Lycan King’s Captives novel Chapter 35

I groan as I feel the heaviness of my body, aching from the strain of the previous night. My mind is clouded with thoughts of how to mend the shattered pieces of our relationship and how to get Sienna to forgive me. My mind reels with possibilities of how to repair the damages done and gain Sienna’s trust. Yet her rage has put a barrier between us, I must break it if I want to keep her safe. However, the treaty looms like a storm cloud, threatening to rip apart everything, taunting me with its promises of destruction and chaos.

Sienna stirs beside me, and I brush a kiss on her forehead. As she sits up to face me, I’m met with the gaze of a total stranger. The bond between us is still strong, yet something has fractured deep within her; a chasm of hatred I can’t comprehend or bridge. Every fiber of my being screams for her as our eyes lock, instead of passion and love, all I see is a seething hatred. Something has shifted within her, something I can feel through the bond yet cannot fully understand. It’s as if an abyss has opened up between us, a gaping wound that will no longer heal. Her repulsion for me is unmistakable, yet still the bond persists, an invisible shackle that keeps her chained to me.

She springs from the bed with haste, almost as if propelled by an unseen force. Her feet move soundlessly across the floor, and I watch her with a dread that stretches out like a noose around my neck.

“Where are you going?” I murmur, my voice laced with concern.

“To shower… alone!” she retorts with finality.

“No, I need to speak with my parents. Before that, I need you to mark me. Come here,” I tell her, my voice filled with a mix of urgency and desperation.

“I’ll pass, thanks,” she replies coldly, her words like icicles, cold and unforgiving.

My voice thunders with the power of a Lycan King. “Anna! Come to me now!” My words seem to cut through her, freezing her body in place and I feel the battle between us in every moment as rivulets of sweat form across her skin. Though I can sense the anguish my command causes her, she holds firm before me, unwilling to break under my command. I can sense the pain my command inflicts upon her, yet she resists, forcing me to release the command before I cause her further harm or our bond.

“You will mark me!” I tell her, determination coursing through my veins. I rise from the bed and move behind her, gently gripping her shoulders to make her face me.

“And what of Carina?” she utters through gritted teeth, covered in a veil of hate-filled despair.

I clinch my jaw and ball up my fists, barely containing the anger that threatens to burst forth. “What about her? I don’t care for her; all I want is you,” I snarl, my confusion quickly turning into frustration.

“Do you intend to still marry her?” she demands, her eyes boring into mine looking for any deceit.

“It doesn’t matter; the marriage is merely a contract, nothing more,” I admit, my words heavy with regret and sadness. All while hoping she will understand the complexity of our situation.

She scoffs at my words, the sound cutting through the air. “So, you expect me to accept marking you while you’re bound to another woman?”

My heart clenches at her words, the pain of her rejection coursing through me. “Sienna, please,” I plead, my voice filled with my desperation and frustration. “I don’t want her. I want you.”

Her eyes blaze with anger as she walks away, shutting the bathroom door and locking it. “Sienna!” I call out, my voice filled with a mix of frustration and longing.

She ignores me at first, but my persistent knocking and pleading eventually sway her decision. Reluctantly, she opens the door and steps out, a towel wrapped around her body.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” she says coldly, her words like shards of ice.

“Sienna, please listen to me,” I demand, taking a step closer to her. “I know I messed up, but I need you to mark me. It’s for your safety.”

“I can fend for myself,” she snarls, her ferocity palpable in her voice.

“My mother—” I begin, only to be cut off by her harsh words.

“To hell with your mother! I don’t need you looking out for me. Don’t you get it, Xandros? I wanted to die!” she screams, her voice shaking with boiling rage.

Her words pierce me like a thousand knives. The hurt in her voice slices through me, reminding me of the depths of her torment. Instinctively, I reach out to her.

“I won’t let you die,” I tell her firmly.

“That wasn’t your choice to make, you shouldn’t have forced me back here,” she whispers. The agony in her voice rips through me, reminding me of the despair she has been feeling. I inch toward her, raising my hand to her face. She flinches away, and I continue moving forward.

“I know I caused you pain,” I murmur, my voice filled with grief. “And I’m so sorry for that. You have to accept that I need you to mark me.”

“Why?” Sienna asks contemptuously, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “So that you can own me as your property?” Sienna utters bitterly, tears starting to trickle down her cheeks. “For you to keep me as your plaything? So you can have your way with me whenever you damn please?”

I throw my head back in desperation, frustration causing me to clutch my hair. What doesn’t she get? “No, Sienna. Don’t turn away! You have to mark me; it’s the only way I can protect you. Just give me five minutes!”

