Marked By The Demon Lycan King

Eight

CULLEN

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Cullen sat back at his desk as he sorted through his papers that contained the report of his business from the human world. He couldn't sleep all night even though he had forced himself to. He had thought that his trip back home would exhaust him but for some reason, it only made him hyper and very much alive.

Taking a deep breath, he focused his attention back to the paper in front of him and that's when he heard the sudden hesitant knock on the door.

Without looking, he already knew that it was Celyn. He had already perceived her scent but still, he wondered what she was doing in his chambers because he hadn't invited or sent for her. He never even wanted to speak to her today so he was surprised that she came through.

Only a few persons were aware of his return so how In the goddess's name did she figure out that he was back home already?

The knock came again for the second time and he had no other choice but to respond.

"Come inside Celyn." His deep voice boomed and the door creaked open almost immediately as she made her way into his bedroom.

"Welcome back home my lord" she greeted cheekily. Her face radiant, expressing the sudden glow and excitement that coursed through her. "How was your journey? Did you manage to get your work done over there?"

"Why are you here Celyn?" He asked instead "I didn't send for you."

"Well..." She trailed off, her mouth unable to utter words "I was In the kitchen and Moira asked me to bring you your tea." She lifted the tray slightly and he huffed before turning to his desk.

"Put it on the table and leave. I'll have it later." He ordered but she didn't move an inch.

"Did you hear what I said?" He repeated and she quickly placed the tray on his desk.

"My lord." She started and when he didn't respond, she took it as her cue to continue. "Would you like me to serve you breakfast?"

"Celyn." He called out and she straightened herself to listen to what he had to say "Are you suddenly forgetting your place in this household?"

He noticed that she was taken aback by his question but still tried to maintain her stand "I can never my lord."

"And what exactly is your place in this household?"

She hesitated but replied "I am your s*x slave."

"And what is your job as my s*x slave?" Came another question.

"To serve you my lord."

Cullen discarded his working tools and rose up to his feet "I picked you from nothing Celyn. The only reason why you're this close to me is because you owe me and willingly agreed to serve me. You are not my woman and will never be one so do not try to flatter yourself by thinking that you're somewhat important to me because you are not!" He stated with an air of finality.

Picking up the glass from the tray, he drowned the content in one gulp. "Do me a favor and discard the dirty dishes. When I need your services, I will send for you so leave and don't come back here until you're asked to do so."

She carefully picked up the tray and scampered out of his bedroom. He watched her leave till she shut the door behind her.

The minute she left, he made a resolution to discuss with Moira about Celyn and letting her come to his chambers to serve him without his permission. He trusted her with the duty of taking charge of his household and would not take it lightly if she chose to do otherwise.

Shutting his papers, he decided to take a stroll to the fields. He hasn't been to this part of his mansion ever since lady Natalia died almost three weeks ago.

He had tried to get the picture off his mind but he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She was young and so full of life. It was a shame that she died the way she did.

Someone approached Cullen from behind and he picked up the familiar scent of Degar walking up to him.

"I told you to rest didn't I?" He uttered, his eyes still fixed on the flowers in front of him while his hands were folded behind him. "You always defy my orders Degar and most times, I struggle to understand why you keep on doing that." He released his hands and took a step further into the fields leaving him to follow.

"I'm sorry my lord. Believe me, I tried to rest but this was pretty urgent and it couldn't wait."

Cullen detected the intensity of his voice as he spoke. He could tell that he was agitated because he felt his wolf prowling restless inside him.

"What is wrong? And why are you so restless? Did something happen at home?"

Degar took a step forward, bridging the space between them "What I'm about to tell you is of grave importance my lord. It has been eating out of me ever since I found out about it."

"Then get on with it already and quit stalling." He pressed with a sudden hiss.

"At the bar in the human world, I found out that those thugs were sent to attack you and not that woman."

Cullen's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. He couldn't believe what he had just heard "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

"They were actually sent to kill you." He informed him "The only reason why they attacked your mate— I mean that lady..." He quickly corrected himself when Cullen glared at him "The only reason why they attacked her was because she got in their way when they came for you."

"But that's impossible. I always make sure keep a low profile and no one except the members of the court knew about my visit to the human world, not even Velez so how on earth did they manage to get such information about my whereabouts?" He asked the obvious question but Degar remained silent.

"Is there something that you're not telling me Degar?" He pressed "Or are you quiet because you managed to find out who sent them after me?" He asked.

Degar nodded "Yes" he admitted "I know who was behind the attack"

"And who is it?"

"Who do you think it is my lord? Who is the only person you know that wants you dead since the beginning of time?"

The wheels in Cullen's heard started turning and when it finally hit him, he clenched his hands beside him in anger.

"What would you do now?" Degar questioned worriedly "Would you confront him or would you pretend as if you know nothing about it?"

"No." He answered quickly "I won't confront him, neither would I ask him about it."

"But why?"

"Because first, I want to know exactly why he is after me. I want to know why he wants me dead. There must be a reason why he's going through the stress of wanting me dead so I would have to figure out why. Then and only then, would I confront him."

"Isn't it obvious? He wants to rule over the Zivando's household. He couldn't do it before because you got married to the Lady Natalia and joined forces with her father but now, he thinks you're vulnerable and that's why he wants to attack you." Degar added in hopes that the Lycan king would change his mind but he knew that he wouldn't.

"Then he should come for me but I won't attack him."

"Maybe you should get married again." Degar suggested and Cullen tightened his face in a deep scrowl. "If you end up with a woman who comes from a noble pack, his chances of getting to you would be slim. Forget him, you know that everyone is fighting to get your throne and the fact that you don't want an heir would only make things worse in the coming future."

"Bold of you to assume that I care about what others thinks or want to do to me. I don't care if the goddess comes down herself to ask me to get married again because I won't. I don't want a woman and neither do I want a child."

"You are so damn stubborn!" Degar stomped his feet angrily. "You never listen to a thing I say. In fact, you're more stubborn than a changeling who is being forced into having his first shift."

"You do realize that you are speaking to your leader don't you?" He reminded him with a straight face.

"I was your friend first Cullen so please listen to me for a change."

Cullen started towards the mansion and Degar rushed towards him, their feets falling in sync with each other as they walked.

"I have no interest in whatever you have to say concerning this matter Degar so if it's okay with you, I'd advise you to leave me be for now." He shunned him off and slowly took unhurried strides as he made his way back into the mansion.