Ivan's Queen

It has been a month since Ivan and I have been on the royal tour as we visit the various states of the kingdom. Lazarus and Nova remain in the castle to oversee everything until we return. As I have been crowned the Lycan Kingdom’s Queen it’s my duty to spend time with the people, listen to the changes they want implemented and to help them as much as possible. So far, we have visited the central, east and west areas. We would spend the weekdays with the people and the weekends with the various Alphas and Lunas running the states under Ivan’s rule.

I was extremely nervous at first and a little shy but eventually I loosened up and became more confident in my role. With one month in to the tour it’s now easier to deal with an overwhelming amount of people greeting Ivan and I daily. However, today marks the end of our visit to the southern region and we are currently taking an evening stroll through the town that we are in. It’s decorated beautifully for our arrival just like every other region was.

“They’re so cute!” I giggle at the kids running around Ivan and I as loud squeals and laughter escape them while they play.

Ivan chuckles before wrapping an around my waist as we wave goodbye to them and carry on. “How many pups do you want?”

“Hmm,” I think about it for a moment while looping my arm through his. “Maybe four. What about you?”

“Definitely more than that.” He murmurs huskily into my ear and pecks the skin behind it.

I blush fiercely before lightly shoving him when I catch the teasing grin on his lips. Laughing out loud, he pulls me right back into his warm embrace. He kisses my temple as we continue to walk through the town and greet the residents, shopkeepers and children as they wave and offer us gifts. Our guards follow close behind and are fully strapped with weapons to ensure that we are always protected.

“Do you want to get ice-cream?” Ivan suddenly asks as he points out the quaint shop tucked away in a corner of the street we’re on.

“Yes, let’s go!”

As soon as we open the door, the shopkeeper abandons all his duties and hurries over to serve us. The customers inside sneak shy glances before smiling brightly and waving when we catch their eyes. The shopkeeper called Will asks us what we would like and I pick the white chocolate and raspberry flavor while Ivan goes for the chocolate. Will chatters away in a friendly manner and I find the accent of the southern region so uniquely different to the others.

He eventually bids us goodbye but not without another ice-cream cone which I happily take. Ivan hands him a pouch of gold coins and fixes him with a look when Will starts to protest. Waving goodbye we resume our stroll again and I find myself looking around at the houses as we walk through a residential area.

“The houses here are smaller than the other regions.” I wonder aloud before turning to Ivan. “Is there a reason for this?”

He rolls his eyes while an angry huff escapes him. “The southerners refuse to have any changes made no matter how many times dad and I have proposed ideas. This is the most prosperous region in all the land and yet they shake their heads over the idea of modernizing the buildings and making their homes larger.”

“Maybe they prefer this way of life?” I smile while recalling how differently people live here.

“I guess.” He shakes his head with a heavy sigh. “Because they produce the most successful crops for the entire kingdom I leave them be. All I want is the best for my people and if living in simplicity makes them happy then so be it.”

I squeeze his hand with a smile before pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You make a great king, Ivan.”

He smiles handsomely and tugs me closer. “I hope to be even better now that you’re by my side, my queen.”

I blush fiercely which makes him chuckle. He drapes an arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side while pointing out the numerous landmarks and areas of the town as we walk through. We stop at some stalls and peek into different shops during our stroll. By the end of the day, I have three bags full of clothes, shoes, jewelry and other bits to take home much to Ivan’s satisfaction.

As the sun begins to make its descent we start to make our way back to the inn we are renting for the duration of our stay. I would love a bath right now to relax my tired muscles, I think to myself. Maybe I can convince Ivan to give me a massage?

“And what do I get in return?” Ivan’s voice echoes in my mind and the huskiness of it makes my eyes widen in momentary surprise.

“What would you like?” I ask before realizing my mistake when desire floods our bond.

“You.” He growls lustfully and I bite my lip hard when his eyes darken.

However, our conversation is interrupted when a man rounds the corner and almost bumps into us. Ivan turns rigid at the sight of him and yanks me behind him in a protective manner while our guards stand alert. The man glances up at us and his mouth opens, as if to apologize, but he freezes when he realizes that it’s Ivan and I. And in an instant his surprised expression is masked.

“Liev.” Ivan greets coolly as he gazes at him in a nonchalant manner.