Her gaze softens, a flicker of vulnerability shining through her anger. She crosses her arms over her chest, a defensive gesture that doesn’t hide the pain etched on her face.

I take another step toward her, my hand still raised. “Sienna, I love you,” I admit, my voice filled with raw emotion. “You are my mate, and nothing will ever change that. I will do whatever it takes to make this right, to mend what I have broken.”

“But not enough to fight for me,” she whispers, her voice barely above a breath.

A pang of guilt courses through me as I realize the truth of her words. I failed her, failed to protect her, and fight for her when she needed me most. “Sienna, I am fighting for you,” I protest, my voice filled with determination. “I am risking everything, even the stability of my kingdom, to ensure your safety. I need you to meet me halfway.”

Her eyes bore into mine, searching for something. I reach out to touch her cheek, my thumb caressing her skin gently. “Please,” I beg, “just hear me out.”

Her gaze is wary yet receptive. “What is it?” she asks, her voice tinged with a mix of skepticism and longing.

I take a step closer to her, closing the physical and emotional distance between us. “I know I can’t undo the past.”

“No, you can’t. Just get out! I won’t listen anymore to your fake promises and false words,” she says pushing off my chest. I go to argue with her but then there is a knock on the door that startles us both. Moments later, Javier walks into the room and Sienna moves to the shower, hopping in and closing the screen.

“Xandros?” Javier calls out. I growl and wander out to the main room. “Your mother wishes to speak to you.” Just hearing the mention of her angers me, she nearly killed my mate. The hatred I feel for that woman right now… there are no words to describe it. “Your father has requested your presence, too.” I grit my teeth. No doubt he is there to play referee to our fight.

I nod stiffly at Javier, still lost in my own thoughts. “I’ll be there shortly,” I mutter, my voice laced with bitterness.

Javier hesitates, his eyes scanning me cautiously. “Is everything alright?”

“No,” I snap, my anger and frustration coming out in a harsh outburst. “My mate doesn’t want to mark me, my mother tried to kill her, and now my father wants to play the middleman.”

Javier’s expression turns grave. He places a hand on my shoulder, offering a small gesture of comfort. “You’ll figure it out,” he tells me confidently.

I snort derisively at his words, feeling hopeless and lost. “I don’t know how,” I admit, the weight of my responsibilities and mistakes crushing me like a boulder. “I’ve never been in a situation like this before.”

“What situation, the treaty?” Javier asks curiously.

I shake my head in frustration. “This… this conflict between Sienna and me. Usually I can make her comply with the bond but not this time,” I say, struggling to find the right words to express myself. “I’m torn between my duty to my kingdom and my need to protect her. She won’t fucking see reason.”

“Well, one issue at a time. Whatever your parents wanted to see you about seems urgent.” I sigh looking back at the bathroom door. Shaking my head, I follow Javier choosing to deal with Sienna when I return.

As I walk toward the throne room, all I can think of is Sienna. I know I’m failing her, failing to be the mate she needs and deserves. My thoughts are interrupted as I enter the throne room and see my parents waiting for me. I instantly growl when I lay eyes on my mother, and she hangs her head. My father’s hand reaches out to grab hers.

“Xandros, we need to talk,” my father says, his tone serious and stern.

I scoff. “If it’s coming from her, I don’t want to hear it, Father, she nearly killed my mate!” I yell at him. He looks at my mother, his eyes full of disappointment.

“I have already spoken with your mother,” he says, keeping his eyes trained on her.

“Spoken to her?” I laugh, what did he do? Scold her like a disobedient child.

“Please, Xandros, I didn’t think she would deteriorate so… qui⁠—”

“You didn’t think? Exactly what was your intention?” I snarl, taking a step toward her. Javier grabs my arm, and I growl at the action, he simply shakes his head.

“My mate hates me because of you, because of the distance you forced between us.”

“And I’m sorry, I truly am, I… I know I made a mistake,” she pleads, tears streaming down my face.

“And Sienna?” I ask her and she swallows, glancing away toward the wall.

“You’re not sorry at all, you’re just sorry you nearly killed me, aren’t you?” I tell her. She says nothing, and I know I am right. I turn to leave when my father speaks again. “Vin Dresdan called moments ago.”

I growl, not wanting to deal with my father-in-law right now.

I take a deep breath and brace myself for whatever news they have for me. “What is it?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Your mother has received a message from him,” my father begins, his eyes locking onto mine. “They want to discuss the treaty. He wasn’t too happy when he learned of your departure in the middle of the night,”

My heart sinks at the mention of the treaty. The thought of being forced into a loveless marriage to strengthen ties between kingdoms makes me sick to my stomach. “What did he say?” I ask, already dreading the answer.

