Lycan King’s Captives novel Chapter 42

Seeing Sienna genuinely smile is something I haven’t seen before. And all it took was a book? I shake my head, watching as she reads, her eyes glowing in the darkness as her vision adjusts.

She said she was just reading the first page, but I have noticed she is a good fifteen pages into the book already. As we pull into the driveway, she still does not look up. Or when the car stops, for that matter.

I’m wondering how long it will take for her to notice we are back at the castle. Glancing at my watch, I see I’ve been waiting five minutes for her to notice we’ve stopped, so I clear my throat. She jumps at the sound, and I raise an eyebrow at her. Sienna quickly glances around, snapping her book shut, and I see the slightest tinge on her cheeks.

“You’ve ignored me this entire drive,” I chuckle. “Why do I feel like I am going to regret allowing you to have books?”

Her fingers grip it tighter, like she believes I truly would take it from her. The small motion stings for some reason. Have I really reduced the woman to someone who would rather be off with the fairies with her nose in a book than be present in the real world with me?

Before I can ask any questions, car lights heading toward us on the driveway catch my attention. My grip tightens on the steering wheel as the vehicle comes to a stop beside us. The door opens, and Vin steps out, wearing a smug smile.

King Vin opens my door, and I grit my teeth.

“You’re back early?” I tell him, not looking forward to this argument, which is no doubt coming.

“A little birdy saw you in the city. Without my daughter, you must understand how bad that looks for my son-in-law to be running around with another woman on his arm?”

“What I do is none of your business. Carina is okay with it,” I tell him, holding my hand out for Sienna to take. She does, hesitantly, peering up at Vin as she slides out of the car. The moment she does, Vin blocks her path and I sidestep getting between them.

“What do you want, Vin?” I growl in warning before my jaw clenches.

Vin’s smirk widens, his gaze flickering between Sienna and me. “Ah, Xandros, you know what I want. I was just intending to have a little chat with your precious concubine.”

My blood boils at his words. He’s intentionally provoking me, trying to undermine my authority. Sienna remains silent, her eyes focused on the ground.

“What’s the meaning of this, Vin?” I demand, my voice sharp and commanding.

Vin’s gaze narrows as he locks eyes with me. “I would like to ensure Sienna isn’t challenging for your hand. You’ve spent the entire day together and night.” I open my mouth to demand to know how he knows that, but he keeps speaking.

“I have eyes everywhere, you know this. The wedding is to go ahead next week, Xandros. You will marry Carina, or else⁠—”

I interrupt him, my voice dripping with anger. “Or else what? What kind of leverage do you think you have over me?”

Vin leans in, his voice low and menacing. “I have so much dirt on your family, Xandros. Don’t forget that. I will have your kingdom dismantled in the blink of an eye. Your people will become slaves to my kingdom.”

My patience wears thin, and I grab Vin by the collar, yanking him closer to me.

“You think you can manipulate me? Threaten me?”

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