Page 47 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings
“I’d rather cut mine off!”I tell him, not wanting to go anywhere near Regan while he’s still seething.
“My King, you promised Zirah a night to herself.”Shelley steps in for me.King Theron glances at her, and she drops her head, bowing slightly.King Theron huffs, and Shelley lifts her eyes to meet mine.I suck in a breath, waiting for his answer.
“I did say that,” the king mumbles, and I chew my lip, waiting for him to answer.
“I think we should let her have the night to herself,” Lyon interrupts the king’s thoughts.Regan glares at him, and so does Zeke, who leans forward in his chair to look around Regan.
“Yes, I’m sure she wants to get a good night’s rest after her adventures in town today,” King Theron says, looking at me.I nod quickly, keeping my gaze from Regan.His glare is hot on my skin, and his aura makes goosebumps rise on my arms.“Very well, it’s settled then.Tomorrow at 9 a.m., you are to meet Regan in his bedroom for breakfast, but remember, dinners are held together.”
He glances at each of his sons.
“That means all of you!”King Theron orders.They grumble and growl but reluctantly nod, and I pick up my spoon and taste the soup set out in front of me.It’s scalding hot, but I’m so hungry that I manage to force it down.
The king lays out the rules again while I dip my bread in the soup, only half listening since I’ve heard this already.Hearing the rules again won’t change the fact I’m doomed—nothing will.
Malachi enters the dining room, and the king looks up, his chair scraping as he pushes it out.“The car is waiting, My King.”Malachi bows slightly.King Theron places his napkin on the table and stands.He sighs, walks over to me, and squeezes my shoulder.
“Give ’em hell, dear.”He winks at me, then walks off, followed closely by Shelley and Malachi.Turning back to the table, I find all three kings staring at me.
Zeke smirks, and I move to leave when Regan speaks.“Dinners are to be spent together, or have you already forgotten the rules?”King Regan asks.
“Yes, as of tomorrow.So until then, I am done here,” I tellhim, pushing my chair back.
“The dinner rules were never mentioned as to when it takes effect, only when you have to act as our wife!”Zeke smirks, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest.“Remember, human, if you break the rules, we get to punish you appropriately.”His eyes flash menacingly.
Regan silently watches Zeke for a moment with a tight, unreadable expression.
“Fine then, hurry up.I want to go to bed!”I snap at them, folding my arms defiantly.
***
FOUR HOURS LATER.
My ass is going numb, and my back is aching from sitting atthis damn table for so long.They weren’t even eating, just talking or fiddling with their phones, and every time I went to get up to leave, one of the kings would raise a brow or smirk and pick up something to pop into their mouths.
It’s after ten in the evening, and I am usually asleep by now.Yawning, I watch Zeke set down his bottle of liquor.He has managed to down an entire liter of rum.He wasn’t even using a glass, just drinking it straight from the bottle.Lyon is also half drunk.Regan, however, has been nursing the same glass of whiskey for the past hour.All the while, they pretend I’m not here— until I move.
“Are we done?”I ask, and silence falls across the table.Their chatting dies down as they all turn their attention to me.When they don’t answer, I push my chair out and tuck it back in.The moment I turn to leave, Zeke moves with a speed that should be illegal!He steps in front of me, blocking my path, and I sigh.
“Zeke, move—” My words are cut off by his hand gripping my hair, and he jerks my head back, making me hiss through the pain.
“You dare address me by name?”he snarls.
“You’re not my king!”I spit back at him, clutching his hand when he cranes my neck back further.
“No?Then what am I?”he growls, and I glare at him, knowing he is looking for any reason to enact a punishment.Instead of telling him what I really think, I bite back the profanities on the tip of my tongue.When I say nothing, he smiles, his eyes flashing.“Our father may be forcing us to participate in this little game of playing house with you, but that doesn’t mean you can do what you want.”
“That goes for you too.Last I checked, you’re supposed to be playing for my hand, but I can tell you right now, you were out of the running the moment I met you!”I grit my teeth to keep all the other hateful words from spilling out.
“You’ll be dead long before you have a chance to pick between us.The only hand we are playing for is a hand in your death.If you haven’t noticed yet, my father is gone, none of the staff will help you, and you’re without our wolves.Accidents happen, and no one here will question whether we have reason to punish you or what that punishment should be.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong to warrant punishment,” I retort, and Zeke smiles.
“Haven’t you?Did we say you could leave?”He snarls, his eyes flickering dangerously.The smell of liquor radiates off him, and I am learning quickly that Zeke isn’t safe to be around in this state.The alcohol makes him cruel.
“Zeke, let her go!”Regan growls.
Chapter 24
