Page 54 of Asking Fur Trouble

THIRTY-SEVEN

Charov allowed the change of subject, filing away the unfinished business between them for a more private moment. “There are five throughout the capital. They house children who’ve lost their parents—some to illness, others to the dangers of our wilder territories.”

“Like those beasts we encountered?”

“Among other things,” he nodded, admiring how quickly she grasped the realities of his world. “My father believed strongly in supporting these houses. It was one of his most passionate causes.”

Her eyes softened. “And now it will be yours.”

“Yes,” he said simply.

The sunlight shifted as they rounded a corner, bathing Bess in golden light once more. His bear surged with fierce protectiveness and desire. She belonged here, by his side. She would make a magnificent queen—strong yet compassionate, capable yet kind. He would give her all the time she needed, but he would also show her, in every way possible, that her place was here with him.

Before long, Charov watched as a group of orphaned children swarmed around Bess. Their small hands reached for hers, their faces alight with curiosity about the beautiful Earth woman. His chest swelled with pride as she knelt to their level, answering their eager questions about her home planet with patience and warmth.

“How do humans know when someone is your mate?” asked a small girl with braided hair, her eyes wide with innocence, looking back and forth between Bess and Charov.

Charov tensed, his bear alert for Bess’s response.

“Well,” Bess said, her voice gentle, “humans have to figure it out the old-fashioned way—time, conversation, and listening to our hearts.”

Charov’s bear rumbled with sudden recognition and understanding. His mother and Torborn were indeed right. Bess just needed more time. What happened yesterday wasn’t a rejection of him, she just wasn’t ready.

As the day wore on, Kynon’s words from yesterday echoed in Charov’s mind like an unwelcome ghost.A growing petition to have him removed... set Kynon on the throne instead...The suggestion had landed like a blow to his pride. He’d barely worn the crown for a month, and already his people supposedly wanted someone else?

Yet as he surveyed the room, all he saw were faces filled with respect and admiration. The staff members bowed deeply when he passed. The children gazed up at him with awe reserved for living legends. The head matron had tears in her eyes when she thanked him for continuing his father’s legacy of support.

“Your Majesty is so like the late king,” she’d said, her voice thick with emotion. “He would be so proud to see you here today.”

Those words had pierced straight through to his heart, settling there like a warm ember of validation.

His bear preened beneath his skin. This washisterritory,hispeople. No one, especially not Kynon Nuele, would take them from him.

But doubt crept in like a shadow. Kynon had always been loyal during his father’s reign—a trusted advisor and friend to the crown. Why would he lie? It made no sense.

Charov’s thoughts were interrupted when a small boy tugged on his tailored jacket. “King Bear,” the child said, using the affectionate nickname the orphans had given him, “will you show us your bear? Please?”

His bear surged forward eagerly at the request, always ready to show off for cubs.

“Not inside, I’m afraid,” Charov replied with a wink that sent the children into fits of giggles. “But I’ll tell you what—next summer festival, I’ll arrange for all of you to visit the royal hunting grounds where you can see not just me, but many of our royal guards shift. How does that sound?”

The children’s cheers nearly shook the rafters.

As they made their way back to the transport after their fourth visit, Charov caught Bess studying him, her eyes thoughtful.

“What?” he asked, his hand settling possessively on her back as he guided her into the vehicle. She didn’t respond, just gave him a warm smile over her shoulder that made his heart skip a beat.

Once seated beside her, close enough to inhale her intoxicating scent, he turned to face her fully. His bear demanded he pull her into his lap, but the man exercised restraint—barely.

“I’m still considering Kynon’s suggestion,” he admitted, watching her face carefully. “About stepping down.”

Her eyes widened, and he caught the subtle scent of her distress.

“But I don’t want to,” he continued, his voice dropping to a rumble that made her pupils dilate. “I’ve always known I would be king someday. It’s not just my birthright—it’s who I am.” His fingers found hers, engulfing her smaller hand. “Yielding my crown would mean failing my father, throwing away his legacy. And I’m not convinced it’s what my people truly want.”

“It isn’t,” Bess said firmly, surprising him with her certainty. “I’ve been watching them too, Charov. The way they look at you—with respect, with hope. That’s not something that can be manufactured or faked.”

Her words soothed something primal in him. His bear preened under the validation from their mate.

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