Page 20 of Prey of the Lycan Queen (Unwanted #2)

Chapter Twenty

I jolt awake to Zeke’s familiar drawl echoing through the room, “Morning, lovebirds!” The sight of him standing at the foot of the bed, a sly smirk playing on his lips, takes me by surprise.

He’s balancing a breakfast tray in one hand, and the aroma of bacon wafts through the air, making my stomach grumble.

He sets the tray on the bed between Lyon and me, and Lyon sits up. I scan the slices of buttered bread, glossy strawberries, piping hot eggs, and crisp bacon.

“Where did you find bacon, Zeke? You didn’t kill Glady’s pigs again, did you?” Lyon’s voice is rough, irritation seeping into his words.

Zeke merely shrugs, a nonchalant grin plastered on his face. “Of course not. I picked it up on the way here. Dropped some down at the markets too.”

He moves on to play with his wolf, Hunter. The large animal jumps on him, his tail wagging wildly. I can’t help but chuckle at their playful exchange.

“You’re here early,” Lyon says, breaking the silence. His words catch my attention. He’s right. It’s not even dawn, and Zeke has been here long enough to cook breakfast.

“Well, I wanted to pick her up early. It’s a bit of a drive,” Zeke explains, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

My heart clenches at his words. It’s time to leave Lyon.

It was supposed to be a week but, with him already marked, it’s time to move on, especially with time not being on our side.

The thought fills me with a strange sense of sadness, one that I quickly shake off.

Before I can voice my thoughts, Zeke’s gaze wanders over to me.

His eyes linger a little too long before he says, “It’s a bit nipply today.

” My brows furrow when his eyes drop lower.

It takes a moment for his words to register. Looking down, I realize my breasts are exposed. I quickly pull the sheet up, my embarrassment coloring my cheeks.

“I’ve already seen them, in fact, I’ve had them in my mouth. A bit late for modesty, love,” Zeke taunts. His words send a fresh wave of embarrassment coursing through me. I glare at him, my cheeks aflame. Lyon moves the tray, so it sits across both of our laps.

“Ignore him, eat,” Lyon tells me.

As we eat, my mind races with unanswered questions. Zeke’s comment about a long drive and the need to hit the road gnaws at me. I can’t help but ask, “Did Regan not come with you?”

Zeke shrugs, looking slightly uncomfortable. “No, he has a meeting with the Vampiric King. He’s trying to sort out this mess between kingdoms and buying you time to get to know us before the inevitable war,” he explains nonchalantly.

I’m taken aback by his words. I hoped Regan would also come, I was hoping to go to his kingdom next. But why do I get the feeling Regan is avoiding me? “So he’ll meet me at your kingdom?”

“Depends on how long it takes to handle things with the Vampiric King.” I don’t believe him.

I know he’s lying. The slight twitch in his eyes gives him away.

His response feels rehearsed. I can’t shake the feeling that they’re hiding something from me.

“Now get dressed. I want to hit the road soon. Are you coming, Lyon?” Zeke asks his brother.

Lyon shakes his head, regret lining his features. “I need to fix a few things here. I also need to figure out what to do about my people. I’m not sure many would want to leave here when it comes time.”

“Ah yes, that is something you will have to figure out depending on where Zirah wants to live—here or her own kingdom,” Zeke answers.

That thought never crossed my mind. What am I supposed to do? How could we possibly run two kingdoms simultaneously while living out of one?

“I might join you tomorrow night or the following morning. I just need to help with the exchanges. We have supplies to run, and you know they hate leaving the kingdom grounds by themselves.” Lyon’s voice carries a note of frustration.

Zeke nods, a hint of understanding crossing his face. “By the way, you were a truck short on the last load of supplies,” he tells him. His statement makes me wonder what they exchange between their kingdoms.

Lyon sighs loudly as he rubs a hand down his face. “Floods took out the back wheat crops,” he admits.

“Fix it up when your crops grow. I need your supplies list before I leave. I can send the trucks tonight. I may also need help with the next lot. I don’t know how many more I can pick up.”

Lyon nods once while I try to work out what they’re talking about. “How many?” Lyon asks.

“Not sure, but I suspect a few.” Lyon nods once while I glance back and forth between them in confusion. As if suddenly remembering that I am here, they both look over at me. “We can discuss it later. Get her home. You know those back roads aren’t safe at night,” Lyon finally says.

