VALERIA

"Baby, are you uncomfortable? Does your belly hurt?"

"No, I'm just a little tired. I haven’t slept well, worried about you guys," I murmured, stroking the furry chest of the massive black lycan carrying me effortlessly through the woods.

He lowered his enormous head, pressing his wolfish nose against my neck, tickling me as he inhaled deeply.

I pinched his pointed ears lightly, my heart settling because he was by my side.

Aldric kept moving, carrying me with him. Ever since he came back, he had been in full obsessive mode, and I wasn’t complaining.

We had stopped to rest several times in the wild, and by dawn, we were nearing the lycan camp.

I saw the large tents set up outside a cemetery, and in the distance, the intimidating, dark castle filled with my worst memories.

"Your Majesty, we’ve been waiting for you. How is the Queen?" Beof approached with several wolves to receive us.

By force, I had gotten used to being called the one in charge.

"I'm fine, Beof, thank you," I ans