Page 71 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
“Oh, that’s right, I forgot.No one around here asks for permission.They just fucking take what they want.At least I asked.I doubt Zeke will.”
He grips my shoulder, shoving me on my back and hovering over me.“You keep saying how much we fucking hate you, and yet that feeling is mutual, is it not?”He growls, and I glare at him.“I didn’t say it to insult you.It came out wrong, but I never expected you to ask something like that.If I kill you, I lose my kingdom...and you lose your life.There is too much at stake.Not just for me, but for you as well.”
“No need to backtrack now.It’s fine.I get it.Your meaning was loud and clear.I’m so fucking beneath you.Now get off me,” I snap at him.
He growls but lets me go.“My kingdom is all I have, and you have no damn filter.You’re so rude and abrupt.You can’t ask someone like me that.”
Ah, here we go again.I wonder if I will get a peasant speech, or if he will take it further and point out every reason for how inadequate I am.
“If I were someone else, I would’ve said yes, Zirah.Have you not heard a thing I have said tonight?”
“But you said you can still do—”
“Yes, I can touch and be touched, just not by you!”he growls.
“Why?”
“Because he wants you,” comes Lyon’s voice, making both of us jump.We both look at the balcony to find Lyon standing in the doorway.
“Lyon?”Regan asks, sitting up and watching his brother step closer.
Lyon ignores Regan, not breaking eye contact with me.“He needed an excuse.His kingdom seemed like a good enough one.He has wanted you since you challenged him in the stables!”
Regan growls at him, and Lyon smirks, raising an eyebrow.
“If only you knew how much you push his buttons—”
“Shut up, Lyon.You know nothing,” Regan snarls.Lyon is dressed for the day in a white shirt and blue jeans, looking the most casual I’ve seen him.
“Really?If I’m wrong then why didn’t you challenge our father for the throne?You’re the oldest, as you love to remind us.He is old.You’d take him, you and I both know it.Instead, you chose to play this little game.And why is that?”Lyon taunts.
Regan looks like he is about to attack his brother.“He threatened our kingdoms,” Regan argues.
Lyon rolls his eyes.“If that is what you want to keep telling yourself, Regan, go for it.But you and I both know the real reason.She challenged you, and now you’re hunting.It just angers you because no one ever catches your attention as she does.That confuses you, but let’s not play pretend.You’re here because you want to be!I know for certain after what I’ve learned.”
I peer up at Regan, but he grits his teeth and ignores his brother’s words.“Where’s Zeke?”Regan asks.
Lyon sighs.“Asleep still.I just checked him.”
“And how long have you been standing there?”I ask, and he smirks.
“Long enough to hear you arguing over wanting to touch him,” he teases, and my face burns.
“So, whyare you in my room?”Regan falls back onto the bed with a huff.
“Seeing if she survived the night with you, for one, and I found something,” Lyon answers.
Regan sits back up.“Found what?”
“Dad is dying.That is why he has orchestrated all of this.It’s also how I know you just lied to her.His aura affects Zeke and me, but with him dying, I know it doesn’t affect you unless you allow it to.You could take your throne, your strength matches him now.”
“How do you know he is dying?”Regan asks.
“It doesn’t matter, but I think Zeke is the one behind it.Dad started getting sick the week he showed up here.”
Regan climbs out of bed when Lyon steps through the balcony door and closes it behind him.
“No stay with her, I have to wake Zeke in an hour.Stay here.We’ll discuss it tonight.Just do whatever you two were going to do,” Lyon says with a devious smile, tugging at his lips.
