.Chapter 30-3
She slipped past me and headed back toward camp, leaving me alone in the woods with a painful erection and the taste of her still on my lips. But I’d kissed her, and I couldn’t be happier.
***
The next morning came too soon.
I’d barely slept, my mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead and memories of Simone’s mouth on mine. When I finally gave up on resting and emerged from my sleeping bag, I found her already awake, methodically checking her bag.
“Ready for this?” I asked.
She looked up at me, and for a moment I saw vulnerability in her eyes before she masked it with determination. “As ready as I can be.”
The plan was simple in theory. I’d walk her to the castle gates, claiming I’d captured her while she was spying on Aerith territory. Kellan would be pleased to have his prize, and I’d be granted access to the castle as the returning king. From there, we’d locate Kenzi and Irene, gather intelligence on Kellan’s magical network, and signal the others when it was time to strike.
In reality, I knew it would be much more complicated. Kellan wasn’t the naive boy I’d left behind. He’d grown into his power, and he wouldn’t be easy to fool.
“Time to make this look convincing,” I said, dragging my hands through the mud.
Simone grimaced but held still as I smeared it on her face and clothes, making her look like she’d been dragged through the forest. I was careful not to actually hurt her, but it needed to appear
authentic.
“How do I look?” she asked when I was finished.
“Like a prisoner who’s been giving her captor hell.”
“Good.”
We said our goodbyes to the others, keeping them brief and professional. Dash pulled me aside at
the last moment.
“Bring her back,” he said quietly. “Whatever happens in there, you bring my sister home.”
“I will,” I promised. “Even if it costs me my life.”
He nodded, apparently satisfied with my sincerity.
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The walk to the castle took an hour, and we maintained our roles the entire time. I stayed several
paces ahead of Simone, occasionally glancing back to make sure she was keeping up. She played
her part perfectly, looking sullen and defeated while somehow still radiating the strength that
made her irresistible to me.
The guards at the gates didn’t know how to react when they saw me. Some started to bow, others reached for their weapons, and a few just stared in shock. It was clear that Kellan hadn’t prepared
them for my return.
“Your Majesty,” one of them finally stammered. “We weren’t expecting-”
“Open the gates,” I commanded, letting my alpha authority roll over them.
They scrambled to obey, and soon we were walking through the courtyard I’d once known better than anywhere else. It looked the same but felt different, tainted by whatever darkness my son had brought to this place.
The throne room doors opened as we approached, and there he was. My son. My failure.
Kellan looked older than his twenty years, his face harder than it should have been at his age. He was alone, sitting on my throne, wearing my crown, playing at being king. But when he saw me, he rose quickly, uncertainty flickering across his features.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” he said, his voice carefully neutral.
“Hello, son. Is that the way to greet your father and king?”
For a moment, something that might have been the boy I’d known flashed in his eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by the cold calculation of a man who’d learned to play dangerous games.
“My apologies, Your Majesty,” he said, offering a shallow bow.
“It’s fine. It’s been a while since I was in this castle. I’m sure a lot of things have changed.”
“Some things, yes.” His gaze flicked to Simone, who was standing behind me with her head down.” Dare I ask…are you here to stay, my king?”
I let a small smirk play across my lips. “Would you like that, son?”
Kellan balked, clearly not expecting the question. “Y-yes, for sure. Everyone here would like to see you on the throne once more, my king.”
Liar. But I played along.
“I can tell it would take a while for me to rule again, so I won’t bother you for now, son. We’ll get back to that in time. Now, I was here because I heard you were looking for this girl.”
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His attention shifted fully to Simone, and I saw something predatory flicker in his expression. My
lycan snarled silently, wanting to tear his throat out for looking at our mate that way.
“You found her,” he said, genuine pleasure creeping into his voice.
“Yes. I’ve brought her here for you.”
“Hello, Simone,” Kellan purred, stepping down from the throne. “Long time no see. Thank you, father. I will certainly see that Simone gets the punishment she deserves after running away from
me.”
“No,” I said sharply, stepping slightly in front of Simone.
Kellan’s eyebrows rose. “No?”
“She is my guest, Kellan. She will be treated as such.”
I could see the wheels turning in his head, trying to figure out my angle. Why would I protect a
prisoner? What was my game?
“Of course, father,” he said finally. “Though I do have a few gifts for you, Simone. Come find me when you want to see them.”
The way he said ‘gifts’ made my skin crawl. This boy had become a monster, and I was going to have to figure out how to stop him without destroying what was left of my soul.
A woman appeared from the shadows near the throne. Tall, elegant, with platinum blonde hair and calculating eyes. She moved with the confident grace of someone who knew exactly how dangerous she was. I didn’t recognize her, though. She wasn’t from my court.
“Lania, why don’t you guide our guests to their rooms?” Kellan said. “You must be tired, father.”
“Certainly.” I agreed. “I will retire for the day. I’ll find you tomorrow, Kellan.”
As Lania led us from the throne room, I caught the calculating look she gave Simone. Another predator recognizing potential prey.
This place was full of sharks, and I’d just brought the woman I loved swimming into their den.
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