Bloodbound to the Beastly King

The sun filtered into the room. It was morning. Adina stood by the window, holding a warm cup of herbal tea. It had been two days since her mating ceremony, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't still over the moon.

After everything that had happened, she wasn't just over the moon; she was over the clouds as well. She smiled, bringing the tea up to her lips.

The door creaked behind her, and she turned to see Thorne stepping in, his body glistening with water from bathing. His gaze fell on her, and he smiled, arms stretched wide.

"What are you doing up already?" He asked, pulling her into a hug, ignoring the weak protests she let out from his cold, wet skin.

"It's morning already," she mumbled, settling into his chest. Now, he didn't feel as cold as he first did.

He chuckled as she pressed her face against his chest. "You like that?" He asked, his voice rumbling deep in his chest.

"Very much so," she replied cheekily.

He chuckled lowly, "Unfortunately, you can't have it for much longer. I need to get ready for the meeting. If only I could be a pillow for you today."

Adina pulled back slightly and looked up at him, her smile soft. "You'd make a terrible pillow," she teased. "You snore."

Thorne scoffed, offended in the most dramatic way. "I do not snore."

"You do," she insisted, holding back a laugh. "Like a dragon."

"That sounds majestic," he said, leaning down to kiss her forehead before letting her go. "Which means you clearly adore it."

She rolled her eyes, but she didn't deny it.

Thorne walked over to the wardrobe, grabbing the dark tunic laid out for him. As he slipped it on, tightening the straps at his wrist, Adina's gaze lingered on him. The color was a perfect fit. He looked every bit the king he was... and every bit the man she loved.

Still, something awakened in her unconscious. It has been in her mind to ask ever since the word left his lips. She licked her lips, arms crossed. "Thorne," she called.

"Yes, my love."

Adina blinked. It wasn't the first time she was hearing it, but to hear it so casually, it made her insides melt into a puddle. She shook her head. It wasn't the time to swoon.

"About the meeting today..." she paused, waiting for a reaction but got none and so she continued, "Freya…. Will you really...?"

His hands stilled, he turned to her fully, his face calm. "Will I truly execute her?" He finished.

Adina swallowed but nodded. "Will you really execute her?"

Thorne dropped the things he held and walked towards her, their eyes locked. He nodded. "Yes."

It was as simple as that.

Adina swallowed. "Wouldn't that be a—"

"It would be nothing. Freya endangered the kingdom. She endangered our people. And most importantly... She endangered you." His jaw clenched just a little. "I almost lost you because of her."

Adina's throat tightened. It was true, Freya did all of that.

"So yes. Her execution has been decided," he said simply. "And it will be carried out."

Adina nodded slowly, even though her stomach twisted. "I understand."

Thorne stared at her for what seemed like hours, his gaze never straying. He could feel her emotions, could tell what was running through her mind. The overwhelming sense of empathy.

He shook his head, his heart faltering slightly. Of course, it was Adina. Only she would feel pity for a woman who tried to kill her. A woman whose father almost ruined her.

He stepped closer to her, holding her hand in his. "Are you worried?" He asked.

Adina shook her head. That was far from it. She wasn't worried. "I am not…. I just..Lord Carter—"

"Lord Carter will hear the news of the daughter shameful demise. Perhaps that will bring him out of whatever hole he is in." He said with finality.

Adina nodded, "I understand."

Thorne stared at her for a bit longer then opened his mouth to speak, but Caelum's voice came through the mind link. "Your majesty..."

Thorne shut his eyes, groaning internally. Why did he have to have a beta so adept with time?

"Duty calls?" Adina asked, brows raised.

Thorne nodded, bringing her hands to his lips and kissing her palms gently. "I'll be gone for two hours, but I promise to be back soon."

"Take all the time you need. After all, you are king."

Thorne shook his head. "I am your mate first before I am king. You are of more priority to me than anything else." He said and kissed her forehead, his hand lingering on her stomach now.

Adina couldn't help but smile. The worries she'd buckled inside of her seemed to deflate at the moment. Thorne had a way of doing that.

"You should leave now. Beta Caelum swears he's getting grey hairs at a young age because of you."

"First thing you should know as my mate and queen." He paused. "Beta Caelum lies."

At this, Adina chuckled, shoving his chest lightly, but he caught her wrist.

"I'll be back soon," he said, leaning down for a soft kiss. "Don't miss me too much."

"I make no promises," she muttered.

She stood still as he finally stepped out of the room. The room quieted down again. Adina exhaled and turned to the window, lifting the cup of tea she'd placed on the table, only to pause as a wave of dizziness blurred her vision for a second.

The tea spilled on her hands a little.

She shut her eyes, trying to connect with her energy. She felt it instantly. The core was restless inside of her. It thrummed like a second heartbeat.

"Not now... please," she whispered, pressing a hand lightly against her sternum until it settled.

It was dangerous, what she was doing. Her pup and the core could not share a vessel. A vessel which was her.

She couldn't let go of the core... not when the second half was with the witch... nor could she ever think of letting go of her pup...