Caitlyn's POV
The King's arrival broke the stalemate between Talon and Zed. He walked towards us with a smile, while those around us respectfully saluted the King.
"If I remember correctly, you must be Zed, the newly appointed Alpha of the Fullmoon pack, right?" The King smiled, his eyes showing approval as he looked at Zed.
"I didn't expect you to remember my name. How honored I am." Zed nodded politely at the King, instantly drawing the attention of those around him.
"Why is the King greeting him first? What's his connection to the king?" someone in the crowd wondered aloud.
"It's unclear. I guess he has some kind of relationship with the Lycan as well."
...
Despite the chatter around him, Zed maintained his composure and smiled at the King.
"I never thought that you would participate in this boring match? Do you really need my help, or is this just a social call?" The King spoke lightly, but his tone carried a subtle hint of threat.
"I've been wanting to attend this event for a long time, though it seems I won't be enjoying the champion's reward," Zed said, spreading his palms somewhat helplessly. However, it was evident that he wasn't interested in the assistance the King hinted at.
"What a surprise. Are there anyone who can win the championship from you?" The King didn't press further on the purpose of Zed's visit, but he confirmed that it wasn't related to him.
"Right here, in front of you." Zed nodded toward me with a playful smile.
The King followed Zed's gaze, his eyes resting on me. At that moment, the little white fox burst out of my arms, sniffing the air before looking at the King with a surprised expression.
"Gosh! What a pleasant surprise!"
The king's face instantly lit up with joy as he slowly opened his palms. The little white fox eagerly leaped from my shoulder into the king's arms and bounced up and down with excitement.
"Come on, Caitlyn, state your wish," the king urged.
Gently tickling the little white fox's chin, the king turned his head to look at me.
"Uh, Your Majesty, I... haven't thought about it yet. Could you give me a little more time to consider?" Everything happened so fast that it left my mind blank.
Just before entering the competition, I fantasized about standing in front of the king, asking him to declare Talon and me as mates in the presence of everyone. However, now, looking at Talon's handsome face, the words wouldn't come out.
"Kaisa, what do you think?" the king suddenly redirected, turning his head toward Kaisa, who had been silent for a long time.
"I... respect Caitlyn's idea. After all, the white fox was also caught by herself, and she saved my life," Kaisa replied, visibly flustered by the unexpected mention but quickly regaining composure. She looked at me with sincere eyes.
The king nodded without revealing his thoughts. "Then, it will be according to your idea. Whenever you've thought of it, you can come to me."
"Let's get back to business," the king declared, clearing his throat. He waved his hand, and a group of uniformed werewolf soldiers headed toward the depths of the Misty Forest, visibly angered by those rogues previous disrespectful behavior towards Kaisa within the king's jurisdiction.
After explaining a few things to Fandom, the king left the scene with Kaisa, while the other participants received corresponding rewards for their hunting achievements.
Soon, the only people left on the scene were Talon, Zed, and me.
"Caitlyn, I heard you transformed again during the fight. Did you manage to control yourself this time? Did it lead to anything?" Talon asked softly, holding my shoulder while observing the dispersing crowd.
I froze for a moment but looked up to meet Talon's somewhat wild eyes. Despite the frustration bubbling in my chest, I managed to swallow it for the time being.
"No, it's the same as last time. Whenever I get a little emotional, that power compels me to turn into a wolf. However, I'm not sure when I'll transform back into a human," I explained, shaking my head with a touch of bitterness. Although I possessed formidable power within me, the inability to control it at will tormented me.
"Maybe you should reconsider. Was your body still conscious during the transformation?" Talon continued.
"That's enough. Caitlyn is not your tool, and your attitude disgusts me," Zed interjected abruptly, interrupting Talon's inquiry.
"What business is it of yours? When did it become your place to dictate what she should do?" Talon frowned, grabbing Zed's collar roughly.
Not to be outdone, Zed swiftly backhanded Talon's wrists and broke free from his grasp with a sharp shove.
"Caitlyn is in no way subservient to anyone. Maybe you could have dictated her actions before, but I won't allow that to happen again," Zed asserted, stepping forward to shield me. His words carried an unquestionable authority.
In that moment, a profound realization struck me, and my eyes gleamed with amazement.
"I'm Caitlyn's mate. Who are you to make decisions for her?" Talon declared.
Talon appeared indignant, his red eyes locking onto Zed. A low growl escaped from his throat, an Alpha provoked by a challenge.
A strange emotion welled up within me. Talon seemed like a different person since my father and I followed him to the palace. The responsibility he carried for his pack made him neglect my feelings. Seeing him angry for my sake now evoked an indescribable feeling.
"Ridiculous. Do you still think you deserve to be Caitlyn's mate? I don't think so," Zed retorted coldly, disdain flickering in his eyes as he looked at Talon.
Boom!
As Zed's words landed, an astonishing wolf howl reverberated through the air. Talon transformed into a giant black wolf, glaring down at Zed. The impending fight between the two was undeniable.