by Karen Ruth
“Is that a challenge?!” Devlon roared, his eyes squinting.
“Yes.” Adelina’s father echoed.
Visible gasps sounded from both packs. Lucas’s body shook with anger as his father was threatened once more.
Devlon took a step forward, getting ready for the battle that was to come. Slowly, he took his suit off as he walked over to the man that threatened him for the crown.
Another elderly man's voice sounded from the clearing.
“Mark, I should mention, before you make any rash decisions, that we made some adjustments to the rules.”
“What do you mean.” Mark sputtered.
“Although it is true if Lucas does not get married, he forfeits his right to be king, we have made a small adjustment to this rule.” The elderly man said as he held up his pointer and thumb fingers to show just how small.
“Hurry up.” Mark growled in irritation.
“As long as Lucas and Nina agree to become engaged, we will still crown Lucas as our king very shortly.”
My eyes widened in shock as I let out a small cough.
“Say what?” I questioned him as my eyes snapped to Lucas.
“Nina, you don’t have to.” I heard Lucas say in my head.
The elder spoke once again, this time directed towards me.
“We have made this rule only temporary. You are a very strong woman Nina. We know that as of right now, you are not ready to become the Queen. We will give you a few months for that reason. Promise us today that you will marry Lucas in these next couple months, and we will bend the rules just this one time.” The elderly man said to me.
I searched Lucas’s eyes. For a second they looked like they were filled with hope, but he quickly averted his eyes from mine.
“You can’t do that.” Mark retorted.
“Ahh, but you see, we can. With the signature of all the elders of our pack, some of your pack members, and our King, we can bend the rules.”
“You are foolish to think that some of my pack members would sign such a thing.” Mark laughed.
“You would think that, but the signatures have already been filled.” The man shrugged.
“WHAT?!” Mark roared.
“It would seem that even werewolves on your side can’t fight the truth that Nina and Lucas are destined to rule this pack.”
“Show it to me.” Mark growled.
“Although I cannot show you the names as we promised secrecy to your pack members, this is the scroll.” Devlon said as he pulled the document from his back pocket, covering the signatures.
“You can’t do this!” Mark yelled.
“Oh, but we can.” Devlon chuckled as he turned his attention to me. “Nina, what do you say to the proposition.”
Without even thinking, my mouth knew exactly what to say.
“Of course I will marry Lucas,” I said as I looked Lucas directly in his shimmering eyes. His lips curled up in a smile.
“Oh dear sweet Nina. I love you, but you know you don’t have to do this.” Lucas cooed in my head.
“I know that I don’t have to do this, but I want to,” I replied back to him as my heart fluttered.
“Very well.” Devlon said smiling. “It has been settled. Lucas will become the next king. It is time for me to step down and let him fulfill his duties. We will begin our coronation tomorrow. Do you still challenge me?” Devlon growled at Adelina’s father.
“Not you, no. As soon as the coronation is over tomorrow, I challenge Lucas to the throne.” Mark said with an evil smile as the pack gasped.
I growled as my body shook in hatred for this guy. Amelia placed her hand on my shoulder to try to comfort me.
“Shh, dear sweat Nina. Everything will be ok.” I heard Lucas say in my head once again.
“Lucas….” I started, but was cut off when his voice broke the silence.
“Very well,” Lucas said. “I accept your challenge. We will fight to the death to settle this once and for all.”
“We shall.” Mark muttered as his muscles shook with strength. “Until tomorrow.” He said as he walked down the crimson aisle, disappearing into the forest. The Britain pack following him shortly behind, Adelina and her mother included.
Chapter 19
As soon as the Britain pack disappeared into the forest I ran straight into Lucas’s arms. I hugged him as tightly as I could, not wanting to let go. I breathed in his forestry scent and closed my eyes, just wanting to take in the moment and forget the world around us. I could feel his embrace tighten around me as well, clearly having the same thought.
“Are you ok?” I asked him, concern lacing my shaky voice.
Lucas’s strong arms pulled me away from him, causing me to open my eyes and look into his.
“Forget about me. Are you ok Nina?” He asked me with a surprisingly shaky voice as well.
“Of course, I am ok! I was about to kick that werewolf's butt with the gun. Did you see the way I took it from him? Dude wasn’t expecting a thing!” I beamed at Lucas.
He let out a small chuckle that caused my heart to flutter. His lips curled up in a brilliant smile.
“Nina, do you even know how to shoot that thing?” Lucas asked me while shaking his head.
“It has been a while, I’m sure I could figure it out. I mean, it is just a pistol after all. How hard could it be?” I said shrugging my shoulders.
Lucas rolled his eyes at my remark.
“You are going to get someone killed.” He said laughing at me.
“Umm hey Nina?” A small voice sounded from behind me.
I turned around and noticed that it was Eli who said my name.
“Could you please hand me the weapon? No offense, but none of us want to be shot today.” Eli said while swaying his arm to show the rest of the pack.
The whole pack, well minus Adelina who doesn’t belong anymore, were all shaking their heads in agreement.
