CHAPTER 253: RIVEN WAS COMING

Riven told himself that he would not have carriage-sex with Soren, but that clearly did not work out. Here he was, nestled in Soren’s lap, breathless after their passionate encounter. Soren’s lips were warm against his, pulling him deeper into the moment, their tongues dancing together in a way that sent shivers down Riven’s spine.

But as Riven pulled away, he could feel his heart racing. He gulped, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "We should stop," he said, glancing out the window to gauge their surroundings. "I feel like we are close to our destination." He quickly ran his fingers through his tousled hair. He wanted to look presentable.

Soren was disappointed, but he listened to Riven. He pecked Riven’s lips once more, a teasing smile dancing on his face. "Fine," he murmured, though his voice was thick with playful reluctance. He shifted, resting his head in the crook of Riven’s neck, and Riven felt his breath hitch as Soren inhaled deeply, drinking in Riven’s scent like it was a fine wine.

Riven felt more firm with his decision. He would not go after anyone else. Soren and Ronan were enough, and, cough, Eli, cough.

It was hard to focus on what lay ahead when all he wanted was to lose himself in this moment. But he knew that he would have to confront Leon, so that definitely made him cringe on the inside.

Riven looked out the window, the silhouette of the border town sharpening against the horizon like a dark omen. Anxiety twisted in his gut as he felt the thud of his heartbeat echoing in tandem with the carriage’s movements. "Damn," he muttered under his breath.

Soren leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against Riven’s ear, sending a small thrill down his spine. "I wouldn’t let Leon claim that town either way," he whispered, his voice low and fiercely protective. "It was because of that town I met you."

Riven felt a mix of emotions surge within him—fondness mingled with the memory of his kidnapping. "Met you, kidnapped, same difference," he said, trying to hide the vulnerability behind a teasing smile.

He shifted, moving back to his own seat, creating a little distance. Soren sighed dramatically, staring at the empty space where Riven had just occupied his lap.

Earlier that day...

Across town, in the very tavern where it all began, Leon nursed a drink, the bitter flavour matching the unease gnawing at him. He had stopped in this town for a brief respite, he remembered how he had taken over this town as he stared at the worn wooden table.

He had planned to reach the wolf clan’s territory by now, to confront Riven, yet here he was, rooted in place, paralysed by his own thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, he glanced out of the tavern’s grimy window. This was where it started. He did not deny it, because of his ego, he took over this town and then had Riven kidnapped. But instead of the victorious feeling he expected, he ended up creating a mess for himself. Just a few days were enough for him to be completely obsessed with that stupid wolf? Was this how he kept both Soren and Ronan in check?

He had come all this way, but what was he supposed to do now? Confront Riven? What could he possibly say after everything that had happened? He did not want to admit that he was... Fascinated by Riven, so how could he even confront him? The only reason he could think of to confront Riven was how he used him as a servant. This was what he had been telling himself since the morning.

As he stood on the precipice of the wolf clan’s territory, the border looming large before him, he hesitated. "Riven..." he whispered to himself, the name tasting bitter on his tongue.

He felt like he was making a fool of himself. The people here were thinking he was here to fight off Soren’s men and reclaim the territory. Everything around him annoyed him. He was prepared to leave.

Leon stood on the edge of the old stone fountain in the centre of the border town, his eyes scanning the crumbling rooftops and crooked chimneys. The whole place smelled like old smoke and dried blood.

Was it even worth conquering this... This damn town?

He didn’t have a solid plan. He didn’t need one. All he knew was that something about the way Riven looked at him that last time they met had wormed under his skin and stayed there. It was maddening.

Still, the moment he arrived, he realised how ridiculous this all was.

Soren’s men were here, sure, occupying a few buildings like bored vultures. But they weren’t aggressive. They weren’t looking for a fight.

So why am I still here?

Leon thought bitterly, arms crossed, teeth clenched. This is pointless.

He was ready to turn his horse around and leave, pride barely intact, when the townsfolk started creeping in. It was slow at first. A few murmurs, then greetings, and finally bold praise.

"Our king has come to show them who’s boss!"

"Hah! The Snow Leopards won’t know what hit them!"

And then they crowded him. Like a wave of moths to fire, their voices overlapped.

"When will we attack?"

"Will you declare war this week, Your Majesty?"

"Drive them out, my king!"

He felt the sharp edge of irritation twitching in his jaw.

He didn’t come here to incite a war. At least, that’s what he told himself. But these people were eager. Bloodthirsty. Not because they cared about territory or peace, but because they wanted to fight. To have a reason to say they were on the front lines of something grand.

Then one man, a burly one with greasy hair and a proud smirk, shouted over the others.

"Hah. Your presence scared them off, my king. Ronan ran away and sent his weak little mate instead to negotiate. Show them no mercy, Your Highness!"

Riven was coming?