Page 44 of The Lycan King's Captive

I swallowed. “I don’t know anything about that.” Briefly, I considered making something up. But he obviously already knew certain things about the council’s inner workings. If I fed him false information, he might punish me for trying to mislead him.

“Bullshit,” he snapped. “Men always share information with the women they’re fucking.” He leaned close and inhaled, taking in my scent. “And you’re definitely worth fucking. I’m sure Cyrus couldn’t wait to get back between your thighs. He was so enthusiastic about it last time. I can understand why. You put on quite a show that night.” He leaned close and brushed his lips over my throat. “You’ve got one wet pussy, Abby. I can still hear the sound of it echoing around my basement.”

I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t jerk from his hold and spit in his face. He was probably trying to make me angry so he had an excuse to hurt me. I had no information to give him, but maybe I could turn the tables on him. “How long have you been working with Celeste?” I asked.

“I haven’t.”

“Bullshit.” I flung the word back at him. It was stupid to taunt him, but he seemed inclined to talk about this, so I plowed ahead. “She turned at least two of Cyrus’s guards against him. And I’m here now, so she must have contacted you.”

Roman released me, only to grasp my chin in a brutal grip. He forced my head back so I had no choice but to look at him. Pain streaked through my skull. It was agony holding his gaze. “Wrong, sweetheart. I don’t know anything about Cyrus’s highborn bitch except that she’s obviously unhappy about having you around.” He narrowed his eyes, as if he was debating how much to tell me. “I got a call from an unlisted number saying you were being dumped in a forest near this place. I assumed it was a trap, albeit a stupidly obvious one. But there you were, bound and unconscious.” He put his cheek against mine. “Ripe for the plucking.”

I tried to yank my face from his grip, but he was too strong. His fingers tightened—and then he stilled.

“What’s this?” He angled my head to the side.

Cyrus’s mark.

I tensed.

Men’s shouts boomed through the door, following by the unmistakable sounds of fighting. A second later, the door burst open and there was Cyrus—nude and more terrifying than I’d ever seen him. More naked men clustered behind him, their eyes sheened with gold.

I blinked, scarcely able to believe the sight in front of me. I was safe. Cyrus had come for me.

In another fast move, Roman clamped a hand on my arm and spun me in front of him. He clamped an arm around my shoulders so my back was plastered to his chest. I felt the sharp bite of steel against my throat.

“Not another step, Rothkilde,” he said at my ear. “Or I’ll cut her fucking head off.”

22

CYRUS

My lungs burned from the mad sprint through the forest. I wasn’t certain how long I’d run or even how I’d managed to find Abby. But the connection between us was strong, and my beast had guided me true.

Standing in the doorway now, my wolf pushed hard at my skin, desperate to rip through bone and sinew so it could eliminate the bastard who held my female. I was losing the battle to keep the beast in check. My fangs descended, filling my mouth with blood as they ripped through my gums. My men huddled at my back but I ignored them. I didn’t need any help taking down Roman.

I knew without question that if he hurt Abby, I wouldn’t be able to control my animal. I’d turn and rip him and every werewolf in this rotten house to shreds.

Abby gazed at me, her green eyes shining with emotion. There was fear there, yes, but also relief. She was happy to see me.

And she was pregnant. God, I wanted to talk to her about it. I wanted to make sure she was okay with carrying my child. The threat of pregnancy had loomed between us from the start, but I didn’t want it to be a bad thing. It was a miracle. She was a miracle.

“Roman,” I heard myself say, “it’s me you want, not her. Let her go.”

He flashed a vicious smile. “You really think highly of yourself, don’t you, Cyrus?” He nosed Abby’s hair and inhaled deeply. “She’s already mine. Her wolf knows its master, even if the woman needs a reminder now and then. But that’s not a problem. I know how to get my point across.” He thrust his hips hard against her backside, lifting her onto her toes.

She whimpered and squeezed her eyes shut.

Red-hot rage boiled inside me. Every instinct I possessed pushed me to rush him. But I couldn’t risk him hurting her. The knife in his hand was sharp, and the blade was long enough to do serious damage. Her body would most likely heal, but she might lose the pregnancy if she lost too much blood.

“My men have subdued yours,” I said. I’d torn through them in minutes, with my guards taking out the wounded in my wake. “This fight is already over. Let Abby go and I give you my word you’ll have safe passage to anywhere you want to go.” And I’ll be waiting for you when you get there.

He tightened his grip on the knife, and Abby winced. “I don’t have to bargain with you, lycan. I’ve got all the leverage I need right here.” He bucked against Abby’s ass again. The knife pierced her skin. Blood trickled down her neck.

She reached up and seized his wrist.

“What—?”

She slammed her heel onto his foot. There was a sickening crunch.

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