Page 37 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
The fourth is different.
4.I cannot run away.
I swallow when I see the next five rules.My brows furrow, and I glance at King Regan.He gave up one of his rules and added one to their side.But why?
5.The bride must bathe her kings.
I grit my teeth, not wanting to be near them, and I definitelydon’t want to wash them.
6.The bride must eat and drink whatever is provided for her by the king whose care she is in.
I shake my head and move to the next.Lyon’s weren’t too bad, though the bathing one makes me want to scream in anger.I come to the next rule, which I know by the handwriting is King Regan’s.
7.She must hand back our wolves and not use them against us.
Wouldn’t that be two rules?
My stomach sinks at that one, knowing their wolves are my only protection, yet nothing makes my blood run colder than seeing the two rules Zeke chose.
8.If the bride breaks any rules or embarrasses the kings or causes what we deem as trouble within the kingdom, the assigned daily king can pick her punishment.
9.The bride can’t refuse their touch or affections.
My mouth opens at Zeke’s last rule, and my heart rate quickens.Zeke must know where my mind went because he speaks before I can ask the king.
“Father said as long as they don’t go against his rules, they’re allowed.”I press my lips in a line.
“Your rules are basically the same thing!”I snap at him, and King Regan turns his head to look at his brother.
“What’s the rule?”King Regan asks, his eyes trained on his brother, and King Theron looks at me.
“Read the rule out.Is it one of mine it goes against?”King Theron states.
“No, it’s...”I start to say when King Regan, who is glaring at his brother, speaks up.
“It’s mine!”Regan snarls.
Glaring at Zeke, I read the rule.“9: The bride can’t refuse their touch or affections.”
“That doesn’t contradict my rules, or the one Regan added to your side.Marriages have physical and sexual contact.They are to remain faithful.I can’t expect them not to have some of their needs met, Zirah.Please do try to understand, dear.They can’t force you into having sex with them, Regan assured that.”My eyes prick with tears asI glare at the board, knowing I can’t change it.
“But it’s the same thing,” I tell him, looking at the king.His eyes soften, and he looks down at his hands and curses.
“That is my mistake, dear.It never occurred to me, but I made the rule that the rules can’t be changed,” he says, looking genuinely angry with himself before he turns his head to glare at Zeke.
My eyes move to the three kings.King Regan looks furious, Zeke looks smug as a pig in shit, and Lyon is staring down at the table in thought.He looks up at Regan and then to his father.“Let me or Regan add conditions to it.”
“No, it’s my rule, and it can’t be changed!”Zeke snarls.
“He won’t be changing it.He’ll simply be adding to it.The majority rules, Zeke.Father said he would compromise.I vote we compromise on that rule,” Lyon snarls at him.I’m shocked to see any of the kings defend me, but I can’t help but wonder why when they all despise me so much.
Zeke scoffs, looking at his father for backup.“Son,” King Theron turns to Regan.“You have to agree or disagree with breaking the majority between you three,” King Theron says, and King Regan’s eyes move to mine.
“Regan, she’s a fucking—” Lyon snarls but is cut off.
“I know she’s a virgin!Why do you think I placed that rule on our side?”he snaps at his brother.
“I swear, Regan, if you take this bitch’s side—”
