Chapter 36: Back to the Palace
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“So, are you willing to be this idiot’s girlfriend?”
Aldrich’s question hung in the air, laced with nervous anticipation and the slightest hint of self -deprecation. I couldn’t help but grin widely, my heart brimming with amusement and affection. “Take a guess,” I teased, my tone light yet carrying the weight of my emotions.
He tapped my forehead gently and laughed, his laughter warm and genuine, a sound that felt like home.
The answer was obvious–crystal clear to me, if not to him. If I had to choose someone to spend the rest of my life with, there was no question in my mind that it would be him. He was the one person I could open my heart to, the only person I could see myself with. And since he wanted this, why not?
I shrugged playfully, slipping my hand into his. “Of course.”
The words tumbled out, simple yet liberating, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from my chest. For the first time in what felt like forever my heart was calm–utterly and blissfully at
peace.
We were meant to be together. The time we’d spent apart felt inconsequential now that we had found our way back to each other. Sure, he had his moments of exasperating behavior, but I forgave him for those flaws. After all, he was impossibly charming, and, well, his looks didn’t hurt either.
Our eyes locked, and the shared understanding between us deepened. Unable to resist, we leaned into another kiss–deep, consuming, and entirely intoxicating. Ever since we had confessed our feelings, it seemed like every moment was charged with an electric pull, drawing us back into each other’s arms.
Why did I like him so much? The question flickered through my mind, but the answer didn’t matter. What mattered was the way his presence made my heart race, how his touch ignited something deep within me.
As his lips trailed down my neck, a sudden, overwhelming sensation swept over me. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced–intense, electrifying, and almost surreal. My vision blurred, and my ears buzzed as though the world had vanished, leaving only the two of us. The sensation was concentrated, radiating from the small spot where his lips lingered. My knees weakened, and if not for Aldrich’s steady arms holding me, I might have crumpled to the ground. My entire body felt like it was submerged in warm water, my breath coming in rapid, uneven gasps. And yet, he hadn’t done anything more than this simple, intimate act. “I…” Words failed me as I tried to process the incredible sensations coursing through me. Was
it because I’d never been in an intimate relationship before? Or was it something deeper, something unique to him?
Aldrich’s hand cupped my cheek, his touch grounding me. His gaze held a mix of emotions, calm yet earnest. “I’m marking you,” he said softly, his voice laced with tenderness. “But it’s only temporary a fake mark, for now.”
“Temporary?” I asked, my voice tinged with confusion.
His gray eyes seemed to swirl with unspoken thoughts, his emotions barely contained. “Yes, it’s temporary. A true mark signifies eternal loyalty and an unbreakable bond. But that has to wait until you complete your transformation. I want to be certain that your feelings are genuine and not born out of fleeting emotions.”
1 frowned, my heart pounding in protest. “I’m not confused! I already know that I like you!” A smile softened his expression, and he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “That’s good to o each other hear. When your werewolf awakens, I’ll mark you permanently, and we’ll belong forever.”
His words filled me with anticipation, adding another reason to look forward to my transformation. Gaining strength, embracing my werewolf identity, and sealing our bond–it all felt like an exciting new chapter waiting to unfold.
We stood together, watching the sun sink below the horizon, painting the sky in hues and crimson. Silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence shared by two people perfectly content in each other’s presence.
As the last rays of sunlight faded, Aldrich broke the moment. “Let’s go. We should head back”
gold
He jumped out of the car and extended a hand toward me, his smile inviting and reassuring.
I pouted, reluctant to leave. “We can stay a little longer. It’s still early.”
He chuckled, his grip firm yet gentle as he helped me down. “There are people who care about you, Thelma. The King and Queen might be worried. Besides, we have all the time in the world to be together.”
His words were a balm, soothing my lingering disappointment. I nodded, allowing myself to be pulled into his embrace before we climbed back into the car.
The drive back was filled with easy conversation, laughter, and shared moments of quiet reflection. Yet, amidst the happiness, a nagging thought began to creep into my mind.
My identity.
Aldrich only knew me as a distant relative of the Queen. But the truth was far more complicated than that. I was their daughter, the future Queen. How would he react if he found out? Would it change the way he saw me? Would he feel betrayed, thinking I had hidden this
from him?
Theons swirled in my mind, growing louder with each passing mile. Many times, I opened my mouth to tell him the truth, only to hesitate and close it again. My identity wasn’t just about me it was tied to the lives of my parents, my people, and the future of the kingdom. Recklessly revealing it could have consequences far beyond what I could predict.
And yet, I trusted Aldrich. I trusted his heart, his intentions. But would he remain as steadfast when faced with the weight of my reality? Love could be tested by many things, and I had seen too many relationships falter under the strain of ambition, power, and responsibility.
Was this the right time to tell him? Should I lay everything bare or keep part of the truth. hidden, at least for now?
The car rolled to a stop, jolting me out of my thoughts.
Aldrich turned to me, his expression filled with warmth and curiosity. “Do you want to go and tell them about us?”
I hesitated, my heart torn between fear and hope. This was a moment of truth, but was I ready for what it might bring?
I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage I had. “Let’s see what happens.”
