Rewriting Her Destiny With The Lycan Kings

Zara froze, turning to see Denzel and Devonte standing at the edge of the training ground. Their eyes burned with an intensity that made the hair on her arms stand on end.

"Handsome, is he?"

Denzel drawled, his tone deceptively calm, though his jaw was clenched.

Devonte's gaze flicked between Zara and Ezra, his expression unreadable but no less intimidating.

"Kind, too," he added, his voice a shade darker than his brother's.

Zara swallowed hard, her cheeks flaming. She felt like a deer caught in the headlights, her heart pounding as their piercing gazes pinned her in place. "It's not—I didn't mean it like that!" she stammered, her voice shaky as she tried to explain.

Ezra, sensing the brewing storm, stepped in. "My kings," he began diplomatically, "I assure you, the Luna was simply being polite."

Denzel's sharp gaze shifted to Ezra, his eyes narrowing. "Polite or not, we expect our Luna's attention to remain focused on matters of the kingdom."

Devonte stepped closer, his eyes locked on Zara's. "And her loyalty to us."

Zara felt her throat go dry, her heart racing as tension crackled in the air. The brothers' intensity made it impossible to think clearly, their glares like promises of impending doom. She silently prayed for the moon's mercy, desperate for an escape from the intimidating presence of the Lycan kings.

The tense silence stretched for a moment longer before Ezra decided to diffuse the situation. He let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head as he looked between the Lycan brothers and Zara.

"Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Let's not gang up on her. She's just being kind. Not everyone has to endure your unique methods of showing affection, Your Highnesses."

Denzel's sharp expression softened, a wry smirk playing on his lips. "Unique methods, huh? Is that what you call it now?"

Ezra grinned, his easy demeanor cutting through the tension. "What else would you call it? You two are about as subtle as a storm in the mountains."

Devonte chuckled, his piercing gaze softening as he crossed his arms. "He's got a point, Denzel. Maybe we've been a little... heavy-handed."

Zara blinked, her tension easing as the atmosphere shifted. The way the three men interacted now was different—less formal, more familiar.

"Wait," Zara said, looking between them. "You three... you're friends?"

Ezra leaned casually against a nearby training dummy, his grin widening. "Closest friends. These two might be royalty, but to me, they're just Denzel and Devonte. Although," he added teasingly, "they do love reminding me who's in charge."

Denzel rolled his eyes. "As if you'd ever let us forget you don't care about titles."

Devonte smirked. "It's why we trust him. Ezra's been with us through thick and thin, long before he was our combat master."

Zara was surprised by the revelation. So, the Lycan brothers had a close friend in this plot, interesting. Ezra was clearly going to be an important character. It now made sense why the brothers ensured her safety by placing her with him. There had to be a reason for his presence in this story.

As she pondered Ezra's role, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Denzel's question.

"So, what's the reason for our Luna to praise you all of a sudden? Has something happened?" he asked, his sharp eyes locked on Zara, as though trying to decipher her every move.

Zara tensed under his scrutiny, her discomfort obvious. Her pulse quickened, and she couldn't help but feel like her every thought was being laid bare.

"Nah, nothing. We were just chatting about random things, nothing important," Ezra replied casually, brushing off Denzel's inquiry with a calm smile.

Zara quickly nodded in agreement, her large, innocent doe eyes darting nervously between the brothers. She was grateful for Ezra's quick thinking. The last thing she wanted was to stir up trouble by telling them about Jennifer's bullying.

Both Devonte and Denzel observed her carefully, their keen instincts alert for any hint of deceit. But they also knew Ezra wasn't one to withhold important information. Feeling somewhat reassured, they let the matter drop for now.

Zara exhaled in relief, grateful they hadn't pressed further. Despite the challenges Jennifer posed, Zara had no intention of running to the kings with complaints. She had to prove her worth—not just to them but to herself. If she were to be their queen, she needed to stand tall and handle her problems on her own.

Soon after, they returned to the training grounds. Devonte and Denzel instructed her to resume her training before stepping aside to discuss some official matters.

Zara dove back into her workout with renewed determination, her resolve hardening as she pushed herself further. Jennifer might have been trying to break her, but Zara was intent on proving everyone wrong—especially those who doubted her. She wasn't just a weak pawn in someone else's story.

She was a queen in the making, a force to be reckoned with.

And queens didn't bow to bullies. They rose above them.

••

After her grueling training session with Ezra, Zara trudged back to her chamber, each step heavier than the last. Her clothes clung to her skin, soaked with sweat, and every muscle in her body screamed for rest. She barely made it to the plush chair near the window before Lilly rushed to her side.

"My goodness, Luna, you look completely worn out," Lilly exclaimed, her hands fluttering as she took in Zara's disheveled state.

Zara forced a weary smile, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. "It's nothing, Lilly. I need to get stronger to be a worthy queen, don't I?" she replied, her tone light but firm, masking her exhaustion.

Lilly's brows furrowed with concern. She knelt beside Zara, her voice soft but resolute. "You're already the perfect queen for this kingdom, my Luna. The Moon Goddess chose you because you're the one destined for our kings. No one can question that—not even you."

A genuine smile tugged at Zara's lips. Lilly's unwavering confidence in her was a balm to her frayed nerves. "Thank you, Lilly. You always know how to make me feel better."

With gentle efficiency, Lilly helped Zara out of her sweat-soaked clothes and guided her toward the grand bathtub.

Zara sank into the warm water with a sigh, her head tilting back as the heat seeped into her aching muscles. "Mmm… now this makes all the pain worth it," she murmured, closing her eyes to savor the sensation.

"Luna, shall I bring the herbal essences? They'll make your bath even more rejuvenating," Lilly offered, already halfway to the shelves.

"That sounds perfect," Zara replied, her voice soft and content. Left alone, she let her thoughts drift, her gaze sweeping over the opulent bathroom. Every intricate detail, from the gilded mirrors to the sprawling marble tiles, mirrored the world she had once written about. Living it now felt surreal.

A faint sound behind her snapped her out of her reverie. Assuming it was Lilly, Zara didn't bother to open her eyes.

"Back already? Alright, show me how magical your hands are. I could use a shoulder massage," she said playfully, resting back against the tub's edge.

The water rippled around her as she waited, foam covering her body up to her shoulders. But instead of the soft, familiar touch she expected, she felt strong, calloused hands press against her bare shoulders. The warmth of them sent a shiver down her spine, and her eyes snapped open in alarm.