Page 104 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
“See, Father,” Lyon says in a taunting voice coming up behind him.
“What is the meaning of this?”he demands, his voice cold and unforgiving.
Lyon, still in shock, struggles to find his words.“Father...I found them like this.”
King Theron’s eyes flick from my mother to Regan and then to Zeke.“Is this true?”he asks, his voice dripping with menace.
Regan hesitates, casting a furtive glance at the baby in Litha’s arms before responding.“We were...trying to protect them, Father.She was pregnant.The guards attacked, and Zeke—” a deep threatening growl leaves King Theron, cutting off his son.
“I said bring her to me.I never asked you to play midwife!”Theron booms.
“She’s just a baby!”Regan growls back at him.
“You betrayed me!”Theron points at his son.
I can see the anger building in King Theron as he takes in the information.He turns his gaze back to my mother when his eyes fall on me in her arms.
Regan glares at Lyon, and Zeke sits up while Theron smiles cruelly at Litha.“Seize them!”Theron orders, but Regan steps in the guard’s way.
“I hoped your brother was wrong, but clearly there is truth to what he claims.You were told to bring her to me, not help her escape.”
As the vision ripples, it moves along while I ponder everything I’ve learned from it.The whispers return, only this time I welcome them as they transport me to a new vision.Showing me the ghosts of my mother’s past, showing me their sins.
Chapter 51
The next vision I am shown, I find myself in King Theron’schamber.I take a deep breath, my eyes fluttering shut as the vision envelops me.I can feel the familiar pull of my ancestor’s magic, the essence of my mother’s memories mingling with it, but there’s something else too—a thread of power that seems to stretch beyond them, connecting to something I can’t quite grasp.It’s almost as if the memories I’m seeing have been woven into the fabric of the coven’s magic itself, preserved not just by my mother and grandmother but by the entire lineage of witches that came before me, giving me a glimpse of a past that wasn’t my mother’s but of them, of the Lycan king’s.
“How am I seeing this?”I whisper, my voice trembling as I find myself in a scene my mother wasn’t present for.I understand how I can see my mother’s and grandmother’s memories but not theirs.A voice echoes in my mind, one I don’t recognize, though distant and faded.“Our magic is not bound by the limits of what we know, child.It reaches into the past, into the very essence of those who came before us.The memories you see are not just your mother’s, but the collective memory of our coven and of time itself, the whispers of the past that have been passed down through the ages.”
My eyes widen as the realization settles over me.The visions I’m seeing aren’t just my mother’s memories—they’re of time itself, showing all events leading to her death and the ramifications of after.It’s a gift, but also a burden, to see the truth of what has come before, to understand the choices and sacrifices that have led us to this point.
The room is filled with tension as he stares down at his sons, Regan and Zeke, who were forced on their knees by two burly guards.The flickering torchlight casts eerie shadows on the walls, making the scene even more sinister.
“I have never questioned my family’s loyalty more than I have over the last few days.First your mother tries to set them free, and then I hear from the guards and Lyon about your betrayal.”Theron’s voice is cold and emotionless when he turns his hard gaze on Regan.“But right now, I’m questioning whether you’re even worthy of a place in my kingdom, let alone the fucking throne.”His eyes move to Zeke.“But as my sons, I will offer you a chance to prove yourself.”
Regan clenches his fists, his anger palpable as he glares at Lyon, who has his eyes downcast next to his father’s throne.
Without warning, Theron places a knife to Regan’s neck, his voice dripping with malice, making Lyon gasp.Zeke looks at his father in bewilderment.
“Choose, Zeke.Your brother’s life or the baby’s.From the information I’ve gathered from the guards, you and Regan were overheard fighting over Litha’s spawn.”Zeke hesitates for a moment, glancing at Regan, who swallows hard.
“Why should I care about a baby?”Zeke replies, but it’s obvious to me that he’s trying to mask his concern, or maybe he’s trying not to draw his father’s attention to me being his mate.Mate—as that word comes to mind, it burns my soul.
“That’s not an answer, Zeke,” Theron snarls, sliding the knife down Regan’s chest.Regan growls but holds still, and I can see the fury in his eyes as his father carves a line, blood gushing and spilling on the floor.
“Of course, I choose my brother.Blood is thicker than water.”
Theron’s eyes narrow, gauging Zeke’s reaction.“Is that so?Well, in that case, Regan, it’s time for you to choose where your loyalty lies.”Zeke glances at Regan, who clenches his teeth.
“Kill the baby and the hag,” Theron orders.Zeke tries to get up, but his father’s eyes cut to him.“If you don’t.You are both banishedfrom the kingdom.Bring me their bodies when you’re done.”
“Father...”Lyon stumbles forward, looking at his brothers in alarm when Theron turns on him.“Would you like to share a cell with your mother, Lyon?Are you planning to disobey me, too?”
“I’ve done what you asked of me!”Lyon snarls.
“Yes, you have, but at what cost?You still betrayed your family.You betrayed your brothers by coming to me.”Lyon guiltily looks away, and Theron turns his attention to his sons.“So what will it be, Regan?”Theron demands, turning back to Regan.Regan nods once, and Theron nods to the guard holding him.Regan then stands, turns on his heel, and walks out the doors while Theron smiles cruelly.
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