“Need me to leave a car?” Zeke asks.

“Well, I don’t plan on riding that far or running,” Lyon laughs, a genuine smile finally breaking through his troubled expression.

Zeke nods and turns to face me, a big cheesy grin on his face. I raise an eyebrow at him.

“You should shower and get dressed,” Lyon says, kissing my bare shoulder. I nod, about to climb out of bed, when I remember Zeke.

“Can you turn around?” I ask, feeling a sudden pang of self-consciousness.

“Of course, but I rather like the view,” he smiles, a teasing note in his voice.

Yet when I go to tug on the blanket to take it to the bathroom with me, Hunter and Gnash jump on the bed. “Off!” I scold them, but they whine at me. I roll my eyes, pushing the blanket back and getting out of bed.

Zeke whistles low as I wander to the bathroom, and I flip him off, which makes him chuckle. I shower quickly, but when I come out, I find Zeke has already packed my bags, and Lyon is dressed and leaning against the balcony railing speaking to Zeke.

Zeke and Lyon seem to be in deep conversation out on the balcony, and I strain my ears trying to listen. “I’m not sure, but I can’t afford for him to come to my kingdom. I will drop her back here or back to the main kingdom,” Zeke tells him.

“He knows he’s fucked when she visits his. She’ll figure out he’s avoiding her,” Lyon says, and Zeke nods, slowly drawing back on his smoke. I move closer, wanting to know what they’re talking about, but the moment they spot me, their conversation is over.

“What were you two talking about?” I ask as Lyon comes over and embraces me. My thoughts go to Regan, knowing they were discussing him.

“Nothing important. I’ll see you in a couple of days,” he says, his voice thick with emotion.

Once we’re outside, Lyon helps place my bags in the car, and we linger around the limo watching Gnash, Hunter, and Shadow play. All the while, Zeke and Lyon toss cryptic glances at each other. I feel like a pawn again, being moved around without my consent.

Climbing into the limo with my wolves, Zeke slides across the seat beside me. The driver starts the car, and we are off. The morning light bathes everything in a soft glow, signaling the start of another day.

“What were you and Lyon talking about?” I finally break the silence.

Zeke is quick to brush it off, just as Lyon did. “Just work stuff.”

“I don’t understand why you invited him to your kingdom. You were the one who insisted everyone got time alone with me?”

“Lyon is different. He’s my twin,” he says as if that explains everything.

“So it’s Regan you don’t want in your Kingdom?” I ask, not able to suppress my curiosity.

“You’ve marked Lyon, and he has marked you. He’s officially your mate. I won’t force you to go without him,” Zeke tells me, his tone strangely soft.

“I’ve marked Regan, too,” I reply, my heart pounding in my chest.

He looks away, staring out the window. “He hasn’t marked you yet,” he says, his voice just above a whisper.

“And Regan is off?—”

“With Malachi and James visiting the Vampiric King, as I said,” he interrupts, his tone final.

“Why couldn’t your father go?” I ask, hoping to get more answers. Zeke clenches his jaw, a clear sign of his growing frustration. “Regan lied about his kingdom being the furthest. I want to know why,” I tell him, looking straight into his eyes.

His gaze hardens. “You’ll have to ask him, Zirah. I am not getting caught up in your relationship with him,” he answers, his voice cold.

“But you will with Lyon?” I ask, the question hanging heavily in the air.

“As I said, Lyon is my twin. He’s different. We have an understanding,” he repeats, leaving me to wonder about the hidden depths of their relationship. I don’t believe him. There’s something they’re not telling me. I can feel it. The question is, what are they hiding? And why?

“Stop the car,” I say abruptly, my voice echoing in the silent limo. Zeke looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind.

“We’re on the highway. There’s nowhere to stop,” he retorts. But I’m not backing down.

“Turn the car around. Take me to Regan’s kingdom,” I tell the driver, determination firm in my voice.

He hesitates, then sighs heavily. “You’ll see Regan in a few days,” Zeke says. That’s when I know they’re hiding something, and I’m going to find out what it is.

“Stop the car!” I shout. Zeke curses under his breath, and I see the driver glance in the rearview mirror. Zeke shakes his head and motions for the driver to continue.

