Page 100 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
To guide our path and set the course, I call upon a timeless force.
In the hearts of mortals scorned lie seven sins: wrath, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, sloth, and pride.
Amidst the vices, seven virtues stand, a beacon shining through theland—Temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and innocence.
A woman of virtue, brave and true, to fix the damage and start anew.
Before I can read anymore, my attention is pulled back to King Theron.
“All this time, I’ve had the oracle right under my nose!Now tell me how to break the curse.Where is she?You’ve hidden her.I know you have!”King Theron yells, making my head ache more.I clutch my head against the noise as it throbs.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.I am not this oracle or whoever you think I am!”
Malachi watches us with alarm, his eyes darting from me to King Theron.
“Your sons will never forgive you for this!She doesn’t know who you speak of,” Malachi argues.
“Malachi is right, Theron.All witches use runes, but that doesn’t mean she is the oracle.She is too young.The Oracle would be an old woman by now,” says the strange man from the dungeon.
“Because she is the oracle’s daughter.It’s the only thing that makes sense.It’s why we could never find the oracle.She’d be dead by now...so a new one had to be born,” King Theron says, pointing at me.
As I look at the strange man that came rushing in with Shelley and Malachi, I notice an uncanny resemblance between him, King Theron, and Malachi.King Theron’s cold gaze settles on him, his face an expressionless mask.“She has the same markings as the prophecy describes!”James states.
King Theron scoffs.“If she isn’t the oracle or part of Litha’s curse, James, then why is she covered in Litha’s runes?”he asks, his tone mocking.
“How do you know they are Litha’s runes?”James asks, staring at me peculiarly.
“Because I’ve been staring at those fucking runes for the last twenty years,” Theron snarls, and he rips open his shirt, revealing the same runes that run down my back and arms, only his are in reverse, burned into his skin.Malachi gasps at the sight.
“Kill the oracle, and the curse will be revealed through theoracle’s blood.Our sins will be changed to the seven virtues.Then the last female Lycan will be born,” Theron snarls, but James shakes his head.
Malachi’s eyes widen in horror.“What will be revealed?”he whispers, the color draining from his face.
“The seven virtues!”Theron answers, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
“Litha will return.How else will the last female Lycan be born?”He turns to the guards who have been standing by, waiting for his orders.
Malachi’s eyes fill with panic as he looks back at me and shakes his head.“What you’re saying makes no sense,” he snaps at the king, his voice hoarse with desperation.
King Theron roars in frustration.“With fire, she’ll fall, and the last female Lycan will rise.Litha will rise!”King Theron snaps.I blink, trying to take in what he’s saying when Regan groans, diverting everyone’s attention to him as he sluggishly sits up.
“We’re running out of time.I won’t lose my sons.Grab her!”King Theron orders his guards, and two guards move toward my cell door.They unlock it, and the door creaks open.Regan blinks, taking in the scene unfolding around him.
“Wait...Father, what are you doing?”he demands, getting to his feet.He runs at the bars only to be ripped back by the chains.
“I’m sorry, son, but it’s the only way,” King Theron tells him as the guards undo the locks holding my chains to the wall.Instantly I try to run, but I am yanked backward, and hands seize my arms.The two guards drag me from the cell while Regan screams and yells at them to stop, which wakes Zeke and Lyon.
“Theron, listen to him,” Malachi begs.
King Theron ignores Malachi’s pleas, instead following me as I am dragged from the dungeons.
Chapter 49
I’m dragged through the castle, the chilly air biting at my bareskin, pebbling it with fear and cold.My heart pounds as I struggle against the men holding me, their hands gripping places I wish I could cover.My nudity only adds to my vulnerability.King Theron follows behind us, a twisted sense of satisfaction glinting in his eyes.I can’t help but feel nauseating fear and shame with every step, knowing that I have no protection—no clothes, no dignity, and possibly no future.A chill runs through me, not just from the cold but from the realization that my life—as much as my body—is entirely in his hands.As we make our way into the dark depths of the castle, I can’t help but wonder what he has planned for me.
I’m marched outside while Malachi and James continue to argue with the king, who follows.My heart beats like a drum in my chest, pounding in my ears as I’m dragged down the beaten track that leads to the nearby town.By the time we reach the town square, my feet are bloody from being dragged, my arms bruised by their grip, and the chains tight as they wrap around my body from my struggling.
The bustling town square is lit by torches when we enter, and the night sky is filled with stars.The torches cast shadows on the cobblestone streets and buildings, creating a haunting atmosphere.
