The Lycan Queen

Chapter 9

King Nathans POV

Sleep came easily after hours of watching over Lea. For the first time in years, my mind had been quiet. No reports. No rogue attacks. No alliance negotiations. Just her.

A sudden gasp pulled me from sleep. Lea shot upright in bed, panic written across her face. Her breathing was ragged and her eyes darted around the room as if she didn't know where she was. Before I could think, I reached for her. I pulled her back against my chest.

"It's okay," I whispered. She relaxed almost immediately. Within seconds, she was asleep again. I stared down at her in disbelief.

'Thank God.'

'You do care.'

'Of course I care.'

Jeremiah remained silent. For once, he sounded relieved. The next time I woke, sunlight streamed through the curtains.

Lea had somehow wrapped herself around me during the night. One leg rested across my hips and her head was pressed against my ribs. I carefully moved away from her.

She didn't wake. For a moment, I simply watched her. Peaceful. Safe. Alive. Then I left before I could question why that mattered so much.

By seven o'clock I was back in my office. The alliance meeting would begin later that afternoon.

Thirty Alphas.

Thirty opportunities.

If everything went according to plan, our kingdom would become stronger than ever.

A knock sounded.

"Come in." Damon stepped inside. A grin appeared on his face.

"Did you sleep well?" I rolled my eyes.

"Don't start." His grin widened.

A few minutes later, he was updating me on arrivals.

Alpha Luke.

Several northern Alphas.

And then my cousin.

The moment Damon mentioned him, my mood darkened.

'He can't meet her.'

'No.'

Jeremiah's answer came immediately. My cousin had never met a beautiful woman he didn't chase. Lea would challenge him within minutes. And somehow I doubted either of them would survive the experience.

When Damon finally left, I glanced at the clock. 9:30. My jaw tightened. She was late. Of course she was. I should have expected nothing less. I found myself standing outside her room moments later. The shower was running. I considered leaving. Instead, I entered and sat in a chair near the window. Ten minutes passed. Then another.

My patience disappeared one second at a time. Finally the bathroom door opened. Lea stepped into the room, completely unaware of my presence. Or perhaps completely unconcerned. Neither option made me feel any better.

"You're late." She didn't even look surprised.

"I thought this was a private room." I should have left. Instead, I stayed. That was becoming a problem.

Twenty minutes later she stormed out of my office. The door slammed hard enough to shake the walls. Silence followed. Then Jeremiah laughed.

'Well, that went well.'

'Shut up.'

His laughter only grew louder. I poured myself a drink and walked to the window. Below, warriors trained across the grounds.

Lea would ignore my order. I already knew it. She had agreed far too quickly. The woman challenged every rule she encountered.

There was no chance she would suddenly become obedient.

'She's going to the meeting.'

'Yes.'

'And you're going to stop her?' I sighed.

'Yes.'

'Good luck with that.'

I rubbed a hand over my face, nothing about her made sense. I could hear her screams when nobody else could. Jeremiah couldn't sense her wolf. She stood up to me without fear. And despite every reason not to, I found myself worrying about her. Again.

And again. And again.

'She's important.'

'You keep saying that.'

'Because it's true.'

I stared out at the forest surrounding the palace. There was something familiar about her. Not her face. Not her scent. Something deeper. Something Jeremiah recognized even if he couldn't explain it. And that bothered me more than I cared to admit. Another knock sounded.

"Come in." Damon entered.

"Everything okay?" My eyes drifted toward the door Lea had disappeared through.

"No." For the first time in years, I genuinely had no idea what was going on.