The Crown's Entrapment

At the Lock Hart Pack Territory, Bartos finally had some time to stroll around his pack with Jayra. This time, she shamelessly suggested that she rode with him on his horse instead of her riding on her own.

“It’s cold right now because of the snowfall, so you should keep me warm in your embrace,” Jayra casually commented as they settled into Bartos’s horse.

Bartos didn’t comment. He rarely did, and Jayra was already used to the comfortable silence between them. Still, she smiled at what they had. After all, even though he wasn’t saying a thing, she could clearly feel how his heart fluttered at her words.

[I love this Mate Bond thing…] she giggled to him telepathically as they began their stroll. [With you not being able to hide your emotions from me, it’s fine even if you don’t talk~]

[Yes, I can tell how much you’re enjoying this, wife,] Bartos commented. [Also, from here, we’ll be heading to my favorite inn to have lunch there. I’ll also introduce you to my beta officers that are keeping the order in my pack.]

[I would love that,] Jayra replied with a wide grin. She loved meeting new denizens, especially those who were clearly close to her husband.

“By the way, did you send the good news about us completing the Mate Bond to His Majesty yet? I can’t wait for Princess Xenia to hear the news,” Jayra commented aloud, already giggling at her friend’s potential reaction. “I’m sure she’ll be happy for me.”

Oh, how she wanted to tease the Princess, but she would have to save it for later once she returned. For now, she could only hope that she would have a productive few sessions of training ahead.

“I did, and I’m sure they’ll be delighted with this news,” Bartos informed her. “I also told His Majesty of our intention to get married as soon as he comes back.”

Jayra nodded at his confirmation. Some time later, they passed by some of the members of Bartos’s pack along the road, all of whom politely greeted them with her giving them a curt nod and her sweetest smile. Somehow, she still felt them all being warm and welcoming in greeting their Alpha, with her being included in said greetings.

An hour passed, and Jayra noticed that the border they just passed by was well-guarded by soldiers. Bartos noticed her curiosity, so he explained, “Behind those walls is the Forbidden Forest, Jayra.”

“Ah, right. I can see that,” Jayra murmured. “It’s just that I wasn’t aware that your territory is near that forest.”

Looking at it from the outside, she honestly felt the ominous auras and powers behind those walls. And even now, she could see the protective barrier cast on the walls. They also had the same barrier and walls in Ebodia, it seemed, since a part of northern Ebodia was also near the Forbidden Forest. The guards securing it were not just warriors, but warrior mages that knew white magic to suppress the forest’s dark powers.

If Jayra remembered correctly, their Queen Dana was the one who managed to seal the darkness in the forest, ensuring that no other soul would get out of the forest. She bound the ominous and viscous souls inside the forest for eternity, saving them from their malicious intent.

“You should request mages from Ebodia to guard these walls instead,” Jayra pointed out.

“I believe His Majesty and King Stephan have already talked on this matter. King Stephan offered this to our King, and King Darius was honestly adamant against taking it,” he explained with a sigh.

“However, King Stephan insisted, saying that he wouldn’t allow anyone belittling his daughter because Ebodia bargained for nothing in this marriage alliance. So King Darius accepted, knowing that it was all for Princess Xenia’s sake.”

“Also, I’ve heard that King Stephan has already prepared warrior mages to help guard the walls and that he would bring them over to Princess Xenia’s wedding as part of the tribute to the Kingdom of Cordon,” he added.

Jayra nodded at all the information she got. She wasn’t aware of it, but she was sure that Princess Xenia would be delighted to hear of this news. With this, they could simply slap those in the courts still opposing their Princess Xenia for the king. Hah! Even bringing warrior mages as tribute was something not any kingdom could offer!

Jayra chuckled, and Bartos asked, “What is it? Is there something funny?”

“Nothing. It’s just that I’d probably be one of those volunteer warrior mages if King Stephan happened to not ask me to accompany Princess Xenia into this kingdom,” Jayra chuckled. “Hehe… I’ll always have my way of being near Princess Xenia in one way or another.”

“Hmm… There’s no need though to be a volunteer though,” Bartos scoffed. “I mean, I met you already back when we were still at Ebodia, so I might’ve just ended up abducting you anyway…”

Her eyes widened at what she just heard. Turning to him, Jayra burst out, “Seriously?!”

Bartos chuckled with a nod.

Jayra frowned and mumbled, “You could’ve just talked to me, you know. Why would you even think of abducting me?”

Instead of answering, Bartos took that angle of hers and leaned in to capture her lips in broad daylight, not minding if others would witness their public display of affection.

Bartos heard her worried thoughts and told her, [They don’t care, wife… Besides, are you forgetting that we completed the bond already? Every werewolf we passed by already knows that you’re the Luna of our pack.]

Oh, right… No wonder everyone was giving her a curt bow as well. Removing the remaining shame in her system, Jayra simply enjoyed the wonderful and passionate kiss Bartos was giving her.

“Tsk… I want to have you right now,” Bartos complained against her lips as he broke the kiss.

Jayra chuckled, “You can have me all you want once we come back to the mansion, you know.”

“Should we head back now?” Bartos suddenly suggested.

Jayra chuckled at how serious and firm his tone was.

“Husband, you said you’ll introduce me to your officials,” Jayra teasingly reminded him. “Let’s first finish the task at hand, alright? We can play on your bed later.”

Bartos hissed under his breath, and Jayra felt the arm wrapped around her waist tighten in response. “Let’s speed up then,” he murmured as he signaled his horse to move faster.

Moving on, the snow hadn’t yet occupied the roads, but after days of snowing, Jayra could bet that she and Bartos would end up staying inside the mansion for the majority of their stay.

‘Warming our bed in the bedchamber… Or we might as well make love in all the corners of it for a change…’

She heard Bartos growled as he telepathically complained, [Your lewd thoughts right now are torturing me, wife. I’ll be damned if you don’t stop soon.]

Jayra laughed, [It’s your fault for not teaching me how to put a wall against you poking in my head yet. Hmph…]