Chapter Fifteen

KEYARA

She thought about his question seriously. She realized no one had ever asked her that before. As a child, it had almost become this fairy tale she was unwittingly thrust into.

One day she would grow up and claim the throne. But it had always been so far out of her grasp, it had seemed just that—a fairy tale.

Now she had the means, if she wanted them, and the thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

“I’m not sure,” she answered truthfully. “The kingdom is in very poor shape, and that makes me sad, to think everything my parents worked for is crumbling.

“But I was raised as a maid in the castle, not as the heir to the throne. I was not taught how to lead or about matters of the realm. I’ve done my best to stay informed, but could I really lead?”

He hummed deeply, his chin resting on the top of her head. “You could, if you wanted to. You impressed me with your knowledge of trade routes.”

She laughed, remembering how she had confronted him on the subject.

“We could rule together, Keyara,” he said seriously.

They rode silently for a while, and she mulled over the question. Did she really want to rule? Was it her responsibility as the daughter of the rightful king and queen?

Or could she leave that world behind and just be Key. Mate to a werewolf. This was a very strange day indeed.

The sun had gone down long ago, and she let out a yawn.

“Go to sleep, Keyara,” he said gently. “Nothing needs to be decided today.”

She closed her eyes and leaned against his chest. The warmth of his body and the rhythmic motion of the horse eventually lulled her to sleep.

ASH

He held her while she slept as they rode through the night toward Kodia. She was restless, and he knew she would be exhausted when they arrived at their stop despite her sleep.

As they crossed the border into his land, he reached out to Luca. ~“Beta, we are approximately an hour away. Please have the men prepare a hot bath for Keyara.”~

~“Yes, Alpha,”~ came the short reply.

Ash was glad Luca was keeping it formal; he was in no mood for the teasing nature his beta was prone to. Having Keyara so close to him, pressed against him and sighing in her sleep, had been nothing but torture.

He wanted her, badly, but she was young and inexperienced. He could smell her maidenhood. He would take it slow, even though his mate tested his control like nothing ever had before.

When they were almost there, she opened her eyes, stretching her arms over her head. He caught one in his hand and pressed a kiss to her wrist.

“Good morning,” he murmured softly.

“Hmm,” she replied, clearly still half asleep. “It’s still dark.”

“The sun is about to rise,” he told her. “We are almost at the border station. I thought you might like a bath after riding all night. I asked Luca to prepare one for you, if that’s all right.”

She looked around, confused. “He was here? When did he come back?”

He laughed softly. He kept forgetting she had so much to learn about them. “No, he wasn’t here,” he told her. “We are linked through the pack. I can talk to him through my thoughts if I need to.”

She scoffed. “Great,” she teased. “So I’ll be surrounded by big giant werewolves who don’t even speak out loud.”

He laughed. She was certainly taking this in stride, and it pleased him immensely that she was adapting so well.

“You’ll be able to do it, too, soon enough.”

“Excuse me?” she said, clearly shocked.

He stroked her hair. Most of it had come loose from her earlier braid as she had slept. “There is still much to explain to you, Keyara, about what will happen in the mating process.”

He could feel her body tense in nervousness. “Process? I thought we were already mates.”

He hugged her against him gently. He knew it was all hard for her to understand, and he was keeping much in the dark so as not to overwhelm her.

“We are. But it’s not…finalized, I guess you could say.” That seemed the best way to put it.

“How do we do that?” she whispered. “Finalize it?”

At that moment, the small settlement came into view. There was really very little there; a large barn where they boarded the horses was the most prominent structure.

It housed two dozen horses and had a large common area and several guest quarters for when members of his pack were required to travel to the human kingdoms for trading matters.

There was a small stone cottage where the stablekeeper and his wife lived, smoke rising from the chimney, and a field where they grew hay for the horses.

“We will save that explanation for when we are rested, hmm?” he deferred quickly.

He could see Luca directing men with buckets of hot water into the guest quarters. He slipped off his horse and held his arms out to her. “Would you like a bath?”

She smiled and nodded, lowering herself off the horse and into his arms.

He kissed her on the forehead and walked with her to the entrance to the guest quarters, nodding his thanks at the men who were just leaving from filling the tub.

“Your room is right in there, Keyara. I’ll fetch you a change of clothes. We keep supplies here. Take your time. I have matters to discuss with Luca.

“We will stay here for the day while I take care of some things and rest. Make yourself at home.”

He squeezed her hand in parting, hoping she would heed his words and help herself to whatever she needed.

She smiled at him. “See you later,” she said softly, and closed the door.