Bound To The Lycan King

CHAPTER 5: FORBIDDEN CLAIM

KANE’S POV.

In all these years I have lived, I never for once thought I’d find my mate in a meeting where only Alphas gathered. Worse, she turned out to be a pathetic werewolf weakling. Just how in the f*****g world could a shewolf be my mate?

Werewolves and Lycans were like oil and water. We don’t mix under any circumstances. We were much superior to them and could conquer the lands and take control of them if we wanted. They were literally at our mercy. But to maintain natural order, we chose not to as long as they don’t try to cross the line.

We had made some adjustments to our laws. The only reason I came to this meeting was to relay it to them to avoid any one of them defying it unknowingly. Not for me to find a f*****g weakling as my mate. This was the first time in history that this was happening, a sign that it was a bad omen.

My true mate, the only shelycan that stole my heart, passed away not so long ago. Her tragic loss left a deep void inside me that will be hard to refill. Ever since, I swore to remain mateless until another shelycan as perfect as her came my way.

“Mate!” My beast, Ryker, growled inside me as another wave of the weakling’s strange scent hit my nostrils. It was a faint scent of wildflowers and rain, not even pleasing to my Lycan senses.

From the way her tear-soaked eyes widened as they met mine, it was obvious she knew we were mates. But I ignored my beast’s restless roar and scoffed in disinterest as I made my way forward along with Beta, Lucas, and my escorts to take our seats.

The Alphas gathered around the hall paid their homage as we did, and I basked in an aura of dominance that rolled off our presence like fire.

I relished the way they shivered in our presence, fully aware of the power we held over them. Any little sign of rebellion or defiance, they’ll lose everything in the snap of my fingers.

As I took my seat, I still held my gaze with my so-called mate. Not because I wanted to, but because I was curious. I couldn’t feel her wolf. I wasn’t even sure she had one.

“Pathetic.” I snorted. The Lycan king paired up with a weakling shewolf, who I wasn’t even sure had her wolf, which was an insult not only to me but to the Lycanhood as a whole.

And what in the hell was she doing on that stage with her hands tied back and in such a distressed state, even though she was dressed in an elegant gown befitting a Luna? I thought this was supposed to be a Gathering of Alphas where they discuss politics and other important matters, not some degrading show. Worse, she was the only female in the hall.

“Lucas,” I leaned towards my beta, who was seated beside me, and whispered in his ear. “Find out who she is and what she’s doing on that stage.”

“Yes, my Lord.” He gave a firm nod and left at once.

It didn’t take long for him to report back.

“She’s pure blood Northwing, rightful heir to the Alpha throne of her pack,” he explained. “Apparently, she lost the right to inherit the throne and had been condemned to be sold by her uncle and their council because she was responsible for the mysterious death of her mates.”

“Death of her mates?” My brows raised in amusement.

“Yeah.”

That explained a lot.

“So not only is she weak and wolfless, but also a murderer. A cursed one at that, since the deaths were mysterious.”

Lucas half shrugged.

I dismissed him, and he went back to his seat.

Did that mean if there was any chance I took her up as my mate, I’ll also suffer the same tragic fate as her former mates?

I thought deeply about that, finding it a bit disturbing and unsettling. Why would she kill her own mates, knowing what they truly meant? Finding one’s mate and successfully marking them made one happier and stronger. To kill them was to spit in the face of the bond itself. Something about this wasn’t just adding up.

My train of thought was cut off as I heard a shrill cry from the stage.

I looked ahead to see her being dragged down the stage by the Alpha with greasy black hair, who I learnt bought her. She tried to resist, but it was no use. She had a small frame, and everyone else in this hall towered over her by several inches.

They pulled past us and towards the exit. I spared no glance because she wasn’t worth it.

“Mate!” Ryker growled again, so loud and insistent it nearly rattled through my head. “Go after her. You must not let them take her away!”

“I can’t,” I said furiously through the mind link. “She’s not worthy to be my mate. She’s weak, wolfless, and not to mention cursed as well.”

“She’s not,” he insisted. “She has a wolf. It’s just latent and will manifest fully after you claim and mark her. Plus, she’s something special. I don’t know how to explain it, but I can feel it. And the key to breaking your curse. If you don’t go after her now, you’ll never see her again.”

My eyes widened in shock, and quickly I rose, hurrying out of the hall. Lucas and my escorts followed suit, confused like everyone else about why we were living at such short notice.

“Kane, what’s the matter…?” Lucas asked in deep concern. He was the only one allowed to call me by name. Any other person will be torn to pieces by me.

I looked ahead to see the car that belonged to the Alpha who bought her driving off the parking lot and into the road.

“Quick, follow him…” I said to Lucas as I rushed toward our car, not bothering to answer his question.

We entered the car and it roared to life as Lucas kick-started the engine. He followed the Alpha’s car at a steady speed, but I needed us to get to him before he could get onto a busier road.

“Step on it, Lucas!” I urged him. “We have to overtake him.”

“Uhh…” his brows squished in confusion as he stared at me from the rearview mirror.

“Just do it!” I snarled.

He was skilled in evasive driving techniques, so that shouldn’t be a problem for him. He stepped on the accelerator, and the car lunged forward, squishing past the Alpha’s car like the wind and screeching to a stop in front of him to trap him.

I stepped out and, in a deep commanding voice, said. “Release her.”

“Uhhh?…” his brows furrowed, and he appeared like the most confused person on the planet.

“You heard me loud and clear. Give her to me.”

“With all due respect, my lord, I acquired her fairly. She’s my property now.”

“Well, not anymore,” I snapped. “Don’t make me repeat myself, or else I’ll paint this entire road with your blood.”

Fear flashed in his eyes, and he took a step back. I was expecting him to defy.

As a result, I was getting ready to let my beast take control. I don’t need Lucas or my escorts to handle this one; I’ll do it myself.

But then, reluctantly, he went back to the car and carried her out. She was unconscious, and in an instant, I knew he had sedated her. f*****g piece of bastard.

He scooped her into my arms, and I felt how light and delicate she was. Now that I was seeing her up close, I realised she was even more beautiful than I thought.

Her hair was silver blonde and splattered over her heart-shaped face like a mist.

Her lashes were long and dark against her cheeks, which were still warm from the sedative.

On the upper part of her arm, I spotted a slight bruise, probably from all that manhandling earlier.

The Alpha stood there with an indignant look on his face, but I couldn't care less. It’s not like he could do anything about it.

I carried her into the car and made sure she was in a comfortable position before gesturing for Lucas to drive off as we set out to my place, The Hollow.