Chapter 9
743 Words
‘...under your watch, I got attacked…’
Lyra's words echoed in Killian's mind as soon as he shut the door. The sound of the kick at his door resonated through the room, making his headache worse.
For someone who didn't care about people's comments, that one stung.
He drank the last bit of coffee in the mug and sat down on his already made bed. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to get the crusty feeling out.
To sleep was a distraction. How could he sleep when there's something dangerous roaming his pack? When his fiancee was the first victim.
The attack hadn't just been on Lyra, but his authority.
Someone has entered his lands, injured a guest under his protection and disappeared without a scent.
How would he protect his people when he couldn't protect his fiancee that was right in front of him when attacked?
‘Alpha.' A voice came through the mind-link. He immediately connected.
‘Any news of that creature yet?'
'No sir, but the vampire prince will be approaching the borders soon.’
Killian sat up straighter. How has it been three days already? He ended the link and went towards his table.
All maps of the pack were spread out and scattered on the table.
The maps would have to wait.
For the past three days, the creature had consumed every waking hour. But another problem had arrived at his doorstep.
The Vampire Prince.
He picked a black shirt, buttoning it on his way out. ‘Make sure the townspeople are safe in their houses. I don't want anyone out while the Prince and his entourage are in the town,’ he mindlinked Caleb.
He had only gone a few steps and slowed in front of Lyra's door. She was probably still angry.
Good.
That meant she was alive and not floating unconsciously in the lake whilst bleeding.
Three days and he failed to find the culprit.
Straightening his shirt, he continued his descent on the stairs. The prince couldn't wait.
****
"Prince Kael." Killian acknowledged as soon as he arrived.
"Alpha Killian."
The two men regarded each other in silence.
Killian's eyes briefly swept over the escorts behind him before returning to the prince.
"I see my letter has reached the Sanguine Court." Killian clasped his hands behind his back. "Though I admit I'm surprised your father sent the crown prince."
Kael's expression remained unreadable.
"My father believed the matter deserved personal attention."
"How reassuring."
Kael tilted his head slightly. "You sound unconvinced."
"Should I be?"
The corner of Kael's mouth twitched. "That depends. Have you found the creature yet?"
Killian cleared his throat. "I believe we can sort that out in the pack house. Let's proceed," he said and turned on his heel.
Kael started moving, his escorts moving closely behind. The two leaders walked side by side, though there was a visible space between them and their escorts.
"I see you've doubled your security at the border. Why's that?" Kael asked.
“Observant," Killian mumbled.
“I’m guessing the creature still roams free, correct?"
Killian's jaw ticked. “Yes."
Kael suddenly paused in his tracks, his hand going straight up to his chest. He gripped the fabric of his regalia tightly.
Killian also stopped, turning to ask him what's wrong.
Then a scream echoed from the middle of town. Before Killian could react, Kael had already zoomed off towards the sound.
"Your Highness!" Killian yelled after him but the prince was already gone.
He cursed under his breath and broke into a run, pushing himself harder as he weaved through the empty streets. Behind him, the wolves and vampires followed immediately.
The scream echoed through the town again. Then it suddenly stopped.
Killian's stomach dropped.
As soon as he got there, he found Kael holding someone who was on the verge of collapsing.
No. Not someone.
Lyra.
The only thought that crossed Killian's mind was why Kael was holding her.
Not how she left the pack house.
He immediately rushed to their side and yanked Lyra to himself, pulling her close to his chest to stabilize her.
Her breaths were shallow and her arms too weak to hold on to him.
"Your business here is strictly political, and not holding my fiancee." Killian said, looking back up at Kael.
Kael chuckled, stepping closer to them.
"Your fiancee? She's my mate." He opened the left side of his shirt, revealing a matching crescent mark on his chest.
- Writer
