The Lycan Prince’s Puppy (by C Tamika) novel Chapter 340

Violet

I slipped my hand down Kylan’s arm and held onto him. My head leaned against his shoulder as we walked through the palace gardens.

Usually, he was already out by now, for whatever duty awaited him, but things were different. After everything that had happened these past days, even the simple act of walking beside him felt like a blessing I didn’t want to take for granted, and I was sure he felt the same.

Even so, he wouldn’t be able to stay with me all day because soon we’d have to part ways until tonight. That’s when we would meet the others in the library to figure out more about everything.

Baelor, the moon, the veil…all of it that was waiting for us, and even though I trusted Kylan with my whole soul, I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

“Tell me,” I began, tilting my head up to him, “what are you going to do again today?”

Kylan glanced down with a smile. “Visiting my former school, the Lyperian Royal Academy, with Nate,” he explained. “Do boring stuff, inspiring speeches, handshakes.”

I stared at him a moment, imagining his speech. The only one I could remember was the one at Starlight during Rochwall’s dinner, and how much it had made me laugh.

“What?” Kylan raised his brow.

He caught my look immediately. “Nothing,” I said, grinning as I tugged him closer. “I just hope we figure all of this out soon so we can go back to Starlight.”

“Me too,” he said quietly. Honestly, I just wanted to leave all of this behind us, including the situation with Chrystal. Ever since Kylan told me about Jack’s reaction, I just hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that man and how far he was willing to go to protect the kingdom.

“I swear I’d rather deal with Commander Jorn than whatever it is we’re dealing with right now,” I muttered. “That’s not even a joke.”

Kylan cracked a laugh, shaking his head. “Jorn actually isn’t that bad.”

I shot him a look and nudged his waist. He didn’t budge, but still grinned at the attempt.

“That man has been bullying your mate. Don’t praise him,” I teased.

He pulled me closer again. “He just cares about the Elite team,” Kylan reminded. “His intentions are good, but he just doesn’t know how to express them.”

I listened to his words. “Maybe,” I said, tilting my head.

“We will go back to Starlight, you will prove yourself, get your Elite pin, your uniform, and—“

We kept walking until Kylan suddenly stopped. I did too, confused, and followed his gaze.

My eyes landed on Queen Cecilia, who was walking on the opposite side with her ladies. As soon as she spotted us, she offered us a small smile, then continued on her way.

I looked back at Kylan and instantly saw it. His tensed jaw, the way his eyes lowered, his stiff shoulders. Something was not right.

“Kylan,” I whispered, reaching up to touch his arm. I stepped in front of him so he’d have to look at me.

“Something is bothering you. Tell me.”

I frowned and slid my arms around his waist, pressing my body close to his so he wouldn’t run away. I looked at him with a pout I didn’t even mean to make, but I just hated seeing him like this.

So guarded, closed off, and pulled somewhere inside himself where I couldn’t reach him unless he let me. I hated it because we told each other we wouldn’t do that anymore, but kept doing it anyway.

Kylan let out a defeated sigh and rolled his eyes a little. “Beta Jack hugged me yesterday,” he murmured. “Called me a…good kid.”

“Oh?” My lips curled. “Because you are,” I said softly. “A good person.”

Kylan didn’t really respond to that and just looked away like he always did. He still had a hard time taking compliments unless they were full of sarcasm.

Even then, I could’ve sworn the smallest smile tugged at his mouth. “Jack…” he started, then shook his head, searching for the right words. “It was just strange, hearing him say all that. Apologizing for not being there, and telling me I didn’t have to hide things from him.”

I watched as he gulped. “And then the queen…my mom,” he continued, “treating me like a stranger for years because of one mistake, and refusing to listen to my side, despite knowing what I have gone through with that man.”

That man undeniably being the king.

“We really are like that,” I admitted. “But we need to stop being like that. It’s the same reason it took so long for us to be together in the first place.”

Kylan shot me a surprised glance. His brows pulled in, like he couldn’t believe I was actually going somewhere with this.

“It’s not fair of me to tell you what to do when I’ve been running too.”

Because he was right. I hadn’t looked for Fergus because I had always feared what would leave that man’s mouth. What if I poured my heart out, and he would just defend himself without listening, while he had promised not to? Then what?

Kylan’s eyes softened.

“After everything calms down, I will go to Fergus…and you will go to the queen,” I spoke, determined. “We’ll say whatever’s on our mind and get it out before we go back to Starlight.”

For a moment, he didn’t move, didn’t blink, and didn’t breathe. It was like he was frozen in place. Eventually, he released a small breath, followed by a light chuckle.

“Deal,” he agreed. “I’ll hold you to it.”

He squeezed my hand once, staring at me with that soft little grin on his lips. No matter how chaotic things got, we always had nice talks, and it was moments like these that made me believe we would survive it all.

Fix the things we had both been running from, including the shithole we had found ourselves in. We would be alright.

“Violet!”

I turned at the sound of my name. Kaelis was waving from across the courtyard, the girls standing behind her. Trinity, Sora, and Lian. I could only wonder what she had planned for us this day.

I groaned under my breath, turning to Kylan. “There goes my peace.”

Kylan chuckled, stepping back. “I guess that’s your cue to go, and I should probably go too,” he said. “But I will see you tonight in the library, with the others?”

I let him squeeze my fingers one last time and bopped my head. “Tonight.”