King Of The Shadows: Lies Of The Lycan King

Chapter 3

Elara’s glare seared into me as Lucian turned to speak with one of his guards, his face unreadable yet exuding a quiet menace. I kept my gaze low, barely holding myself together. The man who had claimed me was nothing like the teasing, charismatic Alpha I’d glimpsed moments before. Now, he looked every bit the ruthless Lycan King—intense, unreadable, and demanding respect without a word.

As soon as Lucian stepped away, Elara pounced. “You’re a backstabbing little wretch,” she hissed, her voice laced with venom. Her mouth twisted into a smile for the passing crowd, but her eyes were sharp, gleaming with anger. “I thought you knew your place.”

I met her gaze, trying not to flinch under her fury. “He chose me, Elara. You saw it. I didn’t—”

“Oh, don’t fool yourself, Nerissa. If I’d known he wasn’t some scarred brute, I wouldn’t have—” She cut herself off, shaking her head as if the thought itself annoyed her. “Not that it matters. You’ve wormed your way into this because you’re too weak to survive otherwise.”

“Too weak?” The word stung, and my voice wavered. “What about Grady? You already have what you wanted.”

Elara’s smile returned, a sick satisfaction in her eyes. “Grady? Please. He was just a distraction—one that crushed you, which was just an added bonus. And now you think you can replace me? Don’t fool yourself.”

Her words hit with the force of a punch. I opened my mouth, ready to protest, but she lunged, grabbing my hair and wrenching me forward, her grip tight and painful. My body tensed as I struggled to break free.

“You’ll always be beneath me, Nerissa,” she spat, her voice a vicious whisper. “No matter what, you’re nothing but a servant.”

Before I could react, her fingers dug in harder, but then she let out a strangled gasp, her hand releasing as she stumbled back. I turned, heart pounding, to see Lucian looming behind her, his hand wrapped around her throat, expression cold and deadly.

“Release my Luna,” he commanded, his voice low, edged with warning.

Elara’s face paled as Lucian’s hold tightened just slightly, making it clear she wasn’t to defy him. She let go of me completely, breathing in small, fearful gasps. Lucian’s redheaded guard stepped forward, grabbing Elara and forcing her to her knees, his face as stone-cold as his Alpha’s.

Lucian glanced at me. “What do you think, Nerissa? What should happen to her?”

The room felt unbearably still as I tried to steady myself. I didn’t want this, any of it—but part of me longed for her to face some sort of punishment. “She’s pregnant,” I murmured, not out of kindness but because the truth of it ached within me. My own future, once bright, had been dashed before my eyes in a similar way, and it wasn’t something I wished on anyone, not even her.

Lucian’s gaze flickered with a hint of surprise. “Who’s the father?” he asked, his voice flat, as if this were merely a trivial detail.

Elara’s head lowered, and she mumbled something almost inaudible. “Grady… I think.” Her voice was shaky, and she looked almost pathetic, her previous arrogance shattered.

My chest clenched painfully as Lucian’s hand found its way to my lower back, grounding me. “Get her out of here,” he said, his voice laced with disdain. “She and that so-called mate of hers are not welcome at the feast.”

The guards complied, dragging her out as she struggled and pleaded. Lucian turned to me once more, his gaze penetrating, almost disappointed. “You have a few moments to grieve this loss, Nerissa,” he murmured, his tone softening slightly. “One moment to mourn what you thought you wanted.”

I drew a shuddering breath, not daring to meet his eyes. My heart felt raw, every inch of me bruised by a bond I hadn’t chosen. “The bond gives me a month,” I whispered, forcing the words out past the knot in my throat. “I have… time to mourn.”

Lucian’s fingers traced along my jawline, his touch light yet somehow demanding. “One month,” he echoed softly, though his expression was unreadable. “And then it ends. From now on, you’re mine, and my rules are different. If you want to cry for him, do it now. Because it will be the last time.”

I nodded, barely able to comprehend what he was asking of me. A single tear slipped down my cheek, and I blinked quickly, swallowing back any trace of weakness. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the intensity of his presence making my heart race, but I forced myself to stand straighter, to show him I wasn’t as weak as Elara claimed.

A small smile touched his lips as he looked away. “Come. We’re expected at the feast.”

The dining hall was a cacophony of laughter, clinking glasses, and music. Wolves danced, drank, and feasted, the energy of the evening rising with each toast. I sat stiffly beside Lucian, aware of the stares, the whispers, the weight of expectation. More than once, someone approached us, suggesting he take me for a dance. But each time, he only shook his head, his arm resting on the back of my chair, his silence a shield around us.

Finally, Lucian rose, pulling me up with him. “Thank you all for celebrating our union and the new treaty,” he announced, his voice carrying easily over the crowd’s murmurs. “But my Luna and I are ready to take our leave. Please, continue the festivities without us.”

A chorus of cheers erupted, followed by a chant that made my cheeks burn. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

Lucian chuckled softly, his gaze turning mischievous as he leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a brief but firm kiss. My breath hitched, the heat of his touch leaving me momentarily dazed. But the crowd, not satisfied, chanted louder.

Without a word, Lucian cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin before leaning in again, this time deepening the kiss. I found myself leaning into him, feeling the faint, unexpected warmth of the bond flicker to life between us. The sparks made me shiver, and I felt myself respond instinctively, letting out a quiet gasp.

Lucian pulled away, his eyes glinting with a hint of satisfaction. With one last cheer from the crowd, he led me down a corridor toward our chambers, his grip firm, resolute.

As we entered the room, he released my hand and loosened his collar, letting out a slow breath as he sat at the edge of the bed, watching me intently. His gaze was unwavering, his expression unreadable. Every instinct told me to step back, to give him space, but I held my ground, trying to steady my racing heart.

“You’re an Alpha’s daughter,” he said suddenly, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. “I can sense it in you, Nerissa.”

The statement surprised me, and I met his gaze, my voice tinged with bitterness. “Yet when you met me, I was nothing more than Elara’s servant. I’m an omega… barely worth a passing glance.” My voice trailed off, the weight of it all sinking in. “If you’re expecting purity, I’m afraid that’s not something I can offer you.”

Lucian’s brow arched slightly, a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. “I don’t expect perfection, Nerissa.” He stood, his presence filling the room as he crossed over to me, his fingers gently tracing my cheek. “I expect loyalty. Whatever past you carry—” his fingers lingered over a fresh bruise near my collarbone, a reminder of all I had lost “—is of no consequence. You’re mine now.”

His hand dropped, and he began to undo the buttons of his shirt. My heart quickened, and I forced myself to look away, the heat rising to my cheeks.

He noticed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Calm yourself. I won’t be consummating anything tonight.” His tone was gentle, almost mocking.

A wave of relief washed over me, and I could hardly look at him. “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped back, shrugging off his shirt, and the shadows in the room softened as he turned away. “The bed is large enough,” he said, his voice low. “You needn’t sleep elsewhere.”

I swallowed, nodding slowly as I settled at the edge of the bed, keeping my gaze firmly on the wall as he moved behind me, his presence a steady, intimidating warmth.

Just before I drifted off, I heard his voice, soft but certain. “You think yourself small, Nerissa. But I see what others don’t.” His hand brushed mine for the briefest of moments, then he turned away, leaving me in silence.

But his words lingered, haunting and strange, as I lay there, staring into the darkness.