Chapter – 5

The sun skimmed over the horizon. Bright orange hues dimmed soon as the darkness took over with a roar.

Reyna watched as the last rays of the sun, set for the season. The cold would break soon. Unlike the Chelmer Peaks, the sun didn’t shine here in Barmount during the winter. Six horrid months of bone-seeping winter. And there, nestled along the valley of The Silver Volcano was the kingdom of Lycans, Selene.  

Her eyes could still see clearly through the dark. In the distance, red balls of fire breathed light, illuminating the surroundings. The mundanes hurried from the woods into the outer walls through the narrow path. Arms filled with dry woods, their steps were slow but determined.

The deep tunnels of Barmount castle were occupied by the slaves. They stored their wood to keep them warm during the merciless winter. As she watched, another group of men entered. Carcasses of deer and animals alike hung from their shoulders. The last hunt of the season.

The Vampires urged them forward, barking orders. Up here, the voices were muffled, but the wind carried the thick timbre of their kind. Because this was the season where the creatures of dark ruled. At night, they came out to hunt. The walls kept them safe, but sometimes they tend to get in for fresh meat of the cattle they kept inside.

An involuntary shudder ran through the length of her body. She despised this season.

“What are you thinking, princess?” She jumped with a yelp and whirled around. Deep amber eyes pinned her.

“Aluxious,” her whisper breathed out. She looked around. They were in the balcony. She wasn’t sure if others could see him. Because he wasn’t really present. Thanks to her blood. His corporeal form glided beside her as she marched into the expanse of her chambers. “You were strong enough to escape,” she voiced out the thought that had been bugging her all day. “You could’ve fought them.”

He shook his head. “Strong, but not strong enough to break the chains.” He glanced at his arms, free of chains in this form. Aluxious looked breathtakingly handsome with square-cut jaw and high cheekbones. He had a straight nose, sharp at the edge. His eyes…they were deep amber that sometimes glowed like molten lava. The intensity of his gaze drew a shudder of her body, this time it definitely was because of discomfort.

Reyna averted her gaze. Big mistake. The man in front of her was huge. Bigger than the males in the vampire kingdom. His body was rock hard, muscles round, and bulkier. Her gaze slowly slid down, appreciating the masculine specimen in front of her.

Broad shoulders flexed under her heated gaze. She couldn’t tear her gaze even if she wanted to. She never saw a naked male up so close. Her breath caught in her throat. Naked. Aluxious was gloriously naked. His member was hard, long, and aroused. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she realized she was gawking at him.  

She whipped around, turning her back on him. Her heart raced. Damn. He was gorgeous.

“Never turn your back to your enemy.” His voice was a low rumble. It reminded her of a lion’s growl. Deep and dangerous. Yet, she felt a warmth rush to the center of her chest.

“You are not my enemy.” Damn her sound. It sounded huskier.

She felt his warmth in her back even before his arms gripped her waist. Her back met with his hard body and she melted in the heat. “Trust me, princess. You don’t want to turn your back on me.”

Damn him. Reyna’s nipples strained against her bindings as wetness pooled in her nether region. His arousal pressed against her back as his warm breath hit her neck. She fought the tremble of her body that had nothing to do with fear. No. When he was closer, she felt emotions that were far worse than fear.

The physical response of her body to his voice betrayed her. She felt his fangs scrape over her mark and a moan slipped out. Before she knew, his fangs pierced her skin. Pleasure shot through her body and her hips bucked.

Reyna breathed through her mouth as his large palm traveled higher to cradle her bosom. She panted as her hip thrust toward his erection. The throbbing between her thighs intensified. White-hot pleasure pulsed through her veins and she felt her gums burn. The pressure coiled around her body and it built higher and higher until she exploded.

With a keening cry, she let go. His grip held her steady as his fangs retracted. Another shudder coursed through her body when his tongue lapped at the skin of her neck. “You smell so sweet,” he whispered. “I can’t wait to taste you.” She whimpered when his cock pressed against her swollen clit.

Oh, how much she wanted him to tear that dress off her and fuck her right there. She froze as the lustful thought shocking to even herself surfaced in her mind. Another whimper broke out of her lips when he cupped her womanhood over the dress she wore.

This is mine. Possessive and filled with lust, his voice breached her mind. Tonight, your brother will die! The heat of his palm seeped through her clothes and singed her wet crotch. He should have never looked at you the way he did. For that, he’ll die!

***

Reyna woke with a start, drenched in sweat. Her heart raced. She looked around, realizing she was in her bed, covered in blankets. Her lower region still throbbed, her body tight with sexual tension.

The balcony was still open. The last she remembered, she stood outside watching the sunset. The curtains danced around with the wind that had grown colder while she slept. There was a noticeable drop in temperature.

Her room was dark. The wetness in her lower region and the slight dizziness due to blood loss was the only proof of Aluxious’s presence in her room a while ago. It was real. She needed a bath. With a shuddering breath, she slipped out of the bed. Legs shaking, she made her way through the dark.

The tub was full, but the water had grown cold. It will have to do. Stripping out of her clothes, she climbed into the tub to wash off the sweat and the remnants of their dalliance. Who guessed they could do so much in a dreamlike state. She wet her lips, still reeling with pleasure.

His threat kept ringing in her mind. She sure didn’t imagine it. How did he know how what happened last night with Killian? The blood. That must be it. There was no way he could have learned it.

The approach of a soft pair of feet brought her out of her thoughts. “You got in already? The water is cold, princess.”

