Page 45 of Asking Fur Trouble

“I’m not saying Kynon has designs on your throne,” Queen Zyre continued, “but never underestimate ambition wrapped in generosity.”

“I understand.” The words came out more clipped than he intended, his bear bristling at the correction.

His mother stood, cupping his face with her hands. “Show them who you are—the real Charov. The one who jumped from a plane because he loves adventure. The one who faced down beasts to protect children. Let them see the man Bess is falling for.”

The tension in his shoulders eased slightly. “I’ll arrange more public appearances. And Bess—they should know their future queen.”

His mother’s eyes gleamed with approval. “She has a way with people that can’t be taught. She was born for this role.”

Pride swelled in him. Yes—Bess was perfect. His perfect mate. His bear preened at the thought.

“I promise,” he said, taking his mother’s hands in his much larger ones. “I won’t let you or Father down. And I won’t let anyone threaten what’s ours.”

The possessiveness in his tone didn’t just refer to the territory. It encompassed everything—his legacy, his future, and most importantly, the woman currently wandering his family’s gardens, unaware she was close to becoming the most important piece of his kingdom.

THIRTY-ONE

Bess traced her fingers through the crystalline water that cascaded down the rock face behind Charov’s family cottage. The droplets sparkled like diamonds under Nova Aurora’s dual suns, creating miniature rainbows that danced across the surface. She wandered through the elaborate gardens while Charov spoke with his mother, finding solace in the exotic flora that reminded her how far from Earth she truly was.

Footsteps crunched on the stone path behind her. She turned to find Charov approaching, his broad shoulders blocking the sunlight, creating a halo effect around his silhouette. Her heart skipped—something about him seemed different, more intense than when they had arrived.

“There you are,” he beamed as he closed the distance between them. “Thank you for coming with me today. I know my mother can be... overwhelming.”

“She’s lovely.” Bess smoothed her dress, suddenly self-conscious under his intense gaze. “Is everything okay?”

Charov’s hand slipped into his pocket, then back out. “Everything’s perfect. But I’m starving. Are you hungry? There’s a place in town I want to show you.”

“I could eat.” Her stomach chose that moment to growl audibly.

“Your body speaks the truth.” His lips quirked up in a smile that transformed his serious face. He reached for her hand, engulfing it in his. “Let’s go.”

The silver hovercraft hummed beneath them as they sped toward town. The countryside blurred around them in streaks of purple and gold, alien yet increasingly familiar.

“Hold on tight,” he called over to her, accelerating through a curve that made her squeal.

When they pulled into the town square, Bess instantly sensed the difference. Unlike their previous outings, heads turned immediately. Conversations halted mid-sentence. A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.

“The King!”

“It’s King Charov!”

“Who’s the woman with him?”

Charov dismounted with practiced grace, then lifted Bess off the hovercraft with hands that spanned her waist. He set her down but kept one possessive arm around her.

“Your Majesty!” A stout man bowed deeply. “What an honor! Please, my restaurant is at your disposal.”

Three more merchants appeared, each offering their establishments. Charov handled it with diplomatic charm, but his grip on Bess tightened.

“Mikal’s place has the best honeyfruit pie on the planet,” he told her, loud enough for others to hear. “We’ll dine there.”

They couldn’t take five steps without someone approaching—mothers with children, elderly couples, and young men who looked at Charov with awe. Each wanted a moment with their new king, and by extension, with Bess.

“And this must be your future queen!” A woman with tanned skin pressed Bess’s hands between hers. “Such lovely coloring! Those eyes—are all Earth women so exotic?”

Bess’s smile remained fixed as anxiety bubbled beneath. On Earth, she had been just another average citizen. Here, strangers scrutinized her every feature and her every movement.

“She’s even more beautiful than rumors suggested,” someone else commented, examining her as if she were livestock at auction.

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