His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 159: Palace of Sol (1)

We draw closer to the palace, the tall white structure grand and intimidating. I couldn’t help but marvel at it like I have done with everything else. Unlike the North, where our palace was heavily guarded with a large wall, blocking the outside world from looking inside, this palace was very open; instead of walls, there were golden-brown bars that blended with the palm trees and green gardens surrounding the white square and dome-like structures.

The pristine brickwork our paws stepped on gradually started changing colour from the white streets to golden until we were before grand golden gates, and the gardens, long path and palace were beyond it. The gates were guarded, but it was completely open, and the scent of flowers and greenery, something I always associated with our very short summer, wafted back to me.

Warriors still guarded the perimeter, two curved swords sitting on one side of their hip, the leather pleated skirts and leather armour stopping short to their shoulders, revealing their tanned, muscular arms. Instead of boots, they wore sandals or were barefoot.

Eryx’s presence had been noticed further down the street, and the warriors had stood to attention. Power rippled through every step, his form majestic and formidable. I walked beside him, pride swelling in my chest, my posture straightening more, my snout tipping a little higher—their Alpha Prince, the respected and feared heir to the kingdom, was my mate.

I was trying not to let my doubt and insecure thoughts pierce through my mind. I’d always known Eryx was sought after and I was this tiny wolf, this Were that had been neglected, ridiculed-

Eryx’s chest rumbled, halting me from that downward spiral. In front of everyone, he nuzzled his nose to mine and licked the side of my face, his mind link following in a gruff voice. ’Tiny but extraordinary. My mate. My woman. Mine." He licked the back of my neck where my mate mark was beneath all the fur. "Don’t ever believe yourself anything less than my extraordinary mate. I will tell you every morning and every evening of my existence how lucky I am to have you as my mate.’

’Eryx,’ I whisper back through our mind link. My voice is thick with emotion. I don’t know what to say.

The brute of a man I’d first believed to be a complete ass was so impeccably sweet. I nuzzled my face back into his before we focused on the palace again. With his words and the strength pulsing through the bond from my mate, comforting me, I felt renewed and capable again of facing our next challenges. Together. As a unit. As mates.

We stride through the palace gates, the warriors kneeling down on one leg, heads bowed, fist pressed to their chests. It was a grand entrance, a long path of warriors making their way to greet us. The tall palm trees cast shadows over us, along with the intricately detailed arches towering above us. The golden tiled pathway stretches on, flanked by lush greenery and vibrant flowers; the foliage of the gardens is like a hidden oasis surrounding the palace.

The gardens were so vast around the palace that I’d get lost even if I followed the pathways branching out. Right now, I focused on the path leading up to the main palace, which was an open-air space with a square design that allowed the breeze and sunlight to stream into it. The massive stone pillars were adorned with intricate, geometric carvings and glyph-like patterns.

We stopped just before the steps leading up to the imposing entrance. Each step was steep, its height stopping just above my knees, and this was in my wolf form. If I were truly short, this would be an obstacle course, and I would struggle to lift my body up each step. It didn’t look like anyone in the South would face such problems. All Weres were tall, but those of Sun and Fury were larger in general, and my mate surpassed even them.

I tried to hide my panting. It wasn’t the exercise itself; fortunately, some of the running and training Soren put me through helped with this. No, it was because of the heat. Once we were at the top, the open-air palace elongated back, revealing an empty throne that sat at the far end with two large fire basins positioned on either side of the throne and lining up along the pillars. The entire open space had large cushioning on the ground with tables and sofas, all for social gatherings.

Yet the area was empty except for a few warriors stationed at alternating pillars. Then as though summoned, a man with weathered skin, sharp hazel eyes and black and white streaked hair, short to his scalp, approached us. Like the other warriors, he wore a pleated skirt, but golden medallions adorned his chest over his leather armour. A red cape fell down his back like it did with others who were of higher rank, I noted. He smiled brightly at us, the corners of his eyes crinkling, lines revealing a life full of laughter. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

I sensed power brimming behind him, and like everyone else here, he was tall and in good shape. He gestured with his arms wide to us, speaking in Solfyran. I didn’t understand, but I was content reading everyone’s body language until Salihn’s voice rang out in my mind, translating the important parts of the conversation.

I nodded once, grateful for her help. He was welcoming Eryx and his men back from a long and arduous journey and looked forward to hearing the report about the North—a job Cohnal is tasked with as the next Alpha King’s Beta.

"And this must be His Highness’ mate the city has been speaking so loudly about," the Beta switched languages so I could understand. I was becoming increasingly aware of how the Southern Weres could speak my language, and in Ice and Claws, we did not educate ourselves on our enemy’s language or culture. This is something I will ask of my brother when I can next reach out to him.

’Your men work quickly,’ Eryx chuckled through the mind link back to the Beta.

The Alpha King’s Beta chuckled as well. ’They learned from the best.’

’Faidon,’ Salihn murmured into my mind so I could keep up with their discussion. Again, I became increasingly grateful for this she-wolf.

Of course, Faidon must have taught others his skills. I glanced at the shadows, wondering where he was right now, but the man in front of us snapped my attention back to the conversation.

The Alpha King’s Beta stepped closer and then bowed his head at me, fist to his chest. "Welcome. I am Beta Malrik. It is an honour to meet you-" His hazel eyes flicked up to the crescent moon on my forehead. "- a remarkable she-wolf for our Alpha Prince. Princess Idalia."

So, news of this detail did get back to the Beta. I bowed my head in response. He was welcoming and warm, and the laughter lines made me relax somewhat. But this was a man, second in command to an Alpha King known as Mad Val, who happily put his children against each other so the next heir to the throne would not be weak.

I wasn’t silly as to believe this old man is completely innocent, no matter how charming he seems. Still, I wasn’t one to be impolite. Wary, perhaps. But not impolite.