A Luna for the Lycan King

Chapter 10

Darren

Ivy and Alfred had fled to vampire territory. Why would two lycans go to the vampire territory? They wouldn’t dare go there unless they had a contact or were sympathizers. A small group of lycans and werewolves sided with the vampires, thinking they should have more territory. They argued that we should give them some of our lands. And for what reason? To have fresh hunting grounds? Because the humans were growing more scarce.

That wasn’t our problem. They were the ones who mistreated the humans and made them leave. They could have worked out better conditions and had a working relationship with them. But instead, they ruled by fear and force.

We had contacts of our own in vampire territory. It was still only a matter of time before we located Alfred and Ivy. If they thought going there would save them, they were mistaken. They were only prolonging the inevitable.

I felt Allissa’s head lean against my arm and I looked down at her. She had fallen asleep. I stare at her for a moment, before moving my arm around her. I positioned her into a more comfortable spot and smiled at the perfection she was. She was flawless, and one of the few people who have ever growled at me and lived to tell about it.

I must admit I was shocked when she rushed to protect her pack member. She placed herself between us and him. When I saw her hand reach out to protectively push him back, I couldn’t stop the anger inside of me. I had growled, not wanting her to touch another male.

I was an i***t. I couldn’t believe I asked her if she had something going on with him. She was just a leader protecting one of her pack members. But because it was a male, I felt so possessive. Too possessive. And then she was angry with me. They way her eyes flashed at me. I never thought a simple look could hurt so much.

Damn, how was I going to control myself in the future? I couldn’t handle even just a look from her. I knew I was going to f**k up again, but all I wanted to do was love her. I wanted to make her happy. I wanted to hear her moan in pleasure. I wanted to lick and kiss every inch of her body. I needed to hear her scream out my name in pleasure. Gods, I just wanted to bury myself between her legs.

I sighed inwardly as I stared at her angelic face. She must be exhausted. So much had happened to her today. What a woman, to sacrifice herself on behalf of her pack. She willingly turned herself over for a crime she didn’t commit. And here I thought she was protecting her alpha, but she was actually protecting the pack.

I felt a bit sick to my stomach that the control collar was placed around her neck. Had she not been my mate, she would have been punished for something she didn’t do. I already knew this, and I felt guilty. I was taught not to show any weakness, and that sympathy is weakness. My father drilled it into me from the time I was young. I had honored that, but for the first time, I felt uneasy over it. I couldn’t just switch it off. It was almost as if it was brainwashed into me. But I wanted to try to do better. Someone like Allissa should never have to be punished.

I glanced up to see Lyle looking at me with a smile on his face.

What?

I’ve never seen you like this before. You’ve never looked at someone like that. And I have NEVER seen you as flustered as you were earlier when she growled at you.

Shut up. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

How does it feel?

His voice was serious as I looked back at him. To find my mate? I watched as he nodded his head. He was 22 and was actively searching for his own mate. He was under no obligation to take a waiting lady as his mate. He was free to choose who he wanted or wait until he found his fated mate.

It’s everything you can imagine and more. I looked down at her. She is so much more than I could have asked for.

She has already had a mate. Do you think that’s going to be a problem?

I don’t know why it should. It isn’t like I’m a virgin. I scoffed and looked back at him. I don’t care what they think. She’s mine, and I’ll bring hell upon anyone who wants to tell me differently.

Even mom and dad?

Yes. I stared straight back into his eyes with my unwavering conviction. Dad knows how much stronger a fated mate makes us. He won’t object, especially since she doesn’t have children.

Cleo is going to be upset.

I quietly sighed and nodded my head. Cleo was one of the waiting ladies. The one I would have ended up picking if I had to. We got along well, even if it wasn’t love. I could see us having a working relationship together. When I was only 18, I lost my virginity to her. I wasn’t exclusive with her, though. It wasn’t a relationship. It was just s*x. I slept with most of the waiting ladies. It wasn’t one of my finer moments, but they also knew I wasn’t serious about them. I was a horny man and was thinking with my d**k, not my head.

It had been years since I’d touched them. I realized they weren’t what I wanted, and I quit visiting them at night. This last year, I had felt more anxious about finding my mate. My parents had been hounding me for an heir, but I really wanted my fated mate. I wanted a relationship that was more than a diplomatic agreement. And that was what I would have had with Cleo.

Cleo was in love with the crown, not with me. She would have jumped in bed with Lyle if it meant she got the crown. The other women were not interested at all. They also wanted their mates but had to honor the agreements they made when they were younger. One of them had already found their mate and they were just waiting to be together. I would never force those women to have to be with me, which is why Cleo was the only one I would have taken as my chosen mate.

It was everything she wanted, but not what I wanted. My mother had been a waiting lady. My father chose her because of her outstanding lineage. Her father, my grandfather, was an amazing warrior. My parents had a business-like relationship. She gave him children and he treated her well. He loved her but it could have been so much more. Though right now things were a bit rocky with my parents but that was another issue. The point is my father knew that your fated mate made you stronger, but they were also a weakness.

I guess I could see that point. My mother’s tears wouldn’t stop him in his tracks, while I knew Allissa’s tears would cause a storm to rage inside of me. Just then, I felt her snuggle into the warmth of my side. Just that small, little gesture made my heart ready to burst. Yes, I had it bad already.

Already, I knew I would lay down my life for her without any hesitation. How was the mate bond so strong? How was it that I already loved her? And why was I terrified that I was going to screw it up?

I looked up at the ceiling and lifted a silent prayer. Moon Goddess, please don’t let me screw this up.