He took his time as they walked out of the Queen bedroom.

It was unbelievablethat this was where his sister placed Riannon.

But it made him happy still sincehis room was right next to it and he was sure that he would be able to smell herdelicate scent at night.“So, the top floor is designated for the royal family and our Beta,” he wasexplaining as she listened politely, “High ranked unmated wolves take the roomson the next floor.

Most of my warriors live there.

You will meet them all in duetime.”“I can’t wait,” Ria said, feeling awkward.

If she was just a guest, there was noreason for her to meet all his warriors.

And she tried not to think of what he toldher in the car.

She was not ready to think about it.

When her mind went there, itwas turning all soft and mushy.They went all the way to the ground floor, where he showed her a few of theirreception halls and drawing rooms, each of which was magnificent and done inits own style and colors.

But it was the library that she loved the best.“Oh.

My.

Goddess.” Riannon gasped as they walked in and she saw the longroom walls of which were covered in bookshelves.

There were a few comfortablechairs here and there and a little sofa at the very end of the room.

Sheimmediately went to check what they had on the shelves and squeaked inexcitement every time she found something rare.So, she liked books.

It made the lycan king smile too because she wasn’timpressed by expensive vases the house had on display or overpriced pieces ofmodern art that Savvy was buying as if her life depended on it.

But her eyes lit assoon as she entered this room.

Surprisingly, it was one of his most favoriteplaces in the house.“Ah, I could live here!” Riannon said and for a second there he let himself believethat she was serious about it.

“You can,” he gave her a soft smile.“I am seriously considering this!” she grinned at him, “I would sleep on that sofa!”She pointed her finger at the tiny couch and Gideon started thinking aboutreplacing it with one that could fit two people.“You can take any books you like from here,” he chuckled while watching her.“Really?” Ria was impressed by what she saw.

She always wanted a library likethis.

She had one back in her pack, but much smaller and way less impressive.“Of course,” he leaned over the doorway, realizing that he could look at her likethis forever.He took her to see other rooms, creating a whole commotion at the kitchen asthey out.

And as soon as they saw her, they all stood up.

Savvy and Reid musthave told them already.

Which annoyed Gideon a lot.

Couldn’t they keep asecret?“It’s so nice to meet you, Luna,” one of the guys stepped forward, stretching hishand.“Likewise,” Ria shook his hand.“This is Cyrus, my Gamma,” Gideon introduced us, “He is the best warrior of thepack and is responsible for battle training of the pack.

Speaking of which,Cy,what are you doing here? What are you all doing here? Isn’t it time for you toexercise?”“It is,” his Gamma rubbed the back of his neck, “We just had a break and cakehere for...”He clearly did not know what to say.“Protein shakes!” someone at the back suggested and they all started noddingvigorously.

“Yeah, that’s right!” Cyrus chimed in, “Protein shakes! To grow muscles.”“Yes!”“Exactly!” they all were happy that they came up with something.

At the sametime, there were no shakes in plain sight and Gideon wanted to growl at them toget out when his sister walked in.“Oh, there you all are!” she giggled, “I sent those shakes to the training field,guys! So, off you go!”She presented her brother with a dazzling smile as the warriors got their easyescape“Why are you doing this to me?” he connected her via their mind link, “I am agood brother.

I spoil you.

I never failed you.

Just why, Savvy?”“What do you mean?” she smirked, “I am helping you here! I am helping you towoo her! She needs to feel at home here.”“I think I got it covered, thanks,” Gideon grunted, “I can woo my own mate.”“Yeah, sure,” the girl rolled her eyes, “Some ten-twenty years and she will be allyours!” “It’s none of your business, Sav,” he tried to remind her, “I am trying toearn her trust.”“And I am trying to make her feel safe!” his sister retorted, “And also to createsomeromantic opportunities for the two of you.

Any normal brother would begrateful!”“Oh, I am grateful,” he looked at her menacingly, “I am so grateful that I now can’twait for you to find your mate so that I got to know him better.”Riannon stood there between the two siblings, realizing that they were having aprivate

“Excuse us,” the lycan king turned to her and took her hand without even askingher, lacing their fingers together, “Let’s get going out of the house.

We don’t wantto disturb Savvy with all her scheming...

I mean, planning.”He pulled her out of the mansion, walking fast to be as far away from it as it wasonly possible.

The tour then continued with him showing her all the significantplaces that he like so much.

Luckily, there were plenty.Ria did not know what to think.

All this was not what she expected at all.

Thisplace was ...warm.

And the people were nice.

It did not feel like the business tripshe was intending it toIt felt like a vacation she needed so much.And this was bad.

This was distracting her from her main goal.“Can we speak about our business?” she asked him all of a sudden when hebrought her to the local river right before sunset.

It was so beautiful there as theair was filled with golden light.

