Page 98 of Seduced By Moonlight

“You must. In the meantime, it is unbecoming for you to be wasting your time with this… this…teek. A nonhuman? Really, Ward?”

A sharp, searing pain pierced Kayden’s chest, like a jagged shard of glass. Not this again. A familiar wave of dread washed over him, his heart pounding against his rib cage with a relentless urgency.

Why was he never enough? Why did he always fall short of expectations? Despite his best efforts, why did he constantly feel like he was grasping at something just beyond his reach, never quite measuring up to the standards set by others?

No matter how much he gave or how hard he tried, he never met the elusive benchmark ofenough.

But before he could get his mouth open to blast that son of a bitch, several things happened at once—Lance sprang from his seat, his face contorted into a snarl, eyes blazing with anger.

His eyes glowed the unnatural blue of his tiger. Mika also stood but grabbed Lance by the arm. Tank’s chair skidded backward across the floor with a loud scrape as he sprang to his feet too.

“Shit, Dad!” Joel exclaimed, rushing toward the elder.

Scarlett rose, her gaze fixed intently on Ward.

Lance roared.

The elder’s gaze turned sharply toward Lance, and the gargoyle’s eyes emitted a glow.

The last time Kayden had witnessed a gargoyle with eyes that ominous shade of red, someone turned to stone. An overwhelming fear, unlike any he had ever experienced, surged through his veins, electrifying every nerve with an intensity that left him breathless.

His best friend was in danger, and there was no way in hell Kayden was going to let anything happen to Lance. Panic and adrenaline fueled his determination to do whatever it took.

However, Ward’s bellow overpowered Lance’s roar.

The sheer, raw anger in that sound startled Kayden to his core. It was a fierce, untamed fury that echoed all around them, vibrating through the air with an intensity that was almost palpable.

Tank bellowed a fierce command, his voice booming like thunder, as he charged toward Lance with something close to panic on his face.

Yet, somehow, Ward didn’t aim his seething rage at him or Lance. Even so, Kayden wasn’t willing to risk it. He leaped up, raising his hands defensively in front of him just as Tank leaped in front of Lance, spreading his wings wide.

Kayden launched the elder through the closest door.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX –WARD

FURY BURNED through every inch of Ward as he watched Graymore crashed unceremoniously into the dining hall doors, splintering them on impact.

Ward roared again.

The single furious note froze everyone in place. Even Lance’s mouth hung open as he peeked around Tank, his gaze darting between Kayden, Ward, and the doors the elder had disappeared through.

“Do not interfere, my council,” Ward commanded with terrifying calmness. Then he turned to face those still in the dining room. “Anyone else have a problem with whom I’m dating?”

Everybody in the dining room shook their heads.

Ward stalked to where Graymore lay, grabbed him, and tossed him back into the dining area. He wanted everyone in there to see and hear what he had to say.

“You dare to threaten someone under my protection? You’re fortunate Kayden acted beforeIcould,” Ward threatened, stopping next to Graymore.

“My King, please, I beg of you, think of what you do. I am an elder!Theyare not clan members,” Graymore said as he struggled to get up. “I must insist that we discuss this in private and—”

“Did you not hear what I said? They are under my protection.You will not threaten my mate or his friends!” Ward shouted.

There were gasps throughout the dining room.

“Mate?” Tank repeated, stunned.

“You cannot mean to bond with him,” Graymore sputtered. His tail whipped behind him as he finally stood.

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