Page 87 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
I mash my lips together and watch Gnash curl up by my feet.I stroke my fingers through his thick fur.
“He doesn’t care for you.How could he when doesn’t even know you?Love at first sight is matebond shit.So don’t get it twisted in that warped human brain of yours.”
What I feel toward Regan is confusing; I can’t explain it.Rationally, I know Zeke is right, or maybe it’s my lack of interaction with men all together that has me confused.That doesn’t sit right with me either, but it doesn’t make Zeke’s words sting any less.
“Today you get a pass.I won’t kill you because I owe you, but tomorrow, all deals are off,” Zeke promises darkly.I swallow down the dread that sits in my stomach like a lead weight.
“Deals?”I question.
“Yes, deals, you saved me from a stupid bear I didn’t need saving from.Repayment.Tonight, I save you from a lycan.”He shrugs.
“A lycan?”I question, my eyebrows raising at his words.
“Yes, me,” he states.
“So generous of you not to kill me until tomorrow,” I spitsarcastically.
“It is.If I had it my way, you’d be dead now and my brothers would be safe.Don’t take it personally, human, but if it’s between you and my brothers, that is not a fight you’ll ever win.”
“And Regan?”I question.
“Will get over you and forgive me eventually once he sees reason.I may not get along with my brothers, but I will kill for them, and if that means killing you, so be it.”Without waiting for another reply, he storms out of his room, leaving me alone with Gnash.
When Zeke doesn’t return, I’m forced to dig through his closet for some clothes.I steal a long-sleeved shirt and some long pants and pull them on, enjoying the warmth they offer.I toss my clothes in the hamper in the bathroom.
I spend the rest of the afternoon waiting for his return, but he doesn’t come back, and I’m forced from his room when hunger takes over.I wander down the corridor, knowing dinner can’t be far off, when I see Zeke emerge from the double doors.Part of me wants to run from him, yet with Gnash at my heel, I continue walking toward him.He stops, waiting for me to approach him with his arms folded, looking rather annoyed.
“Dinner!”he states, then turns on his heel and walks off.I roll my eyes, jogging to keep up with his long strides.When my pace seems to be ineffective, he stops and grabs me, earning a growl from Gnash.
“Settle, boy.Her damn human legs are too slow,” Zeke snaps at the wolf.
“You can just walk ahead,” I tell him, but instead, he chucks me over his shoulder like I am a bag of potatoes and marches down the steps.
The motion of his quick pace makes me feel queasy as I sway on his shoulder for all of three minutes.When he stops abruptly and tosses me, I squeal, seeing the floor rush toward my face.I throw my hands out to stop my fall when hands grab me.
“Zeke!”Regan’s voice booms loudly as he grabs me around the middle.He sets me on my feet, and his arm wraps securely around my middle, trapping me against his warm body.
“I knew you’d catch her.”Zeke rolls his eyes, taking his seat.
Regan growls low in his throat then dips his head.His breath sweeps across the side of my neck.“Are you okay?”he murmurs softly.
“Get a fucking room.No need to flaunt our deaths in our goddamn faces, Regan.It’s clear you’ve chosen sides, and it’s not with your family,” Zeke snarls.He glares down at his plate, and I notice Lyon’s eyes are down as well.Regan neither denies nor confirms his words.Instead, he tugs me to sit next to him.
Zeke grabs my shirt and pulls me to a stop.“Last I checked, brother, she’s mine tonight,” Zeke taunts while his hand fists the shirt I’m wearing.
“Zeke!”Regan growls in warning, his eyes flickering darky, but Zeke doesn’t seem to care.He pushes out his chair and jerks me onto his lap.The sound that tears out of Regan when he turns toward Zeke makes my hair stand on end.Lyon jumps up from his seat and dives between them before Regan reaches us.
“He’s right, Regan.You know this.I can’t believe you would choose a piece of pussy over your own blood!”Lyon spits.Nervously, I chew my lips, waiting to see what Regan will do.
He seems lost in thought for a moment before he opens his mouth.“I’m not choosing over anyone,” Regan says, reaching for me, but Lyon blocks his path.
“Then prove it.Sit down and leave her where she is,” Lyon snarls, his eyes boring holes into Regan.Regan swallows, and I notice the way his eyes dart to me fleetingly, then to each of his brothers.He clenches his teeth and drags a chair out and sits down.
Zeke chuckles behind me, leaning closer to whisper.“I told you.He can be swept up with you all he wants, but eventually, he’ll see reason.Blood is thicker than water, and you are water, Zirah.You’re not one of us and never will be,” Zeke whispers into my ear.
I try to push off his lap, only for Zeke to jerk me back down.“Eat,” he orders, and I glare at the plate in front of me, suddenly no longer hungry.
When I don’t pick up anything, Zeke’s hand moves, and he grabs my breast harshly, earning a pained whimper from me.Instantly, Regan’s eyes lift to meet mine, then as he notices where Zeke’s hand is, the knife in his hand suddenly vanishes.The blade skims my cheekwith the lightest touch, and Zeke grunts.The next second, I am tossed down on the table on my back, and chairs screech as all three of them jump.My back arches as whatever I landed on digs into my spine, and shards of broken glass cut my palms as I try to brace myself.
