Bloodbound to the Beastly King

The sky was blue, and the weather was perfect, a stark contrast to how Adina felt. She was a bundle of nerves.

It was her first time leaving Obsidian, and that too with him. Oh, she was nervous.

The courtyard bustled with activity as the guards mounted their horses, servants loaded the trunks, but all Adina could hear was the frantic beating of her own heart.

Her gaze flickered to Thorne, who stood by the carriage, speaking quietly with Caelum. He looked calm and regal, as if this was just another duty to cross off his list. Meanwhile, she felt like she might faint from the pressure of it all.

She hugged her arms, trying to calm herself. Just breathe. It's fine. You're just going on a trip. With the king.

Before she could spiral any further, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

"Adina," Lord Levi called, and she looked up to see him seated on his brown horse, his brown hair moving with the wind, the reins loose in his gloved hands. His smile was calm and warm, a stark contrast to her nerves.

"Come ride with me," he said, stretching his hand out to her.

Adina exhaled, dreading walking with the rest of the guards as customary, but now she was thankful for him. She hadn't even known he was also going there until now.

"You're also going to the festival?" she asked.

Levi arched his brows. "Of course, why else would I be on this beauty?" he asked. "Come on, ride with me. It's a long journey ahead," he said.

Adina nodded, reaching out to take Levi's outstretched hand when—

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a solid chest.

"She's riding with me," Thorne said, his voice low and hoarse. His arm tightened around her waist, leaving no room for argument.

Adina froze, eyes wide, heart hammering even harder now. She's riding with him? The king?

Levi hesitated, eyes flickering between Adina and the king, then slowly gave a tight smile before nodding curtly. "Of course, my king."

"Come," Thorne said, pulling her towards the carriage. Adina felt her body go up in flames, partly from the fact that he was touching her, holding her, and partly from the many eyes that were now on her, watching her.

She wanted the ground to split open and swallow her.

Thorne didn't let go, not even as they reached the carriage. He opened the door with one hand and, without asking, lifted her inside like she weighed nothing.

Adina sat stiffly, her heart still hammering in her chest as Thorne climbed in after her. The door shut, and the two of them were now left alone. Suddenly, the space felt too small, too quiet.

The carriage lurched forward, and their journey began.

Adina kept her eyes glued to the window, watching the castle grow smaller in the distance, but she could feel his gaze on her like he was studying her.

She refused to look at him. She couldn't, not with how intense his eyes were on her.

Suddenly, he cleared his throat. "Relax. You look like you want to jump from the carriage just to escape being in my presence," Thorne said.

Adina's eyes snapped up, stunned. He read her like a book.

Thorne smirked like he could read her mind. "Did you want to ride with Levi that badly?" he asked.

Okay, he wasn't reading her anymore. Adina shook her head. "No, my king."

"Then why do you look like that?"

Adina blinked, puzzled. "Like how?"

Thorne didn't say a thing after that. He merely stared at her like her face had grown more interesting. Adina didn't find it in her to look away. Slowly, her heart was no longer beating so fast, and her nerves were calmer.

Thorne smirked. "Good."

She was taken aback slightly. What just happened?

She looked away, her face red. She had an idea of what just happened. Thorne released his calming pheromones through his scent. Only mates could do that.

She smiled softly, allowing herself to think about the festival instead.

"Tell me, how did you celebrate the moon festival back in Crystal Moon?" he asked casually, not missing the way she stiffened at the question.

She shook her head. "I wouldn't know. I've never celebrated the moon festival," she replied quietly.

Thorne frowned. "The festival was thrown in Crystal Moon two years ago. You're saying you didn't attend the festival thrown in your pack as the Luna?" He asked, remembering because he had turned down that particular festival.

She nodded, eyes downcast. "No. I…" she paused slightly. "I wasn't allowed to."

Thorne stared at her for a moment longer, something unreadable passing through his eyes. "Hmm." He leaned back and shut his eyes.

The rest of the ride went by in silence. Adina dared a glance at him. Thorne had leaned back against the seat, arms folded, but his eyes were half-lidded, watching the passing scenery. Or maybe, she realized with a jolt, watching her reflection in the window.

