Chapter 3: Facing the Lycans
1124 Words
Leticia’s POV
I couldn’t see s**t in this dark room. They’d boarded up the windows and shoved me in a cage like an animal.
“They could’ve at least left me a deck of cards,” I grumbled.
“So you can slit your wrists with the edges?” the head maid shot back.
I dropped to my knees and glared at her through the bars. “Or I could slit your throat. Your choice.”
Her aura turned ice-cold and murderous.
Before, I would’ve shut my mouth. Not anymore. She’d already thrown me to the wolves.
“Cheeky for someone about to die,” she sneered.
I shrugged. “Perfect time to say what I’ve always thought.”
She stepped closer, eyes glinting. “If that makes your miserable orphan life better, go ahead. But you still want to protect Miranda, right?”
My jaw clenched.
“If you touch her—”
“That depends on you, Letty.” Her smile was pure poison. “The Lycans are here. Kayden Sinclair and Cirrus Dyke.”
My stomach dropped. A chill raced down my spine.
If it was just my life, I’d fight. But Miranda… I had no choice.
“What do you want?” I sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat.
Her grin widened. “Now we’re talking.”
——————————————————————
“Smile, Letty.” She pinched my ribs hard. I forced my lips upward even as I growled.
“I don’t underst—”
“You don’t need to. Just smile. Or you already know what happens to your little friend.”
I kept the fake smile plastered on while she dressed me up—new clothes, perfume, makeup. I felt like a damn Thanksgiving turkey being prepped for the table.
“Lycan Kayden Sinclair and Lycan Cirrus Dyke have arrived!”
My body tensed on instinct. The black car rolled up like it owned the place. When the doors opened, two gods stepped out.
Holy s**t.
Jet-black hair, striking purple eyes, built like a mountain. Kayden Sinclair. His scent hit me—dark, powerful, intoxicating.
Behind him, snow-white hair and golden eyes. Cirrus Dyke. Just as tall, just as lethal.
Dangerous creatures always look the prettiest.
Kayden rolled his eyes at something Cirrus said and started walking. I forgot to bow. The head maid elbowed me viciously.
“Excuse her,” she said sweetly. “She’s an orphan. Wasn’t raised right—”
“You blame her for bad manners?” Kayden’s deep, husky voice cut through the air like velvet steel. Even the head maid blushed.
I almost laughed at how flustered she looked.
“Then isn’t that the pack’s failure?” he added, quirking a brow.
Asshole.
The head maid stammered excuses while Cirrus’s golden eyes raked over me with obvious interest.
“They’re waiting inside,” she said quickly. “Leticia will keep you company.”
Cirrus flashed a wicked grin. “Perfect. I love good company.”
Kayden scoffed. “You never stop flirting.”
“Can’t help it when a beautiful woman is right in front of me,” Cirrus winked.
I stood there stunned. Were these really the feared Lycans everyone whispered about?
Cirrus leaned in close, voice low. “What are you thinking about so hard, Leticia?”
I jumped back. He chuckled.
Kayden’s fists clenched. “The only thing I smell is a wet dog. Stop flirting before she gets her hopes up.”
That was it.
I stepped forward, chin high, staring straight into those infuriating purple eyes. “What makes you so special, huh?”
Everyone froze. I braced for the head maid to slap me into next week—especially if I’d just ruined my “value” as tribute.
But Kayden’s lips curved into a smirk instead. “Nothing. I’m just stronger, smarter, taller, and richer. To name a few.”
Of course that was his answer.
“Cirrus, stay with her while I speak to the Alpha,” Kayden ordered.
Cirrus slung a heavy arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side. His citrus scent flooded my senses, warm and dangerously addictive.
“Gladly,” he purred.
Kayden’s jaw clenched so hard I heard it crack. His purple eyes burned holes into Cirrus’s hand.
For a split second, something dark and spicy laced the air. Heat twisted low in my belly. Kayden exhaled sharply and stalked off.
“So, Leticia,” Cirrus murmured, leaning in until his breath brushed my ear. “Straight to the point. I like that.”
“Time is precious,” I shot back. “Especially for Lycans.”
His smile widened. “True. We don’t live long… and we’re always in pain.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why tell me your biggest weakness?”
“So you won’t run screaming the second we cross the border.” He shrugged. “Or maybe you will. I do love a chase.”
Is he seriously flirting?
“The Silent Killers rumor?” I asked.
“Kayden’s family used to be hitmen. He can control air itself—breathing, wind, everything.” Cirrus’s voice dropped. “Mine? Let’s just say I’m a truth holder. You’ll figure it out soon enough, princess.”
Princess? I wanted to punch the smug look off his face.
Kayden returned faster than expected. “Done?”
“Let’s go. The princess might shift by midnight,” Cirrus said, grabbing my hand.
Kayden caught my other wrist. His grip was firm, electric. Those purple eyes locked onto mine, sending that strange bristling sensation through my chest again. I clutched my necklace on instinct.
“You’re in the back,” Kayden ordered.
Inside the sleek black car, the leather seats felt like heaven compared to the rags I’d slept on for years.
“No bags?” Cirrus asked.
“All my clothes are rags,” I said flatly.
Kayden scoffed from the driver’s seat. “Already planning to spend my money?”
I met his eyes in the rearview mirror. “I never asked for clothes. Just food and a life without pain. That’s not too much, is it?”
Silence fell. Both Lycans studied me, but I kept my mouth shut. I wasn’t about to spill my past.
The pack house disappeared in the rearview mirror.
Goodbye, Black Fang. Rot in hell.
They thought I was their shiny new toy. But the second I shifted—once whatever was clawing inside me broke free—I’d run. No matter how their scents pulled at me. No matter how Kayden’s glare made my skin burn.
Freedom first. Everything else can wait.
- Writer
