In Love With The Twin Lycan Kings

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Taken Away POV: King Valerius (The Mean Twin)

I wanted to burn this entire pack to the ground. The Blackthorn territory was a festering wound on the edge of my empire, and standing here in the mud watching these pathetic wolves cower made my skin crawl with disgust.

But what made it worse, so much worse, was the girl, our mate, the one trembling in Kaelen's grip like a scared rabbit; she was everything I had never wanted in a Queen.

Weak, wolfless, broken, rejected by a normal warrior who wasn't even worth the air he breathed, and yet my body responded to her like she was the most precious thing in the world, the mate bond was already wrapping around my chest, making it hard to think about anything except claiming her.

I hated it, I hated her for being so pathetic, and I hated myself for wanting her anyway.

"Get the guards ready," I barked at my second in command, Marcus, who was standing at the edge of the clearing, "We're leaving this dump immediately."

Marcus nodded and disappeared into the trees. I could hear him shouting orders, the sound of horses and men moving into position. We had brought a full escort because we didn't trust Alpha Silas, and now I was glad we had.

I turned my attention back to the ceremony, or what was left of it. The pack was still standing around in shocked silence, staring at us like we were monsters, which I suppose we were. Lycan Kings were not like normal wolves; we were bigger, stronger, and more dangerous in every way.

My eyes found the male who had rejected our mate. He was standing near the bonfire, looking confused and lost, like his brain couldn't process what had just happened. It made me want to laugh.

I walked over to him slowly, letting my power roll off me in waves. I saw him flinch as I got closer, his wolf recognizing the predator in front of him. Good, he should be scared.

"You," I said, my voice dripping with contempt, "You're the one who rejected her?"

Cane's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, "Yes, my King, I didn't know she was your mate, I swear I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't know," I said, stepping so close he had to tilt his head back to look at me, "Because you're an idiot."

He didn't respond; he just stood there shaking. I could smell the fear coming off him in waves; it was intoxicating.

"Do you have any idea what you just gave up?" I asked, letting my voice drop to a dangerous whisper, "Do you know what it means to reject a fated mate?"

"I thought she was just a servant," he stammered, "I didn't feel any bond, there was nothing there."

"That's because she has no wolf, you fool," I snarled, "The bond doesn't activate the same way, but it's still there, you threw away your fated mate for what, pride, status, or stupidity?"

Cane's face had gone pale. "I didn't mean to, I don't understand what happened, this morning we were together, and now I can barely remember her."

That caught my attention. Something about the way he said it didn't sound right; it sounded like he was telling the truth, as something had actually made him forget, but I didn't have time to investigate weak wolf problems.

"Well, it's too late now," I said, turning away from him, "She belongs to us, and if you ever come near her again, I'll rip your throat out personally."

I walked back to where Kaelen was still holding the girl. She looked even smaller up close. Her purple eyes were swollen from crying, her white dress was destroyed, covered in mud and blood, and she looked like she had been through a war.

And she was ours.

The thought sent a rush of possessive hunger through me. I wanted to take her right there in front of everyone, mark her, claim her, make sure every wolf in this pathetic pack knew exactly who she belonged to, but the practical part of my brain knew we needed to get out of here first.

"The carriage is ready," Marcus called from the edge of the clearing.

"Good," I said, reaching out to grab the girl's other arm. The moment my fingers touched her skin, I felt it, that same burning, electric pain that made my wolf howl in fury; it was like touching silver, hot and wrong and agonizing.

She whimpered, trying to pull away, but I tightened my grip. I didn't care if it hurt; she needed to understand that she couldn't escape us, we were bound together now, whether any of us liked it or not.

"Move," I commanded, pulling her forward. Kaelen released his hold on her other arm, and I took over, dragging her through the mud toward the tree line where our carriage waited.

"Please," she whispered, her voice broken and desperate, "Please don't do this, I can't leave, this is my home."

"Your home?" I laughed, the sound harsh and cold, "They just kicked you into the mud and called you worthless, you call that a home?"

"It's all I have," she sobbed, stumbling over her torn dress.

"Not anymore," I said, my voice hard as iron, "Now you have us, the Midnight Empire, and a destiny you can't even begin to understand."

We reached the carriage, which was massive and black, pulled by six enormous horses that snorted and stamped in the darkness. The door was already open, revealing the plush interior lit by small glowing stones.

I turned to face her one last time before we left this cursed place. Her purple eyes were wide with terror, tears streaming down her dirty face, and she looked like she might pass out from fear, and part of me enjoyed it.

"Listen to me carefully," I said, leaning down so my face was inches from hers, "You are mine now, mine and my brother's, you belong to the Midnight Empire, you belong to us, and nothing you say or do will change that."

"I don't want to belong to you," she whispered, her voice shaking.

"I don't care what you want," I said coldly, "You're our fated mate, that means you're our property, our responsibility, and our burden."

I saw the words hit her like a physical blow; more tears spilled down her cheeks, but I didn't feel any guilt. She needed to understand the reality of this situation. We didn't choose her, we didn't want her, but we were stuck with her.

"Get in the carriage," I ordered, my patience running out.

When she didn't move fast enough, I simply picked her up and threw her inside. She landed on the soft seat with a cry of surprise. I climbed in after her, Kaelen following close behind. The space suddenly felt very small with all three of us inside.

The girl pressed herself against the far wall, trying to get as far away from us as possible. Her whole body was shaking; she looked absolutely terrified.

I reached over and slammed the carriage door shut, the sound echoing through the night like a death sentence. Through the window, I could see the Blackthorn Pack watching us leave, their faces pale and shocked.

Good, let them see, let them know what happens when you disrespect what belongs to the Lycan Kings.

The carriage lurched forward, beginning the long journey back to the Midnight Empire, back to our world of power and politics and ancient blood, a world this broken little omega was completely unprepared for.

I looked at her huddled in the corner, still crying silently, and felt that confusing mix of desire and disgust roll through me again.

"You are mine now," I said, my voice filling the dark carriage, "Remember that."