Page 44 of Prey of the Lycan Queen
“James is the middleman between both kingdoms. He’s also King Slavic’s hitman.”
I blink at him slowly. “But you said he wouldn’t kill family?”
“King Slavic doesn’t know James is my father’s illegitimate half-brother. No one knows, but James is also how we always get our information about the vampire kingdoms.”
“He’s your father’s spy?”
Zeke nods. “But Regan also doesn’t trust him, not entirely. Therefore, he couldn’t risk James finding out about me keeping his people. James hates that Regan does the monthly prisoner purges, but he doesn’t know why it’s essential,” Zeke tells me.
“He couldn’t trust James enough to let him in on the purpose for this?”
“James also attends the meetings between kingdoms as a witness to the treaties, and he can’t lie.”
“I still can’t comprehend how he could blindly trust that you’d just jump in and save these people without question. It’s a lot of lives he leaves to his assumptions.”
“Regan knows his brothers better than anyone. He knew that saving those people would become an addiction to me, gluttony for salvation if you will.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“And yet your father believes he isn’t worthy of ruling in the high seat.” I shake my head.
“Yes, because he believes Regan is cruel and merciless—like everyone else believes. He’s painted himself as the villain, but he is only a villain to the people who live in his kingdom. My father doesn’t believe I can rule because of my gluttonous ways for the supplies we need. He thinks I allow the vast overconsumption by my people, not realizing the size of my population is larger from saving Regan’s people. And Lyon, well, he has kind of turned into a hippy and lives off the land. He’s become a free spirit, and he gives no rules to his people. My father doesn’t believe a king can rule from beside his subjects.”
“But why didn’t you tell me what to expect when we were on the way to Regan’s kingdom?” I ask, annoyed, knowing I just rejected Regan for no reason.
“Would you have believed me without seeing it for yourself, or would you believe I was covering up for my brothers for the sake of breaking the curse?” I chew my lip, knowing he’s right. I probably wouldn’t have believed him without seeing it for myself, and by that time, I had jumped the gun and rejected him.
“Then why does he hate you so much?” I ask, remembering how much they fought when I first met them.
“Regan hates everyone. Lyon a little less, but Lyon also hasn’t got the past I have with Regan,” Zeke answers.
“What past?”
“I punished him for your perceived death and my mother’s. I made sure no woman would go near him, and I made sure they knew what he was. It turns out, I was no better. I made sure he remained alone for taking you from me, I thought he had killed my mate,” he answers guiltily.
“What about Lyon? He didn’t seem like he was on your side either.”
“Because he thought I was poisoning our father. They both did. Not even I thought my father was linked to us. We thought we were his curse.”
“Well, your father also hasn’t fixed his ways. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” I tell him.
“Yeah, Dad’s never been one to get his hands dirty. That’s what he has sons for,” Zeke sighs.
“None of this explains your rabid, horrible behavior when I first arrived,” I point out.
“You are not understanding the full impact of my curse,” he replies. “Lyon and Regan, for the most part, have more control with you around, whereas me, I feel like I am losing my control by just being near you,” he tells me.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m gluttony. I collect people like trophies. And you? You’ve become my greatest addiction. Your refusal of me makes me crave you more because I’ve never denied my sins. Your rejection brings out the urge to take. Wanting the one thing I can’t have triggers me. You trigger me.”
“You looked in control with Regan,” I remind him.
“I am a glutton, but I’m not stupid enough to die. Have you seen the size of him?” He chuckles.
“I didn’t exactly deny you,” I look down at him with a weak smile. But I guess I did a second ago when I tried to shove him off, even if it wasn’t intentional.
After what feels like an eternity, Zeke’s grip loosens, and I scramble off him.
