Page 30 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
“Zeke!”Lyon snarls.
“No, she must learn her place, especially in the presence of a king!”Zeke snaps, shooting his brother a glare.Blood dribbles down my chin from where he bit me, and the warmth trickles down my neck.
Zeke moves his thumb, smearing my blood across my throat before licking the trail from my chin to my lips.His tongue traces the seam of my lips, and he pulls me closer.
“What will it be, love?”he purrs, and my lips part.Zeke smirks before kissing me as if he owns me, his tongue tasting every inch of my mouth, and he growls when I don’t kiss him back.I have no idea what game he is playing, but he is deliberately putting me on display, to show the kingdom that I will submit, that I will never measure up tohim or be his equal, that I will bend to his will.
Granny did not raise me to be a pushover, so I kiss him back.My hand grabs his shirt, and I feel him smile like he won—until I bite him.His grip tightens in my hair, ripping the strands from my scalp, but I refuse to let go.
Until he cuts my air off completely with the hand that’s wrapped around my neck.He snarls, letting my throat go and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“You want Hunter back?Tell your father you accept!”Zeke snarls and raises his hand, but as he’s bringing his hand down to strike me, his father grips his wrist.At the same time, I let go of Hunter, who moves and squeezes between my legs protectively.
Zeke looks down at his wolf.“She hit a king,” Zeke roars at his father, and I am surprised when Regan comes to my defense.
“No, she hit her husband.If she chooses you,” Regan says, stepping forward.
“I never said I would accept,” Zeke sneers at his brother.
“But you will, or I take Hunter,” I tell him, and Zeke turns his deadly gaze back to me.He jerks his hand from his father’s grip, who is smirking deviously.
“You knew I wouldn’t be able to choose,” I tell the king.
“Correct.You, my dear, were born to be a queen.Welcome to the family.”King Theron laughs.
“How?”I question.
“Because the moment I met you, you were defiant and unafraid.My sons don’t need a woman who fears them.Every woman in the four kingdoms already does, which is exactly why I can’t marry them off!”King Theron’s eyes go to his sons, and Zeke scoffs.
“No, what my sons need is a challenge.They’re too competitive.Like all lycans, they like to hunt.But there is no use in hunting something that you can’t chase, and theywillchase you, and youwillrun and fight back.”
My eyebrows raise.“They like to hunt?”I chuckle.For some reason, I can’t picture the three kings in hunting gear, not that they would need it, given what they are.Still, I find the imagery in my head funny.
“Something funny?”Malachi asks, coming up beside the king.
“Yes, the king’s sons like to hunt.”I chuckle.Malachi smiles, and the king’s lips tug up in the corners, also finding me amusing.
“Care to share?”Zeke sneers.I snort, unable to contain my laughter.I must look like a madwoman, but the king’s words make me laugh as I try to picture them with pitchforks.There is no doubt in my mind that his sons are predators.That much is clear when witnessing the fear in the eyes of everyone who passes them.
“I’m sorry, King Theron.”I giggle.“But your sons are clearly used to having everything handed to them.I doubt they would be able to catch a cold if they tried.No wonder they can’t catch a bride.You had me trapped in your maze, and they still caught air.”
“That was because of our wolves!”Lyon growls, stepping forward.
“Wolves!You’re a lycan, yet you couldn’t control your own pet.Sorry to tell you, Lyon, you don’t stand a goddamn chance of controlling me.The only control you’ll receive is what I give you.”I chuckle, and so does the king.
“And that is exactly why I wanted you to win.They need some competition.However, I think my sons will find they aren’t the only predators in my kingdom.One thing they will learn quickly is that there is no one deadlier than the person that holds your heart.”
King Regan scoffs.“What nonsense are you spouting about now, Father?”
“You’ll see.Something tells me you boys will be running while she hunts.As she said, you three can’t catch a cold to save your lives, so maybe she isn’t your prey after all.Maybe you’re hers.Only time will tell.”King Theron laughs, turning to his men.
“Father!”Zeke calls.
And King Theron stops.He turns his gaze to his son.“Yes, Zeke?”
“I never agreed!”he growls.The king sighs, then scratches his chin.He nods slowly.“I suppose you’re quite right.What is your answer, son?Let’s hear it then.”Zeke looks at me then his wolf before he grits his teeth.
He growls menacingly.“Set them free,” he growls, his eyesmeeting mine.“I accept!”Zeke barges past me toward the castle.
