~ ROWAN

"What?!"

I blinked away the haze and turned to Jeremiah, one brow raised in confusion. He nodded slow, letting me know that he wasn’t joking.

I swore softly then turned back to the King. "I am afraid this meeting must come to an end."

He looked taken aback. "We have not even discussed."

"There is nothing to discuss. The people who took her from you are dead, but as it stands, she is my mate now, and she does not belong to you anymore. You will make do with the loss."

"Make do?" he laughed darkly. "No one steals from me and lives to tell the tale."

My head cocked to the side. "Is that a threat? You seem to forget that you are on my territory."

He smiled wide, baring fangs. "I know exactly where I am."

"Stop!" a very familiar, very feminine voice yelled out.

I cursed once more, turning to Jeremiah. "Get her out of here, right now!"

He nodded and turned to leave but before he could take a step, Nyssa broke through the clearing wearing jeans and a loose shirt. Her hair was a curly mess around her face. She looked around the clearing, deliberately not meeting my eyes.

"I love you," I began softly through our mind link. "But you need to get the fuck out of here, right now."

"I’m sorry but I can’t do that."

Before I could say another word, she slammed the link between us closed and walked further towards us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the king smirk, his lips tugging upwards the closer she got.

She got within a few feet before Jeremiah stopped her. She whispered something harsh to him but he did not budge. Her eyes finally lifted to me, lit with a flame and hard. I kept my gaze impassive.

"Well, it seems she is here already," the king drawled, his hands rubbing together maniacally. "It is one grand family reunion."

"I am not your family," Nyssa said firmly. "What do you want with me?"

"That’s a funny question. You are my child—"

"From what I hear, you have more than enough that you just kill them at will. Is that your plan? To kill me?"

"Oh no, I have far greater plans for you, darling."

He took a slow step forward but a warning growl from me had him stilling in his tracks. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He turned to me with an amused look, but wisely didn’t step closer as he continued to speak.

"You see, too many sons can cause so many problems, especially in the case of inheritance. I only need one son, at least until he embarrasses me, and my son is a good candidate, don’t you think?" he asked, gesturing behind him towards... Allister.

The news settled like a bomb in my gut and I saw Nyssa’s eyes widen in shock and betrayal before quickly morphing into something more neutral. I didn’t blame her for her reaction because I felt the exact same way.

Now that I thought about it, it made sense. How else could he know of the intricacies of the palace? How else could he know in depth truths about the King? He was not the King’s friend... he was the heir.

"I have no use for sons," the king continued. "But daughters... a daughter is a very useful pawn in a game. Women can help form alliances, they can strengthen bonds. I have given many of my daughters to my soldiers and to other territories."

"I’m not a pawn for you to give away as you please," Nyssa snapped, lips curling in disgust. "I have a mate."

"Do you think I don’t know that? I can smell him all over you. My men are understanding but I cannot imagine that any of them would want leftovers."

"Careful," I warned, chest rumbling as I took a step towards him.

He held up his hands in mock surrender. "We are going off script, my apologies. I am willing to overlook the atrocities that you have committed by taking my child without my permission if you are willing to compensate me."

"Compensate how?"

He smiled wide. "I want my men to move freely within the packs. We will no longer be confined to the mountains. We will not live in your packs, but we will hunt at will, whenever and wherever. We can give you the freedom of the day but the nights will be ours and anyone caught lingering well..."

He licked his lips slowly.

I stared at him blankly, wondering if he truly thought I would agree to that ridiculous deal. There was a reason they lived far away from us, a reason that we did not mingle.

"I will not restrict my men for your absurd demands," I said simply. "I will not give you the right to slaughter innocents."

He had the audacity to sigh in disappointment. "Then I am afraid I must take back what is mine... my daughter."

The guards drew their weapons instantly, each one pointed his way. The vampires snarled, fangs bared as if preparing to attack. I couldn’t help but note that the only two who didn’t move were Allister and the king. The latter even smiled.

"Your men are so quick to draw weapons," he drawled.

"When it concerns their Luna, yes." I said with a shrug. You will not lay a hand on her, you will not even think about her. You will leave here and never bother us again. Find another one of your children to bother."

"You have the other. A pretty girl, Evelyn, you said her name was." At my confused expression he smiled. "Yes, her mother told me, right before she killed herself. That’s the beautiful thing about compulsion, I can see what they see if they will it."

That warning was ominous, almost as if he were alluding to something but I couldn’t figure out what.

"We will meet again," he said softly. "It will not be under better circumstances."

He turned on his heels and dashed into the woods, leaving only the lingering scent of decay behind.

His men followed suit until only Allister remained. He locked eyes with me, as if debating speaking, but at the last minute, he turned and disappeared as well.