Page 10 of Lycan King's Captives
“I know; I will speak with your father later about it. See what we can come up with. Right now, you need to focus on getting Carina to agree. For your mate’s sake and this kingdom’s,” my mother says as her eyes dart down at Sienna. She sighs heavily as if the weight of the world is carried on her shoulders before my mother looks at me sadly.
I have to find a way to get Carina to agree, or else this would become a huge mess. I have to act fast. Still, it makes me wonder what will happen when my mate wakes up to learn I am married to another.
“I’ll have the servants set up your old quarters while Carina keeps the main quarters. I take it you’ll be wanting to remain with your mate?” my mother asks. I clench my jaw as if I am about to climb into bed with another when my mate is right here. I shake my head and give her a stern look. “We’ll be staying together.” She nods, understanding the unspoken message.
“Of course, I’ll make sure to give you both the privacy you need. Until then, Xandros, keep your mate close. Until she shifts, she is still human,” my mother tells me, and I don’t miss the hidden meaning within her words. She is worried Carina will do something to my mate, which after earlier, I’m confident she’ll try.
I nod, not trusting my voice. She pats my arm with a gentle smile trotting away. My mind is already spinning with plans for how to keep Carina away from my mate. Adjusting her sleeping body in my arms, I climb the stairs, heading to the east wing. The east wing of the castle is part of the old building, which has undergone renovations. Its stone walls in the halls made it seem darker until it opens up into an area that is more spacious and airier. Half the place has been renovated, once I moved into the king’s quarters, I had no use for this side of the castle, so it has just remained closed off.
Stepping into the small foyer area, it opens up, large windows letting in plenty of light, which is a very different feel from the cold stone corridors, which offered minimal light.
Pushing the heavy double doors open, the sound of running has me turning back toward the hall to find six servants hurrying toward me. They all stop the moment they notice me, bowing low and apologizing.
“Your mother sent us to tidy up, My King,” the head servant girl states, and I nod, motioning toward the doors, for them to enter. They hurry past with their cleaning supplies and immediately start opening the heavy drapes to let light in and crack the windows to rid the room of the stagnant air. Dust covers most of the furniture despite it being covered with white sheets.
The stone walls in my quarters have been rendered since I last stayed here. The bedroom is luxuriously decorated, with a large four-poster bed that has silk curtains hanging down either side. The walls are adorned with paintings, and there is a fireplace in the corner for extra warmth. One servant instantly gets to work lighting it while another two girls strip the bed of linen. I wait, staring at them while they rush around, preparing everything. It takes the two girls fixing the bed mere minutes to have it covered in fresh white sheets.
I lay my mate down, taking a seat beside her. Peering down at her, a presence behind me makes me glance over my shoulder. One of the servant girls is staring at her with a curious expression. She quickly averts her gaze, muttering a quick apology and telling me my mate is pretty. Returning my attention to my sleeping mate, I sweep her long violet hair behind her ear so I can check her. My gaze roams over her; she is beautiful. No one could deny that. I’ve never paid much attention to humans, and I can’t usually stand being near them. However, my little mate is different. I do not want to be away from her. Just the thought makes a growl escape me as I watch her.
My mate’s beauty is captivating, and her porcelain skin is flawless. Except for the scar I notice hidden along her hairline, it doesn’t take away from her beauty. I can tell it’s an old scar, but it makes me curious about how she got it.
I brush my hand over her cheek, which is quite warm. She shudders, and sparks I’ve never felt before rush across my fingers. Her soft pink lips are slightly parted as she squirms, reacting to a bond I never dreamed was possible.
Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyelashes are long and dark, framing her wide eyes. My gaze travels lower, taking in the rest of her. Her curves are delicate yet sinfully tempting, her body begging to be touched and explored. I want to feel her body pressed against mine, and I want to explore every part of her with my hands and my mouth.
I feel an overwhelming sense of protectiveness toward her. This strange urge to keep her close and make sure no harm ever comes to her sweeps over me. I never thought I’d feel this way about a woman, let alone a human, but here I am, ready to protect her with my life.
Had I not found her, I would never have imagined a bond to feel like this. Carina and I had been dating for just over a year before we got engaged.
However, she never induced even a hint of the desire I feel for my mate. It’s impossible to explain. It seems irrational to feel so emotionally attached to a stranger, and a human one at that. It is almost impossible to explain or comprehend how powerful mate bonds can be. It’s a connection that often transcends logic.
Hearing the door close, I take a look around to find the room immaculate, the fire blazing in the hearth, and we are alone. Returning my gaze back to my mate, her breathing is smooth and even, and her temperature has subsided, yet my mark on her neck is raised and angry.
Sighing, unsure how long it will take for her to wake, I tuck the blanket around her and pull my phone out of my pocket. I quickly message Javier to see if he has found out exactly who she is besides her first name. I shouldn’t have killed Mal so quickly. Although, he did seem hesitant to tell me anything about who she is or anything about her uncle. All I got was her first name.
It makes me question who the other man was to her. He had shown up with a bag full of cash, wanting to buy her from him.
Javier investigated, and I learned he owned the club across from Mal’s and that she worked cash in hand for him. It was obvious they were both hiding something, but in a panic about her whereabouts, I acted irrationally. The moment Mal called to say he was checking her house, I rushed to his club; I killed him when he came back empty-handed with less information than we began with.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when I feel the bed move slightly. I expected her to be unconscious for a while, so I am pleased to see her blue-gray eyes open. She appears confused, and I can’t wait until she shifts and marks me so I can feel her more completely. She blinks up at me, her heart rate quickening as her memories slowly return. The next second she sits upright. I lean back, giving her space. The moment I do, she tosses the blanket back and runs for the door.
Sighing, I get up just as she yanks it open. Before she has a chance to run from me once again, I move, my arm wraps firmly around her waist, and I pull her against me. She starts thrashing and shouting at me immediately.
“Let me go, you fucking monster!” she screeches while she thrashes. I kick the door shut, dragging her back toward the bed. For someone so beautiful, her language is appalling, and the longer she fights against my grip, the more she annoys me.
When she bites me, however, I lose my patience and give her a hard shove, sending her sprawling onto the bed.
She crawls over it, trying to get away from me, and I grip her ankles, yanking her back to me before pinning her to the bed. I glare at her, and she returns my glare. Her hatred for me is palpable and burning brightly back at me, and my anger boils over. “You’d do well to watch your mouth,” I snarl at her. She stares back at me defiantly, and I can tell she’s not willing to back down.
My grip on her arms tightens, and she winces in pain. I lean closer, and I don’t miss the sound of her gasp. “This is your last warning,” I tell her. She may be my mate, but I am a king, and she’ll learn fast that she won’t get away with challenging me.
However, not fast enough when she headbutts me. A furious growl rips out of me as her head connects with my face, splitting my lip open. She tries in vain to escape me, however, my grip on her doesn’t waiver, only growing tighter as my blood drips onto her chest.
Gripping her arms, I slam her back on the bed, then press my weight between her legs; she struggles against me. I grip both her wrists in one hand, which causes her to buck beneath me as she tries to throw me off.
My hand caresses her side, stopping at her breast, and she screams in frustration. I press my sharp teeth against the hollow of her neck. Her breath is hot against my skin, and I feel her body tremble with what I’ll do next. I slide my hand down her body and back up, palming her breast. Pulling away, she goes to say something, but one growl silences her until I pinch her nipple, making her cry out in pain. I press my face close to hers.
“You try that again, and you won’t like the consequences,” I warn her. When she says nothing, I twist harder, and her lips open with a silent scream. Tears spring in her eyes, and she whimpers.
