Chapter 23

Seris’s POV

“How about a picnic?” Kaien suggested, and I eagerly agreed, following him out of the castle to our usual spot beneath the old tree. We sat down together, and he spread out the food. I didn’t hesitate to dig in, savoring the delicious flavors.

“This is amazing,” I mumbled between bites.

“I made it,” Kaien said, a hint of pride in his voice.

I looked at him in surprise. “The cook let you do that?”

He winked at me, and I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. “I have my ways.”

“Want to go for a run after this?” he asked.

Before I could respond, a stern voice boomed, “There will be no running!”

We turned to see Ronan storming towards us, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made me uneasy. We lowered our heads respectfully as he approached.

“Kaien, is it?” Ronan growled, not expecting an answer. “Get out!”

“I can’t leave her,” Kaien insisted stubbornly.

Ronan’s voice dropped to a dangerous level, his Alph