g glare made my heart stutter, skipping a beat as if fearful of continuing its rhythm. Every fiber of he

enom. "So, you're the one," she hissed, her tone implying I was so

, her final words struck like a slap: "I'm surprised you're...human."

ard, unsure h

ling the hall. "Princess Larissa, I officially welcome you to our realm

gaze darted to Mary, who stood poised beside Isabel and three other servants, their faces expressionless. Mary

"It is my honor to introduce His Majesty, King N

ze was still on me. His blue eyes commanded at

y," Jerome b

the Lycan realm and Head of our Security Council. Niel, as he prefers

on unreadable. He only acknowledge

nd Chief Diplomat. He facilitates relations with neighboring real

eous smile, and I returned

the King's...mistress." His hesitation was palpable, and his voice dropped to a murmur, "She

mpt still radiating. I sensed a deeper an

e king's

ing even ha

int of possessiveness in his eyes. I don't kno

me of beauty. Even the strongest and most

le and his chancellor. I am his very own personal advis

iant gem that outshines the brightest stars in our realm." His words painted a vi

expected compliment. My heart skipped a beat as I

ound sent a shiver down my spine. I turned toward the source, my gaze meeting King Nicolas's. His eyes fla

ing Nicolas's gaze locked onto Lucian, his expression unreadable. His eyes see

btle amusement, a delicate balance of deference and defiance. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I

ppressive, heavy with unspoken

d dining hall. The tension dissipated slightly as he gestured toward the row of maids, incl

ass. The sooner dinner concluded, the faster I could escape

ng a savory aroma that wafted through the air. My stomach growled audibly, betraying my hunger

"I'm guessing you're famished, Princess Larissa, considering you haven't

Roasted meats, steaming stews, and savory soups seemed to stretch on forever. I wonder

te. Maybe that is why there was so much food, wh

, a massive venison stew, bubbling with tender chunks, a platter of seared steaks, rare and juicy

erved a steaming bowl of fragrant vegetable soup, garnished with f

d on my plate. I can't even finish half of it. I don't think I can re

the first time since I walked into this room. His deep, sultry voice was like a warm

eeming to materialize from the very shadows themselves. He stepped silently into the flickering

ad inclining slightly forward. His gaze remained cast downward,

ycan king said lowly, his vo

fluid and unobtrusive. He reached for a spoon on the table, his fingers closing around it with pr

is expression transformed from serenity to shock. His eyes widened, and his face contort

uckles white with tension. His eyes rolled back, and his knees buc

. His desperate gasps grew fainter, and his body went limp. Lif

back. Lord Niel's grip was like a vice, his fingers digging deep into

ashing with malice. "Looks like someone wants you dea

ike a tidal wave –-