As I watched him return to preparing our meal, I couldn’t help but wonder about that momentary hesitation. Was there still something he wasn’t telling me? Or was I just being paranoid after everything we’d been through?
The smell of garlic and herbs filled the kitchen as Caelan focused on stirring the pasta sauce. I leaned against the counter, watching him work, when my phone suddenly rang in my pocket. I pulled it out and froze when I saw the caller ID.
Dad.
I bit my lip, hesitating.
“It’s my dad,” I told Caelan, catching his attention. “I need to take this.”
He nodded without missing a beat. “Go ahead. I’ve got this covered.”
I squeezed his forearm gratefully before walking toward the living room. Taking a deep breath, I swiped to answer.
“Dad?’
My voice came out more nervous than I’d intended.
“Sable.” Rodrigo’s voice carried through the phone, heavy with both worry and anger. “I saw Caelan’s statement.”
“What exactly is going on?’
“Are you okay? Do you need me to come get you and bring you home?”
The rapid-fire questions revealed just how anxious he was.
I sank onto the sofa, rubbing my temples. “Dad, I’m fine. Really. This whole thing was just a misunderstanding,”
“Blair set Caelan up, I explained patiently. “She drugged him and then staged those photos. The whole thing was orchestrated to make it look like something happened between them.”
“Actually, Caelan went there specifically to gather evidence proving Blair was behind all the attacks against me.”
“She’s been targeting me ever since she first met me, Dad. She never stopped.”
“Caelan wasn’t betraying me he was risking himself to protect me.”
A grunt of acknowledgment came through the line. “I knew that Blair woman was trouble from the start. I told Caelan he should investigate her, didn’t 12”
“Yes! Dad, you were so smart about that!” I couldn’t help but smile. “Caelan actually started investigating her because of what you said. See? He really does take our family seriously.”
Rodrigo made a dismissive sound. “Trying to butter me up won’t work. He’s still on probation with me.”
“Dad, remember when you gave Caelan two weeks to find whoever was behind the attacks?”
“It’s only been a few days, and he’s already caught the mastermind.”
“So I’m hoping you’ll keep your word too and stop opposing our marriage.”
Silence stretched across the line before my father let out a long sigh. “Sable…”
“Listen, sweetheart.” His voice grew softer, more serious. “When I first agreed to this marriage, I believed Caelan truly loved you.”
“You two have known each other since childhood, shared the same background. I thought it would be a stable relationship.”
“But now… all of this makes me wonder whether this kind of marriage is really right for you.”
I gripped the phone tighter.
“Honey, marrying a king means your life will never be peaceful again.”
“You’ll be constantly in the public eye, a pawn in political games, even a target for revenge.”
“As a queen, you’ll face countless challenges and dangers – far more complicated than an ordinary person’s life.”
“I just worry…” His voice turned gentle, vulnerable. “I worry that love has blinded you to these realities.”
My throat constricted, and moisture gathered in my eyes. “Dad…”
“I completely understand your concerns.” My voice came out steady despite the emotion. “I know exactly what marrying Caelan means. I understand the responsibilities and risks of being queen.”
“But I love him, Dad. Not because he’s a king, but because he’s Caelan.”
“I’d rather face all the difficulties and dangers than lose him.”
I suddenly noticed Caelan standing nearby, watching me intently. I jumped slightly, unsure how long he’d been listening or how much he’d heard. The realization that I’d essentially confessed my feelings to him again made heat rise in my cheeks.
I gestured frantically for him to go away, mouthing “stop eavesdropping,” but instead of leaving, Caelan moved closer. Before I could react, he leaned down and captured my lips in a kiss.
His tongue pushed into my mouth aggressively, twisting and sucking as if he wanted to devour me completely. I stared at him with wide eyes while he kissed me with his eyes closed, his thick lashes casting shadows beneath them. The sight of him lost in the kiss was unexpectedly arousing, and I felt myself getting wet instantly.
After a long pause, Dad’s sigh came through the phone.
‘I just want you to be happy, no matter what that means.”
I tried to push Caelan away, but he wouldn’t budge. Frustrated sounds escaped my throat. “Mmm, mmm, mmm!*
“Sable? Hello? Are you still there? What’s that noise?”
Panic flashed through me, but Caelan seemed determined to torment me. In desperation, I bit his tongue hard. He jerked back with a sharp intake of breath.
I glared at him before quickly responding to Rodrigo. “Nothing, Dad. Just got bitten by a dog.”
Caelan made a move to kiss me again, but I stopped him with a threatening look.
‘Oh, okay. No problem.” He sounded puzzled. “Wait, when did you get a dog?”
“It’s nothing, Dad. I need to hang up now. Bye! Love you.” x+ x+
“I love you too, my little princess.”
Dad used my childhood nickname, and warmth spread through my chest.
I ended the call and immediately turned to Caelan.
“Now can I kiss you? I didn’t get enough earlier.”
“Sure, I shot back. “As long as you admit you’re a dog. You deliberately interrupted my call with Dad. You’re terrible.”
Without hesitation, Caelan said, “I’m a dog.”
I stared at him in shock. “Are you some kind of pervert? You have no shame when it comes to kissing?”
He leaned in and kissed me again, then pulled back with a satisfied expression. “Now we can go eat.”
We walked to the dining table where he’d laid out creamy mushroom pasta, fresh salad, and a bowl of fruit, plus two glasses of chilled juice.
Caelan pulled out a chair with an exaggerated flourish. “Please be seated, beautiful lady.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” I gave him a mock curtsy in return.
We finished the meal together.
And It was time to face Blair.
Half an hour of driving through winding mountain roads had brought us to a place I’d never seen before the royal dungeons.
A massive black iron gate loomed ahead of us, carved with ancient wolf symbols. The metal looked like it had been forged centuries ago, weathered but unbreakable.
Two guards flanked the entrance, their shoulders broad. When they recognized Caelan, they snapped to attention and bowed deeply.
Caelan parked the car just outside and we walked through the gates into a sprawling courtyard paved with smooth stone. The training ground stretched out before us like an arena, and I couldn’t help but stare,
At least twenty werewolf warriors were scattered across the space, locked in various combat exercises. Most had stripped off their shirts, and the sight made my breath catch.
Bronze skin gleamed with sweat. Muscles rippled as they grappled and sparred.
My eyes wandered from one impressive physique to another. Strong shoulders, defined abs, powerful thighs…
“Sabi.”
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