Page 42 of The Court of Truth

With that one word, she swings the door open and steps out, rushing to the tree line without a thought, tugging me along with her.

“Take me, please,” she says as she turns to me with wide eyes.

“You’re sure?” I double check, her excitement infectious as she nods eagerly.

“I honestly couldn’t think of anything more freeing right now, and I didn’t know I needed it until you brought it up, but you better hurry before my wolf gets the idea that she can actually be your alpha and lead the way. I really don’t know where I’m going.”

Love blossoms in my chest, zapping through my veins as I pull her in close. “Anything for you, Alpha,” I promise with a wink, kissing the corner of her mouth before I step back and shift.

My paws hit the ground with a thud, my wolf stretching as my eyes remain fixed on the white wolf that appears before my eyes. Cutting the distance between us, I rub my nose along the side of her fur, nestling tight against her as I cherish the moment.

“I love you.”The thought leaves my mind, making my heartbeat ricochet in my chest as she nuzzles closer.

“I love you too.”

Her words in my mind are everything I need.

It’s all possible for her, with her, because of her. I just have to remember that. Queen or not, she is mine and I am hers. Fated mates be damned. She’smywolf. My mate. And I’m going to take this moment of peace to bask in our connection before the darkness finds us again.

24

ADRIANNA

Ashiver of euphoria zips down my spine as Cassian takes off into the forest, and I scramble to race after him. My heart pounds with every leap I take through the trees, the adrenaline spiking through my veins only making me move faster.

I feel free.

As I run through the forest that surrounds the entire Kenner compound, I feel nothing but the wind through my fur and the ground beneath my paws.

I’m not the queen. I’m not supposed to have all the answers. I’m nothing but a wolf.

It’s stunning.

I succumb to the needs of my wolf and bask in the simplicity of life. I think we’re on our eighth exploration of the compound when Cassian slows enough to run beside me. Our bond strengthens with every lap we take together, promising that we’re here for each other despite the madness that surrounds us, and by the fifteenth pass around the compound, I’m exhausted.

Cassian must sense it because he slows by his cabin, coming to a complete stop before I pass out from pure bliss. He doesn’t shift until we’re safely inside his four walls again, and I do the same, opting to lie on the floor as I catch my breath.

“You’re not supposed to tire of that, Addi,” he says, amusement clinging to his words as he saunters over to the kitchen area.

“I don’t care. That was perfection,” I admit, my cheeks warm as I bask in the joy.

“At least your crown is still here.” He points at the jewels on the dining table and I hum in acknowledgement, opting to stay where I am rather than put it back on my head. It’s not needed in moments like this, but I’m definitely trying to spend the next few hours like I have no responsibilities. Which is slightly embarrassing since those responsibilities are everything I’ve been fighting to achieve.

The whirring of the coffee machine cuts through my thoughts and I rush to stand, eager to taste the bitterness only caffeine can offer so that I don’t wind up asleep before I’m even remotely ready.

Approaching Cassian, he tugs me under his arm, pressing a kiss to my head as I lean into him.

“How come we didn’t run into any other wolves while we were out there?” I ask. The thought came to me on our fourth run through, but I didn’t want to stop running to find out.

He rubs the back of his neck with his free hand, avoiding my stare as he clears his throat. “I may have made sure they were all occupied without calling for a complete lockdown so we could be alone,” he admits, but it feels like I’m missing something. His eyes find mine a moment later, like he knows I’m waiting for more, and he sighs. “They’re not too happy about us. I didn’t want them to impede on our time.”

I gape at him, surprise nearly overwhelming me from the initial impact of his words, but they wear off when I realize it kind of makes sense. “They don’t like me,” I state and he shakes his head.

“No, they don’t like the fact that you’re a distraction to me,” he corrects, and my eyes widen.

“So they don’t like me because I’m a distraction for you?” I reiterate, and he gives me a pointed look.

“They like you.”

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