bChapter /bb193 /b

    ra’s POV

    “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

    ra’s voice dropped, low and steady. She locked eyes with him. “You’re going to do exactly what I say, right?”

    His breath hitched, the tension between them palpable. His gaze never wavered.

    “Yes,” he muttered, his lips dangerously close to hers, “Anything.”

    “Well, then…”

    She slid a hand across his chest, her fingers brushing against his racing heartbeat.

    “I want us to go into the packhouse now. Upstairs. To our rooms. Get into bed, and go to sleep.”

    He stood still, rooted to the spot, disbelief written all over his face.

    ra couldn’t hold it in. Augh bubbled up and escaped. His expression priceless.

    “It’s not fair!” he argued, his voice thick with frustration. “I want control back!”

    “Too bad,” ra grinned, her eyes sparkling. “You already handed it over. I’m in charge now. And right now, I’m telling you to go to bed like a good boy.”

    He stared at her, eyes narrowing.

    “When was thest time he made youugh like that?” His voice was quiet, almost too serious.

    Her smile froze. It was an unexpected blow.

    “…There were good times,i” /ishe murmured, her voice faltering just a bit.

    “Lying to yourself again,” he said, his tone soft but firm. “You know it’s the truth. He’s never done anything but hurt you.”

    Silence hung heavy between them.

    “They say all women love men who make themugh. But they end up with the ones who make them cry. Is that your story too, ra?”

    She breathed in deeply, forcing a smile. “What’s that supposed to mean? That’s nonsense.”

    “Good,” he replied, his hands suddenly cupping her face, making her look up at him. “Then stop giving him the chance to hurt you. I’ll be here. I’ll protect

    you.”

    She avoided his gaze, looking away. “It’ste, Dorian. Let’s just… let’s call it a night.”

    “Fine,” he said, his voice a low growl as he released her. “Go ahead. I’ll stay out here a while longer.”

    ra nodded and walked towards the packhouse, her body exhausted but her mind buzzing. Thoughts raced through her head–so much had happened today. Cael and Vessa’s wedding, the thieves, Lord Roy and Lady Prince, the Lycan’s wolf, Thorne…

    Her room was just down the hall, but she wasn’t ready to rest yet.

    She stepped outside instead, pushing open the ss door to the terrace. The night was still, the sky dotted with thousands of stars and a glowing bfull /b

    moon.

    Dorian had been right about one thing–she should be enjoying this nightb, /bthe peaceful solitude, with someone who made herugh.

    1129 bWed/bb, /b20A P

    bBut /btonight, she didn’t want to be with a Lycan. Not after everything that had happened, especially with his wolf.

    bA /bfaint creak broke the silence below.

    She leaned against the railing and peered down.

    The garden below was quiet, save for a swing swaying in the night. Someone was sitting in it.

    “…Thome!” She couldn’t help herself. She called out to him, the name slipping from her lips before she could stop it.

    The figure on the swing froze, looking up at her. The moonlight caught his surprised expression.

    “ra!” he said, his voice a mix of shock and confusion. “What are you…?”

    She felt yful suddenly. “Catch me!” she shouted, before climbing over the handrail.

    She didn’t even wait for him to react, falling into the air.

    A strong pair of arms caught her just before she hit the ground.

    Her heart raced, the thrill of the fall making herugh.

    “That’s six floors up!” Thorne snapped, his voice sharp, almost reprimanding.

    “Yes, but you caught me.” She grinned, her eyes twinkling.

    He tightened his hold around her waist. “It’s still way too dangerous-”

    She broke free from his arms, a mischievous smile on her face. “Why are you so boring, Thorne? Live a little. I’m going.”

    She turned ito /istorm off, but her heart skipped when he grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

    “Don’t go.” His voice was strained, low. “Stay… just a little longer. I’ll push you on the swing.”

    The gentleness in his tone caught her by surprise. She smiled, her resistance fading.

    Without a word, she moved to the swing, sitting down. He stepped behind her, his hands on her back as he gave a soft push. The swing creaked, the

    sound mingling with the still night.

    They were quiet for a long moment, the air between them thick with unspoken things.

    Finally, Thorne broke the silence. “…We had one just like this in Direstone Pack. Under the palm tree in the front yard.”

    ra’s voice was soft, reflective. “Yeah, I asked the servants to build one after I became Luna.”

    “What about this one?” His voice was curious, but there was an underlying sadness there too.

    “I had it built after returned to Blood Moon Pack.” She paused, looking up at the full moon, a sigh slipping out. “When I was your Luna, I’d sit here and wait for you. I wanted to talk after your long days in the council chamber, but you were always in a rush. No time for me… not even to sit on the swing.”

    y it.

    Her words hung in the air. She didn’t know if she wanted him to respond or if she just needed to say it

    “When I came back here, I had Cael build this swing for me. This time, I had people to hang out with. Maids, soldiers, friends… I wasn’t balone /bbany /b

    He didn’t respond for what felt like ages.

    Then he said, his voice quiet, almost defeated, “…I’m losing, aren’t I?”

    Her breath caught. She stopped the swing with one foot, and turned to look at him. “What do you meanb?/b”

    Chapter b193/bb. /b

    b“/bThis… this fight with Dorian… I’m losing,” he said, his face shadowed with sadness. “bI /bsaw the way you looked at him earlierb. /bbYou’re /bdrawn to Him. He makes youugh… and everyone seems to like him more than me.”

    ra’s heart twisted.

    Thorne was never this vulnerable. He was always so confident, so in control. And now he wasying it all out.

    “I don’t know what to say.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

    Thorne’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. “I thought we were meant to be. We’ve been through so much, but now it feels like… like all our memories together are tainted. Full of sorrow and pain. I want to be the one you choose, but I’m not sure anymore.”

    His words stung. She should be happy. After everything, he was finally scared of losing her. But why didn’t it feel like the victory she thought bit /bwould?

    “Are you giving up already?” She stood up from the swing, her voice hard, anger shing.

    “We’ve been back here for one day. The fight with Dorian has barely started, and you’re ready to walk away? If that’s your idea of fighting for me, you might as well leave tonight. Don’t insult me like this.”

    She turned to storm off again, but he moved quickly, grabbing her, pulling her into his chest.

    His heart was pounding in her ears as he pressed her face against his chest, his breath shaky.

    “I’m not giving up,” he murmured, his voice tight with emotion. “I’ll never give up. Not for a million years.”

    “Then why were you acting like that?” she asked, her voice trembling.

    “I was just scared,” he admitted with a quietugh. “I’ve never been so afraid of losing someone. The thought of losing you to Dorian… it kept me up at night.”

    ra let out a shaky breath, closing her eyes.

    “What do you want me to do?”

    He cupped her face gently, lifting it so she had ino /iichoice /ibut to look at him.

    “Tell me I’m not out of the picture yeti,/ii” /ihe said, his voice hoarse, “and don’t go giving him extra credit for tonight.”

    “That’s cheating,” she whispered, trying to smile.

    “I know.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “But I know the referee personally. So what do you think? Will the referee help me cheat?”

    AD