Page 32 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
“What did I say about addressing me by name?I will not be disrespected by the likes of a fucking human!”Hunter launches at him, tearing into his arm, and Regan snarls, backhanding him and sending him skidding across the ground.Hunter whines and shakes himself before baring his teeth and growling.
King Regan roars a feral growl.“Try it once more, Hunter, and I will break her fucking neck!”Hunter whimpers, and Regan grabs me by the front of my top.Ripping me toward him.
“You’re playing games with the wrong brother.You stay away from my wolf!And me!”he growls, the sound so menacing it raises the hairs on my arms and sends a cold shiver down my spine.My heart races with adrenaline, but I know he won’t kill me.He won’t risk his throne, and that information is very useful.
King Regan laughs.“You stupid, pathetic girl.You’re a fool not to fear me, but you will.My father is wrong about you.You may have him fooled, and you may have survived our wolves, but let’s see how you fair when they aren’t here to protect you,” he growls, shoving me backward.
I stagger, landing on my ass in the dirt.Hunter whimpers, and King Regan calls his name.Hunter waits for me to get up and comes tomy side.I brush my fingers through his fur.When clarity washes over me.Hunter listened to him when he found us, yet attacked him when he tried to grab me.
“They can feel you!”I exclaim, moving to catch up with Regan.“That’s why he didn’t attack you when you came close.He knew you weren’t here to hurt me!”
“Just hurry up!”Knowing I’m right, I chuckle and run to catch up to him.
Chapter 19
The following day, I wake to the sound of knocking on thedoor.“Wakey, wakey!”Shelley’s chirpy voice rings out loudly as she steps into the room.I sit up in the comfy bed and rub my eyes.My breath fogs the air in front of me, and I notice the empty fireplace smoldering with the embers of last night’s fire.
She wanders over to me, and Hunter sits up where he is lying beside me and sniffs the air before lying back down.I pat his head.“How did you get in?”I was sure I locked the door last night.
Shelley holds up a key.“Master key,” she tells me, and I groan.
“Please tell me the three kings don’t have one of those.”She gives me a sympathetic look.“Of course they do,” I mutter, tugging the blanket back over me.I swear this place is colder than the caves.
Shelley chuckles, walking closer.“The king wishes to see you.”
“Which one?Asshole one, two, or three?”
“King Theron,” she whispers.
“Ah, the master asshole,” I tell her, and she chuckles.
“He’s not so bad.He’s usually quite nice.”
“He was going to make me pick women to enter the maze of death, I would say otherwise,” I tell her, and she shakes her head.
“He was testing you.Only those volunteer in the kingdom enter the maze.He was never going to let them enter,” she tells me.
“Wait, you didn’t think to tell me this?I could be free and milesaway by now!”She cringes.
“I’m sorry.He ordered me not to tell you.”
“Then why were you crying?”
“Because I didn’t know at first, not until Malachi told me otherwise once we got there.I kind of thought you would pick twenty of them.”She cringes, and I raise an eyebrow at her.
“Really?Because I look like a murderer?”
“Well, no, but people change depending on the situation they’re handed, and honestly, if I were in your shoes, I don’t know if I would be brave enough to do what you did,” she admits, looking quite embarrassed.
“So he knew I wouldn’t pick any of them?”
“Yes, he said you tried to save one of the girls in the stables before you entered the maze.”I sigh and nod.
“Great, so I agreed just like he wanted.”I shake my head and climb out of bed, grabbing the fluffy robe, and pulling it on.
“But if it makes you feel better, now you know he won’t risk his people,” she tells me, and I chew my lip.
“But that doesn’t help me now, does it?”She shrugs, glancing out the door, which was left cracked open.
