The Lycan King's Fate Calling

Crystal's POV:

Rufus and I didn't return until nightfall, just after the sun had dipped below the horizon. Ian was bouncing up and down with wild abandon, enjoying himself with Rin and his brothers. As the night crept in, I asked Rufus to help me take lan home.

Rin accompanied us to the edge of the forest, though she appeared hesitant to part ways, digging the balls of her feet into the thick mud.

With a heavy heart, I crouched and embraced her. "I live in the imperial palace now. If you ever wish to see me, seek me there."

Rin whimpered, a mournful cry escaping her mouth. She relayed her understanding with a gentle swipe of her claw.

"Let's go," I declared. Rufus clasped my hand firmly and bid farewell to Rin, a warm smile on his face.

Beryl and Arron had now taken up residence in Laura's palace, while Rufus escorted me back to his own palace, adamant that I should not return to my own dwelling. He made it clear that from now on, I was to stay solely within his domain.

Resistance was futile; I knew I couldn't win the argument. I chose to compromise. Besides, Rufus would remain a constant presence in my life no matter where I lived.

A small, secret smile played at the corners of my lips.

Yana sensed my thoughts and snorted in my mind, the sound pulling me out of my muddle. "You're

said. "Gee, why

stop it. You

in defeat, aware that she could not win this argument. She chose to remain silent, pressing her thin lips

met for the first time, and Rufus' behavior surprised me. He was not known for his patience with anyone other than me, yet he took it upon himself to attend to lan's wounds

my assistance throughout the entire, arduous process. I was merely a bystander, talking with lan and keeping him

revitalized and presentable, Rufus and I took him

way, lan was brimming with excitement, wagging his tail and barking at every

behavior endearing, to an outsider,

lan from alarming the others. "Don't frighten people, lan," I cautioned. "It's their first encounter with you, and they may not appreciate your

cocked his head to the side, bewildered

Frustrated, I decided to make myself clear. "If you ever

gentle howls and then affectionately rubbed himself against my trousers, exhibiting

let out a chuckle. "He's quite clever, isn't he?" I fondly patted lan's head and explained to Rufus, "He takes after his mother, mischievous whenever

lan to see Beryl was

my palm, jolting me out of my thoughts. He then

Beryl and Arron engrossed in