A Luna for the Lycan King novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

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Darren and I walked down one of the halls with our hands. interlaced. Tim, Rodney, and Lyle were sent to head up investigation teams and then were to report back for ‘guard‘ duty for me. Honestly, it was a bit annoying, but it made Darren feel better.

“Dare, have you spoken to your parents yet?”

“Not yet. I had other business I needed to take care of. One of my sources located Ivy, but she wasn’t with Alfred. Ivy seems to know one of the commanders there very well. We know Alfred was intimate with someone last night, and it was most likely Ivy. At some point, those two separated, and we need to figure out where he’s being hidden.” I couldn’t help the small frown that reached my lips. Especially hearing about Ivy being close with a vampire commander. I felt like this all meant something big. There was a lot of tension right now with the vampires. We all knew that we were on the brink of war, and it wouldn’t take much to tip the scale.

The Lycan Kingdom was rumored to be supporting the rightful heir to the Vampire Kingdom that was now divided up into territories. He had been pushed out of his position by his brother who destroyed what they once stood for. The rumor was that our side wanted to help the royal vampire in getting his kingdom back and in order. They would help him fight in exchange for a treaty. But it wouldn’t be easy… the vampire’s loyalty was split.

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Which lead me back to Ivy. If she was associating with a vampire commander, then it was one that was loyal to the current leader. He wasn’t considered the king, since he seized the place as a dictator. I didn’t know the whole story, because it happened before I was born. But there was a coup, and the rightful heir to the throne was barely able to escape. He had been in hiding ever since, silently rebuilding his army.

“War is coming, isn’t it?” I finally asked quietly. I looked ahead, but I felt his gaze on me.

“Yes,” he answered softly. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I’m not worried about myself. I’m worried about you.” I glanced up at him as we stopped walking.

“You don’t have to worry about me.” I could hear the arrogance in his voice. Yes, I understood he was strong, but he wasn’t invincible. And as the king, he would have a target on his back.

‘I “THAT is exactly the reason I’m worried about you.” I sighed and held my gaze with his. “And that is why I am going to be with you to keep you safe. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” I smiled and listened to him snort.

“I haven’t even seen your lycan. I have no idea of your fighting skills.”

“That’s true. All valid points. I haven’t seen your lycan or your fighting skills either. Guess we both might be sitting this one

Chapter 22

out.” I grinned up at him loving the soft rumble of his laugh.

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“I can’t wait to mark you. Maybe we shouldn’t wait… I hate you having to feel when that man cheats on you.”

I smile, loving how he never refers to Alfred as my mate. “I’m ready to accept your mark whenever. Regardless, if it is now or I have to wait… I don’t mind.” I stared up into his eyes that seemed to be in deep thought.

“Darren!” A loud voice barreled down the hall. I turned my head to see Winifred and Milo walking toward us. Immediately, Darren grabbed me by the waist and wedged me at his side. “Why have you been ignoring us? I’ve been linking you—”

“And obviously I was busy if I didn’t respond.” He growled.

“What are with the rumors I’m hearing? I heard the maids saying you are going after Cleo. What do you think you’re doing?! She is a Waiting Lady-”

“And she crossed the line! I don’t care who she is or what weird camaraderie you feel with her. She tried to discourage my mate

irly certain she is the one who from being with me. And I’m fairly certain she is the one who leaked out that my mate is here.”

“No, son, that was me.” Winifred stuck her chin up at him defiantly. “Stop this head hunt. Whatever else happened, put yourself in her position. She was going to be the future queen up until yesterday. And now it was ripped underneath her, despite her years of dedication.” I stood in tense silence, my ears straining to catch even the slightest sound. Then I heard a quiet

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sound that grew into a deep and menacing chuckle, emanating from Darren’s lips. The glimmering light in his eyes darkened. into an intense glare as he directed it towards his mother, who cowered before him.

“You have the wrong idea about this whole thing. She has had the privilege to live in this castle. To be treated like royalty and to want for nothing! She was given the honor to be considered as a potential queen. NONE OF THAT was a guarantee. She would have had a high position among the court if only she would have kept her mouth shut. You know what she did? She tried to provoke my mate to anger and convince her I wasn’t good for her, and-”

“YOU AREN’T!” Winifred’s voice rang out like a piercing alarm, her lips pursed tightly in shock at the words that had just escaped them. Her eyes widened and her hands flew to cover her mouth, as if trying to contain the unexpected outburst.

I felt Darren’s arm trembling around me. His eyes were completely black and I could see almost a different person entirely.

“I’m sorry, Darren, but it’s true. She will not only make you stronger but she will make your rage more intense-”

“Not her though, Winnie! That’s what I have been trying to explain.” Milo clicked his tongue as she shook her head.

“You almost killed me!” She suddenly wailed as tears came down her cheeks. “All those years together… I thought we had a connection. I was fooling myself, because eventually that

Chapter 22

darkness won. It’s something you couldn’t control … I understand that, but neither can your son!”

“That’s Christian’s Great Granddaughter Winnie! It’s her line that did this to us. They were the cause of this. It’s their curse that runs through his veins right now.”

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I felt lightheaded as I took in rapid shallow breaths. Curse? My line did what? What did this mean exactly? I felt as if my blood. was running cold in my veins and everything felt foggy.