LycanKing (10 page)

Shifting in his wolf form, he growled at the two women and vaulted through the window. After landing on his four massive paws, he sprang forward and ran towards bandit territory.

He knew she was well ahead of him. He had terrain to cover and she had air. He also knew now, why she refused to be with him. Foolish woman! Did she really think because Balkathan was her father, he would not want her?

She was nothing like that evil bastard!

He had to reach her before sunrise. He had to bring her back to the castle while it was still dark. The thought of losing her filled him with anguish and fear. He couldn't lose her now. He sped through the dry terrain of the fields, passed the forest and stopped. Panting heavily, he snapped his gaze around. She was close by.

Drago released three successive barks and snarled. Something wasn't right. Baring his jaws, he sprung towards a cluster of boulders in a clearing. Without stopping, he vaulted over a huge boulder and landed on his paws on the other side.

Three Lycans had Eve surrounded, their armour's crest decorated with a bold B.
Balkathan's men!
The biggest one had a wooden stake pointed on her chest.

Drago went insane with rage and lunged forward, his jaw clamping down on the Lycan's hand. The Lycan growled and dropped the stake as Eve sprung towards the other Lycan closest to her.

She used her vampire speed and caught him by surprise as she drove her silver dagger in his chest. The other Lycan sprung towards her and she fought him as Drago shifted to his Lycan form and faced his adversary.

Glancing back sharply to Eve, he was relieved to see her holding her ground as she sailed over the Lycan's head and landed behind him. He turned sharply to his opponent.

"What are you doing in this territory?" he asked. "Aren't you a little far from your dark lord's lair?"

"We are everywhere, fool," the Lycan snarled. "Balkathan has been keeping a close eye on your castle for years. Soon, the castle will be his and your people will bow down to
him.
"

He lunged forward and Drago growled, sidestepping as he pushed the Lycan onto a boulder. Balkathan's werewolf smashed his head against the rock and Drago sprung forward, wanting to finish him while he was still dazed. He grabbed the silver dagger from the Lycan's belt and raised it above his shoulder when he heard Eve grunt.

Panicked, he twisted his head and watched her being hurled to the ground. "Eve!"

She snapped her gaze to his and the Lycan lunged forward with his stake, burying it deep in her chest. She screamed, clutching the stake and fell back.

Drago felt his heart stop. Without another thought, he turned to his opponent and stabbed him with his dagger. Eve's Lycan vaulted towards Drago, his hand upraised with a silver dagger, and growled ferociously.

Drago went cold with rage and stopped the Lycan's hand in midair, dragging his hand down into the demon's own chest. The Lycan slumped dead to the ground.

Fear pulsed through his frame as he collapsed on the ground beside Eve. Her eyes were closed, her face still and he grabbed the stake. Tears blurred his vision as he pulled the stake from her chest, raising his face to the heavens, roaring with anguish.

He lifted her in his arms and crushed her against him, burying his face in her neck. "Eve, no! Please don't go. I love you. I…love you," he said hoarsely.

He didn't know how long he held her, but at the first streak of sun lighting the horizon, he knew he had to return to the castle.

He lifted her gently and carried her as he walked through the forest and into the fields. He couldn't feel his heart. It was dead. Like his beautiful Eve.

After carrying her for a long while, he looked ahead and saw twenty horses thundering towards him, his son leading the pack.

Vasilis vaulted off his white steed and strode to him, his face dark with anger. "Father, a king does not leave his castle without a caravan of guards to follow the spawn of Balkathan. Have you lost your mind?"

Drago was numb with grief. "Would you not risk your life for your
one
?"

Vasilis's face dropped as he looked from his father to Eve and then back to his father. "Father?" he asked, frowning. His gaze rested on Eve's still face.

"Aye, my son. She is my
one.
" Drago's voice broke and he took a moment to regain control. "My
one
is dead."

* * * *

"The master is distraught. He's been in the there all day and refuses to come out to eat or drink." Hesta rang her hands fearfully. "I have never seen him like this. Not even when the late queen took her life."

Lena placed her arm around the healer's frail shoulder. "Our king is strong, Hesta. He needs this time to grieve privately."

Hesta didn't look convinced and for a split second, Lena doubted her own words. "I don't know about that, child. He may be strong, but when a Lycan loses their
one
, their life is shattered. He worries me. It's already well into the night and he hasn't eaten a thing. I've been outside this door all day and night and I've heard him talking to Eve. He speaks to her as though he expects her to respond."

"Poor Master."

"Even Vasilis and Alexandra have tried all day to make him stop this madness, but he ordered them to leave him be."

"What are we to do?"

"Go to Katya. Console her. The poor girl has just lost her mother and she is beside herself with grief."

"And you? What are you to do?"

