Page 73 of Lycan King's Captives
“What did you think of that one? Not bad for an old man.” He grins mischievously and motions for me to come at him again. I shake my head, he’s insane.
“You need to learn how to defend yourself. King Vin is in the castle for who knows how long,” Rehan explains, his expression growing serious. My unease intensifies as the gravity of the situation settles upon me. Still, I hesitate to take action, this feels far too odd, and some part of me wonders if I am trapped in a dream, in some twisted alternate reality. This man has barely said two words to me since being here and suddenly wants me to punch him?
“Hit me!” the king commands, his eyes narrowing slightly. I look to Javier, hoping for some clarification on whether the king has lost his marbles.
“I always get stuck playing the guinea pig,” Javier growls softly, reluctantly stepping forward and swinging at the king. In a swift and fluid motion, Rehan blocks Javier’s punch and counters with a skilled strike, knocking Javier onto his back with a resounding thud.
My eyes widen in astonishment as I witness the king’s agility and strength. A mix of fear and excitement courses through my veins. He turns his attention back to me, a challenging glimmer in his eyes. “Don’t let the slippers fool you, Anna, I’m stronger than I look,” he tells me, waving me forward. I chew my lip, glancing down at Javier who stares up at the ceiling almost bored.
“Now it’s your turn. Don’t hold back,” The king says, adopting a defensive stance. I take a deep breath and cautiously step forward, attempting a punch. Rehan easily evades it, demonstrating his agility and quick reflexes once again. We continue the training session, with Rehan patiently guiding me through various moves and techniques, though I don’t understand why, it seems pointless to me.
My muscles ache with each exertion, bruises forming on my arms and legs as I absorb a few accidental blows. The training is grueling, pushing me to my limits, and beyond. By the time we are done, the sun is shining outside, the morning birds chirp while I clutch my knees panting having had the wind knocked out of me again. “You’re too frightened, how many times do I need to tell you to forget my status?” King Rehan states.
“This is pointless, I can’t even shift! So what good would I be defending myself against him,” I tell him as the session comes to an end. I collapse onto the rug, my body weary. Rehan wipes his head with a towel, his gaze meeting mine.
“That will do for today. Besides, I must get to breakfast before anyone notices, or Adina wakes up,” he says, his voice filled with a hint of exhaustion. He leaves the room, and I find myself lying on my back, staring at the ceiling.
Javier stands over me, his expression a mix of concern and weariness. “Go shower, Sienna. I suspect the king will try to sneak off to see you, and you’re covered in his father’s scent. He’ll ask questions,” he tells me.
“So?” I respond, my voice laced with fatigue and defiance.
“So, in case you haven’t noticed, your mate isn’t here, and he forbade me from letting anyone in here with you. Meaning he doesn’t know about Rehan’s little training session. Now get up, I am not being skinned alive because you are too lazy to shower,” Javier snaps at me.
I groan and roll onto my side, pushing myself up from the rug. With aching muscles and a heavy heart, I make my way into the bathroom, my mind filled with conflicting thoughts when I stop, turning back to face Javier.
“If I have to keep this secret, then you need to get me a phone,” I tell Javier, my voice firm as I stand in the bathroom doorway.
“Excuse me?” he replies, surprise evident in his tone.
“A phone, or I tell Xandros you let his father visit,” I assert, a sense of determination fueling my words.
“Are you blackmailing me?” Javier asks, his brows furrowing. “Why do you want a phone?”
I don’t answer, it’s clear he knows why.
“The answer is no. Xandros will kill me,” Javier adds, his voice tinged with concern.
“Death is better than being skinned alive,” I shrug, shutting the door. I quickly shower. The warm water cascades over me, washing away the sweat and grime of this impromptu training session. Once finished I make my way to the walk-in closet pulling my uniform from a hanger.
I dress in my maid’s uniform, a sense of urgency pushing me forward. The castle is coming alive with noise, and I know I will be sent for any minute if Carina is back.
As I step out of the closet, I find Javier waiting in my room. Nervousness creeps up within me as I wonder why he has returned. “Ah, you’re back already?” I ask, my voice tinged with a hint of anxiety.
“I mean it, if he catches you with this, he’ll think you stole it!” Javier says, striding over to me. “And I won’t be telling him otherwise!” He hands me a phone, his expression a mix of concern and uncertainty. “Now hide that and hurry up. Carina and Adina have requested your presence.”
“Why?” I inquire, puzzled.
“Just get dressed!” Javier snaps, his patience wearing thin. He walks out of the room, shutting the door behind him. I let out a sigh, my mind reeling with questions and suspicions.
Quickly, I slip the phone into a hidden pocket of a jacket of mine at the back of the closet. Thoughts swirl as I hurriedly finish getting dressed.
I make my way through the corridors, my steps filled with apprehension. Carina and Adina’s request is peculiar, and I wonder what lies behind their sudden interest in me. I navigate the halls, passing by maids and guards with a newfound sense of awareness. They are all watching me, and I can feel Javier behind me, following like my shadow.
As I reach the grand foyer, I find Carina and Adina waiting for me. Carina’s smile is warm but guarded, while Adina wears her usual composed expression. “Sienna, so glad you could join us,” Carina says.
“What is this about?” I ask, unable to hide the curiosity in my voice.
Adina steps forward, her eyes fixed on mine. “You’ll be joining us in the city.”
