Chapter 4 I am not a Lady
"Thank you for saving my life," Freya said sincerely.
He gave her the faintest nod.
"Eat and rest," he said quietly.
Without another word, he turned and left, closing the door gently behind him.
But as he walked down the dark corridor, his thoughts refused to settle.
A wolfless mate.
Will the kingdom accept a wolfless queen?
A short while later, he stood in his brother's chamber, explaining the entire situation to him.
"And she's wolfless," Caspian said. "But she's clearly been trained. She held her ground longer than most warriors would."
"So you're saying your mate has no wolf?" Kaelen whispered.
"That is what I am saying, brother."
Kaelen exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "But wait. Do you believe her story?"
"I need you to help me verify it. Send scouts to Pine Ridge. Discreetly. I want confirmation of her existence… and of the man who tried to sell her."
"Understood. And the rogues?"
"Track them," he said. "If they're operating in that region, I want to know if they are the same ones we have been tracking. I have a feeling this is connected to the recent attacks on our borders."
Kaelen nodded once. "As you wish."
Before either of them could speak again, a sharp knock sounded at the door.
Both men turned.
"Enter," Kaelen said.
The door opened and a scout stepped inside, his expression tense.
"Sire," he said urgently. "The rogues have been spotted again in Ashville."
The King's expression tensed.
....
The next day, in the King's chambers.
She had been standing by the tall window for what felt like hours, staring out at the palace grounds below.
Everything had changed so quickly.
Only yesterday, she had been running for her life through a storm. Now she was safely in the lycan place.
The thought still felt unreal.
A soft knock at the door made Freya jump.
"May I come in?" a gentle voice called from the other side.
Before Freya could answer, the door opened.
A young woman stepped inside carrying a woven basket.
She looked to be around Freya's age, with long red hair braided over one shoulder and bright green eyes. A warm smile spread across her face as she entered.
Eleanor followed close behind. "You look better today Freya." Eleanor said cheerfully.
"I feel much better, thank you."
The young woman laughed softly. "So this is the mysterious guest everyone keeps whispering about."
Freya shifted uncomfortably. The girl immediately seemed to realize her mistake.
"Oh, forgive me." She placed the basket on a nearby table and curtsied. "My name is Iris."
Eleanor rolled her eyes.
"And she is incapable of minding her own business."
"I'm sorry," Iris replied with a grin.
Despite everything, Freya felt the corner of her mouth twitch.
"We're taking you to your new room," Eleanor said.
Freya's smile widened. "My new room? I thought I was leaving the palace."
Eleanor and Iris exchanged a glance.
"The king has ordered otherwise," Eleanor said gently.
Freya stared at her. "What do you mean?"
"It means you're staying at the palace for now."
Freya's stomach tightened.
"For how long?"
"His Majesty didn't say."
A dozen questions raced through Freya's mind.
"I'm not a prisoner, am I?" she asked quietly.
"Of course not, honey," Eleanor replied with a reassuring smile. "The king simply believes you will be safer here."
A small smile touched Freya's lips.
"The king is very generous. Truthfully, I didn't have anywhere else to go."
Eleanor smiled warmly and slipped her arm through Freya's.
"Come," she said. "Let's get you settled."
With Iris following close behind, they left the King's chambers and moved deep into the palace's eastern wing. This part of the castle felt strictly private and grand. Thick carpets lined the hallways, and silver lanterns cast a warm, glow across the stone walls.
They stopped before a heavy oak door. Carved into the wood was the intricate lycan crest: two wolves standing side by side beneath a crown.
"This is your chamber," Eleanor announced.
Freya blinked. "My chamber? Will I be staying in the same wing as the king?"
She had assumed they were taking her to the servants' quarters. Or perhaps a small guest room tucked away in some forgotten corner of the palace. Not this.
Eleanor pushed the door open. "Go on."
Freya stepped inside slowly, her eyes widening.
The room was warm and filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers.
A small fire crackled in the fireplace to her left. Large windows overlooked the mountains, and beyond them was a quiet balcony. In the center of the room stood a large bed. Rich carpets covered the floor, and polished wooden furniture lined the walls.
Everything was beautiful. Freya turned in a slow circle.
"This... this is my room?" she murmured in disbelief.
Back in Pine Ridge, her bedroom had barely been large enough for a small cot and a wooden chest.
This chamber was larger than her entire home.
"I think there has been some kind of mistake," she said softly. "How long will I be staying here?"
Iris laughed.
"Don't be in a hurry, my Lady," Iris said with a bright smile. "I think the king doesn't want you to leave just yet. I'll be your personal maid. I'll assist you with anything you need."
Freya stared at her. Surely she had misheard.
"My what? Why would I need a maid?"
"It's simply part of being the king's personal guest," Iris said.
Freya shook her head.
"No, there must be some mistake. I am not a Lady. I am nobody, really."
"You are now" Eleanor assured her. "The king has ordered that you be assigned a personal maid."
Freya looked from Eleanor to Iris and back again.
Why was the Lycan King treating her like someone important?
"Where is the king?"
"His Majesty is attending to kingdom matters," Eleanor said, already pulling out robes from the wardrobe. "Let's get you settled ok."
....
Miles away from the palace, Caspian and a few of his men were moving towards the boarder where the rogues had attacked another one of their boarder posts.
They moved quickly through the forest in their Lycan forms. Trees flashed past as they ran. The cold wind rushing through their fur.
Caspian led the group.
His large black Lycan moved faster than the others, his powerful legs covering the ground with ease. Behind him, the other warriors followed closely.
As they neared the border, they could smell something strange.