She swallowed and faced forward again, cheeks still warm.

An hour later, the carriage began to slow. They'd arrived at the Blood Crest pack.

Adina peeked out of the window, and her breath hitched. The pack's territory sprawled before them: tall stone walls, banners in the air, and a sea of unfamiliar faces waiting beyond the gates.

This was what it was like to be a king.

Outside the window, she could see them waiting. The Blood Crest pack alpha, his wife beside him, and their two children standing dutifully. The alpha was tall, broad-shouldered, with streaks of silver at his temples and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His mate was a young woman, perhaps half his age, tall, regal with a quiet beauty. While their children, a boy about sixteen and a girl perhaps ten, watched with curiosity.

The carriage door opened, and Thorne stepped out. The pack alpha wasted no time, striding forward with a wide smile. He bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, what an honor it is to receive you at Blood Crest!" the alpha said, his voice loud.

Thorne nodded curtly, his expression unreadable. "Alpha Radek," he greeted, his voice firm and deep. "Thank you for hosting us."

As the men spoke outside, Adina held her breath. Maybe if she was quick enough, she could just slip down without drawing attention. She shifted forward, hoping to follow behind quietly, when—

A large hand was stretched to her.

Adina froze, seeing Thorne's hand stretched to her. His eyes were on her, expectant.

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she hesitated, aware of the eyes now looking at the carriage. There was no escaping it. With no other choice, she placed her trembling hand in his, and he helped her down, his grip firm.

The moment her feet touched the ground, Adina kept her head low, wishing she could disappear. She could feel everyone staring at her. It was unusual. She knew it. The king didn't travel with anyone but himself and sometimes the beta. And for a festival like this one. It was expected that he would take one of the concubines instead. And even then, they would come in separate carriages.

She swallowed hard, still feeling the eyes on her. It was not just the alpha and his family, but the guards, the servants, everyone.

And to make it worse, she hadn't dressed as plainly as she usually did. The gown he had sewn for her was one a maid shouldn't be wearing. The soft blue fabric clung to her body in ways that made her self-conscious. She wasn't meant to stand out, and yet here she was, looking like—

One of his concubines.

"She fits you well, Your Majesty," Alpha Radek said with a smirk, his gaze lingering far too long on Adina before flicking back to Thorne. "A fine match for his majesty." His gaze flickered to Adina. "Which of the councilman's daughters are you, if I may ask."

Adina's head shot up in horror. "N-no, I'm just—just his personal maid."

The man's eyes widened just like his family's. "Forgive me for my insolence, your majesty. I apologize for my ignorance," he rushed out, head bowed.

Thorne's jaw tightened. "Show us to our room, Alpha Radek. It's been a long journey, and my entourage must be tired."

"Of course, of course. Please come," Radek rushed out, ushering Thorne into the house.

Behind him, Adina couldn't help but scold herself. Why did she have to draw so much attention to herself? Talking like that as a servant? Was she trying to get herself punished?

"Stop thinking so much," Levi's voice jolted her out of her thoughts. He had leaned closer to her to speak. She hadn't even noticed the man behind her, not until he was beside her.

"Lord Levi."

He smiled at her, mouth open to speak but didn't get to with Alpha Radek's voice stopping him.

"We have prepared rooms for his majesty's entourage and the right wing for his majesty," he paused for a second, eyes flickering to Adina. "We had no idea his majesty's maid would be coming, or we would've prepared an extra room for her, but she can stay in the servant quarters with the other servants seeing as—"

"She will stay with me," Thorne's voice echoed through the walls, echoed in Adina's ears.

Did she hear him well, or did he just say they will share a room? A room? A king and his maid? In what world did that happen?

Before she could stop herself, she was next to Thorne. "Y-your majesty. I don't mind staying in the servant quarters—"

Thorne arched his brow. "I didn't ask if you minded. You'll stay in my wing with me. That's it."

"Y-yes, your majesty," she replied, her heart in her throat as she stared at the ground, wishing she could vanish into it. Stay with him? In his chambers?

Radek hesitated, his smile faltering for just a breath. "O-of course, Your Majesty. As you wish."