“They want us to send a representative to discuss terms,” my mother answers, her voice clipped and businesslike.

I nod slowly, trying to think.

“You want to break the treaty,” my father says abruptly and my mother gasps.

“That will start a war,” my mother exclaims knowing exactly the consequences of the council coming down on us. Her father after all was the reason these laws were put in place, yet Vin backed us with the council, and if he revokes his favor, not only is my kingdom in debt to him but also at war with him and the council.

“No, we’ll find another way, you can’t just breach the treaty, you’re already married, we would risk⁠—”

“Losing the kingdom,” I finish for her.

“You’d really risk your throne for her, wouldn’t you?” my mother says like she is just figuring that out.

“I’d kill for her,” I warn her.

My father growls. “Enough, we already have a fight on our hands, we can’t be fighting amongst ourselves, not if we are truly going to war with the Dresdans,” my father states. Yet I can see the guilt on his face, he is the reason we are in this mess.

“The council we can handle, that won’t be an issue now that you’ve found your mate. They don’t have to worry about your sanity once Sienna marks you, but Vin— he will declare war.” He curses under his breath.

“Carina won’t agree to the divorce?” my mother asks. I shake my head, and she runs her fingers through her hair. “So that leaves Sienna to challenge her which will force an annulment, or⁠—”

“War,” my father breathes, and I nod, chewing my lip.

“Don’t speak,” I cut her off harshly. “Just mark me already so we can put an end to all this nonsense.” Sienna backs away from me, her eyes widening in shock. “Xandros, you can’t be serious,” she breathes.

“I’ve never been more serious, Sienna. If you don’t mark me, I will kill your precious Toby!” I tell her, my voice laced with fury. Yet she glares at me, the defiance obvious in her hardened gaze. “Is that a threat?” she challenges me, her hands balling into fists at her sides.

“Take it however you want, Sienna. I need you to mark me now,” I demand, taking a step closer to her. She backs away again, shaking her head.

“Then do it, Xandros,” she challenges, her voice firm and unyielding. “Know this, if you lay a single finger on him, I will never forgive you.”

I feel the anger and frustration building inside me as I take a step toward her. “You have no choice in the matter, Sienna. You will mark me, or I will make sure Toby suffers,” I say in a low voice.

Sienna backs away, her eyes filled with fear and anger. I take another step toward her, closing the distance between us.

“Xandros, please,” she pleads with me, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want this.”

“You don’t have a choice,” I tell her, my voice cold. “If you don’t mark me—Then you leave me no choice,” I reply sternly. “I will make you mark me.”

I take another step toward her, my hand outstretched. She backs away again, and I can feel the tension building between us. Then, something changes in her expression. Her eyes narrow slightly, and she seems to harden. “You force me to mark you, and you force my hand!” she snarls at me when she suddenly smashes the bowl on the dresser. She grabs a chunk of glass, holding it to her neck. “I mean it, Xandros. You touch him, or try to force me to mark you…” tears stream down her face, her hand trembling as she presses the point against the vein that pulses rapidly beneath the soft flesh of her throat. I stop in my tracks and her voice trembles.

“I mean it, Xandros! I will fucking do it!” My blood boils in my veins at her words and I hear the door open behind me. Javier’s scent reaches me, and her eyes go behind me, they widen slightly and she looks at me like a cornered animal, frantic and I feel him move closer assessing the situation.

“Put down the glass, Sienna. Killing yourself won’t stop him from killing Toby,” Javier tries to reason with her and he’s right, her killing herself for that bastard will only ensure I make his death extra slow and torturous.

“He’ll force me to mark him,” she stammers.

“I’m your mate!” I growl taking a step toward her and she takes one back, the glass slipping down her neck, causing blood to trickle down as she nicks her skin. Yet she doesn’t seem to feel it as she backs up into the dresser.

“I won’t be your mistress, your little whore on the side!” she screams at me. I’ve had enough of her defiance.

“Xandros, calm down,” Javier whispers. However, I’m past the point of reasoning now, my aura slipping out stuns her. Her hands are shaking when I grab her waist and her hand. “Drop it.” I warn, my voice dangerously calm, Javier steps closer, hands out in some placating gesture that does nothing to soothe the anger writhing through me. Blood drips on the floor where the glass is clutched in her hand, her veins pressing against her skin from the tension and strain as she tries to fight the command. Within seconds, Javier snatches her hand, prying her fingers from the glass when she surrenders with a loud sob, her body giving up as she turns limp in my arms.