The water surface reflected the colors of theafterglow.“Of course,” Gideon felt slightly disappointed that this was what she was thinkingabout at a moment like this, “You can ask me anything.”“My divorce with Brayden...”“Consider it a done deal,” he said at once, “As soon as you raise this at the Alphasummit, I will approve.”“And my pack?” she looked at him with hope and he did not want to give herfalse hope.“That one will be harder,” he admitted, “For you to get it we need to work more onthat new law.

And make sure everyone supports it.

But when it’s done, there willmagic

be nothing in your way.”“Thank you,” Riannon gave him the sincerest smile and he wanted to kiss hermore than anything now.

He leaned lower but at the last moment, she pulledaway to his disappointment, which he hid deep inside, cursing himself for rushingthings.

It was Savvy’s fault to put those ideas in his head.“You told me that you would want something in return for your help,” she lookedat him with her clear blue eyes, “Now that I am here, could you tell me what thisis?”He contemplated it for a bit.

There was nothing he wanted from her other than toreciprocate his feelings.

But he couldn’t tell her that.But then an idea struck him on his face.“What is it?” the blonde girl in front of him looked very interested but she did notseem worried at all.“I want to help you get your wolf back,” he said, startling her.“Wh-why?” was all she asked, but after thinking some more, she added, “Andhow?”“I don’t know how,” he shrugged his shoulders and a devilish grin appeared onhis face,“ I am afraid we will have to experiment there.

As for the why...sometimes people lose their wolves.

And I want to know if it is possible to getthem back.

And if yes, how do we proceed with this.

In other words, it may begood research.”“Oh,” for some reason Riannon felt sad, realizing that it was not what she wantedto hear.“It’s getting late,” she said, “And I am a bit tired.

Maybe it is enough for today?”“Of course,” he took her hand in his again without asking for permission.

Whichwas starting to bother her.

Why was he doing that all the time? It wasn’t like they

were a couple.

He just said it himself that he simply needed her for research.

Andmaybe it was what made him a great king, but she couldn’t help but feeldisappointed.“The dinner will be at...” Gideon started to explain her.“Actually, if that’s okay, I would prefer to eat alone and, in my room,” Ria heardherself saying.

It was rude to say something like that when you were a guest at aking’s house.

But it was too late now.“If that’s what you want,” the man in front of her looked sad and she felt guilty atonce, “I will take you there and order to bring you whatever you like.”“Thank you,” she mumbled, averting his gaze now.Back in her room, she cursed herself for her stupidity.

Just why would she let heremotions get in her way.

He told her he liked her.

Why did she get offended byhim mentioning the research? He gave her more attention than she deservedalready.

Just why did she craveWas it because he was the first man that she actually liked since Brayden or wasthere something else?Her train of thought was broken when her phone rang and she saw Maya’s nameon the display.

This was just what she needed since Onyx wasn’t there to talk to.“How are you?” her friend’s voice sounded fine, and she felt relieved.

Deepinside she was worried for Maya’s safety.“I am fine,” she said and sighed, “It’s just...

Everything seems so strange here.”“Good strange or bad strange?” the girl on the other end of the line asked.“A bit of both,” Riannon confessed and then briefly told her everything thathappened.

“Hmm, interesting,” Maya stretched the last word.“Good interesting or bad interesting?” Ria chuckled, covering her face with herfree hand.“Good, of course,” her future Beta snorted, “After I saw you two making outshamelessly in your office...”“We weren’t making out!” the Luna protested.**“Yeah...

right,” Maya did not sound convinced, “Anyway, I currently like the lycanway more than your husband.

This Roxy b***h got out of everything without evenas much as a simple punishment! They said she had a panic attack! Can youbelieve this?!”“I can,” Riannon sighed, “I’ve been through this before, remember? But, M, whileyou are there alone, please, lay low and do nothing.

I need you to stay safe.”“Yeah, yeah,” she heard a very unbothered voice.They talked some more about what a douche Brayden had become.

And thensaid their goodbyes for the day.Ria went to sleep early since she had a lot to do the next day.

Starting with fixingher attitude.

It was also the day when the princess was throwing her White party.She drifted off to sleep easily.

But unfortunately, this wasn’t a peaceful night.Maybe it was the stress finally catching up with her, but she saw the worstdream.It was the night of her death...

Roxy stood above her, while she was trying tofight for her life...

crawling in the dirt and having a hard time moving her armsand legs due to aconite poisoning.

The redhead’s laugh was echoing through her

ears.

And then the brown wolf jumped her as she desperately tried to at leastrecognise him.

All while she couldn’t even scream.But in reality, she could.“Riannon!” Gideon shook her in his arms, trying to wake her up.

She looked athim in disbelief, trembling and not understanding where they were.

Theunfamiliar surroundings played a trick on her.“You were screaming,” he said, not letting her go.And this was when she realized that he was pressing her against his chest.

Allwhile wearing nothing but black silk pajama pants...