Chapter 158 Chapter 157
Morvan returned from the market after bringing the boy back to his mother, but not before delivering a hard scolding. He was still stunned by what happened—the human princess stepping in to help the boy like that. He hadn't expected it at all. Usually, people were eager to punish offenders, especially if they learned they were from the weretiger clan. He was glad she stepped in; he was able to save the boy from a more brutal punishment and help his mother too.
He recalled the smile on the mother’s face when her son delivered the medicine. It was moments like that that made his work worth it. As he was crossing the great hall on the ground floor of the palace, a guard rushed to meet him. His body instantly tensed, his eyes narrowing in concern.
"What's wrong?" he asked before the guard had a chance to speak.
"It's the king. He asked us to summon you the moment you returned," the soldier said.
That didn't sound good. He’s going through another rut. Morvan let out a deep breath. He didn't like this one bit. Quickening his steps, he made his way to the king’s chambers, where the snarls and growls grew louder the closer he came. His own tiger inched to the surface, already alert.
He knocked on the door, but when he didn't hear a response, he pushed it open and stepped in. He found the king pacing restlessly, clad in only a loose tunic and breeches, the rest of his robes thrown carelessly on the floor. Taking a moment to steady himself, he inhaled deeply and spoke as calmly as he could.
"Your Majesty, you summoned me."
Xenon turned to him, pulling at his hair and scratching his neck. "Morvan, you're back..." He groaned, tensing and hunching over as if he were about to shift. He gritted his teeth, groaning through it.
"What's wrong?" Morvan asked, stealthily moving closer, careful not to agitate him further.
Xenon clutched at his shirt, suppressing another growl, his knees almost buckling to the ground. In a split second, his fingers transformed into claws but soon reverted, a whimper slipping past his lips.
Morvan watched as the king reached for a handkerchief, stuffing it against his nose and taking in a deep inhale. A bit of the tension radiating off him eased, but he began to salivate.
"I'm not okay..." Xenon finally groaned, collapsing to his knees, sweat pouring from his body like rain.
"Is it the wolf? Are you going into another rut?" Mavron’s pulse race as he spoke, heart pounding.
"No..." Xenon groaned, wiping the sweat from his brow and scratching himself in the process. "It's both."
"Both?!"
Xenon nodded. "I used the suppressants. They're not working. I'm craving something else. Someone." He let out a pained howl, clearly trying to resist a shift.
Morvan's ears perked up. "Who? Who is it?!"
"Rayena."
Morvan stiffened. "Rayena? The human princess?!"
"Yes. I want to see her. I need to see her."
She should be back from the market by now. "I’ll summon her!" Mavron blurted, already bolting for the door.
"Wait! Not like this! She can’t see me like this!" Xenon shouted after him.
Morvan skidded to a halt. "W-what do you mean?"
"Don’t tell her the king called for her. Bring her here another way."
"And how am I supposed to do that?"
Xenon thought hard. "A tour. Tell her you want to give her a tour of the palace. Hurry!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Mavron answered, racing out of the chambers.
.
.
.
Rayena was in her room, arranging the things she had bought when an urgent knock rapped at her door. Heart skipping, she hurried to the door and pulled it open—only to find Morvan standing there, his broad frame filling the doorway, his expression grim.
General Morvan!" she gasped, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of his hardened gaze. "What’s the matter?"
"I came here to summon you," he stated in a curt voice that brooked no argument.
"W-why?" Rayena stammered, her grip tightening on the door handle.
"To give you a tour of the main palace. Come with me, please," he said, walking ahead.
Rayena stood frozen in the doorway, breath caught, torn between confusion and unease. A tour of the main palace?!
Why her?