Regally Bitten (Blood Alliance Book 3)

by Lexi C. Foss

  “I’m sorry. Did I interrupt?” he asked, his tone nonchalant as he wiped his hand off with a handkerchief.

  “I think you destroyed their fun,” Jace replied as he joined him.

  “Pity.” Kylan folded the soiled fabric and returned it to his pocket, then took in the crowd. “Well, I see our societal laws are working splendidly. Would someone like to call Lilith? I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.”

  Silence.

  Of course no one wanted to report this to the Blood Alliance.

  Luna shifted beside me, her pale skin glowing with blood as she stood proud at my side. I brushed my lips along her neck, then skimmed my nose across her cheek, taking in her alluring scent. “Thank you,” I whispered.

  “You’re my mate,” she replied softly, her gaze finding mine. “Silas?”

  I shook my head, my heart stuttering in my chest. I can’t sense him, I admitted into her mind. I can’t sense him at all.

  And it left me feeling so fucking empty.

  Hurt.

  Lost.

  Alone.

  Guilty.

  Luna cupped my cheek and kissed me tenderly, even as her eyes filled with tears. “You’re not—”

  “Where’s Walter?” Jace demanded, shattering our moment.

  I pressed my forehead to hers briefly, allowing myself the second of grief before righting my spine and focusing on the royal. It was on the tip of my tongue to claim my place as alpha when my father’s gruff voice sounded from behind one of the lodges.

  “Here.” The asshole appeared with a handful of alphas, including Luna’s father. All of them appeared pissed off, but my gaze was for the bastard leading them.

  It was still a full moon.

  And I had a hell of a lot of aggression to work out.

  For myself.

  For Luna.

  For Silas.

  “Fight me,” I demanded before anyone else could speak. Politics be damned, I wanted this bullshit done. “End this once and for all.”

  His resulting laugh lacked humor. “Now isn’t the time for your antics, boy.”

  I smiled. “On the contrary, now is the perfect fucking time. We’re all here, right? It’s still a full moon. My birthright defines tonight as my ascension. And I’m calling it. You want to keep your place as clan alpha? Earn it and fight me for it. Maybe you’ll even have a leg up since I’ve been out here battling with the clan while you tucked your tail and ran.”

  A few of the exhausted wolves around me snorted their disgust, but for once, it was directed at my father and not me.

  I tossed my blades onto the ground beside two of the kneeling vampires and stepped forward. “Fight. Me.” I allowed the demand to permeate my growl, vibrating the field around us. “Or bow and acknowledge me as your alpha.”

  My father bristled. “I don’t have to do or acknowledge anything.”

  “Actually, you do,” my grandfather interjected. He strolled up to the field with Luka beside him, the two males standing at equal height. Energy radiated off them, denoting their bloodlines. But it was my grandfather who seemed to be the more powerful of the duo. “It’s the right of any alpha heir to challenge the alpha incumbent during any full-moon ritual after the heir’s twenty-second birthday. Which, for Edon, occurred three months ago.”

  Several wolves murmured their agreement, including two of the alphas at Walter’s side.

  I cocked a brow. “Scared?”

  My father spit at the ground, his eyes narrowing. “Of you?” He let out another of those humorless laughs. “Hardly.”

  “Good.” Because I intended to destroy him and I wanted him aware of every fucking minute. “Wolf or man form?”

  He seemed to consider—whether it was my question or his chances of talking his way out of this, I wasn’t sure.

  I didn’t care.

  I just wanted to annihilate him.

  “I want a second,” he declared, referring not to time but to his desire for a partner.

  Whispers hushed through the crowd, the alpha’s demand not a common one. Usually, two wolves fought to the death—alone.

  But I immediately understood why my father chose this route.

  He didn’t think I had anyone to fight at my side, and he was banking on it being a two-on-one fight.

  Asshole.

  His lips curled. “Unless there’s no one you trust to stand at your side?” he taunted.

  Luna bristled. “I’ll fucking stand at his side.”

