Lycan's Abused Mate II: Lunaria Saga

Chapter eight: Negotiation and conditions

Chapter

Darren paused to stare at Kyley for the longest while, his chest heaving and his fists still trembling with rage. Every instinct in him screamed to tear Volke apart, to end him once and for all. But Kyley’s trembling whimper as she held him back, begging that he stopped, had him hesitant.

He understood her fear. He didn’t agree with it, but he understood.

Kyley was scared for the safety of Skye, thinking if he attacked Volke their little baby would inevitably be endangered.

However, Darren knew there was no reasoning with Volke. He knew that no peace could ever come from exchanging words with the ruthless chief of the clan. The man was beyond all of this, he only wants things the way he wants it- on his terms!

But as much as Darren wanted to snap his father’s neck, he knew Kyley was right. If he made one wrong move, Volke would have Skye killed without flinching.

And by then, even if Darren turned this entire hall into a graveyard, it wouldn’t matter. The damage would already be done.

He clenched his jaw, struggling to steady his breathing. He’d been blinded by his rage, too blinded to see what was in front of him. Darren calmed his nerve, yielding to Kyley’s appease. Still, his gaze burned into Volke’s still-seated bulky figure. The latter looked so calm, so unbothered by the chaos he’d caused.

And even worse, the flicker of mockery in his eyes only made Darren’s blood boil even hotter despite him trying to maintain his calm.

Volke leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees; brows drawn tight in faint irritation. “You’ve changed, boy,” he muttered, his voice low and cutting. “But you still think like a fool.”

Before Darren could spit back, surprisingly, Kyley stepped forward.

Her movements were small but firm, somewhat controlled. For a moment, everyone else stilled, watching her either with a frown or with widened eyes as her bare feet carried her toward Volke across the marble floor. The woman who was just hiding behind her mate now stood straight in front of the fearsome Clan chief with her shoulders beside her, eyes trembling but still unwavering.

Kyley was afraid… Her heart thumped wildly in her chest but she put up a brave front to protect Darren. She would never allow her husband and mate to lose to himself once again. Darren had been a monster of his self before, but now he was a better person. Kyley would never allow this man who thinks himself Darren’s so-called father to make Darren fall back into who he used tp be in the past.

Darren, although stunned at Kyley’s sudden action, felt her resolve from where he stood. He couldn’t believe the shy, timid, and easily intimidated Kyley was the same person standing in front of him now. She didn’t seem the same at all!

Not anymore!

She wasn’t the same Kyley from Moonblood Pack. She wasn’t the uncertain abused Kyley whose trauma and fear had made her afraid of her own reflection. That girl seemed to have died…

What stood before Volke now was a mother, a mate, and a woman who had lost everything once and refused to lose again.

Her voice came out unsteady, yet firm. “How long?” she asked.

Darren blinked, caught off guard. “Kyley, what are you doing?” he hissed from behind her, hurrying to stop her. He appreciated her courage, but standing up to Volke like this was endangering.

Kyley, however, didn’t answer. She simply raised one hand, stopping him with her a trembling palm without looking back.

Her eyes remained locked on Volke. Resolute and tenacious, unwilling to back down!

Volke tilted his head, studying her for long. A faint scorn torched his scarred face. “You think you’re in any position to bargain with me?” His tone dripped with condescension. “What makes you think you’re even worthy of standing here, let alone speaking?”

Darren trembled in anger hearing this. He took a sharp step forward to respond, but Kyley beat him to it.

“Then forget about Darren staying,” she said sharply.

Volke’s expression faltered for a second, as slight as a flick. His gaze creased at her, seemingly intrigued.

Kyley’s chest rose and fell. She hesitated for only a second, her eyes lowering to where Skye was held by one of the servants across the room. Then, with a quiet breath that sounded more like breaking glass, she said it.

“ And you can also keep Skye, knowing you’ll never get what you want!”

Darren’s world stilled. His breath caught. “Kyley--”

But she didn’t move. Her face was pale, her eyes glistening but cold.

Kyley’s heart ached for saying what she’d just said. She didn’t mean any of it.

She didn’t know if she was doing the right thing here, but she still had to try…

Volke’s expression hardened. The faintest twitch crossed his jaw before he leaned back slowly, folding his hands over his knee. “Till Dana is impregnated,” he said, his voice low and final.