“Awww you guys don’t trust me?” I asked giving them my best pouty face.
“No offense babe, but you don’t even know how to use it. You may not purposely shoot us, but I still don’t want to die today.” Reed said while beaming a smile at me.
“How rude.” I retorted while crossing my arms. “Finders keepers loser’s weepers.” Muttered to them while raising my eyebrows.
I felt familiar hands enter my pocket and reach for the gun.
“Hey!” I retorted while turning around to look at the culprit.
Lucas had the gun that I got in his strong hands, passing it over to Eli.
“That was mine.” I pouted while squinting my eyes at him.
“Once you learn how to properly use it you can hav it back.” He said chuckling.
“Uh huh.” I retorted once more giving him the stink eye.
It was all a joke really. I truly didn’t want the gun anyway. It made me skin crawl thinking about what it was going to be used for. It would take some time to get the thought of being shot at out of my head.
“Come here.” Lucas said to me while motioning me to move forward with his index finger.
Instead of answering, I immediately obeyed and walked right into his arms once again. His strong arms cocooned me around his body and my head laid against him.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again.” My voice said mumbled against his body.
“Never.” He retorted to me while using his finger to press my chin up and look into his eyes.
“Promise?”
“I promise.” Lucas responded, his golden eyes glimmering in the now sunshine.
I couldn’t help myself. The tension was too strong to fight and his face was only inches from mine. I slowly lifted my head while Lucas brought his down. His luscious lips crashed against mine and the world spun away. The kiss was much harder this time than it has been in the past. The need driving us into devouring one another.
“I guess we are engaged now huh,” I said to Lucas within his head, chuckling.
“I guess so.” He responded with a
chuckle of his own.
“I missed this.”
“I dear sweet Nina. I missed this too.” Lucas’s voice shook with need.
Lucas began to pick me up and I crossed my legs around his waist, making it easier to kiss him. This way I didn’t have to stretch my head up and he didn’t have to look so far down. As he was picking me up my ribs ached in response. I let out a small gasp.
“Sorry.” Lucas said out loud to me.
“Don’t be.” I said against his lips. “It’s worth it.”
I felt Lucas’s chuckle against my lips, tickling it. I opened my eyes to just stare into his, both are faces showing elegant smiles.
“I love you dear sweet Nina.” Lucas cooed to me while moving my hair behind my ears.
“ I love…” I started but was cut off by someone clearing their throat behind me.
Devlon’s voice echoed from the clearing. “Are you two done yet.”
My heart plummeted and my face turned a tomato red.
“I forgot anyone was there.” I muttered to Lucas embarrassed.
He let out a loud chuckle. “They can get over it.”
“Oh god. Let me down.” I mumbled to him.
Lucas gently set me to my feet while I slowly turned around.
“I’m sorry Devlon.” I said hiding my face behind my hair.
Devlon was shaking his head at us.
The entire pack was watching us. Some of the parents shielding their kid’s eyes. My heart plummeted completely embarrassed.
“Oh God. What did we do?” I said to Lucas in my head.
He laughed at me. “I have no regrets.”
I turned around and slapped his chest, giggling.
Reed’s voice entered our minds. “You realize that we can hear everything you guys think is private in our heads too..” Caleb broke him off by slapping his arm.
“What?!” Reed yelled at him.
“Not the time bro.” He responded while turning to look at the rest of the pack.
Devlon let out a small chuckle while shaking his head.
“I am just going to forget any of that happened. We need to prepare for the coronation.”
“When is it taking place?” I asked Devlon.
“We need to do it as soon as possible, just in case anything else happens today.” He responded to me.
I just nodded my head in response.
I knew that he was talking about someone else challenging them to a duel. My heart ached at Lucas having to fight someone. I knew that he was a strong wolf, but no matter how strong he was, I didn’t want him fighting someone. Especially to the death.
“We will begin setting this up at once. Give us a couple of hours to get it all ready and we will be ready to go. Lucas, you need to go get ready. We will see you soon.” Devlon said turning away from us.
“You coming?” Lucas breathed into my ear, grabbing my hand.
“Heck yeah.” I responded to him, my heart dropping to my stomach. The butterflies carrying it away.
As he began tugging me off the podium, I quickly remembered Cath.
“Wait, where is Cath?!” I yelled panicked at him.
“Over here!” A small voiced piped up.
I looked in the direction of the sound. Catherine was holding her left hand over her eyes to cover them and was raising her right arm over her head.
I let out a small chuckle at the sight.
“Cath? What are you doing?” I asked dropping Lucas’s hand and walking over to her.
She dropped her hand from her eyes and dropped her raising arm.
“How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t like seeing my sister like that!” She yelled at me and hit my arm.
I let out a laugh. “I’m glad you are ok Cath.” I said to her, bringing her into a hug. Even though I’m not much of a hugging person, this just felt right.
Catherine hugged me back with more force than I was suspecting. I let out a small peep of pain for protest.
“Sorry!” Cath jumped back apologizing. “I thought I was going to lose you when he pulled out the gun.” Catherine said to me her eyes filling with tears.