  Fuck. That wasn’t going to work for me. If she tried to fight my father, I’d lose my focus. I trusted her, knew she could fight, but no way could I allow my father to touch a hair on her head.

  And his responding grin said he knew. “Well, this should—”

  “I’ll fight with him,” my grandfather announced.

  Murmurs littered the night, all shocked at the pronouncement. Except my father merely chuckled. “We both know that’s against the rules, Jolene.”

  Jolene. Never Father. Or Dad. Always Jolene.

  “Some would say provoking a war in order to maintain power is also against the rules,” my grandfather replied casually.

  Disbelief colored the alpha incumbent’s features. “Don’t tell me you believe the bullshit my son is spouting about me.”

  “Unfortunately, there’s no way to confirm or deny the cause, what with all the witnesses being dead and all.” He glanced pointedly at Silvano’s head on the ground before looking at Kylan—who shrugged—and then took in the carnage of slain lycans throughout the field. Barry and Glenn were among them.

  How sad.

  “Do you believe this?” My father glanced at Niko. “The old alpha is accusing me of orchestrating this carnage. All to deflect away from the rules that say a former alpha is not permitted to play in the challenge ring. At least, not as a second.”

  “And here I thought you would welcome the chance to fight me,” my grandfather drawled. “A shame you’re such a coward.”

  I smirked. The old man knew how to play with words—a talent I’d picked up from him.

  “Unlike you, Jolene, I merely wish to follow the rules, and as Luna spoke up first, I’m going to allow the bitch to serve as his second instead.” His smile was all teeth. “Unless she’s backing down from the challenge?”

  I grimaced, knowing full well she wouldn’t.

  But a deeper voice responded instead. One that halted my heart.

  “As his progeny, I volunteer to be his second.”

  34

  Silas

  The crowd parted around me, expressions of surprise on their faces.

  Yeah, look all you want, pansy asses, I thought as I moved with Rae at my side. I was in a bit of a mood, thanks to the silver bullet that nearly pierced my heart.

  When Rae told me what was happening, I hadn’t even needed to think about my decision. Edon needed a second, and I was the only one he could trust apart from Luna. And while she could more than hold her own, I knew she’d also serve as a distraction. His protective instincts would require him to intervene, thereby skewing his focus.

  With me, he should be able to do his thing. I hoped, anyway.

  Jolene gave me a subtle nod from across the courtyard as I caught his eye. Rae had mentioned he was stalling, and Kylan told her it was because of me. They wanted me to fight at Edon’s side. I didn’t need their support, but I appreciated the vote of confidence.

  The royal in question intercepted me, his midnight irises dropping to my chest and noting the dry blood and healed wound. He smirked.

  You’re welcome, his eyes seemed to say, leaving me uneasy. I didn’t want to owe him a debt, but I did. Except it wasn’t like I’d asked for his help. He was the one who sliced his wrist open and forced me to drink from him.

  He held out an arm for Rae. “Consort.”

  “Sire,” she returned, settling into his side.

  “Good luck, wolf,” he murmured, moving out of my way.

  Luck. Yeah. Seemed a bit frivolous.

&n
bsp; Because I didn’t need it.

  His blood had left me feeling oddly energetic. Revitalized. All of my senses were heightened, as if I’d been reborn as something decidedly other. I could hear Edon’s heart beating despite him being several yards away.

  Fuck, I could hear everyone.

  “Silas,” Luna breathed, tears shining brightly in the depths of her eyes.

  That look erased my thoughts and sent me walking swiftly in her direction. I caught her as she threw her arms around my neck. Edon met my gaze over her shoulder, his dark gaze sparkling with a multitude of questions.

  Likely because he couldn’t access my mind.

  We’d have to figure out why later.

  For now, he needed to get his head in the game and not worry about things we had no control over.

  “Surprise isn’t a good look on you, Alpha,” I said, a warning lacing my tone. “I much prefer you enraged and craving vengeance.” If we were going to fight his father, I needed his focus.

  “You’re okay,” Luna whispered, not receiving the same memo.

  And the broken quality in her words derailed me once more.