Kyley swallowed hard, her throat burning. She looked down, her lashes trembling when she heard those words. But in the next second, just as Darren was about to object, Kyley looked up with a determined expression and nodded. “Fine,” she said. “I agree.”

Then her eyes creased, finding Volke’s as she said in an unwavering tone. “But on one condition.”

Volke raised an eyebrow, furious. “You dare add a condition?”

Kyley didn’t flinch. “My daughter stays with me throughout the time we’re here.”

Volke’s scorn returned on his face, sharp and disdainful. “Who wants to be in charge of a weakling like it anyway?” he muttered, waving a dismissive hand. “It is no concern of mine.”

He turned his head toward the side, “Agatha,” he called coldly, “hand the mutt to its mother.”

The fit, middle-aged lady adorned in skimpy brown fur dress who held Skye nodded her head, and moved from where she stood, her expression unreadable. Her dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders as she crossed the floor, Skye’s small figure asleep in her grasp of her. When her eyes met Kyley’s, a flicker of tension passed between them. In truth, Kyley wanted to pounce at her, but she held back, extending her arms to get Skye. Her baby first before anything…

Just as she neared Kyley, Agatha’s lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came out. She only scoffed, and extended Skye to Kyley like a ragdoll. The latter stepped forward in a hurry, taking Skye into her hold gently, yet firm.

The moment her daughter’s small weight touched her chest, Kyley’s body trembled. Her heart sighed in relief once she had Skye in her grasp, tears stinging the corners of her eyes.

‘ My baby… ’ Kyley tightened her arms protectively around Skye, pulling her close. The little one stirred faintly but didn’t wake, her tiny hand curling into Kyley’s dress. Kyley exhaled, the first sound of relief since the nightmare began.

Darren came beside her almost instantly, his arms wrapping around them both, pulling his family close. His heart pounded against her side, finally able to sigh in relief as well.

For a moment, the rest of the world ceased to exist. Volke’s condescending stare, Zeeb’s sigh of relief, the guards and beta lycan’s around, Agatha’s sneer, and even Dana’s quiet stare- none of it mattered. Only the fragile warmth of Skye’s breath between them mattered.

“You may stay in Darren’s old room,” Volke’s voice boomed through as he said, cutting off the sweet reunion of Darren and his family. He stood, his chair scraping against the marble, and added “Until the arrangement is fulfilled.” Volke then turned and strode toward the stairs, his consorts immediately moving to flank him.

Darren’s gaze followed every step his father took, his fingers twitching, itching to strike. But the sound of Skye’s soft breathing brought him back. He looked around instead, scanning the hall. Warriors, and guards stood tall by the entrance, silver-eyed and armed. They lined every corner, eyes fixed on Darren and his family.

Darren glared back, frustrated at his helplessness. He could fight. He could kill half of them. But Kyley and Skye…

‘ One wrong move and they’d be caught in the crossfire.’ Darren shook his head, realizing it wasn’t feasible. He then thought of something and looked towards Zeeb, a flicker of hope flashing in his eyes for a second at the sight of the tall, lanky, full-bearded lycan. However, he frowned in the next second. Darren didn’t trust him to have his back.

His anger burned like acid in his veins. But he swallowed it, that was all he could do for now.

“Come,” he said quietly, touching Kyley’s shoulder. His voice was low, worn thin. “We’ll go to my room.”

Kyley looked up at him, her lips pale and trembling. Then she nodded.

Darren led her out of the hall, his arm firm around her waist as she held Skye close to her chest.

As they left, Kyley’s eyes caught sight of Agatha looking at her as she followed behind Volke and the others. The latter looked at Kyley with disgust, and Kyley still furious at the way she had treated Skye just now shot her own scorn back. Agatha scoffed and looked away, ascending the stairs behind Volke. Kyley felt a surge of rage boiling within her towards Agatha. She wanted so badly to strangle her. But she knew she couldn’t, not for now. However, Kyley promised to repay her in the future, at any cost.

Kyley pushed the thought aside and focused on the path ahead. The corridor that Darren lead her to stretched long and empty, shadows flickering against the candlelight in there. Every step they took echoed hollowly against the wooden walls, and floorboard, mirroring the silence between Kyley and Darren.

A silence that spoke of pain held together by love, fear, and hope.