SHADOW
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Did he really think I would let him? He must be losing his goddamn mind.
I felt sickened in my stomach. “Go to hell, but I have a mate, and that’s not gonna happen.”
“Our kind has less female Lycan, Shadow. We need you-”
“To be the breeder of your kind, pop out pups until my body gives up? No thanks. Hard pass.” I snarled in disgust.
“This is not a choice. It’s a must.”
“Well, shit. Either you kill me or leave me alone, but I’m not doing it. I have a mate. He’s the only one with whom I’m willing to have baby wolves. You and your kind can go to hell. All of you.”
“He’s a werewolf, the son who murdered your father. And you haven’t avenged his death either. You have two choices here, Shadow. Come to your kind, or it’s the end of your pack.”
“Are you threatening me?” My wolf felt threatened. I should have listened to Zarah. She warned me this would happen, and I never listened. I should have never come here.
“Shadow, calm down.” Zarah came to me. “He’s the Lycan Alpha King. You have no idea what he’s capable of.”
“Then he has two choices- rip my head off and lose one of his kind. I’m half, by the way, or leave me alone.”
“He will lock you up, and you’re not gonna like what he’s gonna do to you.” She held my arms, trying to calm me down, but it was too late. But I already made a choice. I’d rather die than be the surrogate of his kind.
“You should listen to the witch, Shadow.”
“Now I regret coming over. I thought we could be allies.”
“And what do you propose? What could a pack of werewolves offer more than I already have? One Lycan is more powerful than ten of your mate’s kind. They’re useless savages.”
“And you’re an asshole.”
“Shadow, either you show respect, or we’re leaving.”
I ignored Zarah’s warning. This piece of dick was pissing me off and my wolf. “You’re delusional if you think I will just agree to be the breeder of your kind.”
“Your kind, Shadow.”
“I heard your witch cannot do witchcraft anymore,” Zarah said to the Alpha King. “You didn’t even see this meeting coming because she’s incapable of doing what she’s supposed to. She’s literally useless, isn’t she?”
“That’s true. What are you saying?” the Alpha King asked.
“Zarah, don’t do this. You will be forever tied to this man.”
“No. We will write it in an agreement.”
“I’m listening.” It seemed Zarah’s proposal got the Alpha dick’s attention.
“You’re rich with enough resources that could last another millennium. Humans can procreate Lycans, not a hundred percent, werewolves, and witches like her mother. If you’re scared of extinction, I suggest you stop your mindset with being a racist, Alpha Sebastien.” So his name was Sebastien.
“And I know why you’ve been protecting and watching Shadow. I thought my mind was playing tricks when I saw your image, but now I see the resemblance is uncanny before my eyes,” Zarah added.
“What do you mean?” Something twisted in my chest. I felt that I wouldn’t like the next thing she was about to say.
Alpha Sebastien clenched his jaw. “What do you want, witch?”
“What are you trying to say, Zarah?”
“Aurora was my best friend, but her love for Samuel blinded her to the point that she couldn’t see the difference between the twins because she didn’t care about you, Sebastien.”
“It’s Alpha King, witch.” Zarah just poked the bear. “Show some respect, or I will rip you apart from limb to limb,” he snarled through gritted teeth. His eyes darkened as he glared at Zarah.
“I’m a witch. Before you can rip me apart, I already snap her throat before you can even blink, Alpha King. Don’t ever threaten me again. I know who you are and what you did.” Why was she threatening me now when she was supposed to be helping me?
“We both know that spells don’t work in my house, right? Especially in this room.”
I swallowed hard. “Zarah, what’s going on?”
“Am I right, Alpha King?” she pressed.
My gaze pinged-pong between them. My heart beat so fast, and a knot twisted in my stomach as seconds ticked. Everything suddenly confused me. My brain hurt.
“Stop with this nonsense!” His voice thundered in the room, shaking the chandelier hanging on the ceiling. The light in the candle blew off.
“You were in love with Aurora, but her mate wasn’t you. You were jealous of Samuel because he was free and happy with his mate, while you had none of those but your throne. So you slept with her, glamoured to be Samuel just to have your heir.”
“What?” My eyes grew even wider. “No. That’s impossible.”
Zarah looked at me. “Come on, Shadow. He has a witch at his disposal. He is a Lycan. Why do you think you are more powerful than anyone, even your mate? Aurora and the future alpha king together. What makes you then?”
“No.” I shook my head in disbelief. I wanted to cry, but tears were not coming out. This was not happening. “That’s not true.”
“I’m sorry to have dropped this bomb on you, Shadow. I didn’t mean it, but he’s giving us no choice.”
“Did you help them kill my father?” I stalked Sebastien. Whether he was more powerful than anyone, I didn’t give a damn. My anger was already brewing in my chest, turning to rage that it was harder to breathe if I couldn’t get it out.
“No.”
“You’re lying! You and The West Coven killed my parents!”
“I did not! I wouldn’t hurt Aurora. Ever!”
“So Aurora now, huh?” I snorted. “Why don’t I believe you? Did Dad know about what you did to Mom?”
“Don’t believe me, but you know deep in your heart that I am telling the truth!”
“You’re a dick, a sick son of bitch by deceiving my mother, Sebastien. Stay away from me, or I will slit my throat in front of you.” I turned around and walked towards the door when he called my name.
“I will stay away, but if you need me, I’ll be there.”
I turned around. “Why? So you could use me as your breeder to your clan?”
“No.” He swallowed hard. For the first time, I saw his weakness. “Because you are my daughter.”
One moment, I was standing at the door, and the next thing I knew, I was squeezing his throat. The animal inside was ready to get off. “You’re lying! Take it back! I’m the daughter of Samuel and Aurora. I’m not your blood and will never be!”
“Shadow, don’t!”
My eyes glowed as I snapped at Zarah. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t end this liar, Zarah?”
“He’s telling the truth. Your dad had suspected his twin was your father.”
“You’re lying! Stop with your manipulation.” I screamed in her face. “This man is not my father. I can’t be his daughter. My father is Samuel!”