Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 74

Adelaide

The familiar sight of Greywolf Pack territory brought an overwhelming sense of relief as our party crested the final ridge. After the harrowing trials at Ember Peak, returning to solid ground—even this ravaged land—felt like a blessing. I could feel the phoenix feather's warmth radiating from my travel pack, a constant reminder of the incredible journey we'd just survived and the hope we now carried.

As Lycanthar stood before the gathered warriors, the council tent buzzed with urgent murmurs. The phoenix feather, placed beside the vial of elven tears that Greyson had brought back, glowed with an inner fire on the table. The sight of these sacred relics together was breathtaking, their combined light casting dancing patterns on the canvas walls.

"These artifacts will be escorted back to Lycandor Keep by our finest warriors," Lycanthar announced, his voice carrying the authority that made even the most seasoned fighters stand straighter. "They represent our only hope against the darkness that plagues our lands."

As the meeting concluded and warriors filed out to prepare for the dangerous journey ahead, I lingered to organize the scattered maps and documents. The familiar task helped quiet my racing thoughts, though I couldn't stop my mind from returning to those precious moments on the mountain when Lycanthar had declared his love for me.

"Adelaide." His voice, softer than I'd heard it during the council meeting, made me look up from the parchments.

He stood just a few steps away, closer than propriety demanded, his golden eyes holding a warmth that made my heart skip. Without the formal atmosphere of the council, he seemed almost vulnerable.

"You're very quiet tonight," he said, reaching out to brush a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. The simple gesture sent heat flooding through me, and I had to fight to keep my breathing steady.

"Just thinking about the next steps, Your Majesty," I managed, though my voice betrayed a slight tremor.

His hand lingered against my cheek, and his gaze searched my face. "At Ember Peak, when I thought I might lose you..." He paused, his eyes growing intense with memory. "That's when I realized just how important you've become to me."

The words hit me like a physical force, crumbling every wall I'd built around my heart. In this moment, all my careful deceptions and hidden loyalties seemed insignificant. I was simply Adelaide, a woman hopelessly in love with a man she was never meant to love.

When his hand covered mine, I felt warmth spread from that point of contact throughout my entire body. For a brief, perfect moment, the world narrowed to just the two of us in this flickering candlelight.

As we left the council tent together, I caught a glimpse of movement in the shadows—Liliana's distinctive silhouette, her expression unreadable in the darkness. A chill of unease ran down my spine, but the euphoria of Lycanthar's words made it impossible to dwell on potential threats. Perhaps I was naive, but I chose to believe that whatever challenges lay ahead, we could face them together.

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Liliana

I stood at the edge of the camp, my fingernails digging crescents into my palms as I watched that pathetic human girl return alongside *my* Wolf King. She sat astride her horse with nauseating grace, her face glowing with barely contained joy that made me sick to my core. Three hundred years I had served Lycanthar as his most devoted blood thrall, and now some insignificant human wench thought she could waltz in and steal my rightful place?

During the council meeting, I positioned myself in my usual corner, the perfect picture of humble servitude. Lycanthar commanded the room with magnificent authority as he displayed that damned phoenix feather, its otherworldly glow matching the fire in his eyes. Every warrior hung on his words, but I could barely focus on the strategic discussions. My attention kept drifting to *her*—the way she stood with quiet confidence, the way others seemed to respect her opinion despite her lowly status.

When the meeting ended and the fools departed, I intended to leave as well. But then I witnessed something that made my blood turn to ice in my veins: Lycanthar, *my* Lycanthar, treating that human girl with such tenderness that I nearly revealed my true nature right there.

His fingers caressing her cheek. His eyes soft with an affection I had never received. The intimate way he spoke to her, as if she were precious beyond measure. Three centuries of faithful service, and never once had he looked at me the way he looked at her in that moment.

Back in my tent, rage transformed into cold determination. I opened my secret stash and took out the nearly empty bottle of Abyss Desire—a precious elixir I had spent a fortune on, capable of igniting the desires of all living beings. Previously, I'd used it sparingly, just a drop or two to stimulate the Wolf King's desire. Tonight, I was prepared to gamble everything.

I poured every remaining drop into my bath, then methodically worked the fragrant oil into my skin until every inch of my body glistened with its intoxicating essence. The sheer silk robe I selected was so transparent it might as well have been air. In my mirror, I looked absolutely devastating—no male could resist me like this, especially not one with werewolf senses.

At midnight, I glided through the sleeping camp with purpose. Guards turned to stare as I passed, their eyes glazing with lust, but none dared interfere with Lycanthar's blood thrall. The tent flaps parted at my touch, and I slipped inside to find him bent over ancient texts, candlelight carving shadows across his perfect profile.

The Abyss Desire began its work immediately. I watched his pupils dilate as my scent reached him, his breathing growing heavy with sudden need.

"Your Majesty," I whispered, my fingers working the silk ties of my robe. "You look like you need... relaxation."

I could see the struggle in his golden eyes—that human girl's image still haunted his thoughts. But Abyss Desire was irresistible. As my robe pooled at my feet, his gaze turned molten, tracking my naked form with predatory hunger.

His breathing became labored as I drew closer, the scent making him tremble with need. "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering directly, I reached for him, my hands beginning to explore the familiar planes of his chest. "I have connections you've never imagined, my King," I purred, pressing my naked body against him. "All I ask is what should have always been mine—your complete devotion. Forget her, and let me be your only source of... satisfaction."

My fingers traced lower, feeling his body's involuntary response to both my words and touch. "Choose me tonight, and I'll ensure no one ever threatens our bond again."

But even as his body responded to my touch, even as the aphrodisiac worked its magic, I could see her shadow lingering in his mind. It didn't matter—by morning, he would remember only me. Only the pleasure I could give him. That human girl would become nothing more than a fading dream.

Tonight, I would reclaim what was rightfully mine.