Chapter 125 Chapter-125

Chapter 125 Chapter-125
Raven POV

The drive was a blur of freezing wind and adrenaline. I wrapped my arms tightly around Zayne's waist, burying my face against his back and breathing in the addictive scent of his Lycan musk. The farther we got from civilization, the lighter my chest felt.

Eventually, we left the main highway and sped down a winding mountain road. The trees grew thicker, and darkness closed in around us, illuminated only by moonlight.

After nearly forty minutes, Zayne slowed the motorcycle and pulled into a secluded clearing.

I climbed off the bike and removed my helmet.

A crystal-clear lake stretched before us, surrounded by trees and jagged mountain slopes. The bright moon reflected perfectly across the still water. A cool breeze swept across the shoreline, peaceful and lonely all at once.

Of course. Zayne and his obsession with lakes. He removed his helmet and jacket, setting them aside while I wandered toward the bank. I lowered myself onto the edge and let my feet skim the cold water.

A moment later, Zayne sat beside me. For a while, neither of us spoke. I stared out at the lake while he sat quietly beside me.

After a moment, I breathed, "Zayne, it's beautiful."

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he looked out over the water. "I found it when I was five," he said quietly, and the softness in his voice made me turn toward him. My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You did?" He nodded and reached over, taking my hand in his.

"Ran away from training all the time when I was a kid." He pointed toward an old tree standing near the shoreline. "Used to sleep on that branch. It was peaceful."

I followed his gaze and smiled. "Sounds like you."

A low chuckle left him. "It does, doesn't it? But there was always an ass-whipping waiting for me when I got home."

"So the terrifying Lycan King was a troublemaker."

He scratched the back of his neck and glanced toward the tree again.

"That was years ago," he said. "These days, I'm the calmest person in the entire territory." 

I rolled my eyes, immediately remembering his fight with Magnus. Calm was not the word I would have used. 

"But it was worth it," he said quietly.

"This place..." His gaze drifted across the lake. "It saved me. More than once."
I turned toward him. For once, he didn't look like the confident king everyone knew. He looked like the kid who used to hide at this lake whenever the weight of the world became too much.
"You brought me to your sanctuary," I said softly, still looking out over the water.

His thumb brushed slowly against my palm as he held my hand.

"I wanted to share it with someone who matters," he said, his voice low and steady.

My heart squeezed unexpectedly. I wasn't used to being someone's important person. Suddenly, the water seemed much easier to look at than him.