The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 76

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**

Scott

“We cannot rush in there,” Brandon asserted, his voice steady yet underscored with an unmistakable tension. “We have credible information suggesting the kidnapper is hiding within those walls. If we charge in without a plan, we risk the safety of the children. That’s why we’ve secured the perimeter, blocking every possible escape route he might exploit.”

I drew in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the earthy aromas of pine needles and damp soil, mixed with the familiar scent of my wolves. Alongside that, I caught the faint, sweet fragrance of Nancy and Bella’s children. Yet, the air was devoid of the kidnapper’s scent—no trace of the monster lurking in the shadows of the cave.

“Has the kidnapper made any demands?” I inquired, my heart racing with urgency, driven by an overwhelming need to confront him, to see his face, and to make him pay for the pain he had inflicted.

“No, he hasn’t,” Brandon replied, his gaze unwavering, seriousness etched into his features.

“Then why aren’t we going in to find out what he wants?” I growled, frustration boiling over within me.

“It’s too dangerous, Your Majesty,” he insisted, his tone now tinged with desperation. “We have—”

But I couldn’t bear to hear another cautionary word. Ignoring the warnings and the palpable danger, I pushed past Brandon, my mind singularly focused on the children. I had to see them, to ensure their safety, and my thirst for vengeance against the kidnapper surged within me—yesterday wasn’t soon enough.

“Your Majesty!” Troy called out, trying to halt my advance, but I was already storming toward the cave, my resolve unshakeable.

As I reached the entrance, I shouted, “Nancy!”

Silence enveloped me, the only response being the echo of my own voice reverberating against the stone walls. I stepped inside, with Troy and Brandon close behind, their claws extended and ready for whatever lay ahead. A few paces in, the air thickened with smoke, swirling around us like a malevolent fog. I squinted, straining my senses to their limits.

A faint glow flickered from the far side of the cave, and that’s when I spotted them. The children were huddled together in a corner, peacefully asleep on a smooth stone surface, smoke curling around them protectively. Nancy sat beside them, poised and alert, clutching a small dagger, her eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent chills down my spine.

I quickly scanned the cave, noting the cramped space that barely allowed us to stand a few meters apart. There was no sign of the kidnapper. “What the hell!” I growled in frustration, my voice echoing ominously against the cave walls. “Where is that bastard?”

At my words, Nancy’s shoulders tensed. She slowly raised her dagger, rising to her knees, yet there was something off about her—she seemed caught in a daze, as if ensnared in a trance.

My instincts surged, and without a moment’s hesitation, I lunged forward. I seized her by the throat, lifting her effortlessly off the ground and slamming her back against the cave wall. Her feet dangled helplessly as she gasped for breath, and I felt my grip tighten around her throat. My Lycan nature responded with a ferocity I could barely contain, my body half-shifting—claws elongating, fangs grazing my lower lip, my eyes igniting with a molten gold hue.

“How did you manage to get this far with the children? Speak!” I demanded, my voice booming through the cave, reverberating off the walls.

With my other hand, I grabbed her wrist, twisting it painfully until the dagger slipped from her grasp and clattered to the ground.

Suddenly, her hair began to lift and curl, her eyes transforming into a striking violet. I watched in shock as her transformation unfolded before me. “Leave me!” she rasped, gripping my wrist with both hands, desperation etched into her features.

“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice reverberating through the cave with an intensity that shook the very air around us. My Lycan instincts screamed to tear her apart, and I felt an overwhelming urge to claw her heart out surge within me.

But Nancy didn’t cower or cry, as most humans or even wolves might do when faced with an enraged Lycan king. Instead, she held my gaze with a fierce intensity that twisted something deep within my stomach. “Take me to Bella,” she insisted, her voice steady despite the chaos. “Now.” Smoke began to billow around us, thickening the air. “Or these kids will be in grave danger!”

What in the world was happening?

Bella POV

When I awoke that morning to find Scott’s side of the bed empty, a wave of panic surged through my heart. I quickly made my way out of the room and encountered Millie, who calmly explained that Scott had gone to New York to fetch the children. Without me? Confusion clouded my thoughts, but Millie reassured me that Troy was with him and that they had urgent matters to attend to, along with bringing the pups back home.

Two hours later, the cottage was enveloped in a comforting silence, warm sunlight spilling through the windows as I hummed a soft melody while slicing fruit in the kitchen. It felt serene. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling of restlessness, glancing at the door every few minutes, hoping for any sign of Scott. Just as I was beginning to lose hope, I heard the familiar, joyful voices of my children outside, and my breath caught in my throat.

“Mommy!”

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