16: Theodore

The primal joy of the chase flooded through me, washing away the complexities of royal duties and political maneuvering. In this moment, I was simply Aeson, pursuing his mate through moonlit woods as our ancestors had done for countless generations. The cool night air filled my lungs, carrying the mingled scents of pine resin, damp earth, and the distinct wild fragrance that was uniquely Artemis.

I heard Elijah in the distance, his paws striking the ground in rhythmic counterpoint as he followed at a discreet distance—present but not intruding, offering security while respecting privacy. The awareness faded to the background as I focused entirely on the white tail flicking tauntingly just ahead.

Suddenly, Artemis vanished. One moment she was there, a ghostly form weaving between shadowed trunks; the next, she had disappeared completely. I slowed, my senses expanding outward in search of her. The forest had gone oddly still, as if holding its breath in anticipation.

‘Where is she?’ Aeson growled, turning in a slow circle. ‘Where is our mate?’

I scented the air, ears swiveling to catch any betraying sound. Nothing. The clearing where I stood was ringed with ancient trees, their gnarled roots creating shadows deep enough to hide in. Moonlight dappled the forest floor through breaks in the canopy, creating puzzling patterns of light and dark.

In the distance, I heard Elijah approaching, his pace unhurried. But of Artemis, there was no sign—not a rustle of movement, not the slightest scent trail to follow. She had vanished as completely as morning mist.

‘MATE,’ Aeson projected, the word tinged with frustration and longing. ‘Where—‘

The thought cut short as something solid collided with my side—a white blur moving so fast I had no time to brace. The impact wasn't painful, but it was forceful enough to unbalance me, sending me stumbling sideways in surprise.

Artemis landed lightly a few feet away, her posture playful, tail waving in clear delight at having successfully ambushed me. Her yellow-green eyes sparkled with mischief, her mouth open in what could only be described as a wolfish grin.

Aeson's initial surprise transformed instantly to joy. ‘Clever mate,’ he rumbled with approval. ‘Strong mate.’

I feinted left, then lunged right, my reflexes allowing me to change direction with a speed that would have been impossible in human form. Artemis anticipated the move, dancing away with a graceful pivot that spoke of years of combat training. We circled each other, each testing the other's responses, learning patterns and preferences through this ancient dance of play-fighting.

She darted forward, nipping at my forearm before retreating, her movements quick as summer lightning. I growled in mock outrage, the sound rumbling from deep in my chest. The playful challenge sparked something primal in me, something that had little to do with being king and everything to do with being Lycan.

I dropped to all fours, bringing myself closer to her height, and lunged. This time I was fast enough to catch her, my larger form carefully controlling its strength as I pinned her briefly to the forest floor. She squirmed beneath me, her fur sliding like silk against mine for one heart-stopping moment before she somehow slipped free, leaving me holding nothing but moonlight.

Our playfight continued, each exchange teaching us more about the other than hours of conversation could have. In her movements, I read determination and cleverness. In the careful control of her considerable strength, I recognized compassion. In her fearless engagement with a form twice her size, I saw courage that stole my breath.

Aeson thrived on this connection, more content than I'd felt him in decades. ‘Good mate,’ he repeated, the simple phrase conveying worlds of approval. ‘Strong, smart, perfect mate.’

Eventually, our energetic exchange gave way to a more companionable chase, racing side by side through the forest rather than against each other. I adjusted my pace to match hers, finding a rhythm that allowed us to move in synchrony. The simple joy of running with my mate beneath the moon filled me with a peace I hadn't known I was missing.

In a small clearing beside a burbling stream, Artemis finally slowed, her sides expanding with exertion, tongue lolling in what appeared to be satisfied exhaustion. She moved to the water's edge and lowered her head to drink. I joined her, the stream cool and sweet against my tongue. Our reflections wavered side by side on the rippling surface—dark and light, massive and sleek, Lycan and wolf, yet somehow belonging together.

She finished drinking and looked up at me, her expression unreadable yet somehow softer than before. For a long moment, we simply existed together in the quiet forest, the barriers between king and subject, Lycan and werewolf, dissolved into meaninglessness.

Then she pressed her shoulder briefly against my side—a fleeting pressure, there and gone, yet it conveyed more than words could have. Acceptance. Recognition. The beginning of trust.

The gesture, small as it was, filled me with quiet wonder. After centuries of diplomatic maneuvering, of careful words and political calculation, this simple, honest wolf-language struck me as the most profound communication I'd experienced in decades.

In the distance, I caught the sound of Elijah approaching, giving us space but maintaining protective proximity. Artemis's ears swiveled toward the sound, acknowledging her brother's presence without taking her attention from me.

I settled onto my haunches beside her, content simply to share this peaceful moment. Tomorrow would bring councils and policy discussions, the complicated work of addressing the corruption in my government and beginning to build the more equitable kingdom I envisioned. But tonight—tonight was for this simpler connection, this ancient language of wolf and forest, moon and mate.

Artemis leaned slightly against me, her warmth seeping through my fur. In that moment, looking down at her white form glowing like captured moonlight against my darker shape, I knew with bone-deep certainty that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would be worth facing for the chance to build something true with this remarkable wolf and the equally remarkable woman who shared her soul.