  Fuck propriety. These idiots can wait another minute.

  I cupped Luna’s cheek and kissed her softly while ignoring the sounds of surprise rising from the crowd. She shivered against me, her arms winding around my neck. “You were shot.” Her words were so soft I doubted anyone other than me and Edon heard her, even with their enhanced hearing. “With silver,” she added.

  “I healed.” I brushed my lips over hers once more before pressing my mouth to her ear. “I’ll explain later, little moon. I promise.”

  She nodded, her throat bobbing. “Right. Yeah.” She seemed to be remembering our surroundings, a mask falling over her features. “Right,” she repeated.

  Edon stood motionless beside us, his ears picking up every word, his expression still rimmed with queries.

  “You ready to ascend?” I asked him as I released Luna with a final kiss to her temple.

  He looked me over, his gaze pausing on my chest and roaming downward before returning to my face. “Can you fight?”

  I smiled. “I’m not bleeding, am I?”

  “You look remarkably well healed for someone shot with silver,” he apprised, narrowing his eyes. “Do I want to know how that’s possible?”

  “Not right now, no.” I flicked my gaze to his father and squared my shoulders. “As I said, I volunteer as his second.”

  Walter chuckled, the sound cruel. “I think you’ve been volunteering to serve my son in more ways than one lately.” He glanced at Jolene. “I suppose triads do run in the family, right?”

  Triads? That wasn’t a term I’d heard before, but I could guess at what it meant.

  “Well, I accept your choice, Edon,” Walter continued, his voice a low drawl. “I’ll just take a piece out of Luna after I win.”

  Edon grinned. “So confident.”

  “I am,” he replied. “Because I pick Niko as my second.”

  Gasps littered the courtyard, echoing off the surrounding lodges and trees. Edon and I shared a glance.

  “That has to be against the rules,” Luna said, taking the words right out of my mouth. “If Edon can’t fight with Jolene, you can’t fight with the alpha of another clan.”

  “Your daughter’s manners are severely lacking,” Walter informed Niko conversationally. “I’m starting to question how you raised your children in Ernest Clan.”

  Niko snorted. “Trust me, I’ll be having a long chat with Claudette when I return.” He glowered at Luna. “And the rules state Walter can pick anyone tied to his pack, of which I am, thanks to your union with his son. It may not be a common choice, but it’s an acceptable one. As I have an heir who is almost of age, I am eligible to compete. Not that it matters, as I have no intention of losing.”

  Walter chuckled. “Neither do I.”

  “You’re forgetting a key detail—the alpha heir must accept your terms,” Jolene said. “And as they are ridiculous, I suggest—”

  “Oh, I accept,” Edon announced. “I was just waiting for the two of them to finish showboating.” He sounded so poised and at ease by the prospect of taking down two alphas. No, not just alphas. But two experienced alphas.

  With me by his side.

  A newbie.

  An omega.

  “Are you sure about this?” I asked him softly. Because I sure as fuck wasn’t. One of the other wolves in the clan? Yeah, sure. But another alpha? That was an entirely different situation.

  “Definitely,” he replied.

  “Edon,” Luna whispered, her hand circling his arm. “You don’t know my father like I do. This isn’t a good idea.”

  “Have some faith.” He kissed her on the cheek and stepped forward. “What form do you choose, Walter?”

  His choice of using his father’s first name wasn’t lost on me. He was detaching himself from family obligations and preparing himself for what had to be done.

  He was readying himself for the inevitable kill.

  “Wolf,” his father replied, his eyes on me. “That won’t be a problem for your new progeny, will it?”

  Ass, I thought. He knew I’d be weaker in my animal form since it was all still so new to me.

  But of course, Edon didn’t take that into account. He merely said, “Wolf it is. I just need a minute with my second and we can begin.”

  “Sure,” his father agreed, sounding smug.

  Edon turned to me, his palm finding my nape as he tugged me close. “Why can’t I hear you?” he demanded, the words a whisper meant for my ears alone. Luna didn’t even seem to pick up on the question, because her brow furrowed as if she couldn’t figure out what he was doing.

