Page 97 of Royal Bite

“I didn’t ask for all of that, bitch,” Azura growled. She yanked on Stormey’s hair again.

Tears fell from Stormey’s eyes from the sharp pain that exploded on her scalp. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. The warmth of tears slid down her cheeks. She tightened her jaw and dug down deep, finding strength she didn’t think she had in her. With millions of people watching, she refused to cower.

And if Maisie happened to see this—

She prayed Emily would keep the little ones from watching something so horrific.

“As you can see, I have the mate to the king’s daughter,” Azura said.

The male behind the camera lifted his head, a puzzled expression on his shocked face. He turned back to look at the other guy who was sitting behind a computer.

Azura took notice, too. “What is going on?”

“Somehow our signal is blocked. The vampire king is now on television,” the man behind the computer said.

“What?” Azura roared. “Get it back. Knock him off the air. Now!”

“I’m trying, Alpha.”

“Try faster, or I will personally gut you,” Azura threatened.

What color the man had vanished. He bent down and focused on the computer screen. Tension grew higher as they waited. Azura paced in front of Stormey before she froze and tilted her head to the side. Everyone else must have picked up on whatever caught her ear.

The wall behind the lycans across from Stormey exploded. Stormey fell back on her bottom due to the force of the explosion. Her ears rang, muffling the sounds of shouting and fighting. Stormey shook her head and tried to focus on what she was seeing before her. The men and women who had been in the audience had shifted and raced toward the wall.

Azura barked orders as more lycans rushed into the warehouse from the back. An alarm sounded through the building. Azura spun around, her glare landing on Stormey. She stalked toward her and yanked her to her feet.

“This changes nothing,” Azura snapped.

Her amber eyes were practically glowering at Stormey. Her fangs were out, and slight hair was sprouting along her arms. The woman was close to shifting, and Stormey didn’t want to be anywhere near her when she did.

“Vampires think they will stop me, but they are sorely mistaken.”

Hope leaped into Stormey’s chest. Was that Hegna? Had she found her? Stormey struggled against Azura’s hold.

“Stop fighting, you dumb bitch.” Azura tightened her grip on Stormey’s arm and brought her in front of her.

She backed away as her lycans raced forward, engaging in the fight. She brought her free hand up and wrapped it around Stormey’s neck. The sensation of sharp claws at her throat had Stormey pausing. It wouldn’t take much for Azura to slice her arteries.

Azura bent down, her lips resting near Stormey’s ear. “Look who it is.”

Stormey’s lip trembled while her heart raced. She caught sight of a familiar dark-haired vampire warrior taking down lycans with her twin daggers. Her movements were swift yet graceful. She swung her arms, sending the lycans’ heads tumbling on the floor. She spun around, her gaze landing on Stormey.

She felt the connection to her vampire immediately.

Hegna had come for her.

“Azura!” Hegna shouted.

She stalked toward them with an expression so dark, Stormey was concerned about her vampire’s mental state. Splatters of blood covered Hegna’s face. She ignored it and advanced toward them.

“That’s far enough, vampire,” Azura warned.

Stormey whimpered from the piercing pain that appeared on one side of her throat. Something thick slowly trailed down the side of her neck.

“Withdraw your warriors.”

“No,” Hegna said.