Chapter 115

Chapter 115
WINTER

“I like that,” Valtor said, his voice edged with unmistakable amusement.

He hadn’t stopped smiling since we left the castle. It was probably a good thing he’d ordered the guards to stay behind tonight—otherwise, they would be utterly baffled by the sight of their King strolling through the night with a grin he couldn’t seem to wipe away.

“What?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“When you get jealous like that. When you don’t even bother to hide it. Your face turns red, and you let out those small, grumpy little growls at them.” His smile widened. “It’s cute. My wolf likes it.”

“What?” I repeated, my steps faltering.

Did I really growl at Rosentine and the others earlier?

The realization hit me all at once. I’d been so irritated, so wound tight with possessiveness, that I must have done it without even realizing. 

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

I’d thought I looked dignified, intimidating, even. Rosentine’s expression had certainly suggested as much. 

But if I’d been growling like an overprotective pup, what if I’d just looked… ridiculous?

I stopped walking and stared at Valtor, not bothering to hide my frown. A flicker of annoyance flared inside me—at him. Why hadn’t he stopped me? He knew Freya and the twins were always searching for ways to provoke me. And with a single word from him, Rosentine and Freya would have gone silent instantly.

“I stayed quiet on purpose,” he said, reading me far too easily. “I wanted to hear what you’d say. I didn’t expect you to show that much fire just so you could be alone with me.”

The pleasure in his voice only deepened my irritation.

We’d walked far from the castle by then, into an open clearing ringed by trees. Above us, the night sky stretched wide and endless, stars scattered like silver dust. I stopped again, and this time he followed without question.

I didn’t speak.

Valtor reached out, his hand warm as it settled on my shoulder. Gently, he turned me until I was facing him.

“Are you angry?” he asked softly. “Say something, little wife. If Rosentine and her twin bother you that much, I can chase them away.”

“No.” I shook my head and stepped closer. “If you do that, they’ll think they succeeded in making me feel insecure.”

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze. “I don’t feel threatened by those two women who openly offer themselves to my mate.” My voice steadied as I closed the remaining distance between us. “Because I know my mate will always choose me.”

I slid my arms around his neck and rose onto my tiptoes, close enough to feel his breath against my skin.

“Say it, Valtor,” I murmured. “You’ll always choose me over them, right?” My voice softened, edged with something dangerously close to desperation. “Did you ever like them before you met me?”

I wanted a real answer. A serious one.

Instead, his laughter broke the quiet night.

His hands came to my waist, firm and possessive, pulling me flush against him. “Why would you think that?”

“Because I know they’ve always been trying to seduce you!” 

Jealousy flared hot and sharp, my words slipping into a half-snarl.

“Really?” he said lightly. “I never noticed.” His tone shifted, lowering. “They were invisible to me, Insignificant. They never existed in my world.”

He leaned down and kissed me briefly. “Unlike you. The moment you stepped into my life, everything else faded. There was only you.” Another kiss, softer. “My mate. My wife.”

“Really?” I asked, even though my heart was already racing. I wanted to hear it again. I wanted to hear it always.

He chuckled, his lips brushing my ear. “Did we come out here for a walk, or to convince you of how you make me feel? How my wolf practically drooled over your scent? how my cock got hard at the sight of you every time?” His voice slid warm and dangerous along my skin. “Do you have any idea how tortured I would’ve been if I hadn’t ended up having you?”

Then, without warning, his tongue traced the curve of my ear.

I nearly jumped.

His touch sent heat rushing through me, my knees weakening as his lips followed my jaw, my neck. The fire blooming low in my body was uncontrollable.

I had to stop him.

“W-walk,” I breathed, pressing my hands against his chest. “We’re here to walk, Valtor.”

“Just a little."

“No. Not here.” I pulled away, forcing distance between us.

He did as well, frustration flickering briefly across his face. But at least he didn’t push,. Instead, he gave me room to breathe even as my body still trembled from his touch. He tipped his head back, gazing up at the sky where the clouds parted, revealing the silver glow of the moon.

“I think we should let our wolves take control tonight,” he said.

“Yeah,” I agreed, nodding.

I just realized how perfect the weather is tonight. And suddenly, I realized we’d never truly let our wolves run together. 

I shifted first, surrendering to Khione as she surged forward. My body reshaped itself into soft, pale-gray fur that shimmered faintly under the moon, my senses sharpening as I took in the clearing. When I lifted my head, my mate was still watching me.

His eyes burned with awe and desire.