Javier tosses the glass on the floor. Her body stiffens at my touch.

“Look what you’ve done,” Javier whispers in rage beside me, his eyes softening when they take in Sienna as she wraps her arms around herself, an involuntary shudder racking through her body.

“She’s terrified of you! Can’t you see that?” His voice is filled with worry. “Don’t do this, Xandros, not like this,” he tells me, but I won’t lose her. Not to Toby, my mother or anyone else.

“Shift!” I command her, her marking me will make her as strong as me, solidify the bond so she can’t fight me, fight my commands, but no one will be able to harm her, command her against her will, not with my blood flowing through her.

Sienna whimpers, her bones cracking and realigning. “Xandros!’’ Javier exclaims as her body starts to contort. She hasn’t shifted since the first time therefore it might as well be just as painful, her body not used to it. “No, I need her to mark me!” Javier shakes his head, backing away while I refuse to let her go, knowing the moment she shifts she will turn savage and attack me. No sooner than I think it, she does exactly that, only I am not prepared for the fury behind her blow which sends me backward forcing me to release her.

My Lycan side loves a fight, loves her, and she just gave it two things it loves most by challenging me. I pounce on her and her claws rake down my face, as we hit the ground. I pin her, stunned by her Lycan; her fur is almost silver it is that gray, completely different from my black fur, her eyes a mesmerizing piercing blue, they seem to have no end as I stare into them, yet it makes my eyes go to the scar my mother gave her. It runs down her face and across her snout even in this form. A whimper escapes her when my blood drips on her, her tongue slipping out to swipe at my face. My hands clutch her furry arms, my knees digging into her thighs, yet my Lycan side calms some as she gives up, knowing it is pointless to fight me.

“Shift back,” I command her, now she’s shifted, she can mark me. My command to keep her Lycan side dormant now lifted, forced to shift back, she does, her fur replaced with her warm tender skin.

“Get out,” I command Javier as the rest of her changes, not wanting him to see her naked. Javier complies. I know he doesn’t agree with my treatment of her. What choice does she give me, though?

“I will stop talking to him, please,” she whimpers.

“I don’t trust you,” I warn her.

“If our relationship is anything to go off, trust has nothing to do with it. You don’t have to trust me. I just have to be obedient, right?” she asks, striking a chord with me along with her tone. I grit my teeth.

“That’s what you want, right? Obedience, a toy?” she whispers, tears burn in her eyes as she lifts her head, her lips grazing mine so softly.

“I know what you’re doing?” I warn her, knowing she is trying to distract me from forcing her to mark me.

“Is it working?” she asks.

“Yes.” I state, her lips quirk into a small smile as her lips graze mine. “Seems I’m not the only one who’s a slave to the mate bond,” she whispers, kissing me. She nibbles on my bottom lip. I feel like fucking prey helpless against the urges inside me and she knows it, pushing herself up against me.

“I am not a slave to anything,” I growl, my grip doesn’t loosen as she tries to climb on top of me.

“What are you if you’re not a slave?” she asks her hands on my chest, her pale soft skin tempting me.

Her body is temptingly warm and in spite of what she’s done, what she says, I still want her more than any other woman I’ve ever touched. “A king,” I state watching her. I groan when my eyes move down her body landing on her perfect breasts. Pushing my pelvis into hers, she moans and my lips crash down on hers briefly. Tearing our lips apart, I pant heavily at the sight of her nude body contouring mine. It is a sight that never fails to fill me with hunger. She squirms against my hold which brings us closer together.

“Sienna,” I groan her name, unable to deny this sweet little temptress anything at this moment. She rakes her nails over my chest making small red marks on my skin, her hands continue downward until they come across the bulge in my pants. She teases me through them until I start to squirm at her touch. A low, guttural moan escapes me as she massages my length. Her other hand goes to my hair, she grips it, pulling me down to kiss her before letting go. My mouth consumes hers, my hips rocking against her when she turns her face to the side, giving me access to her neck. My lips and tongue trail across her skin, my touch featherlight.

She draws in a sharp breath, her body coming alive from my touch. As I glide across her skin, I’m captured by the captivating aroma that arouses me more. I move downward, my lips latching onto one of her nipples. I’m distracted by the taste of her skin and the way she squirms beneath me, proving she, too, is just as affected by this bond we share as I am. I peer down at her smirking up at me with those mischievous eyes,

“I guess being king means you’re a slave to your own desires.” Before I even realize what is happening, a painful boom erupts as the lamp that was knocked off the table during our struggle collides with my head. The impact causes me to see stars and her face blurs in front of my eyes, then everything fades into darkness.