The Kings Series #1 His Beauty Queen novel Chapter 20

He gritted his teeth as he studied the image of his lycan above the marbled mantlepiece. The painting was done by a royal pack member, Paul Cezanne in 1858. The worth of the art was invaluable like the artist himself.

No matter how much he tried to relax, it was impossible. His wolf was snarling and roaring in his head, wanting blood on his sharp canines. The blood of the enemy.

A fucking necromancer.

He will tear him piece by piece by nightfall tomorrow.

One thing he was so pissed about at the moment, he couldn't figure out who gave the necromancer access to enter the capital of the supernatural world. He can name one. What could that do?! The lack of evidence was damning. A fucking hindrance.

Their kind had long been enemies. They opted to stay out of The Alliance, knowing their deeds and practices will never be approved.

Bringing people back from the dead was a sure sentence to the underworld --with no parole or mercy -- decreed by the Gods and Goddesses. A mortal sin with no redemption.

Antonio Corpuz, a warlock. He must have secured a clearance from a high-ranking official to enter NYC. And he has an idea who had done it.

"Sire, our team has found the warlock's location." Fuckin' about time! Always could count on his royal beta. If anything, he was efficient and a tactical genius. In under two hours, he has found the enemy.

"Where is he now?" His rough voice was too controlled. Too quiet. His lycan was simmering under his skin. Waiting to take over.

"From our sources, he took a chartered plane to Mexico. He will be landing in Guadalajara before dawn. I have ordered the Mexican Pack to surround the city. We are ready for the battle, my king." Goddess. He was too. He will make sure they will not have casualties. He hated even one pack member injured or worse. But Mexico was basically warlock county. Although they were small in numbers, the bastards were sneaky and powerful.

"Have the white witch cast a protection spell to our warriors. I don't want any casualties on our part. We will be leaving in an hour." Alexander was formulating a plan on how to tell his own mate.

"Please go to my sister, Michael. I know you need to be together before we go."

"Be with your mate as well, Alexander. She needs you." He nodded. He wanted to talk to Xavier first.

He inclined his head before leaving. After a few minutes, Xavier and Oliver entered his study.

He handed each one of them a glass of vintage whiskey. "I will be going after the warlock," he told them. No surprise there. They took his announcement in stride.

"I surmised as much, my friend." This was the first time he had seen Xavier since arrived. He had been coup up in his beloved's room all the time. The vampire king looked more at ease but still alert. "Do you need my fighters with you? I can arrange at least a thousand."

He shook his head. "I need a favor from you."

The Vampire King shrugged. "Remember, I owe you, Alexander. If not for you, I would have never found my queen. I will grant you anything. Well, except for leaving my beloved." He ended in jest, yet his eyes were serious.

"I need you to send your fighters here instead of Mexico. I will be bringing half of my warriors, I can not afford for my queen not protected at all times."

"You forget. I also have my queen here. I will make sure this territory will be protected with my life. My men will be here before dawn. Do you want Oliver to go with you?" He arched his eyebrow. He may look relaxed --a deadly miscalculation from the enemies-- he was far from it. Xavier was tasked to protect his queen and his. He was probably feeling the pressure.

"No. I need your second in command here. Besides his beloved is almost due to give birth. I know he will be with the ladies at all times. You know my sister, and now there's Anna Marie." He smirked, well aware of their mischief.

"Well if there is nothing else, good luck, my friend." Xavier shook his hand then thumped his back. Oliver, his second in command bowed before they exited the Lycan King's study.

Now. His mate. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Goddess. Facing a hundred warlocks in battle would be easier than facing his Anna. How will he tell her that he had to leave her again to go fight against necromancers?

***

He found his precious mate alone in the library, waiting for him. His heart clenched at the sight of her. She looked so forlorn gazing into space, a book she must be reading forgotten on her lap.

"Mia anima," he breathed his endearment out softly.

She was startled from her deep thoughts, looking up at him, eyes imploring. "You have to go?"

Her voice was so small and so sad he really felt like killing the warlock right this instant.

He pulled Anna in his arms instead, hitching her, encouraging her to wrap her arms and legs around him. She gave a tiny sob. Burying her face on his neck.

"Baby girl, I'll be back before you know it," Breathing against her hair, she whimpered, tightening her hold on him.

"You will get hurt. I don't want you to get hurt," she muttered.

He sighed heavily and moved them back to the settee, settling comfortably, with her sprawled on his lap.

It was past midnight, she should be sleeping. Gazing at her upturned face, he began to comb her soft hair with his fingers delicately.

"I won't get hurt, mio amore. I promise you. Have I broken any promises to you?" She shook her head, her amber eyes narrowed, lips pouting. He smiled.

"How do you know it's him? Perhaps I was mistaken. I'm sure it was a coincidence. And even if it's him, I think he was not there because of me." This time his face hardened. His mate, despite being crowned the most beautiful woman in the world, doesn't know how stunningly beautiful she was. She will not talk him out of this. The bastard will be dead by tomorrow.

"I am positive. I will give you the justice that you deserve and I won't be alone. I have Michael and my warriors with me. So, don't worry about me, mia anima."

Her eyes softened, growing misty. She looked deeply into his darkened eyes. "Not even a scratch Alexander or you will be sleeping on the couch indefinitely." Warned in a strict and stern voice.

He couldn't help the laughter bubbled out of him. She was so precious. He can't ever lose her and she won't ever lose him.

"That's more than an incentive for me to stay in one piece," he beamed.

"I am not joking, my soulmate."

"I know," he crushed his hungry lips on hers, making her gasped --she quickly recovered, kissing his back just as fiercely.

Tangling his fingers on her strands, he ravaged her mouth, plunging his tongue, she fought in return. Exploring him as well. Craving his tongue, sucking on it daintily. He groaned feelingly.

Fuck! His cock was rock hard --a pity they were running out of time. Till he got back. He promised himself.

The need for air made them separate. He swore under his breath, seeing the love and lust in her eyes. Her scent of arousal everywhere. He buried his face on her neck, filling his senses with her original scent. Only for him.

"When I get back, we will not be leaving our room for days," She blushed deeply. Catching on his meaning. "Please organize our mating ceremony? Do that for me? For us?"

She nodded. "Get back right away, Alexander. I will be waiting."

"I will. See me off, baby girl? I have to go." She nodded hesitantly. He exhaled in relief. Thank Goddess she believed in him.

Guiding them both out of the library, his arm around her supple waist, made him so aware of her delicate form nestled to his. He gritted his teeth. His jaw ticking. She was so precious to him. He will do anything to make her safe.

He hated leaving her but he has to do what his instinct was telling him. If he let this past, this asshole will come back to create havoc once more. He can't have his Anna live in fear for the rest of their lives. This threat will be terminated. Permanently.

***

Guadalajara, Mexico

The scouring heat of the sun sank on their skin, they ignore it, it did nothing to break them from their attack formation.

They had surrounded the village, scanning for any movements. Knew the warlocks were somewhere, their scent thick in the air.

His beta beside him stiffened, the ground began to shake beneath their feet, a fast-paced whirlwind of air and dust began to form, billowing their clothes. The wolves began to crouch one by one, growling and snarling, causing thick tension.

Fucking show-off warlocks! Always fond of grand entrances.