From Substitute To Queen. Chapter 86

I blinked at her. "What?"

"That month in the dungeon..." Her voice broke. "Did you suffer? Were you hurt?"

The questions came rapid-fire, each one laced with worry. "Was anyone taking care of you? Were you eating properly?"

"Did they give you blankets? Was it cold? Were you alone the whole time?"

I stared at her, my brain struggling to process what was happening. "Sable—"

"I keep thinking about you locked up in that horrible place." More tears fell. "All because you were protecting me."

She wasn't scared. She wasn't running. She was crying because she was worried about *me*.

I pulled her against my chest, burying my face in her hair. "Sabi..."

"The dungeon doesn't matter." I stroked her hair, trying to soothe away her pain. "What happened there is in the past. It's over."

"But what matters is that you know now. You know how much I love you."

I pulled back to look at her face. "Don't cry for me anymore. It kills me to see you hurt."

She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "I can't help it. When I think about you suffering because of me—"

"Stop." I caught her hands in mine. "None of that was your fault. Not one second of it."

"That piece of shit Mike made his choices. I made mine. The consequences were mine to face."

*** 

We walked back hand in hand. The moment we appeared, three pairs of eyes locked onto us with laser focus.

Peter smirked. "Well, well. Look who's back. You two were gone for quite a while."

Leon grinned wickedly. "Did you guys just have a quickie in the bathroom? Because Sable's hair is definitely messed up."

I felt Sable's cheeks heat up next to me. She smoothed down her hair self-consciously.

"We were just talking," I said flatly.

Peter raised his wine glass. "Well, whatever you were doing, I think a toast is in order."

"To Caelan and Sable's engagement tomorrow!" Leon joined in, lifting his glass. "May your union be long, happy, and filled with many little future alphas!"

Scarlett laughed. "To love conquering all!"

We clinked glasses around the table. The wine warmed my throat, but not as much as the sight of Sable's genuine smile.

"You know," Peter said, settling back in his chair with a grin, "I never thought I'd see the day when someone would tame the great Lycan King."

Leon nodded enthusiastically. "This wild beast has finally met his match!"

He pointed at me with his fork. "Sable, you have no idea what a service you're doing for all of us. Do you know how much more pleasant he is to be around now?"

"Before you came along, he was all brooding and intimidating." Peter made an exaggerated serious face. "Now look at him. He actually smiles!"

I rolled my eyes. "I was never that bad."

"Oh, you absolutely were," Scarlett chimed in. "Remember when you banned Christmas decorations because they were 'frivolous'?"

"That was one time—"

"Or when you made that poor intern cry because he brought you the wrong coffee?" Leon added.

Sable looked at me with raised eyebrows. "Really?"

"He brought me decaf," I muttered.

Peter leaned toward Sable conspiratorially. "The point is, you've transformed our grumpy king into an actual human being. But with great power comes great responsibility."

His expression grew mock-serious. "You must promise to treat this lovesick fool well. His entire emotional wellbeing now rests in your hands."

"It's absolutely true," Scarlett interrupted. "But honestly, guys, I think you've got it backwards."

She turned to me with a pointed look. "Sable is the one you need to treasure here. She's brilliant, kind, beautiful, and you're incredibly lucky she chose you."

"Thank you!" Sable laughed.

"I mean, really," Scarlett continued, warming to her theme. "She saves lives for a living while you just boss people around all day."

"I do more than boss people around," I said dryly.

"Do you, though?" Peter grinned. "Because from where I'm sitting, your main job seems to be following Sable around with heart eyes."

Leon clutched his chest dramatically. "Our fearsome leader, reduced to a lovesick puppy!"

I was about to deliver what I hoped would be a withering comeback when Sable suddenly stood up.

"You know what?" she said, her voice taking on a determined edge. "You're all right."

Before I could react, she moved around the table and planted herself directly in my lap.

"Sabi, what are you—"

She silenced me by grabbing my face in both hands and kissing me firmly on the mouth. Right there in front of everyone.

The table erupted in cheers and wolf whistles.

When she pulled back, her eyes sparkled with mischief. "This one's mine," she announced to the table. "Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me."

I stared at her, completely stunned by this sudden display of possessiveness. Then I broke into the biggest grin of my life.

"Yes, ma'am," I said, wrapping my arms around her waist. "Whatever you say, ma'am."

She giggled and kissed me again, shorter this time but no less determined.

"Oh my God," Leon wheezed, wiping tears from his eyes. "I can't breathe. The Lycan King just said 'yes ma'am' like an obedient little puppy!"

Peter was laughing so hard he could barely speak. "This is the best thing I've ever seen!"

Scarlett clapped her hands in delight. "Sable, you're my new hero!"

Sable settled more comfortably in my lap, looking incredibly pleased with herself. "Good. Now everyone knows where we stand."

I nuzzled her neck, not caring that we had an audience. "Absolutely, my queen. Your wish is my command."

"Stop it," she laughed, pushing at my chest.

"You started it," I murmured against her ear. "Marking your territory in front of witnesses."

Her cheeks flushed pink, but she didn't move from my lap. "Well, someone had to put these troublemakers in their place."

"Mission accomplished," Leon said, raising his glass again. "To the future queen who can make our king say 'yes ma'am' without breaking a sweat!"