Rejected At The Altar, Claimed By The Lycan King

13

Thorne's POV

The scream tore through the palace like a blade.

I was in my study when I heard it the sound was raw, desperate, filled with terror and It came from Zara's room.

I didn't hesitate to rush there with my heart pounding and my wolf surging inside me.

I burst through her door and found her sitting bolt upright in bed. Her eyes were wild, unfocused.

Her body was drenched in sweat she was gasping, clawing at the sheets like she was trying to escape something.

"Zara!"

I crossed the room in three strides. My hands gripped her shoulders steadying her cause she was shaking violently.

"Zara Look at me! Look at me!"

She didn’t, her eyes were staring at something I couldn't see.

Something that had terrified her beyond reason.

"Zara!" My voice firm but concerning.

She finally looked at me her eyes were wild, unfocused filled with tears.

"I saw them," she gasped. "I saw them die I saw—" She clutched her head. "I was her I was Athena, I was in her mind I—"

"Slow down." I kept my voice calm. "Breathe with me."

She tried.

Her breathing was ragged and uneven.

"Tell me what happened," I said softly. "Tell me what you saw."

"I was her." Her voice shook. "I was in her body. I was a child. I was in the garden with her father then I was older at court and then—" She broke off her face twisting with pain. "The war. The Shadow Lord she tried to save —"

"She tried to save them and she failed." I say. "I know I was there."

She stared at me. "You were there?"

"I was the one who found her after I was the one who held her as she died."

Her eyes widened. "She died in your arms?"

"Yes." The memory was still sharp still painful

I pulled her into my arms holding her against my chest.

Athena

She was trembling her body pressed against mine. I could feel her heart racing her breath coming in short gasps.

"Shh," I murmured against her hair.

She buried her face in my chest, her fingers clutching my tunic. I could feel her tears soaking through the fabric.

Her warmth seeped into me her scent filling my senses. She smelled like lavender and something else something uniquely her.

Something that drove my wolf crazy.

She snuggled closer pressing herself against me, getting more comfortable. My arms tightened around her instinctively.

That's when I felt it.

My body responded to her before my mind could stop it.

The heat, the need it made my blood rushed south, my c**k hardening against my will.

Mine.

My wolf growled inside me loud and possessive. She was so close, warm and so perfect. Every instinct screamed at me to claim her.

To mark her.

To make her mine in every way possible.

Claim her.

Take her.

She's ours.

I gritted my teeth fighting the urge not like this not now.

She didn't even realize what she was doing to me. She just kept nuzzling into my chest, her fingers clutching my tunic, her body molded against mine.

My wolf howled.

She's ours claim her now.

"No," I growled under my breath.

She looked up at me confused. "Thorne?—"

I couldn't stop myself I claimed her lips hungrily and desperately. I kissed her like I was devouring her, like she was the only thing keeping me alive.

She gasped against my lips and I took advantage. My tongue swept into her mouth, tasting her.

She melted against me her fingers tangling in my hair. She kissed me back with equal desperation as if she needed me as much as I needed her.

My hand tangled in her hair tilting her head back. I deepened the kiss claiming her mouth, tasting every inch of her.

More.

I need more.

But I couldn't not now, not yet.

I forced myself to pull back. My forehead rested against hers.

We were both breathing hard.

"Thorne..." Her voice was breathless.

I opened my eyes she was looking at me her amber eyes dark with desire making my wolf purr with satisfaction.

I kissed her forehead gently. "You need to rest. It's been a long night."

"Please don’t go”

"I'll stay."

She nodded slowly. "Promise?"

"Promise."

She settled back against the pillows her hand still clutching mine. I sat on the edge of the bed, my thumb stroking her knuckles.

She closed her eyes her breathing slowly evened out while I sat there watching her sleep my heart full and my body aching with unfulfilled desire.

She was mine.