Disapproval danced in Celia’s features. The maid’s heart was racing and her fingers trembled. A strong smell of a male infiltrated her senses. Reyna clenched her jaws. “Who touched you?”

Celia flinched but masked the fear. “No one, princess.”

Trying to distance yourself doesn’t work on me, Celia. Reyna glanced at her, scrutinizing each movement. Celia walked gingerly, hiding the occasional grimace as she moved. “Killian fucked you.”

Celia froze, tears filling her gaze. She had a beau. A handsome warrior, who guarded the outside walls. They had her full blessing for their mating ceremony this winter. But this… Reyna stood barely acknowledging her nudity.

“He forced himself on you.” Celia was clever to hide this all these times. “And you didn’t think of telling me this.”

“How could I tell you?” The tears fell down, rolling down her cheeks. “Every time he touched me, he called me by your name. The more I carried your scent the more he got aroused.”

Reyna stood shell-shocked as she processed this information. “How long?”

“Quiet some time now.” Celia stared at the floor. “Most of the time he’d make me wear your dirty clothes, so he could smell you.”

Reyna’s breath hitched. Some of her clothes never came back from cleaning. And she hadn’t much attention before. Celia told her the cleaners ruined it and she never doubted it. “Oh, Celia…”

Celia lifted her head, giving her a weak smile. “It’s okay, Reyna. There isn’t a thing I do for you. If it meant that I could keep you safe, I’ll do it again.”

A sob slipped out of her mouth. Reyna shook her head. “I can’t let you do this. This…this is too much.” Her best friend had been protecting her without her realizing it. How many more? How many suffered because of this? “Why didn’t you tell me something sooner?” Her voice grew desperate.

“I told your mother. She’s here now. Isn’t she?” Celia grabbed a cotton robe and helped Reyna to wrap it around her body. “We couldn’t risk you confronting your brother. This has to happen this way.”

Reyna shook her head again. This shouldn’t have happened at all. Not on her account. Not by any other cause. “Mark?” she asked.

“He knows.” Celia’s smile was bitter. “Mark understands. Like me, his loyalty lies with you. He’ll do anything to protect you.”

I don’t deserve this. Reyna locked her knees together to stop their tremble. A shudder shook her body on thinking what would have happened if it wasn’t for them.

“We don’t have much time,” Celia urged. “The festivities will begin soon. Once it’s over, they’ll bring him out.”

Tonight. His voice rang in her ears again. Aluxious will kill my brother tonight. Her features tightened. The plan was set in motion. The mundanes will soak the chains binding him with the specially concocted chemical that’d incinerate the metal. When it is time, the Lycan King will be free.

***

Reyna stared at her mother unsure of her decision. These people needed her. Her friend needed her. Her usual assortment of perfumes was missing from the table today.

Celia produced oil from the pocket of her dress. “It’s tree oil. It’ll mask your scent for a while.” She dabbed a few drops in her neck and rubbed it in. “It won’t last long. You’ll have to reapply this again in a few hours.” She pressed it in her open palm.

Her mother hadn’t spoken a word. Tension gripped the atmosphere. It was so thick that she could feel it suffocating them. “Mom…”

Riah lifted her gaze, producing a weak smile. “I know, Reyna. But this is the only way.”

“Aren’t you worried about Killian?”

“I am.” Riah sighed. “But he’s an adult with the knowledge and the consequence of his choices. There’s nothing I can do for him.”

Reyna glanced at her friend. Killian tortured Celia and raped her. Because he couldn’t have me. What will happen to the people she loved? How could she leave them here?

No one spoke a word for a moment. Riah silently raised her wrist to her daughter’s mouth. She sliced a thin line and pressed the blood on Reyna’s lips. “Drink. It’s time you completed the transformation. You’ll need all the strength you need.”

Reyna felt the warm liquid slid down her throat. She closed her eyes. The blood awoke her taste buds. A growl vibrated within her chest. Her lips wrapped around the wound. She caught the hand, holding it close. The gums burned, but no fangs protruded. Not yet.

“The moment the Lycan King breaks free, he’ll shift,” Riah spoke, her voice gentle, yet held authority that made her body shiver. “I see he took more of your blood. He will be strong enough to shift. But that’s dangerous.”

Reyna blinked her eyes open, focusing them on her mother.

“I’ve gathered enough information from the slaves to know about the beasts. The beasts as it is are dangerous. The vampires like to pride themselves, they are the worst predators of the world. Wrong. Lycans are the worst predators ever to exist. And dangerous too.”

Reyna released her mother’s wrist, licking her lips clean. “Escaping wouldn’t be hard, I made sure of that. The vampires will be too drunk to care for the beast. But your real quest starts after that.”

“I don’t understand.” A frown tugged at her lips. The Lycan King would be free. And she’d tag along. Together they’ll make it to his kingdom. The mating mark on her neck will protect her.

Riah shook her head. “Lycans unlike the vampires, carry two souls inside them. And when I say you must fear the beast, you should. The beast––caged and tortured for months, is the most lethal predator of all. Because he’ll be without control.”

“You must live and make it to their Kingdom, Reyna.” Celia put arms on her shoulder. “You must survive the winter and stay out of the beast’s reach.”

Reyna swallowed. How?

“You’re the hope to thousands of humans in our Kingdom.” Her mother stood.

“What do I do?” Her voice cracked, her own fear surfacing––the stench sickly sweet.

“Survive.”