Meredith.
I had barely digested breakfast. The turkey blanket and orange juice still weighed heavily on my stomach, dragging me into a slow, sluggish walk through the backyard gardens.
Azul trailed behind me like a shadow, her footsteps light, but persistent.
"My lady," she called softly, "will you be taking the concoction this afternoon?"
I winced. The thought alone made my tongue curl. That bitter brew had numbed my taste buds, and I was beginning to question if my tongue would ever feel again. I shook my head without turning to her.
"No. I’m not tasting that vile thing again until nightfall," I muttered, bringing a hand to my stomach. "Twice a day is enough torture."
If I had my chance, I would throw the entire pot out without minding the hours of effort that went into the preparation. And if I had another option, I would never try to undergo this horrible torture.
Azul sighed behind me. Then sighed again. And again. Until I couldn’t take it anymore.
By the tenth sigh, I stopped walking.
"Azul," I said, spinning around, "say it. Whatever is on your mind. Just say it."
She blinked, as if caught doing something forbidden. She stared at me for a moment, and seeing that I wasn’t letting go, she said, "My lady, I don’t think it’s in my place to discuss this with—"
"I don’t care," I interrupted, more gently this time. "You’ve been with me the longest. If there’s something you want to say, then say it. I promise I won’t be mad."
I guessed that whatever topic she had in mind might not be an appropriate conversation between a mistress and her maidservant.
She hesitated, clasping her hands together. Then, her voice dropped low, barely above a whisper. Then she stepped a bit closer.
"My lady... your heat. Tomorrow’s the full moon, and you said it will be strong this time... But... it would be easier to manage if you had a close relationship with Alpha Draven."
I blinked.
"What does Draven have to do with—" I started, but she cut in with a pointed look.
And I could swear that nothing out of the question occurred to me.
"He could help you," she said slowly, "if he... mated with you."
I stiffened. My face lit with heat almost immediately. Although I couldn’t see it, I could feel it.
I turned around and marched forward as fast as my stomach would allow. "Azul," I hissed, "do you know what you’re suggesting?"
Azul caught up to me quickly. "I’m not wrong," she said, a little firmer this time. "You are married to him, and it’s only nor—"
"That doesn’t mean I have to throw myself at him!" I snapped.
Azul blinked at my raised voice, but still didn’t back down. "You’ve been in pain every full moon since you turned of age, my lady. Now you finally have... a husband. Someone who can help ease the pain and stop your suffering. What is wrong with that?"
I could feel my ears turning red. And not just from anger.
Something was... wrong with my body. My breath caught in my throat. There was a sudden, familiar warmth pulsing low in my belly—foreign and intense—and it burned all the way down between my thighs.
"Azul, stop," I managed to say, my voice more breathless than I intended.
She frowned. "My lady?"
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t... I couldn’t hear this. Not now. Not when my head was suddenly spinning and my heart racing.
"I need some moments alone," I told her.
Her expression turned alarmed. "Have I offended—?"
"No," I assured quickly, holding up a hand. "I’m fine. Just... give me a moment."
She bowed gently, then walked off.
I stood there, breathing hard, willing the heat inside me to settle. My palms were clammy. My skin tingled.
What is wrong with me?
I started walking. Again. Anywhere. Away.
"I can’t endure this. What should I do?" I panicked.
The full moon would only descend tomorrow night, yet here I was, already pulsating from my need, wild desires I didn’t ask for.
I didn’t realize I had arrived at the estate’s training grounds until I saw the warriors. Shirtless. Muscled. Glinting with sweat under the morning sun.
My eyes widened. I could see them—see them clearly—even though they were several yards away. Every muscle. Every movement. Every sharp line of their bodies.
Something was happening to me.
I lifted a hand to my neck, tracing it slowly to my collarbone... down to my chest. The sensation made me dizzy. My fingers trailed lower.
Gasping, I dropped my hand as if it had burned me. I—I had lost myself for a moment.
"No... I—I can’t be here," I whispered, backing away.
"You shouldn’t be here," a voice said from behind.
I turned around so fast I nearly stumbled. My breath caught in my throat.
Draven.
His tall frame stood just feet away from me. Shirtless. His chest gleamed with sweat. Khaki shorts hugged his hips, and his dark hair was tied into a messy bun.
I hadn’t heard him arrive.
My tongue went dry.
"I asked you a question," he said, tone clipped. "What are you doing here?"
I tried to swallow. "I... I was just walking after eating a lot for breakfast. I didn’t mean to come this way."
He narrowed his eyes at me, sharp and unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he had caught my scent. I couldn’t tell if he knew. His facial expression revealed nothing.
But then... my gaze dropped to his chest again.
I imagined what it would feel like to touch it.
The next second, fingers snapped right in front of my face. I flinched.
His expression had darkened. "Back to your room. Now."
I blinked fast. "You can’t tell me what to do." I suddenly regained my composure completely.
His jaw clenched. "I just did."
My body was screaming. My blood, pulsing. I couldn’t stay here—not with him like this.
I turned quickly and walked off. But the heat didn’t leave me.
It grew.