Kylie gazed at Molly momentarily before erupting in laughter. “Molly! We are unobserved! It has been an eternity since our last encounter; please share details about your trip! The absence of gossip here has rendered this place exceedingly dull without your presence.”
Molly exhaled audibly and tucked her hair behind her ears. “Vera falsely claimed to be Jayce’s mate,” she whispered.
Kylie’s eyes widened. “How did you discover this?”
“I have always suspected her deceit because…” Molly glanced back at the door to ensure it remained closed before she lowered her neckline to reveal her mate mark to Kylie. Kylie’s eyes appeared as though they might bulge from her head, prompting immediate regret in Molly.
“What?!” she exclaimed. Molly covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her voice.
“You must not disclose this to anyone! I wish for it to remain confidential-”
Kylie extricated herself from her grasp. “You must inform others! You could be his partner!”
“I am uncertain whether I desire that yet, Kylie! I have not determined if I wish to be with him… I seek freedom, not further entanglement with this place.”
“Molly, you would receive indulgence and utmost respect if you acknowledged your status as his mate. No one would dare to confront you—observe how they regard Vera!” Kylie grasped Molly’s hands and compelled her to meet her gaze. “They would no longer inflict harm upon you; you would assume the role of authority. Is this not preferable to the arduous task of seeking employment in an unpredictable world? Here, you would be regarded with the utmost respect.”
Molly expressed her disapproval with a sorrowful shake of her head. “I do not wish to dictate others’ actions or require them to manage my responsibilities. I desire autonomy—I aspire to exist according to my own principles. Should I acquiesce to being his partner, I am uncertain of my future trajectory. I refuse to bind myself to a man who may lose interest and discard me upon discovering a new companion; that existence is unacceptable to me.”
Kylie scowled. “If you were his genuine mate, he would not be unfaithful. It is said that once wolves discover their true mate, they no longer yearn for anyone else in the same manner. Consider the king; he has yet to identify a woman with whom he can find contentment for more than a week since the death of his mate—” Kylie paused, her eyes widening once more. “Wait… does that imply… you possess a wolf within you?”
“Indeed… I do…” Molly faltered once more. “It was a profound shock. I did not comprehend it until we were on the journey. Jayce was on the verge of death, and something within me fractured. My wolf emerged and rescued him.”
“How romantic!” Kylie exclaimed, leaping up with delight. Molly compelled her to resume her seat.
“Please lower your voice. I am not prepared for everyone to be aware of this yet!” Molly hissed. She cast another glance at the door to ensure no one had ajar it to eavesdrop.
“Certainly, my apologies.” Kylie smiled and resumed her seat. “Nothing thrilling has occurred since our arrival. I cannot fathom that you are bonded with the most attractive prince and that you saved his life! He must be infatuated with you,” Kylie sighed wistfully.
Molly murmured, “I am uncertain regarding that.” “Sufficient discourse on men; please inform me of the events that transpired during my absence.”
Kylie’s excitement diminished as she absorbed the new subject. “A considerable amount has transpired. The king has unexpectedly fallen ill, and the Luna Queen has withheld this information from her sons until recently. She has been attempting to project an image of control, yet the atmosphere resembles that of a military installation due to her treatment of others. I am apprehensive about revealing myself; I endeavour to remain inconspicuous, but she invariably discovers a way to target everyone.”
“Oh my… that sounds dreadful, Kylie!” Molly had always been the type to blend into the surroundings, but Kylie was not. If Kylie sought concealment, the situation must have been significantly more dire than Molly initially perceived. “What is Prince Ashton’s opinion on the matter? He is the crown prince!”
“He fails to confront her, allowing her to behave as though she is the sovereign of this palace. He has not genuinely demonstrated concern for his father’s illness. Many believe this is indicative of his preparedness to assume the throne should his father die.”
Molly’s eyes widened. “What? That cannot possibly be true; he must be concealing his emotions. I doubt he would desire his own father’s demise merely to attain the crown.”
Kylie exhaled audibly and dismissed the matter with a shrug. “I am uncertain of his rationale, yet the atmosphere has become increasingly ominous since your departure. I sense an unusual energy, as if an event is imminent, though its timing eludes me. I perceive that others are similarly agitated, yet they seem unaware of the cause. It feels as though a conflict is approaching, leaving us uncertain of how to respond. I have never experienced such profound fear merely for existing.”
“Oh my…” Molly suppressed her emotions and gripped her friend’s hands more tightly. “I cannot fathom that you have endured this in solitude… I sincerely apologise, Kylie.”
Kylie returned a faint, feeble smile, as though it was all she could muster at that moment. “The king is currently too ill to authorise the amnesty for our liberation. Recovery is not anticipated for an extended period.” Kylie appeared increasingly disheartened. Molly could not remember a moment when her friend appeared so despondent; it shattered her heart and burdened her with profound guilt.
“Everything will ultimately resolve, Kylie. It is imperative. Although circumstances have been precarious, now that Jayce has returned, he may restore some semblance of order to this palace.”
“Are you certain of that? He has brought rogues here, and now I realise it is merely going to-”
A resounding knock startled them apart. “Kylie, you are scheduled for a night shift in the kitchens. Expedite your preparations!” the voice commanded. Although she could not identify the individual, it compelled Kylie to rise immediately.
“I must leave; we can converse further later,” she stated hastily while collecting her uniform. In the candlelight, Kylie seemed as though she had not rested for days. Molly rose to her feet.
“How may I assist you, Kylie?”
“No, not now, dear. We shall converse later.” She grasped Molly’s hands once more before hastily exiting through the door.
Molly reclined in her antiquated bed and sensed an unusual absence within herself. She anticipated a sense of belonging, as though she were home; however, she did not experience that sentiment at all. The bed was rigid beneath her back, evoking a sensation akin to lying on the ground. She turned onto her side and observed only the stark walls, and it struck her then-
She longed for Jayce.
She found the thoughts unwelcome and sought to expel them from her mind, yet they persistently reemerged. She longed for his warmth and the security she experienced in his embrace—it was unparalleled. In her mind, she envisioned his arms enveloping her body as she tightly shut her eyes to immerse herself in the fantasy. It was the sole method by which she could entice her fatigued body into slumber, if only for a few hours of blissful oblivion.
