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When Lucian woke up the next day, Marcus was on the chair in the corner of his room. He sat with legs crossed, reading a paper. Immediately Lucian woke up, his eyes wandered the room and stopped on him.
“What are you doing here this early in the morning?”
His voice rose. Marcus kept the paper away and looked at him.
“Good morning to you too.”
“Oh please. I don’t want to talk to you.”
Lucian laid back on his bed and closed his eyes.
“You must talk to me, Lucian. Look, I’m sorry I never told you anything but it was because I was trying to save you from the trauma. Besides, you were not supposed to find out from me.”
Lucian sat up. Looked at Marcus and buried his face in his hands and groaned loudly.
“Okay. I understand. It’s over now.”
He sounded tired.
“I’m sorry.”
Marcus was apologizing for the umpteenth time.
“I will only forgive you if you accompany me to the meeting with the elders’ council tonight.”
Marcus laughed heartily. He knew Lucian had already forgiven him, he just wanted to be dramatic.
“Okay, Lucian. I will accompany you.”
They both laughed. Lucian stood up to go and freshen up and Marcus left the palace. Zendaya was waiting for him.
That night, both men walked into the woods to the venue of the meeting. The elders were sitting already, waiting for him.
“You have finally made a decision.”
It was Raphael who spoke. He was not surprised that his son had accompanied Lucian, they were best friends and he knew it.
“I have.”
Finality in Lucian’s voice. The elders went silent, waiting for him to speak.
“I agree. I will do it and free the Lycans.”
Lucian spoke confidently. He watched as a smile crossed the elders’ faces. They were extremely glad. Even Marcus was surprised but happy.
“Good choice you have made son. You will be cherished and loved among the Lycans. That is a great sacrifice.”
It was Bob who spoke.
“Come with me son.”
Raphael said and led the way deeper into the woods. Lucian wondered why they were going deeper but he didn’t say a word and just followed the man. He was confident there was nothing to be scared of because Marcus was right behind him.
They finally got to their destination and Lucian was shocked. His eyes went wide. It was a camp, a camp full of Lycans with both men, women and children. When they saw him, they all stood up, they looked scared. Lucian’s eyes wandered over them and he could see that they were not looking good, not healthy at all.
“What are they doing here?”
Lucian asked, not asking anyone in particular.
“Calm down Lycans. I have only brought the prince to how horrible you all are living. To encourage him to join us.”
Raphael spoke. He was speaking to the camp. They all sat down and continued with their busy, looking over at Lucian from time to time.
Raphael turned to Lucian.
“They ran away from the clan when the hard labour was too much for them, they roam around and come back to the woods to set camp and sleep at night.”
Lucian was surprised. He now understood why even his mother wanted her mate dead. Marius was a cruel man. Lucian’s hate for his father increased. His urge to kill him increased. His father had done so much harm to the clan and he was blind to it. He didn’t know any of it.
He turned to Raphael.
“When is the war?”
“Patience son, patience.”
Raphael tapped Lucian’s back and turned to wave at the camp. They waved back and Raphael told the other men to lead the way. They got back to where the other elders were sitting.
“Now that you have agreed to be with us, we will be communicating with you in due time.”
Raphael spoke and the elders rose and left. Immediately the elders rose, Lucian turned to Marcus.
“Did you know about this too?”
“I did not. Honestly.”
They left the woods and walked back to their houses. When Lucian got to his house, he freshened up and came out for dinner but he didn’t eat much. He could not take his mind off the Lycans staying in the woods. He went to his room and slept off. He didn’t take out Alexia’s hair pins this time.
When Marcus got to his house, Zendaya was sitting in the living room, waiting for him. She stood up and walked to him immediately after he got into the house. She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed him.
“Welcome home.”
“Thank you.”
She pulled him close and whispered in his ear.
“I am hungry.”
He knew what that meant. She wanted blood. His blood. She had been feeding on him since they got married, during sex. He kissed her deeply and whispered back.
“Let’s go to the bedroom.”
She giggled and led the way. They hadn’t gotten to the door when she turned around and slammed her lips on his, her tongue invaded his mouth and rolled together with his tongue. He reached out and opened the door and they got inside the room, still kissing. They got inside and Marcus broke the kiss and turned around to lock the door.
Immediately he did, Zendaya grabbed him and turned him around aggressively, they locked their mouths together in a kiss again and Marcus pushed Zendaya to the bed, she fell on it giggling. He climbed on her but she stopped him halfway.
“Let me take care of you tonight.”
She sounded seduced. She immediately pushed him to roll over and she was on top of him. She kissed him on the lips, a slow and passionate kiss. Her hands quickly went to his shirt buttons and undid them, not breaking the kiss, Marcus pulled the shirt off and laid back on the bed. Next, her hands went to his trouser and undid the zip, then she made to pull it and again, without breaking the kiss, Marcus pulled the trouser. He was now bare-naked.
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