Back Where 111
The ascension for the Lycan Kingdom was in full swing, yet surprisingly, the King was nowhere in sight, just as absent as he had been at the afterparty of his coronation.

I settled into my seat beside Kaela, watching the hosts supervise as usual. We had all been invited. The hall was full, just as it had been for the coronation, yet she wasn’t here. Zeph.

Soft music played in the background, lulling me into slow nods. Kaela had been tasked with hosting the ceremony by Lord Dareth, though Apex seemed against it. The role was eventually handed to Dessyn, Zeph’s best friend.

Thinking of her made me reach for the wine on my table, taking a slow sip. Weeks had passed, and tomorrow night, under the full moon, I would reject her publicly.

Kaela had been carefully chosen as hostess. I knew she would execute it perfectly. Zeph would be disgraced, and she would regret ever choosing a cursed man so strange over me.

I lifted my goblet again, only to find it empty. Swallowing hard, I beckoned the maid walking past, assisting Dessyn.

“Refill my cup.”