My knees nearly buckled with relief when the massive golden gates of the castle came into view. After everything that had happened in the Autumn Forest Pack—the deaths, the revelations, the horror at the Altar—I felt a desperate need for familiarity. Even if that familiarity was just being a maid in the Lycan King's castle.
As our horses trotted through the gates, I allowed myself to breathe deeply. The staff was already gathering in the courtyard, forming neat lines to welcome their king home. I spotted Marta among them, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me riding my own horse instead of sharing with someone else. Owen stood nearby, bouncing nervously on his heels as he always did when Landon was expected.
"Ready?" Landon's deep voice came from beside me.
I glanced over at him, momentarily captivated by how the morning sunlight caught in his crimson hair. "For what?"
"For everyone to see what you are to me now."
