Page 20 of The Unwanted Mate of the Lycan Kings (Unwanted #1)

“You remind me of my late wife.” He chuckles. I ignore his words, stomping down the steps to where the women have stopped. The guards step closer as if to stop me, but the king raises his hand to dismiss them.

“Leave her. Zirah, King Regan will escort you back to the castle. I must head in. It’s getting chilly, and I fear snow is coming. I can smell it.” He nods to me as I open the bag.

He is right. The cool night breeze is fast approaching, and snow feels imminent. The smell of rain in the air is slightly different, but lycans don’t feel the cold. Why would the king feel it now? My eyes move to King Regan, who looks less unhappy about having to play babysitter.

Reaching into the bag, I grab young Leila’s hand, force a small handful of coins into her palm, and close her fingers around it. Tears spring from the corner of her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispers. I nod and move to the next woman, making sure each one accepts the coins.

When I am done, I turn, finding the king’s guards gone. Only King Regan remains, waiting rather impatiently on the stage.

Climbing the steps, he stomps off ahead of me, and I whistle for Hunter to follow.

Hunter obliges, running ahead and nearly knocking King Regan over.

It is dark by the time the enormous iron gates come into sight, and King Regan’s phone rings in his pocket.

He answers it with a growl and stops abruptly.

I only listen for a second before wandering ahead.

When I am about halfway to the gate, the castle lights come into view, and I hear rustling. Turning my head to the side, I see Hunter’s tail wagging in the air between some shrubs before hearing a whimper and a sickening crunch.

“Hunter!” I hiss at him, wondering what poor creature he is trying to eat. He lifts his head, his mouth covered in blood, when I hear the critter take off into the trees separating the kingdom from the town. Hunter growls, darting after it, and I huff, chasing after him.

“Hunter, leave it!” I yell at the stupid wolf when I hear another pained yelp then heavy panting. Walking deeper, I spot him ahead. I stomp through the forest toward him. Finding him with a badger between his paws.

“Hunter, no! Bad boy!” I swat his ass, and he whines at me. Pushing him aside, I find it is already dead.

“No, bad wolf! You don’t eat—”

“Animals? He’s a wolf. Wolves hunt!” King Regan shouts, making me jump, having not heard him coming up behind me. Turning around to face him, he tilts his head to the side, his eyes glowing in the darkness.

“Yeah, but he gets fed in the castle. He doesn’t need to kill.”

“All things die, humans especially. Predator and prey. Survival of the fittest. Hunter, come!” King Regan orders, and I am surprised when Hunter listens to him. Hunter drops his head, sulking, and walks over to the king.

“Now hurry. I may not be able to catch a cold, human, but you’ll catch your death if you stay out once the snow falls,” King Regan growls, turning on his heel and walking back the way we came. I shake my head and follow.

“Isn’t that what you want? My death saves you from having to marry me.”

“I would love nothing more, but if you die on my watch, I lose my throne. So if you could save your death for when you’re with Zeke or Lyon, it would be much appreciated.”

“I’ll see if I can pencil that into my schedule while with them. Do you have a preference for my death that I should add?”

King Regan growls and glares. He apparently doesn’t enjoy my humor.

“Hunter listened to you...why?” the king growls, stomping through the woods, and Hunter keeps in line with him.

“Where is Gnash?” I ask, which makes him stop. I run into the back of him, not expecting it. He sneers menacingly and reaches for me, but Hunter growls in warning, and he stops.

“Stay the fuck away from my wolf.”

“Answer the question.” His eyes flick to Hunter, then back to mine, and he curses but turns on his heel again and continues walking.

“Hurry!” he calls when I don’t move.

“Nah, I’m good. I think I’ll stay here.” I call out to him, and I smirk when he stops. He really likes his throne!

“You have been in my care for not even ten minutes and are already pissing me off!” he snarls, stomping back toward me.

“Answer the question then, Regan!”

“What did I say about addressing me by name? I will not be disrespected by the likes of a fucking human!” Hunter launches at him, tearing into his arm, and Regan snarls, backhanding him and sending him skidding across the ground.

Hunter whines and shakes himself before baring his teeth and growling.

King Regan roars a feral growl. “Try it once more, Hunter, and I will break her fucking neck!” Hunter whimpers, and Regan grabs me by the front of my top. Ripping me toward him.

“You’re playing games with the wrong brother.

You stay away from my wolf! And me!” he growls, the sound so menacing it raises the hairs on my arms and sends a cold shiver down my spine.

My heart races with adrenaline, but I know he won’t kill me.

He won’t risk his throne, and that information is very useful.

King Regan laughs. “You stupid, pathetic girl. You’re a fool not to fear me, but you will. My father is wrong about you. You may have him fooled, and you may have survived our wolves, but let’s see how you fair when they aren’t here to protect you,” he growls, shoving me backward.

I stagger, landing on my ass in the dirt. Hunter whimpers, and King Regan calls his name. Hunter waits for me to get up and comes to my side. I brush my fingers through his fur. When clarity washes over me. Hunter listened to him when he found us, yet attacked him when he tried to grab me.

“They can feel you!” I exclaim, moving to catch up with Regan. “That’s why he didn’t attack you when you came close. He knew you weren’t here to hurt me!”

“Just hurry up!” Knowing I’m right, I chuckle and run to catch up to him.