Page 96 of Royal Bite
Stormey didn’t care what she looked like. If her death was to be on television for the world to see, then she wanted them to truly see how this was affecting her. How this was torture and cruel.
“We want our star to look her best.”
A woman arrived in front of Stormey and wiped her face. She was gentle while she cleaned off Stormey’s skin, but it didn’t matter to Stormey. She inhaled shakily and wanted to think of all the people who’d brought joy to her life. She didn’t want her last thoughts to be of anything else. She thought of Maisie and her smile. Stormey had connected with the little girl. Maisie was full of life and happiness, even though she had been dealt a shitty hand. Stormey wanted to keep seeing her smile, but now—
Happy thoughts only, Stormey Jaymes.
Then Hegna’s image came to mind.
They had made such progress in recent weeks. Even though she’d had a short time with her mate, Stormey would cherish it. Hegna had finally come to the reality that they belonged together and that fate had designed them for one another. An ache settled in Stormey’s chest. She would have loved to complete their bond and go through life as Hegna’s partner and mate.
“We’re ready, Alpha,” a deep voice said. A large man stood behind the camera. His hand adjusted the lens.
Stormey blinked and looked around. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t realized so many people had been working around her. Cameras were now focused on her. The lights were brighter. A small crowd stood watching. Azura stood at her side with an evil gleam in her eyes.
Stormey’s heart raced again.
This would be it.
“Good. I want this on every outlet across the world,” the alpha snapped.
Stormey jumped at the force of Azura’s words.
The alpha stood tall, making her demands known. “I want patrols upped while we are doing this broadcast. Once we are done here, be prepared to break this building down. We will be moving to join my sister.”
Azura spoke as if she wasn’t about to take a life. She acted as if this was just a daily task for her, not something horrific. The alpha already had plans for once she left this building.
“Let’s begin,” Azura announced.
Stormey’s vision blurred as fresh tears accumulated. They spilled out and ran down her face. She held her head up and refused to cower. If this was how her life ended, so be it. A red light slowly blinked on the camera. Stormey tried to focus on that.
“Good day, world. It is I, Azura Matthews,” the alpha proclaimed.
There was an uplift to her words. She actually sounded excited for this. How could someone be so cruel as to want to kill an innocent woman? Stormey had done nothing but fall in love with her vampire.
Stormey felt it in her soul.
She was in love with Hegna Riskel.
She just wished she could tell Hegna to her face, be held by her, kissed by her. She now regretted that she hadn’t told Hegna. She’d die, and her mate would never know how she truly felt about her. Sadness filled Stormey. She swallowed hard and continued focusing on the red light, blocking out Azura’s crazed rambling.
“There will be a new world where lycans rule. You’ve cowered to the vampires because you were weak. Well, me and my lycans are far from weak. We are powerful and will decimate the vampire rule. Join us, and I promise you there will be glory,” Azura spat.
Stormey was sure humans were afraid, nervous, and feeling threatened. She knew her people. Some would run and hide, trying to avoid the clash between lycans and vampires, while there were some who still had fire in them. They would fight this. At least vampires didn’t try to control every waking movement of the humans.
If Stormey had to choose between the two, she’d pick vampires every single time.
Humans wouldn’t survive another war, and their leaders would more than likely bend to the will of whoever the victor was. Azura’s crazed plan was to change as many humans to lycans as possible.
And she didn’t care who died in the changing process.
Stormey cried out from Azura latching on to her hair. The lycan laughed, entwining her fingers into Stormey’s thick strands.
“Today will be the first of many televised executions. My ancestors were the victims of public executions. Killed like animals in front of crowds. The vampire king didn’t want to allow the lycan alpha to rise to power and guide his people to a better life. Instead, he killed my grandfather, his wife, and sons.” Azura tugged Stormey’s head back and forced her to look straight ahead. “Tell the world your name, human.”
Stormey swallowed hard and pushed her shoulders back. She straightened up and blew out a deep breath.
“My name is Stormey Jaymes, mate to the heir of the vampire throne, Princess Hegna Riskel, and warden—”
