MasukBonfire night was here.Lycans from far and wide entered into the city gates for the single largest event of the year for the lycans. Lycan Alphas had come along with their lunas and entourages, including the warrior that would be representing them in the tournament.They came along with their horses, and their tents, and their flags, painted in their colors. The city was in an uproar as crowds cheered whenever one of the lycan alphas made their way into the gates.At the base of the large stairs leading into the castle, Kyrios awaited along with his six generals—the seventh, Kain, had been unable to make it— as they stood to welcome each of the lycan packs into the territory.It was a long, trying process and it didn't make it any better when he saw his most hated nemesis, lycan alpha Stefan, enter with his retinue.He sat arrogantly on his massive beast of a horse, with red and black paint on his face and a small sneer appeared on his face as his beady eyes landed on Kyrios.“As al
He was weary.After a full day of listening to one complaint after the other, he was just about ready to dunk his head into the shower and drift into oblivion.“Settle everything with the border guards,” he said to his third in command, as they ascended the staircase to his floor. “Make sure every perimeter is manned and that there are no blind spots. Foreign alphas are going to be here soon and the last thing that we need is one of them getting attacked in our territory.”“That’s being taken care of as we speak, Kyrios,” Liam replied, glancing down at the book in his hand. “No one will even so much as sneeze without us knowing. Also, the south and east wing have been prepared for the alphas and their entourage, and we’ve hired more maids, cooks, and stable hands to accommodate the numbers we’ll be having soon.”“Well done, general,” Kyrios commended his hard work. “That’ll be all for tonight. We’ll settle everything in the morning before the guests arrive for the bonfire tomorrow.”L
The day to the start of the tournament drew closer.The excitement in the air was so tangible, it was almost electric. It was obvious to Esme, the outsider, that to every lycan this was more than just a regular event; it was something they looked forward to. She could see it in the flush that stole over the women’s cheeks as they gossiped to each other about it, the warm vibrancy that oozed off the men gathered in the training grounds.There would be a bonfire the night before the tournament and already the castle walls and halls were already being decorated with colorful gold and purple ribbons—the colors of the Royal lycans— and the streets lined with palm tree fronds (it was tradition for the contesting warriors to be welcomed with the Fresh scent of palms).Esme stood at one side and watched as Hailey chatted with one of the lycan females. This one was heavily pregnant, with her hair woven in a loose braid and when her eyes darted to Esme, they had a curious light to them.“Esme,
“How do you get it to be so perfectly brown like that?” Hailey asked, peering into the gently sizzling pan. “Mine always end up burnt or undercooked.”A small smile lifted Esme’s lips as she continued whisking the egg mixture in the other bowl. It has been a couple of days ever since that incident in Kyrios’ room and if not for Hailey’s presence, she had no idea how she would have coped.The tension between her and the lycan king was at an all time high, the temperature between them whenever he walked into a room dropping into arctic levels. He had restricted her from entering his room for anything and she was glad. It was enough that she was already cooking his meals and doing his laundry. Those were already too intimate. Somehow, changing his sheets and the pillows where he slept would have just been too much for her.Involuntarily, she gave a shudder and Hailey noticed at once.“Hey, you okay?” She asked, instantly concerned.The sound of forks scraping plates immediately ceased a
Today was the first day of her work and with a feeling of doom, Esme donned the maid uniform that the barbarian king had insisted she wore and went to work.She dusted, cleaned and polished every surface until it shone, gleaming in the sunlight coming through the windows. She cleaned the floors, tables, even the chandeliers.Not that the Kyrios’ house was in any way dusty but it served as a means to expel some of the frustration in her. It took some time and afterwards, her back and arms ached but she was still not satisfied.She wandered over to the kitchen and began the process of making cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting and smoked bacon to go with.Very quickly the smell of baking began to fill the kitchen and began to relax her in a way nothing else did.Even if she was in unfamiliar territory at least she still had this, she thought. They couldn't take cooking away from her.As the buns baked in the oven, she sighed, knowing she could no longer avoid it and with dragging
ESMEEsme was having the dream again.The one she’d been having ever since she stepped foot into this territory.The endless screaming…The deep, dark void…A voice, shouting, screaming her name…“Esme!”The words jolted her. She tried to reach for it, that anchor, this person… they could save her but there was no one…Then suddenly she felt warmth encircling her. A peace invaded her being that she’d always sought for. Tingling sparks erupting beneath her skin.“Hmmm,” she murmured in pleasure and chased after that feeling even when it tried to move away.“No,” She couldn’t let it go away, not when she needed its comfort now more than ever. So she held it tighter and in the process, somehow, her lips touched something soft, something firm.The contact sent a zing down her spine, sinking and pooling into places it had no business sinking into. Her nipples tightened and her body warmed.Whatever this was, whatever was happening, she liked it. So she pressed further.Tongues entangled, h
CHAPTER SIXEsme buried her face in her hands and wrapped her arms around her body tighter.How had she found herself here? A few days ago she had been preparing herself to see her sister marry her fiancé. How had things gotten so wrong? Now here she was, chained to a monster who wanted to humilia
Immediately after the mating ceremony, the Lycan king ordered for them to start the journey back to his kingdom.Esme had barely had time to say goodbye to her mother and Isabella before he was swinging her up on his horse and they were riding into the darkness.The journey back to the Lycan kingdo
Sizzling hot sparks erupted wherever their flesh came into contact and Esme gazed at the king in sinking horror.No… no… this couldn’t be happening to her. How could this man be her mate? The man that had killed her father in cold blood, destroyed her entire pack in one night….Esme’s hand slid on
No one knew the true name of the Lycan King. He was known as the barbarian king to the werewolves. While, the witches called him, the devil incarnate. To his people he was likened unto Apollo, the Sun God. Partly because he was so handsome, all the ladies swooned when he entered into a room. He







