Page 30 of Prey of the Lycan Queen (Unwanted #2)
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.
“I...I am sorry, Zirah,” he starts, his voice barely above a whisper. “For everything that happened. I would take it back if I could,” he tells me as he gets to his feet.
The sincerity in his voice stirs something within me.
I look at him, this man—this king—who is so complex, so filled with contradictions.
Yet I feel a strange pull toward him, a desire to understand him, to see through his hard exterior and into the depths of his soul.
As I watch him retreat, I wonder if that’s possible or if I’m just deluding myself.
“I’ll let you shower,” he murmurs, avoiding my gaze and opening the shower screen. “Or you can join me. You’re already in here,” I add with a shrug, glancing back at him.
Zeke freezes at my words, his eyebrow lifting in surprise. “I can stay?” he asks, sounding slightly taken aback.
I nod, turning to face the wall, waiting to see what he will do. After a few seconds, the shower door closes, and I turn back to see Zeke pulling off his wet shirt. My breath hitches as I see his chiseled torso, his muscles rippling with each movement.
Our gazes lock, and the air between us crackles with an unspoken desire.
I reach out, my hand skimming over his chest. Zeke inhales sharply, his muscles tensing under my touch.
My fingers trail lower over his abs, stopping at the waistband of his pants.
The intensity of his gaze, the silent desire in his eyes, sends my heart racing.
“Zirah, don’t tease me,” he growls, his voice thick with barely restrained hunger.
“Who said I am teasing?” I challenge, tilting my head to meet his gaze. There’s an intensity in his eyes, a primal hunger that both scares and thrills me.
“I just told you I struggle most with control around you, and you want to test that?” he rasps, his grip on my waist tightening.
“You can’t break me, Zeke,” I say, my voice soft but firm.
“You said it yourself. I’ve become your vice because you cannot have me.
So why not get me out of your system?” His eyes widen, slightly taken aback by my suggestion.
He’s silent for a moment, studying me intently.
“After all, I am made for you,” I tell him, and his eyes flicker dangerously.
Without warning, he crushes his lips against mine, pulling me against him with an intensity that steals my breath.
Our bodies collide, heat against heat. The thin barrier of his pants is barely enough to contain the electric charge between us.
His hands grip my thighs, and he hoists me up, my legs wrapping instinctively around his waist. Zeke steps forward until I’m pressed against the cool tiles of the shower wall.
His lips are rough, demanding, and there’s an urgency to his touch that leaves me breathless. His hand explores my body, tracing my curves and igniting a fire under my skin wherever he touches.