Chapter 37
Castor’s Tips leave my hand and I hear a slight growl come fromthan’s direction. I look at him but see that nothing has changed about his expression. He armains uncaring and distant Could I have imagined that? Did I imagine his growl? Does some deep part of me want him to be possessive of me?
I shake my head slightly, now is really not the tune for these kinds of things.
Caston doesn’t appear to have noticed anything, and he continue as he had before.
“It is a true pleasure to meet all of you,” Castor says cheerfully as he straightens up, letting go of my hand gently. “Though i must say I did not expect the kings of the Chystal River kingdon, however I am exceptionally delighted by your presence. Please follow me, you must all be famished”
Without wasting any further time, Castor leads us out of the receiving mom and further down the hall. Ethan walks besides. the duke, they be roughly the same height, with both exuding a natural strength. I walk with both my brothers on either side
“How are the preparations for the festival going?” Ethan asks.
“It’s almost ready, Your Majesty, Castor answers smoothly. “I have expanded the hunting grounds right until the East River, and the tables for the banquets are being set up as we speak.”
Ethan merely nods and says nothing more. As he walks beside him, it is clear that even though Castor is a Duke and an Alpha under Ethan, there is great respect that goes both ways here.
I am curious about the man who manages to hold Ethan’s respect.
Castor opens an oak door and leads us into the dining area. There sits a large table laden with delicious foods and a variety of wines. There’s venison on the table, roasted thoroughly, and decorated with every kind of trimming that could be found
The smell is nearly intoxicating and my stomach grumbles as though I haven’t eaten for the day.
“Please, sit and eat, the Duke exclaims happily.
We tuck into the food. I make a mental note not to eat like I’m eating for two but it’s tough with all the offerings on the table. “So, Duke Castor, Eli begins, which I am thankful for turning all the attention to him, “Could you tell us what the Harvest Festival entails? My siblings and I have yet to experience one for ourselves, especially in this Kingdom.”
I didn’t even think what it would be like to have a festival like this in my own Kingdom –
“Of course, Your Majesty, Castor takes a sip of wine. How I miss the taste of wine. “The Harvest Festival is a three–day celebration which honors the culmination of hard work and dedication.”
“The first day is the men’s hunt, Castor explained. “Young men who wish to participate must delve into the forest and hunt”
I ask, “In what form?”
“Preferably in wolf form but human form is also allowed. Though much less fun,” Castor says as he winks at me.
Day two is the women’s turn,” he continues, still holding my gaze. “And day three is when we bring back our kills and allow the entire town to feast on what we have gained from nature.”
“It sounds like a very strenuous festival,” I say, wondering if I can make it through a day of hunting while I am stuck on two legs. And pregnant. Even though I’m not very far along. I can feel that it’s starting to take a toll on my body.
“That is part of the fun; true indulgence tastes belter after strenuous effort. That has always been the way of us wolves,”
1/3
Castor says as he calves his glass “Winkl any of you fue muyals willing the take pri
“Would
“I am very much booking to whod to hunting in woll form Elis, answering qariously with his glass raised as well
I don’t remember wh of my brothers, if anything at all befory return, let alone their wolves. I look forward to seeing their wolves agai
1 tsk would love nothing more than to rough it in the words for a few hours and darn feast on my kills Rate says esitelly, alway moving du lus clair like he wants nothing mo than to just get out and begin the ham. “I don’t get much time to hunt in wult forms back home.”
Their words only make me long for my wolf even more,
“Splendid the Duke turns to the king, “Of course I don’t need to ask you, my king, unless you are kind enough to give me a chance to beat your fecond”
Ethan smirks, “Good try,”
“Well, a healthy rivalry is the secret to enduring friendship, Castor laughs, “And what about you, Princess Cassandra and Princess Ariella
It might be my imagination but he seems to draw out my name he speaks, and I see a tick on Ethan’s face
“Ah, yes/I’d love to,” answer, but whether I will be able to hunt will be another story entirely.
I
Cassandra says, “If Ariella is going, then I’ll go tool”
The rest of the dinner is uneventful. I pour myself a glass of wine and pretend to sip just so that I don’t stand out as the only one not drinking alcohol. It’s not like anyone is specifically watching the levels on my wine glass.
After the meal, we retire to our rooms. I realize that I am exhausted once again. This baby, even though it is healing me also draining me more than I can keep up with. I sit down and take a few deep breaths, but it isn’t long before someone knocks on my door and ough a mome
comes later.
“You and Cassandra both need to learn to wait for an answer, Ill him irritably as I stand up and head towards him.
Ethan doesn’t answer immediately, and his gaze traps mine. Before I know what is happening, his lips are on mine fiercely,
WWWhat are
you..um.um
His tongue invades my mouth, and his musky scent fills my nose.
Damn it. Why my body just can’t resist him? Part of me considers pushing him away, but my arms have wrapped around his neck, and I let out a small moan in defeat–my body just can’t resist him.
Finally, Ethan pulls his lips from mine, but doesn’t let go of me any other way.
“You are mine,” he says quietly. “Keep that in mind.”
I haven’t even gotten the chance to protest before he pulls away and gestures for me to follow him. “Castor is waiting for us in his office.”
For what?” I ask.
“Your woll.
I raise a brow and catch up with him. “So this trip was planned and not a surprise invitation to a Harvest Festival as it was
inade to be?”
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TUE, JU 24
Chapter 37
Ethan shrugs. “That’s not important. Either way, we need to come here. We’re here.”
I almost roll my eyes at Ethan as he pushes open a door without waiting for an invitation, again. At least, I’m not the only one he does this to.
“Princess Ariella,” Castor greets as I enter his room. “Thanks for joining me at this hour. I assume not many know of your
1 dormant wolf and we want to keep this discussion private?”
“Thank you for your understanding,” I nod.
“You’re most welcome, Your Highness,” my host grins and gives me a small wink.
Ethan scoffs, “Save your winks to your fans.
Castor smirks, ignoring the king’s comment and explains to me, While the The Festival is a tradition we celebrate here in Everstone, to awaken your wolf, we need to incorporate a few additional activities into our agenda.”
Castor closes the distance between us and takes hold of my hand
And then, all of a sudden, I felt a powerful flow of energy through me. A magic deeper than anything I have ever known. Something that reminds me of the pull of the Moon when we shifted.
And with that, the last remaining bruises and aches vanish from within me. Even the tiredness that had felt bone deep was gone, and I feel like I could sleep properly and wake up rested. I feel like nothing has ever happened to me.
It’s the same sensation I felt at the healing springs. The same sensation when my brothers found me and took me to the healer. Just that, this is ten times more powerful.
“You’re a healer!!” I ask in disbelief.