A Luna for the Lycan King novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

The months slipped away, barely recognizable, barely there, and then suddenly it was as if I’d always been alone, like it was normal to pad through the halls without Darren by my side. Calls, messages, each one fleeting, each one hurting as much as it healed. I touched the place where he should have been: beside me, reaching for my fingers, inhaling my scent, losing himself in it. But he wasn’t there, not even close. Most of the time, I only had messages to console me. Reading his handwritten letters to help me feel like he was near me. We had been able to have a few video chats, which was nice even though it made me miss him even more each time. I was given a crystal that would allow me to contact him if it was urgent. The light on his end would glow and let him know I needed to speak to him. But I would have to wait for his call. The crystal wasn’t a communicator, and all communication had to be initiated by him first.

Months of not knowing. Months without him. At least Lyle was with me through it all. He was there to help me lead the kingdom. And we always ended the day going through evidence of the brainwashing case. Just a few weeks ago, we made our first breakthrough, discovering the curse affected nearly every noble family, with the poor souls brainwashing each other. But we were able to narrow it down to ground zero. Two families who were the first to be brainwashed. All they remembered was a dreamlike walk in a glowing green room, with mossy walls that lit up the dark.

The mastermind had made them brainwash one another, an

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elegant cruelty that chilled me, making me wonder what kind of enemy we faced. Months of frustration and confusion, nothing, adding up, nothing making sense, and then finally a thread to follow, a piece of the puzzle that led us to our biggest clue: green glowing moss.

I breathed deep as I waddled through the corridors, taking a rare moment of alone time, glancing at the empty spot next to me where Darren should be. I tried to wrap my arms around myself, but with my pregnant belly, I couldn’t do it properly. I had changed so much physically that there were times when I felt a bit insecure over my appearance. I didn’t really have anyone to talk to about it. I just wished Darren was here.

Sometimes, I wanted to cry when I heard Darren’s voice over the phone, far away and thin. I wanted to scream when I wanted to talk to him but had no way to reach him. It wasn’t over anything urgent. Just a moment where I needed to hear him, and I couldn’t use the crystal for that.

บ

talked to him last night, listened to his voice like it was a prayer I could keep, hold, cherish. I couldn’t tell him how much it hurt to be apart, not when I knew it hurt him too, not when I knew there was nothing he could do to fix it. Not until the demons were gone. Not until the war was over. Instead, I held it all in and put on a brave face for him. And after the call ended, I cried myself to sleep, holding my pillow instead of him. There was never enough time, never enough contact. Just months of lost time.

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Chapter 96

1. A) 19 min 1st

Lyle found me in tears. He stayed up all night sitting by my bed and running his hand through my hair, trying to comfort me in Darren’s place. It was moments like last night that made me angry at myself. I didn’t want to come off as weak. I was taking a private breakdown moment for myself, but he came in to check on me, as he often did, and this time he caught me during a raw

moment.

I sighed and pushed open the heavy oak doors, cradling my stomach as I crossed the threshold. The sun met me, and I let out a breath, letting the warmth sink into my skin. It felt good, real. The time, the distance, it wasn’t real. Just like dreams. That’s what I had to tell myself to get through the day, to get through the night. I stepped outside and let the light wash over me, seep in, filling me with everything I was missing. I wanted to feel connected to him, so I was making my way to the butterfly maze. Our special place.

“I was just about to send out a search party,” Lyle said, puffing dramatically, pretending to catch his breath as he ran up to me. He reached for me, offering his arm. “Next time you leave the castle, you better tell me,” he scolded lightly, with fake sternness.

“I thought the queen could do whatever she wanted?” I teased, glancing up to see his eyes narrowed at me.

“I’m serious,” he said, pulling me closer, slipping my hand through his elbow, settling into a comfortable rhythm. “The next time you feel like sneaking away, at least let me go with you. I

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don’t know if you noticed, but you’ve got a bit of a situation there,” He nodded at my belly, and I burst out laughing.

“Therapeutic sunshine,” I told him. “That’s what the situation needs. My situation, my business. You can quote me.”

Lyle shook his head, pretending, to be exasperated, pretending to be annoyed, “You do remember we’re lycans, right? We’re not exactly known for our sunbathing.”

“We’re also not vampires. Contrary to popular belief, it won’t kill us.” I tugged at his arm as he played along, holding it stiff like I was a prisoner marching to my execution.

“I suppose fresh air won’t kill us, either,” he said. “Unless you trip over that belly of yours. Then, it’s definitely out to get you.”

I elbowed him in the ribs, and he yelped dramatically. He was strong and warm, a reassuring presence. It was hard to feel lonely with him around. Together we headed down the cobblestone path toward the garden, his voice chasing away the silence, filling the space that was otherwise so empty.

“About last night—”

“I used to have nightmares too. Don’t worry about it.” He winked at me as we continued to walk down the path. “You’ll survive the nightmares, but you’re not going to survive me if you

he knew the cause ditch your bodyguard again.” Nightmares

but was trying to make light of it for me.

…

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