Page 64 of Lycan King's Captives
I take another step toward her, my hand still raised. “Sienna, I love you,” I admit, my voice filled with raw emotion. “You are my mate, and nothing will ever change that. I will do whatever it takes to make this right, to mend what I have broken.”
“But not enough to fight for me,” she whispers, her voice barely above a breath.
A pang of guilt courses through me as I realize the truth of her words. I failed her, failed to protect her, and fight for her when she needed me most. “Sienna, I am fighting for you,” I protest, my voice filled with determination. “I am risking everything, even the stability of my kingdom, to ensure your safety. I need you to meet me halfway.”
Her eyes bore into mine, searching for something. I reach out to touch her cheek, my thumb caressing her skin gently. “Please,” I beg, “just hear me out.”
Her gaze is wary yet receptive. “What is it?” she asks, her voice tinged with a mix of skepticism and longing.
I take a step closer to her, closing the physical and emotional distance between us. “I know I can’t undo the past.”
“No, you can’t. Just get out! I won’t listen anymore to your fake promises and false words,” she says pushing off my chest. I go to argue with her but then there is a knock on the door that startles us both. Moments later, Javier walks into the room and Sienna moves to the shower, hopping in and closing the screen.
“Xandros?” Javier calls out. I growl and wander out to the main room. “Your mother wishes to speak to you.” Just hearing the mention of her angers me, she nearly killed my mate. The hatred I feel for that woman right now… there are no words to describe it. “Your father has requested your presence, too.” I grit my teeth. No doubt he is there to play referee to our fight.
I nod stiffly at Javier, still lost in my own thoughts. “I’ll be there shortly,” I mutter, my voice laced with bitterness.
Javier hesitates, his eyes scanning me cautiously. “Is everything alright?”
“No,” I snap, my anger and frustration coming out in a harsh outburst. “My mate doesn’t want to mark me, my mother tried to kill her, and now my father wants to play the middleman.”
Javier’s expression turns grave. He places a hand on my shoulder, offering a small gesture of comfort. “You’ll figure it out,” he tells me confidently.
I snort derisively at his words, feeling hopeless and lost. “I don’t know how,” I admit, the weight of my responsibilities and mistakes crushing me like a boulder. “I’ve never been in a situation like this before.”
“What situation, the treaty?” Javier asks curiously.
I shake my head in frustration. “This… this conflict between Sienna and me. Usually I can make her comply with the bond but not this time,” I say, struggling to find the right words to express myself. “I’m torn between my duty to my kingdom and my need to protect her. She won’t fucking see reason.”
“Well, one issue at a time. Whatever your parents wanted to see you about seems urgent.” I sigh looking back at the bathroom door. Shaking my head, I follow Javier choosing to deal with Sienna when I return.
As I walk toward the throne room, all I can think of is Sienna. I know I’m failing her, failing to be the mate she needs and deserves. My thoughts are interrupted as I enter the throne room and see my parents waiting for me. I instantly growl when I lay eyes on my mother, and she hangs her head. My father’s hand reaches out to grab hers.
“Xandros, we need to talk,” my father says, his tone serious and stern.
I scoff. “If it’s coming from her, I don’t want to hear it, Father, she nearly killed my mate!” I yell at him. He looks at my mother, his eyes full of disappointment.
“I have already spoken with your mother,” he says, keeping his eyes trained on her.
“Spoken to her?” I laugh, what did he do? Scold her like a disobedient child.
“Please, Xandros, I didn’t think she would deteriorate so… qui?—”
“You didn’t think? Exactly what was your intention?” I snarl, taking a step toward her. Javier grabs my arm, and I growl at the action, he simply shakes his head.
“My mate hates me because of you, because of the distance you forced between us.”
“And I’m sorry, I truly am, I… I know I made a mistake,” she pleads, tears streaming down my face.
“And Sienna?” I ask her and she swallows, glancing away toward the wall.
“You’re not sorry at all, you’re just sorry you nearly killed me, aren’t you?” I tell her. She says nothing, and I know I am right. I turn to leave when my father speaks again. “Vin Dresdan called moments ago.”
I growl, not wanting to deal with my father-in-law right now.
I take a deep breath and brace myself for whatever news they have for me. “What is it?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Your mother has received a message from him,” my father begins, his eyes locking onto mine. “They want to discuss the treaty. He wasn’t too happy when he learned of your departure in the middle of the night,”
