Sighing, I walked quickly back up the stairs and through my father's office. As I turned down the hall I saw my father standing with a very attractive gentleman who turned and eyed me curiously. I lowered my eyes and shuffled my feet toward them on my way to gather my things. "Daughter, please come here," my dad asked me. I gritted my teeth and turned toward him.I felt an odd energy coming off the stranger and avoided looking at him as I approached my father."Niamh, this is Lucifer and he is here because his associate Faelon has been negligent in his duties and spending his time here um, spying on you," Nikolai said bluntly. I crossed my arms and raised my brow."I have nothing to do with that dark angel. He saved me from my prison by getting Noah but that is all," I said firmly and glanced over at the surprisingly handsome devil."I am already marked by my mate, Lucian, and am in a hurry to return to him…if you both will excuse me," I added and was about to turn away."Miss, I am
I opened my eyes to see the maid Glenda and another young female dusting the tables and shelves in my room. I rubbed my eyes and sat up in the dimly lit room."Oh dear, were we too noisy?" Glenda mumbled softly and I shook my head."No you both are fine," I replied as I scooted off the bed and went straight to the bathroom. After washing my hands I went back to the room and Glenda introduced me to her daughter Kira. I greeted her kindly and excused myself to head downstairs. I ran my fingers through my messy hair and entered the dark kitchen. It was nighttime. I flicked on the overhead light and heard a grunt from the table. Lucian glanced up at me with narrowed eyes and a frown."Sorry, grumpy butt,'' I mumbled, heading to the refrigerator for some blood. Opening the door I heard Lucian say that there wasn't any blood and more would be delivered tomorrow and I hissed out my frustration. "I know, I am hungry as well." I heard Lucian growling. I closed the door and eyed him looking as
Lucian and I were still gazing at each other when my father entered the kitchen."I need blood and see the open refrigerator is full, if you don't mind handing me a bag I'd be grateful," Nikolai said firmly. Lucian looked startled and bent over snatching a bag. He tossed it to my father as my dad informed me that my celebration had been rescheduled and would be held in three days."Also your aunt has left due to an unfortunate incident," he growled low and glared at Lucian. I looked between the pair and could only imagine what Lucian had done. I also could care less about the woman. I cared little about her being a blood relation but was still concerned about Lucian's behavior."What did you do?" I questioned him sourly and he waved his hand in my face dismissively."I'm going to teach your child how to behave as a princess, Nikolai. I find her latest behaviors to be abhorrent and unbecoming for a princess of your realm," Lucian said staunchly and I frowned wanting to kick him in his s
After Lucian's and mine's heated exchange I entered the house not long after him and saw my father carrying a gown bag and grimaced."Niamh, you need to try this on so we can see how it looks and if there are any alterations that need to be taken care of before your big night," he grinned and I smiled to make him happy. I took the garment from him and headed up the stairs. I noticed Micah and Lucian once again speaking and wondered what they were discussing. My father spoke, breaking my eyes from the pair."Do you need help?" He asked and I shook my head."No father, my adopted family made me wear several gowns, so I'm accustomed to how they are worn," I answered and continued up the steps. Entering my room I unzipped the garment bag and gasped at the amazing gown within it. It was black with lace sleeves, a low bodice, and a high split up the side. I quickly undressed to get it on. I couldn't zip up the back and frown. I shuffled to my door and called out for help. Kira poked her head
Glancing down at what I'd been dressed in I spread my arms and eyed Lucian. He grinned slightly and told me I looked adorable. I rolled my eyes and spied the ensuite and went in to freshen up. I knew I was wearing Noah's jeans and one of his casual tees. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and frowned at my messy hair. Lucian knocked on the door and opened it with a brush in his hand."Are you certain that you feel well enough? You took a nasty tumble down the stairs," he growled low with concern. I bent backward, stretching, and heard a few pops and smiled."Yep, feel fine, sir," I replied and grabbed the brush from his outstretched hand then closed the door on him. Brushing my hair carefully over the bump. I thought about Galen and frowned. I was glad I hadn't killed him but our friendship would never be like it once was."You have replaced him with Lucian," Eva whined and I sighed."I like Lucian…I like him a lot and know he is my mate but…" "You want his love. I'm sure he wil
"WAKE UP!" Noah shouted repeatedly. I felt Lucian move beside me, grumbling from the bed we laid. As I blinked my eyes and looked at the asshole shouting."Did you have to bust the door," Noah groaned and Lucian told him, oops. I covered my head with the duvet and mumbled curses."Get up, Alek is here with the rest of the vampire Elders and they want to speak with their leader," Noah growled loudly. I whipped the blanket down and sat up to hear Noah laugh abruptly."Nia, honey your breasts are showing," Lucian said softly and I shrugged."Noah is mated to a male, so no big deal," I yawned, stretching my arms over my head."He may be but Alek is not," Lucian grunted and I was hit in the face by the t-shirt I'd been wearing the night before."You left it in the elevator…nice security footage by the way. Also, bisexual," Noah chuckled. I rubbed my eyes after slipping on the t-shirt. Lucian put on his slacks and asked Noah where they were at."I can escort you down to the conference room,
