaving behind.

''Why is that man following us?'' She linked me, and peeked over her shoulder.

''Oh,'' I responded, ''I'll explain later. Don't worry though, he's not going hurt us, it's the opposite, actually. He'll protect us.''

''Why? Isn't he from King Caspian's country?''

''I'll explain everything later,'' I repeated, and she shrugged.

I tried to find the right words, tried to rehearse a speech in my head, but I didn't know how to tell her I was going and not just leaving, but right after lunch.

The training fields were a symphony of organized chaos. Swords clashed, Lycan's attacked one another, and the rhythmic thud of feet hitting the ground filled the air. Young trainees, older guards, seasoned instructors, they all moved with purpose and power, their bodies a testament to years of dedication. And there, amidst the flurry of activity, was Rhys.

He commanded a small group of recruits, his voice a low rumble as he demonstrated a complex defensive maneuver. Sunlight glinted off his dark hair, and the muscles in his arms rippled as he moved with effortless grace. He was truly a sight to behold, and Jodi, beside me, let out a soft, appreciative sigh.

"Oh, he's even more magnificent today," She whispered, already pulling me towards our preferred observation spot behind a cluster of dense, fragrant jasmine bushes. It offered a perfect, unobstructed view without making us too obvious.

We settled down, and Jodie immediately went into full-on perv-mode. She narrated Rhys's every move, her voice a hushed, reverent commentary.

"Look at that form... Pure poetry in motion." She gushed with desire, "Did you see that slight flex when he lifted his arm? Just… perfection. Oh, he smiled! He actually smiled! I wonder what they said to make him smile like that. Probably something about how amazing he is. Goddess, his sweat smells like victory and pine trees, I just know it."

I grinned, letting her run wild. Her infatuation with Rhys was enduring, endearing, and utterly hilarious. It was a running joke between us, a source of endless amusement and a comforting anchor in our daily lives. I watched her, her eyes sparkling, a dreamy smile playing on her lips, and the knot in my stomach tightened further. This was our normal.

I let her enjoy her Rhys-watching for a good thirty minutes, savoring these last moments of uncomplicated friendship. She was so absorbed she didn't even notice the small tremor in my hands. Finally, Rhys dismissed his group, gave a polite nod to an instructor, and headed towards the training grounds bathroom to shower and change.

Jodie slumped, a dramatic sigh escaping her. "And just like that, the sunshine leaves the sky. What a brutal existence." She leaned back against the jasmine bush, finally turning her full attention to me.

''Can you name a better looking man?''

''Caspian.'' I said without thinking, and Jodie looked worried, as she sat up straight and glanced at Caspian's guard who smiled and looked at his feet.

''Are you crazy, don't call the King by his name,'' She grabbed my arm, ''You'll get in trouble again.''

This was it. No more stalling.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Jodie," I started, my voice a little hoarse. "I... I have something really important to tell you. Something big."

Her brow furrowed, a flicker of concern replacing the usual mischief in her eyes. "Oh, no. What did you do now?''

"No, nothing like that," I cut in, a small, nervous laugh escaping me. "It's… it's about Caspian. I... I won't get in trouble using his name because.." I lowered my voice more, ''Because he's my mate.''

Her eyes widened slightly. "King Caspian? Are you serious?''

''Yes,'' I said again, feeling a blush creep up my neck. "We found out the night of my birthday and we… Slept together.''

The words hung in the air, heavy and significant. Jodie stared at me, her mouth slightly agape. For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the distant clang of metal from the fields. Then, a slow smile bloomed on her face.

"You… you are?" She whispered, her voice full of awe. "That's… that's incredible! Oh my Goddess, tell me everything!''

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and a relieved laugh bubbled up from me. "It was… a little dramatic,'' I told her, before spilling everything about Mason and Dane drugging me. I didn't however, disclose the part about being a Blood Moon Lycan, for some reason, that seemed even more personal than being mated. Plus, I didn't really understand it myself so I couldn't explain it properly.

When I finished recounting my story, she threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "Oh, Rae, that's wonderful! I'm so, so happy for you!" She pulled back, her eyes shining with genuine joy. "I mean... I am a little worried though, you've heard the rumors about him. What if he hurts you?''

''He won't. I know he wont.''

She still looked troubled but she finally nodded, ''If you trust him than I do, but...'' She paused and her I saw pain in her eyes, ''Wait, that means you're going to leave with him.''

I took her hands in mine, trying to convey the enormity of what I was about to say with my touch. "Caspian's leaving today. After lunch. So, naturally I'll go with him.''

The joy in her eyes vanished, replaced by a deep, gut-wrenching pain. Her hands went limp in mine. Her mouth, which had been so full of celebratory plans moments before, now trembled slightly. The vibrant color seemed to drain from her face, leaving her pale.

"Leaving?" She repeated, the single word barely a whisper, as if my announcement had stolen her breath. "Today? After lunch?"

I nodded, unable to meet her gaze for a moment, my own throat tightening. "Yes. We… we have to go. He's a King, he can't stay here with me. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but with him."

She pulled her hands away, slowly, almost unconsciously. Her eyes were wide, staring at me, but I could see the sudden, overwhelming rush of emotion flooding them. It wasn't anger, not resentment, and not even sadness about my mate. It was something far more profound, far more personal. It was heartbreak.

"Rae," She said, her voice cracking. "But… but what about us?" She gestured vaguely between us, a desperate, lost look on her face. "What about our mornings? Our walks to the fields? Our late-night talks about Rhys's glorious thighs? Our disastrous attempts at baking that one time? My horrible mushroom stew that you always pretend to like, but secretly hate? You're my only family."

Tears welled in her eyes, big, crystalline drops that tracked paths down her cheeks. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces at the sight of her tears, her heartbroken face. I reached out, pulling her into my arms, holding her tight as she buried her face in my shoulder, her sobs shaking her entire frame.

"Oh, Jodie," I murmured, stroking her hair. "You're my family too. I'm just... I have to be with him. But.. Why not come with us?''

''Really?'' She asked, as she leaned back.

''I'm Queen aren't I? I can invite Lycan's to live in city.''

"But... No, My place is here.'' She said, ''At least for now, and you need to settle in and learn how to rule. I'll be a distraction.''

''You have to write me letters, and send it by messenger hawk, every week.'' I ordered, ''And you have to visit.''

''You can visit too.''

''I can't come back here.'' I told her, ''Not with the King wanting me to be mated to his son.''

''But why though?'' She commented, ''I don't get it. Why go to all that trouble to drug you?''

''It doesn't matter right now,'' I answered, hating that I was lying to her again, ''What matters is, when I leave there is no coming back. You'll have to visit me.''

"I will, I promise," She said, wiping a tear from her cheek.

I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. ''I'm also going to miss you like crazy, Jodie. Every single day."

She leaned her head against my shoulder again, a comforting weight. ''Me too. Just don't turn into a snobby Queen.''

A water giggled escaped my lips, ''I'll do my best.'' I promised, pressing a kiss to her head. The knot in my stomach had loosened, replaced by a familiar warmth, a reassurance that some bonds, forged in laughter and shared moments, could withstand any distance.

The conversation had been hard, but the truth, even accompanied by tears, had solidified a different kind of love. And as I looked out at the bustling training fields, I knew that even as I stepped into a new future, my heart would always hold a special, jasmine-scented corner for my best friend, the girl who loved me despite my leaving.