“Cath, I told you to run from here. Why didn’t you listen?” I questioned her.
“Nina, I’m not some useless human anymore. I can handle myself.” She said crossing her arms at me.
“I know you can. I’m sorry.” I said giving her a small smile.
“Huh, I wasn’t expecting that response.” Cath said raising her eyebrows in confusion. Her index finger and thumb caressing her chin.
I let out a chuckle.
“I need to start giving you credit. One day you are going to be the best werewolf fighter we have ever seen. I need to start letting you be in charge of you. No more mom from me. I promise.” I said to her while grabbing her hands.
“Well maybe not the best, but close to it.” Cath said to me grinning.
Just then, Reed walks up to us and puts his hand on Caths shoulder. Her face turning a pitch red hue.
“Come on babe. Let’s go get ready for this thing.” He said while turning Cath away from me.
“Wait, why can’t I wear this?” She asked him.
“Because there are dress codes.” He replied to her in the distance.
“Wait I said turning to Lucas. I need to change again?!” I questioned him smacking him in the chest.
“Yep, sure do. Let’s go.” He replied grabbing me by the hand and leading me away to his room.
I let out a loud groan that caused the audience to laugh at my protest. My face turning red once more as I was surprisingly reminded that I had an audience listening to everything that I said.
“You better get used to it.” Lucas whispered into my ear. “When we get married, you will be the center of attention.” His hot breath on my ear caused my heart to drop into my stomach once more.
“I don’t think I could ever get used to it.” I sighed to him.
His low rumbling chuckle circled my ears as we made our way inside to his room to get ready for the coronation that will make Lucas our King.
Chapter 20
“So, what am I supposed to wear?” I asked Lucas while laying on his comfortable bed, my arms crossed behind my head, and my blue eyes staring at the vaulted ceiling.
I heard Lucas chuckle from across the room, his low rumble causing me to tear my eyes from the ceiling to look in his direction.
“What’s so funny?” I asked him, a smile etching my face.
“Oh Nina. The fact that you think you will be able to decide what you wear amuses me.” He said shaking his head at me.
“Noooooo,” I said to him dragging the word out, my face showing disapproval and disgust.
“I am sure Cassie is already on her way to pamper you up.” He retorted while winking at me.
Quickly, I got off the bed and scurried to the door.
“Peace.” I said while holding up my index and middle finger in a peace sign. “I’m breaking out of this joint.”
I heard Lucas laugh from behind me.
“Oh Nina. I don’t think you can run.” Lucas said to me.
I could only imagine him shaking his head in disbelief.
“Well, Imma try.” I said to him while turning the doorknob to open the heavy door.
Standing at the entrance was a middle-aged woman, holding a dress in her hands. I quickly tore my eyes from the dress not wanting to look at it. A loud groan escaped my mouth and I closed my eyes in dread.
“Wow. I was expecting a better greeting than that young missy.” Cassie reprimanded me.
Guilt swept over my body and I quickly opened my eyes.
“I’m sorry Cassie!” I said rushing to give her a hug. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just don’t particularly want to wear another dress today.” I said sheepishly.
“It’s alright.” Cassie said giving me a half smile. “I know that you don’t want to wear this, but you don’t really have a choice.” Cassie gave me an apologetic smile. “The King reques
ts it and my hands are tied.” She finished while shrugging her shoulders.
I let out an audible sigh, my shoulders raising from the force.
“Very well. I guess it is time to head to my room to get ready?” I asked her.
“Yup. We have a lot to get done.” Cassie retorted.
“Please tell me by the way you are saying “we,” you are just referring to you and me.” I said pointing a finger between the two of us.
“Unfortunately, no. A whole crew is already waiting for you in your room.” Cassie replied giving me a sideways look, her face mischievous.
I slapped my hand against my head and opened a link to Lucas.
“I’m going to kill you.” I said to him while shaking my head.
He laughed out loud and walked over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“I will see you soon dear sweet Nina.” He cooed into my right ear, his hot breath brushing against it.
I turned around and slapped him gently on the chest, playfully.
“You deserved that for putting me through this crap,” I said jokingly looking up into his golden eyes.
“Fair enough.” He said as he slowly lowered his head to mine.
I stood up onto my tippy toes to lower the gap between us. His lips only inches from mine as our eyes closed. I could feel the lightest touch of his lips, only millimeters from mine. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach in excitement.
The sound of someone clearing their throat sprung to my ears, causing me to leap backwards. My hand instinctively going to my lips.
“Sorry, Nina. But we are already wasting precious time.” Cassie said to me in disapproval.
I sighed out loud once again. “Fair enough.” I responded and turned my attention from Lucas to Cassie.
“Let us go then.” I retorted and signaled to the door with my whole arm.
“I really am Sorry Nina. Nothing personal. We are just on a time crunch and I don’t want to get in trouble.” Cassie said to me once more sheepishly. “You know that I am team Nina and Lucas every day.”
I let out a small laugh. “Let’s go, Cassie,” I replied while grabbing her hand and opening the door once again.
