Page 72 of Lycan King's Captives
Her laugh is a caustic bark, scraping against my skin like blades of glass. “You can’t protect me, no one can,” she sneers, fingers entwined in the hair at the back of her neck as if trying to strangle the fear away.
“What does he have over you?” I growl.
She closes her eyes briefly before slowly opening them again, a resolve now resting there which sends a chill through me. She takes a deep breath and speaks in hushed tones, as though afraid someone else might hear. “Let’s just get this marriage over with, and then I’ll go on an extended vacation.” Her lips quirk up into a twisted smirk as she adds: “You can be with Sienna.”
My blood runs cold. “I’m not sleeping with you,” I say through gritted teeth, my fists clenched so tight my knuckles shine white.
Carina waves me off dismissively, her gaze still focused on some distant point beyond my shoulder. “Because you’re incapable? Come on, we’ll find another way.” An unfamiliar darkness settles around us, filling the space with an air of sinister foreboding.
Carina stares at me for a moment before bursting into an angry, sarcastic laugh. “Oh come on, Xandros, what do you think this is? You have no choice in the matter, and neither do I,” she says, her voice laced with bitterness.
I take a step back, still not believing what I’m hearing. “No, I won’t do that either,” I say firmly, shaking my head. “I am not having a child with you.”
Carina’s face contorts in rage, and she takes a step toward me. “It’s not like we have any other options,” she hisses, her words dripping with venom.
Carina’s eyes flash with anger. “You don’t have a choice in this, Xandros. You’re my husband now, and you’ll do whatever it takes to maintain appearances,” she spits.
I can feel my temper rising, my patience wearing thin. Carina takes a step forward, her body presses against mine. “Things change, Xandros. You need to adapt if you want to survive in this world,” she says, her voice low and dangerous.
“What, like forcing yourself on me?” I spit out the words, barely able to control my temper.
Carina’s eyes flicker with something that looks like fear before hardening again. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she insisted. “I just… I don’t know what else to do. My father is relentless, and I can’t keep living like this.”
I feel a flicker of sympathy for her, but it is quickly drowned out by my own feelings of frustration and helplessness. “There has to be another way,” I say, my mind reeling as I try to come up with a solution.
Carina shakes her head, her hair tumbling around her face. “There isn’t,” she says simply. “Not unless you can convince my father to call off this ridiculous arrangement,” she shrugs.
38
The following morning, I wake to Rehan entering my room. Javier instantly moves to greet him, and as I groggily wake up, I note it is still dark outside. Every muscle in Javier’s body tenses up as he runs to greet him, and I can feel the confusion radiating off us both. “My King?” I gasp, jumping out of bed with a start. Confused, I look at Javier, who also appears perplexed by the unexpected visit. “My King?” I ask again, hastily wrapping my blanket around myself.
Rehan’s normally thunderous voice is like a whisper, the intensity in his gaze creating an unbearable tension in the air. His words are like knives piercing my skin, as he growls, “None of this ‘My King’ business. I am not here as your king, I’m here as your father-in-law. Now, time to start your training.” I glance nervously at Javier who stares at the king as if he has lost his mind. “Do you know how to throw a punch?” The pressure around us builds until it feels as if the whole room will explode.
I shake my head, a mix of curiosity and apprehension building within me. My heart hammers in my chest and I feel the first stirrings of unease. Javier yanks the king’s arm, harshly jerking him away from me. I’m shocked by Javier’s forcefulness, and the way he man-handles the king so roughly, yet the king doesn’t seem fazed, as if it isn’t the first time Javier has laid hands on him. I stand awkwardly, clutching my blanket tighter, my arm straining under the pull of the handcuff where I am shackled to the bed. The two of them hiss in hushed whispers, sending me furtive glances as I strain to decipher their words. My apprehension grows with every passing second as I realize the gravity of the conversation upon hearing my mate’s name.
“Does Xandros know?” Javier asks, his voice laced with concern as he casts a nervous glance at me.
“No, and you won’t be telling him. She needs to know how to defend herself, especially while that snake is here,” King Rehan asserts. My eyes widen at the mention of King Vin, the man who gives me an unsettling feeling.
“Now, give me the keys!” King Rehan demands holding his hand out expectantly to Javier. Javier presses his lips in a line. “You know I’m right, Javier,” the king adds, and Javier reluctantly hands a set of keys to the king, who swiftly unlocks my handcuffs.
I flex my sore wrists, relief flooding through me as I massage feeling back into it, the cold metal having left indents in my skin.
“Let me guess, after last night’s incident, he’s forbidden you to shift?” Rehan questions, his eyes scanning me curiously. I nod, uncertain of where this is leading.
This is the first time I have really got a good look at the man, this close, he appears shorter than when I have seen him in the dining hall, not as intimidating. Maybe it’s the royal red silk pajamas he wears and his matching slippers. His hair is dark, like black ink, perfectly combed back. He reminds me a little of his son, they share a lot of the same features.
Plump cheeks, feigned redness staining them and a sparkle in his eyes that seems too innocent for this man when his lips turn up in the corners cunningly.
“Well, we’ll make do. Now get ready,” he instructs, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Now try to punch me, give it a good hard crack,” he encourages, bouncing on the balls of his feet, looking absolutely ridiculous since he is in his pajamas, and the scuffling of his orthopedic slippers just makes it all the more bizarre.
“Excuse me?” I blurt in shock, my mind struggling to comprehend the request. He can’t be serious.
“Come on, girlie, show me what you got!” King Rehan exclaims, his eyes twinkling with excitement. I hesitate for a moment, and Javier nods for me to do as the king asks. I cringe internally; who am I to deny the crazy king? Slowly lifting my arm and throw a punch at his outstretched fist. He dodges it easily, letting out a hearty chuckle, and motions for me to try again.
“I promise you, girlie, I may be old, but I’m still lithe on my feet,” he says with a smirk, demonstrating some peculiar footwork. Javier snorts at the sight, shaking his head in amusement.
This time, when I throw my punch, he catches it midair and uses my own momentum to swing me around backhanded before releasing me. A thrill of surprise courses through me as I’m reminded that despite his age, this man can still hold his own in battle if necessary. I stumble back, trying to regain my balance, and peer up in surprise.
