Page 46 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
“Shelley never told me about a pin,” I mutter, and Regan sighs, grabbing the purse and pulling it out.“She wrote it on the back.This one is different, see?”He shows me.
I nod, still confused.He grumbles and tucks my card into his pocket.“Just use this one.I’ll order another,” he says, handing me the one he just used.It is a different color than the one Shelley gave me.
I raise an eyebrow.“Won’t you need it?”
“I have other cards I can use.”He shrugs.I have so many questions, like how the money went into the machine and how it got in the card.Granny may have left a few things out of her teachings.
He grabs my bags and my hand, tugging me toward the door.“I thought you said that your brothers are going to kill me.If that’s the case, I don’t think I need money.”I taunt.
“They will eventually.That’s why I’m not worried about you sending me broke.”He laughs.I shake my head as he opens the door.
“Zirah!”the woman behind us sings out, and as I stop and turn, Regan growls.The woman rushes over.“Stay where you are, but lift your hair for me.”My brows furrow, but I do as she asks.She moves her hands in front of my face, revealing a leather and lace choker with a black obsidian stone nestled into the center.Hanging off the choker on the first drop-down tier is a smokey quartz stone, and the last tier is black amethyst.
“We look after our own,” she repeats, and my fingers brush over the inside of the leather before she places it around my neck.I glance at her in awe, but it’s not the choker that shocks me, it’s the runes that are inscribed on the inside where no one will see.Runes mean protection.They won’t work the same as Granny’s, but I knowthis is her way to tell me what she is and that she knows what I am—one of her own.
“Tell Shelley I said hi,” she smiles knowingly as I glance at her aura, tilting my head while she finishes tying the necklace in place.She’s a mystic, like Granny.My lips tug in the corners.“The kingdom has waited a long time for someone like you.”
Regan scoffs.“Yes, because a human ruling will really keep you safe from the Bloodtaric Kingdom,” Regan sneers.
“No, but she will keep us humans safe from the lycans.”Without waiting for a reply, she walks away.I turn back to find Regan staring at me.He pinches the choker, running his thumb over the black obsidian that sits in the center, then down to the smokey quartz before his thumb brushes over the last stone nestled between my cleavage.
“It’s black amethyst,” I blurt stupidly, and his eyes flick to mine.
“You know about crystals?”He questions.I bite my lip and nod my head.
“Yeah, we would find all sorts of crystals in the caves,” I tell him, and he nods absent mindedly while looking back toward the counter at the woman now folding clothes.
“Come on.”He grabs my hand, leading me out.Regan is quiet on the walk back to the castle, but his grip on my wrist is firm as he tugs me along after him.
When we arrive at the castle gates, he passes the bags to one of the maids and stomps off immediately into the massive entertainment room Zeke was in earlier.Walking past the entrance, I notice Zeke lazing in the armchair with a drink in his hand, watching his brother.Lyon has his feet on the coffee table and a drink in his hand.
I immediately notice Hunter isn’t with Zeke, and I am about to ask where he is when Lyon speaks, making me freeze.
“What happened to your suit?”I had completely forgotten about the currents I mashed on his pants.Zeke tilts his head and then snickers.
“That explains your mood!Wrong time of the month, brother?”he laughs, and Regan looks over at him.Noticing them looking at his pants, he twists, and I duck behind the massive vase that is as tall as me in the entryway.
He growls furiously.“That fucking brat!”
Lyon snickers, and I hear a glass break before stomping footsteps.Holding my breath, I press against the wall, trying to hide behind the vase more.
“Where are you going?”Zeke laughs.
“To deal with her,” he growls, stomping off toward the stairs.I cover my mouth, trying not to laugh.When he is out of view, I step out from behind the vase, but someone clears their throat, making me jump.Lyon is leaning against the wall just in the entry.
“Run, human.I’d hate to be you when he gets his hands on you.”He laughs, wandering back into the room.I peer in, and when Zeke smirks, I quickly rush off to look for Shelley since I can’t go back to my room.
Chapter 23
LATER THAT NIGHT
After spending the entire afternoon hiding in Shelley’s room, I’m now faced with King Regan’s barely suppressed rage as he glares at me from across the dinner table.He’s changed from his ruined suit into jeans and a black shirt, and he swirls a glass of whiskey before tipping the last of it into his mouth.Regan signals the waiter for another drink and then looks back at me.
King Theon takes a sip of water, looking between me and his oldest son skeptically.“Zirah, you are to meet King Regan first thing in the morning.My sons usually have breakfast brought to their rooms by 9 a.m., so that is where you’ll go at the beginning of each new day,” King Theron tells me, and I swallow nervously, knowing I will have to spend an entire twenty-four hours with Regan.His lips turn up into a cruel smirk.
“Why wait, Father?We might as well start the game now,” Regan growls, his lips tugging up into a smirk.
King Theron crosses him arms over his chest, and as I open my mouth to argue, he cuts me off.“See, why can’t you two be as eager to win her hand?”Zeke snickers deviously, knowing Regan is probably plotting my death, not seeking my hand—unless it is to remove it from my body.