  “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I think it’s related to Kylan.”

  “Kylan?”

  “Yeah.” I pitched my voice even lower, ensuring that absolutely no one—not even Luna—overheard. “He gave me his blood.”

  Edon’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”

  “What is it?” Luna asked, her concern palpable. “What are you two talking about?”

  Edon held my gaze for a long moment, then released me and bent to speak directly into her ear. Despite the soft tenor, I heard every word—thanks to my enhanced senses. “Silas drank Kylan’s blood.”

  She gasped, her pupils widening. “That’s—”

  “Forbidden,” Edon finished for her. “Yes.”

  “It’s not like the royal gave me a choice,” I said through my teeth, my gaze slipping to the vampire in question. He winked at me from his position near the edge, completely unperturbed. “Why is it forbidden?”

  “Because it enhances your senses and strengths,” Edon whispered. “Which happens to be perfect for our current situation, apart from Kylan’s energy blocking my access to your mind.”

  Luna frowned. “Walter must not realize Silas was shot.”

  “And I see no point to educate him otherwise,” Edon replied, glancing at his father. “He more than earned a little surprise, don’t you think?”

  I rolled my shoulders, my neck popping along the way. “Yeah. I’d say he does.”

  He glanced down at my jeans and then back up. “Those mine?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good.” He gripped my neck again and yanked me forward until our chests touched. “His blood might be running through your system right now, but you’re still fucking mine. You feel me?”

  His mouth sealed over mine, making it impossible to reply.

  Holy. Fuck.

  Edon was claiming me.

  In front of the entire fucking pack.

  And not just as his progeny.

  The sheer possession in his kiss left me breathless and kick-started my heart.

  Until a growl from his father halted the moment.

  Edon ended our embrace with a nip to my lower lip, his dark eyes glowing with intent. “This isn’t over.”

  “I know.”

  “No holdi
ng back, Omega.”

  “Right back at you, Alpha.”

  “Then let’s kick some ass.” He grabbed Luna and kissed her tenderly before spinning her into my arms. “That wasn’t goodbye, little mate. Just a promise.”

  “I know,” she breathed, her focus sliding from him to me. “You’ll protect each other.”

  “Always,” I vowed, bending my head to run my lips over her freshly kissed ones. “Be prepared to run should anything happen,” I breathed against her ear.

  I released her before she could reply and moved to Edon’s side.

  Walter stood scowling at his son from several yards away. “You disgust me.”

  “Good,” he replied. “That means I’m doing something right.”

  His father opened his mouth to speak again, only to be cut off by Jace. “I’m growing bored by all the chitchat. Are you going to fight? Or shall I go have a drink and come back later?”

  Walter chuckled. “Always so eager to watch wolves rip each other apart, aren’t you, old friend?”

  “I do enjoy a little blood, yes,” the vampire drawled. “Maybe I’ll sample some of your wolves when this is all done.”

  Walter shrugged. “You’re my guest.”

  “Only for the moment,” Edon put in. “Soon he’ll be my guest, and there will be no sampling of anything without consent.”

  Walter shook his head. “I should have killed you when you were a pup.”

  Edon grinned. “Stop stalling, old man. Let’s finish this.”

  “Gladly.” Walter shrugged out of his jacket and shirt, revealing a muscular torso dotted in fine brown hairs. Niko followed suit, his body slightly less broad but equally lean and athletic.

  “We need a strategy,” I whispered.

  “We have one.” Edon popped the button on his jeans, sliding down the zipper. “Kill.”

  Yeah, excellent strategy, I thought, removing my pants. Really glad I asked.

  I don’t see the problem, wolf. Did you not assassinate the majority of your opponents during the Immortal Cup?

  I jerked upright, my gaze honing in on Kylan. He studiously ignored me, his gaze on Rae. Get out of my head.

  He tsked. Now, now. I’m only here to help, then I’ll release you back to your alpha.

  I don’t want your help, I snarled, kicking my jeans away from my feet and calling my inner wolf.