I grabbed the rapier and searched for its scabbard. Finding one that would work I strapped it to my back and sheathed the weapon. I paused momentarily glancing down at myself."Do you believe Lucian loves me.. can he love me?" I asked my wolf. Eve huffed in my mind."If he doesn't, he is an idiot considering what you're willing to do to rescue him." I sighed and jogged back up the stairs with purpose. My father looked at me with concern as I approached him and the devil. He placed his hands on both of my upper arms and exhaled."You're going to a place very few have entered and escaped. I can see that you are marked but Niamh…is your love for your mate strong enough, Lucian must love you just as much in return…I am unsure if he is capable. If what Lucifer has told is true, the Enforcers will need to remove all of the toxins that he still carries within himself. You may have to wait until they are finished," he said softly and rubbed his eyes. I frowned watching him. "I have to try, f
After leaving Lucian laying there I returned to the dark insides of the castle with tears streaming down my cheeks and a feeling of hopelessness gripping my heart."Why are you weeping princess, you should be thrilled that all of your mate's memories will return…unless you are hiding something from him?" Azrael said staunchly as he crept from the darkness. I wiped my eyes and shook my head."He looks dead and it was difficult to see him as such," I said softly and he exhaled deeply."He is a vampire and will go into a rejuvenation sleep as his mind heals. Surely you are aware of the workings of a bloodsucker?" He scoffed."Yeah they drink blood and turn into a bat-like beast," I mumbled sourly and Azrael shook his head."Only vampires with a royal bloodline have wings and once upon a time hunters used to pull their fangs out and watch them starve," he said stoically and my eyes narrowed in confusion."How can that be, they could just simply drink the blood," I mumbled and Azrael laughe
I was standing with Noah and Jaxon when the tiny male elbowed me. "Remember what I told you about, Nia and her alcohol," he said subtly and wiggled his fingers toward Nia downing another full glass of champagne. Ashton was preparing to refill it yet again and I rushed over and took the glass out of Nia's fingers."That's enough for now sweetheart," I mumbled softly and her eyes narrowed at me."I am fine, Lucian. I am not planning on stripping my clothes off until you are naked and spread out on our bed," she said in a sultry manner as her finger walked up my chest. I grinned slightly and told her that sounded delightful and she nodded with a lustful grin."Just wait until after we are wed sweetheart I am going to make your knees weak," I growled near her ear and felt her hands cup my sensitive flesh."Who is officiating your marriage?" Ashton asked, sticking his head in between us. Nia shrugged and I answered, "Salis asked to. He told me he would be honored to join a Lycan and vampi
I woke to Heidi jumping on top of me, Jayna smiling and Mabel frowning above with her hands on her hips. I creased my brow and asked why she looked so sour."Get your tiny tush up and try on your wedding gown so we can see if it needs any alterations done," she replied bluntly. I saw that Lucian was up and gone already and Heidi informed me that he was busy calling guests."Who is going to officiate?" I asked them and they shrugged."I don't know dear, but I do know that Micah, Xavier, and Ashton are planning a bachelor party for this evening," Mabel mumbled sourly and rolled her eyes. I hissed hoping that Ashton wasn't planning on supplying Jaxon's toxic hard cider."I know what you're thinking honey, if that brat does then your wedding will be full of hungover males," she huffed, causing me to smile at her."Lucian won't do anything to ruin our wedding," I reassured her as Heidi dragged my wedding gown toward me. Mabel rolled her eyes and quickly lifted the material from dragging alo
Lucian strode into the bedroom looking agitated. I raised my eyebrow at him and he shook his head aggressively."Lucifer asked me to be some hitman for him to deal with unruly demons in the human world. I told him no and he started his rant about my leg blah blah," he grunted. I grinned slightly and told him to sit down and relax."Lucifer doesn't rule us so he can take a hike. I don't care about him being the devil and neither should you," I mumbled candidly. Lucian chuckled at me."You are crazy to not fear that bastard but I admire you more because you don't," he said softly and ran his knuckles down the side of my cheek as he sat down beside me. I smiled and replied, "I learned from the best." I poked his chest causing him to laugh."I don't have much fear of him either. I don't know if that makes me wise or very stupid," he growled low and rubbed his eyes. I rubbed his back and told him I thought it was awesome the way he stood up to Lucifer."Even the devil needs to be knocked d
