Chapter 263: Journey Back
Ronan stood a few steps away from the small gathering of soldiers working to recover from the tense border skirmish. His long white hair still shimmered faintly with sweat, the remnants of battle running cold under the midday sun.
Raphael had gone to organise the injured troops, leaving Ronan a rare moment alone with Riven. As Soren strode away, ready to regroup his own men, he had to address his soldiers, Ronan’s gaze shifted to his mate.
Riven lingered by the horses, he did not even know that wolves had horses! But it made sense, they couldn’t hold swords with their wolf paws. They used horses only during the war.
His black hair was left dishevelled around his green eyes, his wolf ears flicked at Ronan’s presence. Ronan moved quietly toward him, taking Riven’s hands in his own. The crowd of soldiers—wolves, leopards, lions—seemed to fade away as Ronan brought Riven’s hands to his lips.
He paused, inhaling deeply at Riven’s wrist, where scent glands spoke softly of mate bonds and memory. Then, he pressed a gentle kiss to the same place. "Was I late?" he asked in a low voice, the question heavy with both relief and apology.
Riven watched Ronan’s icy blue eyes and shook his head. "No," he replied, his voice soft. "You came just in time."
Ronan exhaled slowly, relief like a tide receding from his ribcage. "Catalina," he murmured, nodding toward the retreating figure of the Lion princess. "You helped us avert the worst."
Riven studied the tall, regal silhouette of Catalina as she strode away with her brother. Ronen looked at Riven, not knowing what to say for a second. Whatever he had in mind, whatever he wanted to ask, and things he did not think of asking were all covered by Soren.
Ronan’s eyes softened. He leaned in, brushing his nose against Riven’s cheek. This was a stolen moment, hidden by golden beams of late afternoon sun. He pressed a light kiss to Riven’s temple. "You need to make it up to me," he whispered.