Page 7 of Lycan King’s Captives (Lycan King Reign Duet #1)

“Who is she?” Carina demands, and I press my lips together.

“My mate, it doesn’t matter who she is. You know the importance of mates,” I tell her, peering down at mine knocked out in my arms, her face relaxed in her sleep.

“I know the importance of this marriage. Treaties depend on us. Kingdoms! And you suddenly claim another!” she yells at me. Clenching my teeth, I peer up at Carina.

“I understand how significant this union is,” I reply firmly, “but I can’t go through with it. Not now that I have my mate!” Hearing rushing footsteps, I curse under my breath. My mother’s voice can be heard as her heels click on the marble floor.

“What in the world is going on out here?” she demands, and I take a deep breath and stand tall, preparing to face her wrath.

She enters the room, and her expression says it all—anger which quickly changes to shock when she realizes I have another woman in my arms. Her lips part slightly as she looks at me, and her eyes move from my mate to me, then Carina, who now stands on the second step.

“What is the meaning of this?” my mother demands.

“Ask your son. He’s the one claiming to have found his mate!” Carina sneers, casting a glare at me. She then bunches up her white floor-length gown at the hip before stalking off back up the steps. I feel somewhat guilty, but I’m not about to throw my mate away for a sham of a wedding.

“Is this true?” my mother asks, turning her attention back to me.

Her eyes dart down at my mate in my arms. My mother’s expression is one of disbelief.

Her eyebrows furrow, and her lips purse as she stares at me.

She begins to speak, then stops, her shoulders slumping as if in defeat.

“You know what this means, right?” she questions.

I stare at my mother, confused. She has dark black hair curled and pulled into an elegant bun as the crown rests on her head slightly crooked. Her eyes, a deep brown, hold more wisdom than I could ever comprehend.

My mother wipes her hands on her dress, flattening it down as if she spotted a wrinkle.

It was something she always did when nervous.

She clasps her hands together, peering toward the stairs where Carina ran off.

She wears a deep burgundy dress— her favorite color.

Her presence fills the space in a way that is both comforting and intimidating.

“Carina has every right to challenge her. Your marriage has already been announced to the kingdoms. Either Carina chooses to step down, or you’re—” My mother’s eyes drop to Sienna in my arms.

“My mate’s name is Sienna,” I say to her, and she nods once before lifting her chin.

“Well, your mate will have to challenge her for her place at your side or become your concubine.”

I growl at her words. “That law is outdated,” I snarl. “I will not marry another when I have my mate right here!” My mother flinches at my anger, then her eyes soften.

“I know, I know the importance of mates; therefore, we must keep up with traditions. It would be the same if Carina found her mate. You would have to challenge him for her hand. You need to get Carina to agree, or we run the risk of starting a war between kingdoms. The marriage is already complete, Xandros. Carina carries our name already.”

“Excuse me?” My mother looks away from me.

“Your father wanted to announce his retirement at the wedding. Hand the kingdom down. We sent the marriage paperwork off already, and it was returned today,” she speaks softly.

“That wasn’t to be done until next week!”

“I’m sorry, son. We didn’t expect you to find your mate. The paperwork is done. The only thing left is the ceremony to make it official in the kingdom.”

“Are you telling me I am already fucking married?”

“It’s why you need Carina to agree so it can be annulled, or your mate is going to have to fight for your hand.” I take a step back, horrified.

“You can’t seriously expect me to be with another woman and keep my mate on the side. What woman would accept that?” I snarl.

“I know; I will speak with your father later about it. See what we can come up with. Right now, you need to focus on getting Carina to agree. For your mate’s sake and this kingdom’s,” my mother says as her eyes dart down at Sienna.

She sighs heavily as if the weight of the world is carried on her shoulders before my mother looks at me sadly.

I have to find a way to get Carina to agree, or else this would become a huge mess. I have to act fast. Still, it makes me wonder what will happen when my mate wakes up to learn I am married to another.

“I’ll have the servants set up your old quarters while Carina keeps the main quarters.