Hesta's eyes shone with tears. "I will stay here and wait for him to come out."

* * * *

Drago drew in a ragged breath, staring at his beloved. Her face was still and pale, her lips pink. He lowered his head and kissed her softly. She was cold.

He knew he had to let her go, but he wasn't ready. If he let her go now, he would never look upon her lovely face again. His felt his heart crack.

He held her hand and squeezed his eyes. "I love you, my darling. I will always love you."

The full moon began to rise, filtering in its glow through the window. The drapes were drawn and Drago stared at the sky, his hand tightening around Eve's. This was what she had been afraid of, this moment, the rise of the full moon.

He looked down at her face and swallowed hard. "You were never going to turn into your father. Your heart has always been strong, your passion for all life honourable." A tear slid down his cheek and he brushed it away. "Evil preys on the weak, my darling, and you were never weak. My beautiful, Eve," he continued, his tone thick with grief.

He squeezed his eyes and raised his head, drawing in a long, shaky breath. He had to leave her now. He had to say goodbye. Slowly, he opened his eyes and stared at the white orb rising high in the midnight sky. He threw back his head and howled long and loud, releasing all the pain and grief wracking his body.

When he fell silent, he lowered his gaze to Eve and stared at her face for the last time.

Suddenly, her eyelids flew open and he froze, staring at her amber eyes. "Dear God!" he rasped. "Eve!"

Her eyes turned red before returning to their blue. She stared at him with confusion.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice faint.

His heart soared to the heavens and with shaky hands, he cupped her face gently, lowering his head and kissing her. "You came back to me," he said gruffly. "I love you. My God, I love you so much."

Her expression softened and she took his hands and clasped them against her breast. Slowly she smiled up at him, her eyes glistening.

"I love you, too, Drago."

He would tell her later, regarding the colour of her eyes, and how she was now Lycan
and
vampire. Right now, he just wanted to hold her and never let her go.

Epilogue

"Why are you smiling?" Vasilis asked.

"I know there is a war on our horizon with Balkathan, but at this moment, I am very content. I am happy," Drago said.

He watched his son glance at Alexandra, Eve and Katya. "The women are getting along well," Vasilis remarked.

"They have a lot in common. They learned their art of combat with the same people. No doubt they are looking forward to practicing their skills with each other."

"Eve's daughter is very pretty," Vasilis mentioned as he glanced at Malek, his chief guard who was standing silently beside them.

"Yes," Drago agreed. He immediately knew what his son was up to. "Malek, go speak with her. Get to know her before your trip tomorrow. Engage in conversation. Look, she is glancing your way."

Malek's face was grim. "She was in Balkathan's lair for two years. I'm not so willing to trust the wench until I know for certain she is one of us."

Drago raised a brow. "She has offered to take us where he hides. We need to scout the area before our attack."

"She offered to take us there for battle or ambush?" Malek replied. "There is something about her I fear. I cannot place my finger on it, but I look upon her and feel…tense."

Drago stared at his royal guard curiously. "Aye, I know that feeling," he began quietly. "I felt it with Eve and my son felt it with Alexandra."

Malek visibly stiffened. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but it is suspicion I feel, not passion."

"I have assigned you as her personal guard. You will guard her with your life and make sure nothing happens to her. The queen has only agreed to this trip under the condition my best warrior guarantees Katya's safe return."

"Aye, Your Highness," Malek said.

Drago knew Malek wasn't pleased and he hid a smile. Malek was like a son to him, like a brother to Vasilis and he understood where his Chief Guard drew his concern. He was their strongest and bravest Lycan Warrior and he would die protecting them.

Drago brought his goblet up to his mouth and drank some ale, his gaze resting on his new queen.

Eve had left the women and was talking to Ariel, Alexandra's little sister, and Becca who were both seated on his throne. She said something to the little girls and they both giggled.

His heart filled with fierce love.

* * * *

Katya couldn't concentrate on what the princess was saying to her. She was too furious with the Lycan Warrior who stood proud and arrogant, filling the king and prince with doubts about her loyalty.

How dare he imply she was a spy! She was dying to march up to him and tell him she didn't need him to protect her on their assignment, but she refrained. Her mother had agreed to the trip on the one condition the king's best warrior looked after her daughter.

She tensed her mouth. Well, the arrogant Lycan Warrior was going to find out soon enough she didn't need anyone to look after her.

Coming soon: Lycan Warrior

If you enjoyed Lycan King, try
Lycan Prince,
the first book in this series
.

About the Author

Anastasia Maltezos enjoys reading and writing all romance genres, whether it's a sweet contemporary, or a dark paranormal. Her heroes vary from high powered, corporate moguls falling in love with the girl next door, to sexy vampires searching for their lost love.

Love blooms in all forms.