Page 25 of Hunt Me

Luka frowned, unimpressed by the scarce welcoming party. There were three subjects in total—all tall, broad-shouldered, overly muscled, with aggressive looks warning they were ready to go to battle at any moment.

“Beta David, why isn’t Prince Lykaon here to welcome me? Never mind. It has only been a century since your kind learned the meaning of civilization.”

The beta snarled, top lip curling up to reveal deadly fangs that could rip through flesh with little to no effort. His eyes flickered between his natural brown and amber, an obvious tell that he was battling to control his inner wolf.

“Prince Lykaon sends his warm regards. He is tied up at the moment but looks forward to conversing with you at the banquet that he has worked tirelessly to prepare for your unexpected arrival.”

“I need him to untie himself this instant. There was an attempt on my life while en route, and I’d be remiss not to consider Prince Lykaon as a person of interest.”

“You have some nerve, vamp. You come into our territory and dare disrespect Prince Lykaon!” another wolf barked. He attempted to push past Beta David to confront King Alesi but was hastily grabbed by the third wolf and yanked back into formation.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen,” Ezra repeated in a soothing tone as he wedged himself between the two opposing parties. “Beta David, we appreciate Prince Lykaon’s hospitality and look forward to continuing our peaceful diplomatic summit. Our travel to Moonshire was complicated by an unsuccessful attempt on King Alesi’s life. Mercifully, we only lost a few men, but it could’ve been worse. Since King Alesi’s travel plans were shared with only a few, including our party and yours, can you see how we might question your involvement? Especially since it’s well known that Prince Lykaon wants our lands?”

“Prince Lykaon had nothing to do with your assassination attempt. You can be certain of that. Plenty of beings hate King Alesi, including people from your side.”

“Unhand me!” Matilda screeched as two of Luka’s guards dragged her out of the carriage.

“Ah! Here is our unsuccessful assassin now. Bring her here,” Ezra demanded.

Luka watched through narrowed eyes as Matilda was deposited in front of David. A foreign emotion threatened to consume the vampire king as the beta circled her with approving eyes.

“She is unfamiliar to me. Trust me, if our camp hired her to assassinate you, then I would remember a woman as striking as her. Tell me, woman, do you have a mate?”

“I’m not interested,” Matilda snapped, turning her face from him.

“That does not satisfy my question. Do you or do you not have a man whose claim I would have to challenge?”

Luka seized Matilda by the wrist and pulled her behind him. “You will keep your distance from her.”

“Then she belongs to you?” David questioned with raised brows.

“You will keep your distance from her,” King Alesi repeated, this time with more bass and authority in his tone.

“Don’t be selfish, King Alesi. You have no long-term use for this woman. Unlike your kind, we don’t discriminate against humans. Plenty of wolves in our domain have human mates, and they aren’t forced to kill their offspring. Hand her over.”

Matilda stepped from behind Luka to confront yet another man determined to make an honest woman out of her.

“Let me make something very clear to you, wolf. I am not his to give or yours to take.”

“Is that so?” David asked, taking a few steps closer.

“It is so.”

“Do you like challenges, woman?”

“I enjoy a good riddle,” she answered, triggering a chuckle from the brawny wolf.

“What is your name?”

“Matilda Beaumont.”

“I, Beta David of Moonshire, challenge you, unmated Matilda Beaumont, for your hand. Do you wish to accept?”

“She does not!” Luka shouted.

“I accept!” Matilda confirmed confidently.

“It’s settled then. We will fight at dawn. Be prepared. I will not take it easy on you.”