I woke to my shoulder being examined and Lucian's concerned blue eyes."Are you okay?" He asked me worriedly as he lifted my furry wrist and saw the rope burns and dried blood on my claws and hand."Yeah, I shredded the demon's dick," I yawned nonchalantly and he chuckled. I sat up and brushed the debris from the side of my arm and shook out the fur on my head. Callie was up, dressed, and off speaking with her father while Kasin stood with his arms crossed giving them privacy. "We traveled the entire night searching for you both. I assume Delrox transported you to this area?" He questioned sourly and I nodded."He raped Callie and found out quickly that I'm not a pleasant toy," I mumbled sourly. Lucian's brow creased as he looked at the injuries. "I am glad you are a fighter and weren't abused. I would have gone crazy with wanting vengeance," he mumbled sternly and gently pecked my muzzle. "He threatened to find me and end me," I growled roughly. Lucian nodded as he handed me my cl
"Callie!" I called out and grinned seeing articles of her clothing scattered about. "You better shift, dear," Eva chortled within my mind. I nodded and pulled off my t-shirt. Slipping off my jeans as I hopped on one foot. It was tricky but I managed."Why did the female shift?" I asked Eva and my wolf replied, "she is a lot like you are. You should be able to sympathize with her." I nodded. My bones cracked as I transformed and grew into my black-furred Lycan. I lifted a piece of Callie's clothes and sniffed it to get her scent then inhaled the air. Catching her unique scent I broke through the foliage and followed after her. I heard low growls and stopped abruptly as my eyes widened in shock. Callie was being held by her throat in the grip of a blonde-haired male. I snarled and rushed out of the dense forest to confront the bastard. "Unhand her," I snarled. The male turned to glare at me with stern yellow eyes. A bloody claw mark was visible across his cheek. I froze momentarily."
"I know nothing about violence," Kasin mumbled innocently. I knew he carried the assassin's gift so I removed my retracting sword from my back pocket and handed it to him. The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt his eyes glowed brightly. I grinned slightly and asked him if he felt it."Yeah, what is it? It is trying to surge forward and break free," he growled firmly."That is your inherited bloodline, keep it within you until it needs to come forward, son. You can defeat most opponents with it," I explained and he looked at me in awe."Is that the Torrent sword?" Drazhan questioned curiously. I looked over at him and told him yes."I have heard rumors about the beast that wields it. Is that you?" He asked and I grinned slightly."I used it during the blood wars. My grandfather had it prior. He was a bloodthirsty killer," I said softly and Drazhan exhaled deeply. "Delrox may bow out if he is made aware that your son can also wield that weapon. Then again he is also a seasoned
Nia rushed up to me with pleading eyes."Xavier needs to go to Alpha Drazhan Volkov to explain what happened to Galen. Lucian, he is our daughter's mate and requires backup and help with the series of events that took place," she said in a rushed panic. I glanced over at Xavier rolling his eyes at me and I grinned at the cocky bastard."Calm yourself, I will accompany him, dearest." Nia planted a big kiss on my mouth so I lifted her to indulge more. Violet made the comment for us to hurry so she could take us to the Alpha. As I released Nia I noticed Jayna and Xavier doing the same thing as us. "Come on ex wolfman, release my daughter, and let's head out to the wilderness," I grunted until Kasin ran toward me."Can I come along, Azrael said it would be alright," he said excitedly. I glanced over at Azrael as he waved his hands and nodded."Alright but stay out of trouble," I growled sternly and he grinned brightly as he gave me a thumbs-up. I ruffled his white-blonde hair and stood n
I took the delightful Stella to my old bedroom and she asked me if I could stay with her."I wish to be honest with you, Nia. I knew your father from many centuries ago. We were acquaintances until he was crowned and met Maria," she said softly. I nodded and told her that my father will be happy to see her again."Does he still have his long black hair or has it turned gray?" She asked curiously with sparkling green eyes. She then frowned and told me she didn't wish to come between my dad and Maria."My mother is deceased," I mumbled softly and her face fell."Oh dear, I am so sorry for both of you. Lucifer didn't bother to mention that," she replied sincerely."I was raised in the Lycan Realm and not with Nikolai and didn't get to meet my birth mother," I said firmly and proceeded to tell her all about my past. After telling her something bothered me. I recalled being told that mates could only have two children and I had two other brothers and a sister I had yet to meet. A knock at
I watched Micah and my mate take the injured Nikolai out of the room and looked back at Lucifer."Why did you want Nikolai to become a demon?" I questioned curiously. Lucifer shook his head and sighed."I have a daughter that I thought might find a connection with him," he admitted reluctantly. I shook my head and told him his match-making skills sucked. He chuckled and said, "touché."Maacah overheard our conversation and said, "I thought your daughter Rebekah already had a mate." Lucifer nodded and explained that he and his wife had adopted another and her name was Stella."She is a lovely female and very tempting." I rolled my eyes and watched the hybrid guards taking the bodies of the fallen out of the room under Marcos and Salis's direction."Are you rejoining the Elders?" Maacah and Lucifer inquired. I curled my lip and shrugged."I would rather remain unbothered and just be with my mate, spending our time in each other's company," I answered honestly. Ashton finally crawled up