ArcKnight (The ArcKnight Chronicles #1)

Bonus Scene

**Mature audience only. Reader discretion advised.**

Wolf Romp

Ephrem

"Ephrem, I want to go for a run."

I eyed Lily, taking in her classic beauty, something I could never get enough of. Long, ebony lashes framed her brilliant brown eyes, emphasizing them against her pale skin. I loved every detail of her face. It was better than any painting or rare work of art. I wanted to behold it for an eternity, but I instead decided to burn her image into my memory for the times I couldn't have her in front of me.

"A run? All right. Where to?"

"Anywhere. I need to breathe again. Fresh air. Not this polluted excuse for oxygen. This city gets stifling. How do you stand it?" She closed her eyes, and I could see the strain etch itself on her features.

We'd been sitting at the diner talking about our recent disappointment in court. The magistrate had upheld Lily's previous banishment from her home, the ArcKnight wolf pack stronghold. She'd gotten her stolen Ardent talisman back, which held an unknown amount of supernatural power—including the ability to control her if it got into the wrong hands—but it had been all for nothing. It was all Elise's fault, Lily's former best friend. Now, Elise was dead, Lily remained banished, and I continued as the general of the Outlands Army instead of Second Prince of the MarkTier pack. We were in no better positions, but at least we hadn't been executed for putting the reigning Alpha of the MarkTier pack in danger when we'd gone after Elise, who had happened to be my brother Etan's new fiancé.

I was fine where I was, but my heart went out to my love. She missed her family, and it broke her heart to be forbidden from returning home ever again.

"Come on," I said, motioning for her to follow me as I slid out of the booth. We both needed to get away, and I knew just the place where we could shift in peace without being disturbed. It was part of the neutral territory between wolf packs' territories, but it wasn't under any kind of restrictions except that it belonged to the supernaturals of the City of Temple. Humans weren't allowed unless they had knowledge of those with second natures or a relative who had magical abilities. This kept it open for shifters to roam freely without the worry that we would be spotted, or worse, hunted down by a human.

"Where are we going?" Lily joined me, slipping her hand into mine. It sent a burst of sparks up my arm, and I paused, momentarily admiring her again. "What?" She fidgeted, averting her eyes to the floor.

She was definitely not used to someone blatantly adoring her and touching her at the same time. Royals led such isolated lives, it was a wonder all of us didn't go insane. Especially wolf royalty. We were pack animals, and royal life kept most of us in constant isolation, even from many of our relatives. We were like fragile vases placed on pedestals, lit up to admire and chat about, but never to touch or feel against the skin.

It was far less glamorous than it would seem.

"I'm taking you to the Outlands Preserve. It's made for shifters and magicals like us. A place to escape."

She stopped as we reached the sidewalk, letting the heavy glass doors of the diner swing shut behind us before she spoke.

"Whose territory is it under?" Fear swam behind her eyes. I couldn't wait to reassure her that she had nothing to be concerned about.

"Not to worry. It's in the neutral zone between territories. That's why it's part of the Outlands, not part of a stronghold."

She visibly relaxed. Her fear of treading onto forbidden royal grounds again was very real. She was not only banished from the palace stronghold of her pack but also of my pack, the MarkTiers. It was a damn mighty shame, because I could still trek back and forth into my family's palace with official military business. Otherwise, I'd be ousted from my stronghold like she was.