Chapter 13

Veronica's POV:

The drive to the palace was excruciatingly silent and uncomfortable as everyone seemed to be lost in their own thoughts of what the creature actually was. We pulled up in front of the palace gate and the four-pack warriors alighted from the car.

"Goodnight and do take care of yourself, my princess," Karen said, bowing.

"Goodnight" I mumbled, forcing a fake smile as the four men walked away.

Lucas hasn't spoken a word to me since we left the woods. I felt a tinge of sadness when he pulled up at the parking lot and quietly opened the door for me without uttering a single word. How do I explain that I'm beginning to develop feelings for this narcissistic and self-absorbed guy?

As we walked towards the palace door silently, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his mind. His eyes were fixated on the door and his hands were stiff inside his side pockets. Lucas opened the door, announcing our safe arrival and instantly Malia flew to my side, touching every part of my face and uncovered body and repeatedly asking "Are you fine?".

Chloe just stood in a distance, rolling her eyes in visible disgust while Tyler quietly spoke with Lucas briefly. A few minutes later, Lucas was climbing the stairs and walking to his room. My eyes followed his direction, lingering on the door even after he went into his room and shut the door.

"Veronica, are you okay?" Tyler's commanding voice rang.

"Yes," I stuttered, "I'm sorry for causing a fuss".

Chloe shot deadly stares at me.

"Well, I think you shouldn't be going to the training grounds again. It has posed a danger to you. Don't worry, we'll discuss this in detail tomorrow" Tyler said, taking my hands into his huge rough palms.

"Go and get enough rest" He smiled as he let go of my hands.

I climbed the stairs and as I walked into my room, I saw a lean figure standing by the window, peering over the garden below. My heart skipped a beat as I remembered the events that occurred in the woods.

"Who are you?" I queried, my voice shaking.

The figure turned around slowly, flashing a warm and lovely smile at me. It was Beatrice.

It's felt like ages since the last time I saw her.

"Hey, where have you been all this while?" I asked.

Beatrice chuckled softly and said, "I've been around. I just had another pressing issue that needed my attention in the palace" She replied.

"It's fine. You can leave now, I'll just have my bath and sleep," I added as I made for the bathroom door.

As Beatrice walked out of the room, I heard a scoff escape her lips.

"Beatrice, can you—" I turned around but I couldn't find a trace of Beatrice in the room. The door was slightly open and could barely fit a human being to pass through it.

"What exactly is Beatrice up to," I thought as I sank into the bathtub, letting the warm water in the tub course through my bare skin.

Malia's POV:

Veronica's presence in the palace has brought nothing short of trouble and disruption to the palace. She acts naïve and innocent but I can't help but feel threatened by her presence. It has been eighteen years since I poisoned Rhoda's tea which led to her death.

Lucas was barely two years old when Rhoda took in for Tyler. I was furious and scared at the same time. Inasmuch as I was the Lycan King's true mate, I still felt threatened that Tyler would choose Rhoda's child as the heir to the throne instead of Lucas.

I couldn't stand by and watch a frail human steal my mate from me so I had to eliminate her. It's a miracle that she successfully gave birth to that silly child of hers before she gave up the ghost.

But now that child has somehow found her way back to the palace. The moment I saw her at the hospital, I knew she was Rhoda's daughter courtesy of the scar on her neck. I remember vividly how I caused an injury to her neck when I tore away Rhoda's necklace from her fragile neck. If only those stupid gamma maidservants had followed my instructions to the core and killed Veronica, I wouldn't be in this tight corner.

I was lost in deep thoughts as I paced around the largely decorated room. I barely noticed when the door opened and someone came in. I jerked instinctively as I felt a huge arm wrap around my tiny waist, a warm breath washing over my neck as I tilted my head to the side and smiled nervously.

"A penny for your thoughts, my Queen" he whispered in my ear.

I gulped as his warm breath left a tingling sensation on my skin. I turned around, hugging him warmly as my eyes met his gaze.

"It's nothing really. I'm just worried about Veronica. It's barely a week since she came back from the hospital but her life is already being threatened" I said, searching the depths of his eyes.

"I'm scared that she'll become a burden to everyone since she's not a werewolf like us". Tyler's expression became glum, his facial features tightened and I knew it was because of what I said.

"Well, all I'm trying to say is that we tighten the security around her," I said, placing a warm kiss on his lips. He hesitated for a few seconds before prying my lips open with his tongue as he voraciously devoured my lips. I felt a surge of electricity course through my body as I pressed my bossom to his thick and chiseled chest.

In one swing, he lifted me off the ground and slowly placed me on the vanity. I began to feel a familiar throbbing in my core, a pang of deep hunger to feel his bulge in my insides. I returned his hungry kiss with a matched energy and when he slowly kissed my neck, I tilted my head backward, moaning in utmost ecstasy. Slowly he unclasped the buttons of my revealing nightwear and in split seconds, my skin was bare. I could feel his eyes grazing over my body as he took my lips into his, cupping one of my luscious breasts in one of his palms and fondling my nipple with the other hand.

I felt an ache in my core which was dripping wet by now but he wasn't done with torturing me with his tongue yet. Slowly, he took my nipple in his mouth, his tongue making swirling motions around my jutting nipples. I gasped in pleasure as I held the edge of the table firmly. In one swift and seamless motion, he pulled off the last piece of fabric that stood in his way and slid his middle finger into my core. I let out a loud moan as I pressed my body against his, caressing his back with my hands and arching him even closer to my embrace. He slid his finger in and out of my core in a rhythmic motion, amplifying the erotic pleasure I felt.

Taking his mouth away from my nipples, he began kissing me again, demanding and hungrily this time. I returned his kiss and a loud moan escaped my lips the moment he plunged his huge member into my core without prior warning. He stares into my eyes as he plunged in and out of me, whispering my name at intervals. My orgasm was building, the inexplicable bolt of excitement lightening through every fiber of my nerve. I pressed him closer, urging him to go even deeper as my slimy core lubricated his dick.

In one big swing, he threw me on the king-sized bed and got on top of me. The tempo of his riding went even faster, harder, and deeper inside me.

"Uh, fuck me harder" a scream escaped my lips as I began to climax. I felt lightheaded as he released his seeds in my core at the same, leading me to climax.

"I love you so much Malia" he whispered as he got down from me and slumped on the bed beside me. My core still throbbed in pleasure.

"I love you too," I said, kissing his right cheek, "especially this" I added, pointing at his erection which was beginning to go down slowly.

"eww, you naughty badass," he said, smirking, shifting a few strands of hair off my face.

He became quiet for a moment as he stared at the ceiling, trying to catch his breath.

"A penny for your thoughts, my King" I mimicked him.

He smiled and turned around to face me. His smile was quickly replaced with a serious look. "I am considering stepping down and crowning Veronica the Luna of Nightshade Pack, and probably finding a suitable mate for her. What's your take on this?' He questioned with a stern look on his face.

"What?" I screamed with a bewildered look on my face.

My deepest fear was coming to pass.