Page 50 of Saved By The King's Gamma

Kendrick, desperate to intervene, attempts to shift his position underneath Dustin’s knee. But before he can make a move, Dustin emits a low growl, grabbing Kendrick’s head and twisting it forcefully toward him.

The sight is too much for me to bear. My stomach churns, and I feel an overwhelming urge to vomit. As my body convulses, Dustin snaps Kendrick’s neck with a sickening crack. Rising to his feet, he casually wipes his hands clean and removes the darts embedded in his legs and chest.

Dustin’s voice cuts through the tension like a knife. “Does the name Azalea Ivy Landeena ring any bells for you?” he asks, his gaze shifting between Mr. Crux, Denali, and the other man named Larkin.

I lay on the ground, my blood pooling around me, struggling to keep my eyes open as waves of dizziness wash over me. The presence of Kyson, growing closer by the moment, is the only thing keeping me from succumbing to unconsciousness.

“The Landeenas are dead,” Denali declares, though there is a slight falter in his usual confident demeanor. He’s uncertain; his eyes darting between Dustin and me. I can’t comprehend why my heritage matters to the council or what significance it holds in this escalating confrontation.

“Ask her who her mother is,” Kyson’s voice rings out, causing me to turn my head toward him. When our eyes meet, a feral growl escapes Kyson’s lips, sending shivers down my spine. The Lycans surrounding us instinctively step aside as Kyson storms through the gates, his gaze fixed on Denali. He approaches him with a predatory stride, treating him as nothing more than prey. With a swift motion, Kyson grips Denali’s throat, cutting off his breath.

“You dare enter my kingdom unannounced and attack my queen,” Kyson roars, his voice filled with fury. Denali struggles to breathe, clutching at Kyson’s hands in a desperate attempt to free himself.

“The law states we can enter,” Denali chokes out, his face turning an alarming shade of purple as Kyson’s grip tightens. Kyson glances at Dustin, who rushes toward me, pulling me up so that I am sitting upright.

“Your laws are nothing but bullshit, and you know it. She told you I ordered her to command them, and yet you still laid your filthy paws on my mate,” Kyson snarls. Mr. Crux reaches out, attempting to calm the situation.

“Crux, I’ll give you two seconds to correct that mistake,” Kyson warns, causing Mr. Crux to hastily retract his hand and back away in surrender. Kyson locks eyes with him.

“You will mind your tongue when speaking of my mate. Now, as I was saying, Denali, you are hereby sentenced for treason,” Kyson growls, releasing his grip on Denali. The council member falls to the ground at Kyson’s feet, gasping for air and clutching his throat.

“Treason!” Larkin exclaims, rushing forward. However, upon meeting Kyson’s fierce gaze, he freezes in his tracks.

“Now, let me introduce my mate,” Kyson declares, motioning toward Dustin. With great care, Dustin scoops up my bloodied body into his arms, cradling me against his chest. Kyson crouches beside Denali, who lifts his head to meet my gaze, his face flushed and contorted with pain.

“Do you recognize those eyes, Denali?” Kyson asks

Denali gulps, staring up at Kyson with a mixture of fear and recognition.

“You made the grave mistake of assuming my mate was just an ordinary Lycan. Now you will pay for your treason and attempted murder of her majesty Azalea Ivy Landeena, the rightful heir to the Landeena Kingdom. I may be bound by council laws, but?—”

“How is this possible?” Denali interrupts, turning to his brother Larkin before seeking confirmation from Mr. Crux.

“That kingdom fell,” Mr. Crux interjects, stepping forward.

“Yes, and now it rises,” Kyson declares, motioning toward the Lycans who are kneeling around us. A chorus of growls fill the air as they glare at the council elders. My vision starts to blur as my wounds continue to bleed, staining Dustin’s clothes.

“Now, can anyone explain why the Landeena bloodline is exempt from the council’s laws?” Kyson demands, his gaze shifting between the three men.

Denali swallows, rising to his hands and knees. “Please show leniency, I had no knowledge of your identity,” he pleads, gripping my arm in a feeble attempt to plead for mercy. But Kyson swiftly places his foot on Denali’s shoulder, forcefully pushing him back. Dustin stands protectively beside me, holding me closer in his arms.

“My King, I swear had I known…” Denali stutters.

“No one knew. I knew the hunters would come after her. Only those in my castle knew her true identity, and you have not only harmed my pregnant mate but broke the very laws you are supposed to uphold,” Kyson booms.

“We were only—” Mr. Crux says, but one look from Kyson makes him shut up.

“Looking for a way to punish me, I am not stupid. I know the council has been looking for a reason to take me down for centuries. Had she mentioned who she was, I know you would have killed her before I got here, but now that I am, who dares to answer the question I asked?”

“My King, my brother didn’t know. Surely, you can’t punish him for such an innocent mistake,” Larkin interjects, rushing forward in defense of his sibling. Kyson turns his gaze toward Denali’s brother.

“He should have considered the consequences of laying a hand on the Empress of Alpha’s,” Kyson growls, his foot coming down on Denali’s head with a brutal stomp. Larkin wails in agony as his brother’s skull is crushed beneath Kyson’s unyielding force. Mr. Crux lunges at Larkin, grabbing him before he can reach Kyson. The sight is too much for me to bear, and I lurch forward in Dustin’s arms, vomiting as brain matter splatters onto the ground.

Ignoring Larkin’s anguished cries, Kyson turns his attention back to me, gently taking me from Dustin’s embrace. “Shh, I’ve got you now,” Kyson whispers, his voice filled with tenderness. The sparks emanating from his skin provide a soothing sensation that eases the pain coursing through my body.

“I suggest you leave. Enough council members have died. Dustin, take that bitch to the dungeons.”

Cassandra screams and tries to run, but Dustin grabs her quickly, and Kyson turns to the rest of the Lycan still on their knees.

---