“Your highness!” Liev grins but his hazel eyes gleam with something dark. “What an honor! How is the tour going?”

“Good, thank you. What brings you to the southern lands?” Ivan questions while our bond twists uneasily with doubt.

“Just visiting an old friend of mine, that’s all.” He smirks before meeting my eyes. “Are you enjoying the royal tour, your majesty?”

“It’s been wonderful.” I smile politely while stroking Ivan’s back to keep him calm.

He opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by a loud horn which blares through the small town. I’m able to pick up on some unintelligible droning of a man whose voice seems to be echoing from a speaker. Liev’s eyes widen before he takes out an antique looking pocket watch. He shakes his head before looking back at us with an apologetic look.

“I’m terribly sorry, your majesties but I must catch the train back to the north. I’m running quite late as it is. If you’ll excuse me?” He bows his head before Ivan and I.

Ivan nods before dismissing him and I watch as Liev hurries off down the cobbled streets. Looking up at Ivan, I catch his narrowed emerald eyes which makes me frown in confusion. Why doesn’t Ivan trust him? Did something happen between them? I wonder to myself before deciding to ask him about it later. I can feel through our bond how tense he is and he doesn’t need me badgering him with questions right now.

I push myself up on the tips of my toes and peck his jaw which successfully captures his attention. “Is everything alright?”

He graces me with a handsome smile and starts to guide me back to the inn. “Perfectly fine, Солнышко.” (Little sun)

As soon as the familiar building comes into view a giggle escapes me at the sight of Benno and Hendrix. Yesterday, while we were in another town, Benno had lost sight of me in the crowd and it was Hendrix who had kept up with me. Ivan had been furious, however, Benno argued that none of the townsfolk would harm their Queen. But he immediately shut up when Hendrix notified Ivan that two thieves had been following me as I went from stall to stall while eyeing my wedding ring and ruby necklace that Ivan had gifted to me on our honeymoon.

All the other guards had to hold back Ivan as he lunged for Benno’s neck. Even Maksim and Konstantin almost shifted there and then. It was only when I interrupted his line of sight that he calmed down before locking us up in our room at the inn and holding me tight until the stars came out to play.

“Ivan…”

“No!” He seethes as he glares down at me.

“But it’s more fun when Benno and Hendrix are with us!” I plead but pout when he shakes his head vehemently. “Please, for me?”

His eyes meet mine at my soft tone and the anger in them immediately cools. He releases a heavy sigh before nodding his head. I squeal in happiness and hug him tightly before running to Benno and Hendrix to tell them the good news. He’s certainly relieved to have his duty back but stiffens when Ivan comes up behind me.

“If you let her out of your sight ever again Benno I will have your head.” He utters quietly and the undertone of promise makes Benno nod fearfully.

Hendrix snickers under his breath before commenting how great it feels not to “babysit” Benno anymore. My laughter echoes in the quiet night as they start an argument before Ivan hisses at them to be quiet. I’m pulled into the inn and I follow Ivan up to our room, smiling at the keeper as we pass by.

“I’ll get our bath started so join me when you’re ready.” Ivan grumbles before disappearing into our bedroom straight away.

Chuckling, I take off my coat and leave it on the armchair in the sitting room when my eyes land on something laying on the coffee table. Curious, I make my way over and realize that it’s an envelope. Turning it over, I freeze when the sight of black wax with an eagle embedded in it greets me. Ever since this tour started these threat letters have been showing up wherever we have visited. Some have contained disturbing messages while others have had none.

Ivan has increased security and is working with Lazarus to do everything he can to figure this out but the more we get closer to ending the tour, the more frequent the arrival of these letters are becoming. Sighing, I open it up hesitantly and my blood runs cold at the image on the paper. It’s a picture of both of Ivan and I on our knees with knives embedded in our hearts.

“I-Ivan!” My voice quakes with fright and I sense his worry for me through our bond.

He’s standing behind me in an instant and wraps his arm around my waist to hold me to him tightly. Taking the picture from my hand, his frustrated growl echoes in the room when his eyes land on the disturbing image. A heavy sigh escapes him before he turns me around to embrace him fully as he rests his chin atop my head.

“I’m here, Малышка.” He murmurs, the only consolation he can give me. (Little one)