I take it you’ll be wanting to remain with your mate?

” my mother asks. I clench my jaw as if I am about to climb into bed with another when my mate is right here.

I shake my head and give her a stern look.

“We’ll be staying together.” She nods, understanding the unspoken message.

“Of course, I’ll make sure to give you both the privacy you need.

Until then, Xandros, keep your mate close.

Until she shifts, she is still human,” my mother tells me, and I don’t miss the hidden meaning within her words.

She is worried Carina will do something to my mate, which after earlier, I’m confident she’ll try.

I nod, not trusting my voice. She pats my arm with a gentle smile trotting away.

My mind is already spinning with plans for how to keep Carina away from my mate.

Adjusting her sleeping body in my arms, I climb the stairs, heading to the east wing.

The east wing of the castle is part of the old building, which has undergone renovations.

Its stone walls in the halls made it seem darker until it opens up into an area that is more spacious and airier.

Half the place has been renovated, once I moved into the king’s quarters, I had no use for this side of the castle, so it has just remained closed off.

Stepping into the small foyer area, it opens up, large windows letting in plenty of light, which is a very different feel from the cold stone corridors, which offered minimal light.

Pushing the heavy double doors open, the sound of running has me turning back toward the hall to find six servants hurrying toward me. They all stop the moment they notice me, bowing low and apologizing.

“Your mother sent us to tidy up, My King,” the head servant girl states, and I nod, motioning toward the doors, for them to enter.

They hurry past with their cleaning supplies and immediately start opening the heavy drapes to let light in and crack the windows to rid the room of the stagnant air.

Dust covers most of the furniture despite it being covered with white sheets.

The stone walls in my quarters have been rendered since I last stayed here.

The bedroom is luxuriously decorated, with a large four-poster bed that has silk curtains hanging down either side.

The walls are adorned with paintings, and there is a fireplace in the corner for extra warmth.

One servant instantly gets to work lighting it while another two girls strip the bed of linen.

I wait, staring at them while they rush around, preparing everything.

It takes the two girls fixing the bed mere minutes to have it covered in fresh white sheets.

I lay my mate down, taking a seat beside her.

Peering down at her, a presence behind me makes me glance over my shoulder.

One of the servant girls is staring at her with a curious expression.

She quickly averts her gaze, muttering a quick apology and telling me my mate is pretty.

Returning my attention to my sleeping mate, I sweep her long violet hair behind her ear so I can check her.

My gaze roams over her; she is beautiful.

No one could deny that. I’ve never paid much attention to humans, and I can’t usually stand being near them.

However, my little mate is different. I do not want to be away from her.

Just the thought makes a growl escape me as I watch her.

My mate’s beauty is captivating, and her porcelain skin is flawless. Except for the scar I notice hidden along her hairline, it doesn’t take away from her beauty. I can tell it’s an old scar, but it makes me curious about how she got it.

I brush my hand over her cheek, which is quite warm. She shudders, and sparks I’ve never felt before rush across my fingers. Her soft pink lips are slightly parted as she squirms, reacting to a bond I never dreamed was possible.

Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyelashes are long and dark, framing her wide eyes.

My gaze travels lower, taking in the rest of her.

Her curves are delicate yet sinfully tempting, her body begging to be touched and explored.

I want to feel her body pressed against mine, and I want to explore every part of her with my hands and my mouth.

I feel an overwhelming sense of protectiveness toward her. This strange urge to keep her close and make sure no harm ever comes to her sweeps over me. I never thought I’d feel this way about a woman, let alone a human, but here I am, ready to protect her with my life.

Had I not found her, I would never have imagined a bond to feel like this. Carina and I had been dating for just over a year before we got engaged.

However, she never induced even a hint of the desire I feel for my mate.

It’s impossible to explain. It seems irrational to feel so emotionally attached to a stranger, and a human one at that.

It is almost impossible to explain or comprehend how powerful mate bonds can be.

It’s a connection that often transcends logic.