My palms glow, a soft, luminescent light radiating from my skin. I thrust my hands forward, the glow intensifying as I mutter, “Haltus Movus!”

The car lurches to a sudden stop, sending Zeke flying forward. “Are you insane?” he snaps, pushing himself upright. The driver, a man in a crisp uniform, looks like he’s seen a ghost.

“Turn the car around and take me to Regan’s kingdom,” I demand.

Zeke shakes his head adamantly. “No.” He waves to the driver to keep going. Yet when the driver attempts to start the car again, it refuses to budge.

I recite another spell, “Adstare Movus,” and the tires screech against the pavement when he hits the gas, but the car doesn’t move an inch. “Take me to Regan’s!” I growl, my patience wearing thin.

Zeke lets out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t!”

“Fine then, I’ll walk!” I tell him, tossing my door open. I climb out of the car, and Gnash, Hunter, and Shadow jump out with me. Cars honk their horns from the middle lane, irritated that we’ve stopped suddenly on the highway. The sound of engines racing past fills my ears as I look around.

A few other cars have pulled over to avoid smashing into the back of our stalled limo, and one man jumps out, brandishing his fist in the air. A deafening growl from behind me causes him to stop abruptly and toss his palms up in surrender.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see the vicious growl came from Zeke, but my wolves echo the same noise. The man rushes back to his car and swerves into the next lane, nearly causing an accident as he flees the scene.

“Zirah!” I ignore him, and I hear a loud thud that sounds vaguely like he punched the car.

“Fine! I’ll take you. Just...Just get in the car.

” I stop, turning to find I am right. The roof of the limo is dented.

His face is a mask of irritation, but there’s fear in his eyes too.

I need to see Regan for myself. I need to know what’s going on.

I climb back into the car, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. As we drive off, I can’t help but wonder about what lies ahead. The road to Regan’s kingdom is long and quiet. Zeke and I barely speak, each lost in our thoughts.

My mind races, trying to piece together fragments of information and anticipate what I might discover at Regan’s kingdom.

The silence is broken by Zeke’s phone ringing.

“Great!” he mutters, and I glance over to see it’s Regan.

I press a finger to my lips, and he presses his in a line.

“What’s up?” Zeke answers casually while shooting a glare my way.

I listen as Regan discusses something with him, only tuning in when I hear Regan ask how I am. “She’s fine, she is half asleep. We are nearly home,”

“Okay, you can bring her back here after she is done at your kingdom, or do you need me to send someone to collect her?”

“I can drop her back. Do you want to speak with her?”

“Yeah, put her...Wait a second,” I can hear him talking to someone in the background, but the words are muffled since he isn’t speaking into the phone. “I’ll call back tonight. I need to sort this out first.” Before Zeke can ask what he means, Regan is gone.

“He’s going to kill me when he finds out I just lied to him.”

“You’re over exaggerating, that means he’d kill himself,” I tell him.

Zeke growls. “You know what I mean, Zirah,” Zeke snaps.

I turn my attention back to the window, and within minutes his phone rings again.

“Damn it. I am about to toss it out the window.” I catch a glimpse of Lyon’s name on the screen, and my heart clenches.

I miss him already. Zeke answers the call, turning away slightly, and I can’t help but eavesdrop.

Their conversation is filled with mentions of supply runs, exchanges, and crops—it’s like they’re speaking a different language. My mind begins to whirl with questions. What do they exchange between kingdoms? And why hasn’t Regan ever mentioned it?

Their words echo in my head, and I realize just how little I know about the complex dynamics between these kingdoms. Their phone call is brief, and I sleep the rest of the way to Regan’s kingdom, only waking when Zeke has the driver stop to get food.

While I eat my fries, Zeke lets the wolves out, and they immediately rush off to pee and play in the parking lot. When we finish eating, they return, and we continue driving, yet it isn’t much further before the cityscape of Regan’s kingdom comes into view. I brace myself for whatever lies ahead.

The city stands tall and formidable, shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

The concrete walls stand so high, they block out the sun as we approach the huge gates.

Guards stand posted along the walls and along the road leading in.

As we drive through the main gates, my stomach sinks.

I am about to discover the secrets that have been kept from me, and something tells me they’re not going to be pleasant.