Chapter 6 The king is back

She placed the parchment on the desk and looked at Ruvan.

"A common girl has no place beside the Lycan King."

Ruvan lowered his head. "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

Maravelle's leaned back in her chair.

"Watch her closely. I want to know everything she does. In a few days I will find a way to remove her myself."

In the palace garden...

Selene stood beneath a large tree quietly watching two servants working in the distance.

Her silk gown was gathered tightly in her fists, her expression troubled.

Soft footsteps approached from behind.

Maravelle stopped beside her.

"You've been standing here for quite some time," she said calmly. "What is weighing on your mind?"

Selene quickly let go of her gown and turned to face her.

"Mother," she said, forcing a small smile.

Maravelle studied her for a moment.

"You're worried about Caspian," she said.

Selene lowered her eyes.

"I love him," Selene said. "I've waited. I've done everything you asked. I stayed patient. I stayed loyal. I believed you when you said he would one day be mine."

"He will be yours," Maravelle said calmly. "But you must be patient. Caspian has always been... difficult."

Selene's eyes filled with worry.

"And the girl?"

Maravelle's gaze hardened for just a moment.

"Nobody you should even concern yourself with. Now come let's have lunch."

Then her expression softened into a faint smile.

"Come. Let's have lunch together."

She slipped her arm through Selene's and together, they walked back toward the palace.

At that same moment Caspian arrived and went straight to his quarters. He has to stop himself from entering straight into Freya's room.

At that same moment, Caspian returned to the castle.

Without stopping to speak to anyone, he headed straight for his chambers. As he passed Freya's room, his steps slowed.

Jax stirred restlessly inside him, urging him to go to her.

For a brief moment, Caspian almost turned toward her door.

But he stopped himself.

He had just returned from the border, covered in dirt and sweat. He should at least take a shower.

Taking a slow breath, he forced himself to keep walking.

"I'll see her soon," he murmured, more to Jax than to himself.

Caspian stepped out of his bath with a towel wrapped around his waist. Water still glistened on his perfect well-built body.

His personal maid, Arya, was setting the table for lunch. She placed the last plate down and turned to leave, only to nearly walk straight into him.

She froze.

A deep blush spread across her cheeks.

It was no secret that women across the kingdom admired the Lycan King. Tall, powerful, and impossibly handsome, Caspian rarely failed to leave them flustered.

Arya quickly lowered her eyes.

"Y-Your Majesty," she stammered, bowing respectfully. "Lunch is served."

Caspian glanced at the table.

"Serve my meal in the private dining room. I'll be having lunch with Freya."

Arya looked up in surprise.

"Pardon?"

Caspian raised an eyebrow. "Did I stutter?"

"N-No, Your Majesty." She bowed again. "Right away."

Arya hurried out of the room to prepare another place.

Before she reached the door, Caspian spoke again.

"Inform the Lady that she will be joining me for lunch."

Arya bowed once more. "At once, Your Majesty."

She quickly left the room to carry out his order.

...

Iris rushed into Freya's room, slightly out of breath.

"My Lady!"

Freya looked up in surprise. "What is it?"

"The King is back, and he asks that you join him for lunch."

Freya froze for a moment.

"Let's get you ready, my Lady," Iris said excitedly.

Freya looked at her in confusion.

"Wait... he wants to have lunch with me?"

Iris smiled.

"Yes."

Freya hesitated.

"Is that something he normally does?" she asked. "Does he often have lunch with people?"

Iris shook her head quickly.

"Not at all. The King rarely invites anyone to dine with him."

Freya's eyes widened slightly.

"Um... okay," she whispered. "Okay, but..."

She looked down at her simple dress, then back at Iris.

"Do I look okay?"

Iris smiled knowingly.

"You look beautiful, my Lady. But..." She walked toward the wardrobe. "Why don't you wear the blue gown at the back?"

Freya glanced toward the gown.

"Isn't that a little too much?"

Iris shook her head.

"Not for lunch with the King." She smiled. "Trust me."

A few minutes later... The guard announced her arrival.

"Lady Freya."

Caspian looked up.

And for a moment, everything else disappeared.

She was breathtaking.

He forgot to breathe as his eyes moved over her. The blue gown fit her perfectly, revealing a beauty he had only seen hidden beneath blood and exhaustion when he first found her.

Who would have thought the injured woman he carried back from the forest would look like this?

Every step she took toward him stirred something deep inside him.

His wolf became restless beneath his skin, pushing against his control.

Mine.

The word echoed fiercely in his mind.

But Caspian forced himself to remain calm.

She did not know.

She did not know that she was his mate. She did not know that the bond between them had already been sealed by fate.

The last thing he wanted was to frighten her.

So he stood there, watching her approach, keeping the storm of emotions hidden behind the calm face of the Lycan King.

She stopped in front of him and lowered herself into a graceful curtsy.

"My King," she said softly.

Caspian's gaze remained on her for a moment longer than it should have.

"Freya," he replied, his voice low and warm.

The way he said her name sent a strange flutter through her chest. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Caspian pulled out the chair for her.

"Please, sit."

Freya looked slightly surprised by the gesture before taking her seat.

She glanced around the private dining room. It was quiet, unlike the grand halls she had seen in the castle. Only the two of them sat at the table.

"You wanted to speak with me, sire?" she asked softly, unsue why she was really here.

Caspian took his seat across from her.

"No. I wanted to have lunch with you."