Chapter 258 For Being My Wolf
The Crown's Entrapment
At The Lucian, Miran Ocean
After a few more training exercises for Princess Xenia, Osman instructed for the Lucian to go at full speed so that they could reach Cordonâs main harbor, Escol, as soon as possible. Looking out from the window in their cabin, Xenia had a wide grin on her face as she saw the approaching harbor. Darius, meanwhile, was busy drying her wet hair with a towel behind her. It was a serene sight, one where she knew that them being back on solid ground meant that sheâd be done with all of her training.
âWeâre finally going home,â she murmured. It felt so good knowing that she could finally wrap up her training and their visit to Valcrez. She had met her sister, and all of the things that needed to be done during their trip was over and done with once and for all. And of course, it felt good to be pampered by her mate like this every once in a while. He was even feeding her on top of doing her hair for her. It was a bit of an exaggeration on his part, but she simply decided to just let him do as he pleased.
âAgain, you really didnât have to do this, you know,â Xenia smiled, the sides of her mouth visible from behind her as she addressed Darius. âYou being with me like this is more than enough.â
As much as she tried to tell him otherwise, Darius still wanted to pamper her as much as he could. He had told her how she was training so hard to fight for him, and it was the least he could do when she wouldnât even allow him to use his power as the king to exempt her from the hardships that were yet to come her way.
âAnd again, Iâm telling you that I simply want to do this for you, my love,â Darius insisted. âBesides, Iâm sure this will be one of the last few times weâll be able to be like this once the trials start.â
Xenia hummed in agreement. He was probably rightâ¦
Silence reigned as the princess let her mate do what he pleased, Darius gently combing her hair while she looked out towards the approaching shore.
Another beat passed when she suddenly asked, âWho named your wolf?â
It was a random question that suddenly sprang up in her mind. She was curious to find out more about Darius. Well, more than what she already knew at least. And what better way to start than to know more about his childhood? That, of course, included his wolf, Zeus.
âI named him that wayâ¦â Darius proudly answered. âZeus had a nice ring to it. And since it sounds powerful and mighty, I just went ahead and used it ever since.â
âIt indeed sounds good and powerful,â Xenia agreed with a smile. âHmm⦠It does have some truth to it though, seeing as you and Zeus are actually powerful enough to wield the nameâ¦â
Another beat passed, and Xenia blinked as her smile was suddenly replaced by pursed lips and a heavy sigh.
âWhatâs wrong?â Darius asked.
Xenia bit her inner cheek, realizing that she mustâve sighed loudly enough to be heard by him. She really didnât want to worry Darius, but she simply couldnât help reacting that way upon recalling her Big Brotherâs current situation. From what she had heard, Ezekiel could be compared to a werewolf now, with another powerful soul currently inhabiting his body. Only, he didnât have a wolf. Instead, it was an actual dragon of all things.
âItâs just that Big Brotherâs situation had suddenly crossed my mind. Iâm wondering as to how heâs dealing with the dragon inside of him,â Xenia admitted with a murmur. âGiven how he canât return to his human form, it could only mean that heâs still struggling to control the dragon inside of him. It must be hardâ¦â
She then turned around, facing Darius on the bed that they were currently sitting on.
âYou grew up knowing that Zeus was already inside of you, right? Did you two get along right from the start?â Xenia curiously asked. âWas there ever an instance where a werewolf was unable to get a hold of his wolf?â
These were the questions she wanted to ask Osman earlier, only to baulk as soon as she realized who she was talking to. She had been trying to analyze every piece of information she could get ever since she received the report about the dragon showing up again. But from what she had heard, the dragon was simply keeping to the skies, avoiding attacking those who had seen it⦠It was as if he was merely showing his presence to the worldâ¦.
âIt happens⦠And it also happened to me once,â Darius admitted. âZeus is such a stubborn wolf back then. Maybe even now.â
[Donât you dare start with me!] Zeus growled in the background, making Darius chuckle.
âWhy?â Xen curiously asked.
âZeus loves complaining even if Iâm stating a fact,â Darius chuckled. âEven now, heâs starting to complain.â
Xen pouted her lips and murmured, âI kind of wish I can also talk to Zeus now. He sounds fun. I canât wait to communicate with him.â
âLetâs complete the Mate Bond then, love,â Darius quickly suggested. âThat way, youâll be able to talk to Zeus whenever you want.â
âStop that. I want to do things correctly,â Xenia snorted with a frown. âI wonât let that royal council of yours court those who are against you even easier. Theyâll use me as their reason to bring you down if I ever took that route. Instead, I want to become your stronghold. Someone who, instead of being a burden, can even help you in making those who are against you to see that thereâs no better leader Cordon could have but you.â
Dariusâs face reddened, his heart jumping into his throat in joy at how Xen was looking up to him that way.
âArenât you being a bit biassed, my love?â he teased.
Xen had a broad smile on her face as she replied, âWell, you canât blame me for being that way, so I guess I am?â
This time, it was Dariusâs smile that turned into tightly-pressed pursed lips. Seeing his reaction, Xen chuckled as she pounced at him and said, âIâm just kidding. Of course, for me, youâll always be the best. Even if you develop a few weaknesses in the future, you will have me as your strength.â She smiled, âSo look forward to it. You definitely wonât regret ever choosing me as your Queen.â
At her declaration, Darius kissed Xenâs forehead and gently stroked her back as he said, âI will look forward to it then, My Queenâ¦â
[Ugh⦠This is too much sweetness for me to takeâ¦] Zeus groaned.
[Hahaha!] Darius chortled. [Sometimes, having some light conversation can be better than simply feeding your carnal desires, my inner wolfâ¦]
[Itâs not like Iâm the only one responsible for your lust and carnal desires here,] Zeus snarled. [Donât make it sound like Iâm the only culprit in making our mate almost go limp from all of the nonstop humping. We are one, remember?!]
Hearing Darius chuckle, Zeus continued to complain. [Stop dragging my name through the mud to our mate. Tell her that Iâve been a good wolf from the very start, and that youâre really the stubborn one between us.] The wolf rambled on, [Should I remind you how often we got in danger simply because you wouldnât bother listening to me? About how you chose to always act on impulse? Hell, if wasnât your wolf, I bet youâd be long dead by now!]
âRight, my wolf wants you to know how grateful it was to be bonded with me since Iâm a good mediumâ¦â Darius cheekily commented, ignoring Zeusâs constant growling in his head.
[Youâre so dead as soon as the Mate Bond is completed,] Zeus threatened with a growl. [Iâm gonna tell Xen everything thatâs been going on in that head of yours!]
Darius simply smirked. He enjoyed teasing his wolf like this.
[Stop sulking, Zeus. If it would really please you, then let me say how grateful I am to you for being my wolf,] Darius earnestly thanked his wolf. [Thank you, because I wouldnât be where I am right now if it wasnât for youâ¦]
Zeus remained silent, but Darius smiled knowing how his wolf was feeling right now. Leaving the matter for now, he then gently pushed Xen down and stared directly into her eyes.
With surety, he said, âIâm sure your brother Ezekiel will be fine, Xen. It might take some time for him to get a hold of the dragon inside of him, but heâll pull through eventually.â He added, âJust keep believing in your brother. Heâs no ordinary human, right? The angel blood you three all have in you is something special, seeing as it comes directly from heaven⦠From the Almightyâ¦â