Page 32 of Hunt Me

Luka returned his attention to Matilda, who briefly locked eyes with him before snaring them away.

“Ah! This must be the huntress my beta is willing to risk his life for,” Prince Lykaon exclaimed.

Luka ignored the polite exchange, opting instead to admire the huntress in her burgundy dress. He would’ve mistaken her for royalty if he hadn’t known any better. As Ezra had stated, all she was missing was a gold tiara nestled in her curly hair. He couldn’t discern if her sepia skin glowed naturally or from the flickering candles.

Perhaps she stole some of the moonlight when I flew her to the sky, he reasoned to himself.

His eyes traveled to her bare shoulders that his fangs ached to sink into. The sleeves of tulle rested around her biceps, and Luka wondered what the point of them was. The bodice was a beaded corset that shoved her luscious breasts in the air and outlined the dips of her waist. He knew her hips flared underneath the tulle skirt that dragged across the floor in a modest train. The back of the gown was Luka’s ultimate undoing. He had to find the designer and seamstress who conspired to make the dress and dispose of them. It was, indeed, a calculated attempt to provoke him and leave him ill-prepared for the challenge come morning. The back of the gown was cut to her mid-back with a flimsy piece of lace crisscrossing to hold it together. He could easily disrobe her with a simple tug.

Luka jolted when he felt a kick beneath the table.

“My King, Prince Lykaon is speaking to you. He wants to know if you find the huntress as stunning as he does.”

“Thank you,” Luka whispered back.

“I apologize for my lack of response. I was taken aback by your question. I do not find my attempted assassin stunning.”

“Is that so?” Prince Lykaon challenged.

“That is so.”

“Forgive me, but I’m slightly confused because I recognize the necklace around her neck. If memory serves, you wore the exact same necklace the last time we met. You also spent several minutes regaling me with how it was a gift from your fallen queen. Surely you wouldn’t have gifted something so precious to a woman you don’t even consider stunning.”

“Not only is she a killer of my people, but a thief as well.”

“Thief? How dare you tarnish my name with such allegations. I may be many things, but a thief is certainly not one of them. You came to my chambers and offered it to me to wear tonight, claiming it would match my dress.”

King Alesi snorted. “Add fibber to the list.”

“No matter. How are you enjoying Moonshire?” Prince Lykaon asked Matilda.

“I’m in awe. I had no idea Moonshire flourished so well. You’ve done wonders with the land and the people. I’m ashamed to say it, but Moonshire nearly rivals Night Falls.”

“Nearly? What can I do to make Moonshire surpass Night Falls?”

“There’s nothing you can do. My pride in Night Falls and its human population is unwavering. You’ll have to settle on being second-best.”

Prince Lykaon chuckled and tore the meat off a rib with menacing teeth.

“The human population, huh? No kind words for the vampires of Night Falls?” he pressed.

Luka narrowed his eyes when Matilda’s met his.

“Why would I waste kind words on beings without souls?”

“That’s very bold of you, woman. I have immense faith my beta will win tomorrow’s challenge; however, if he falls, I imagine you’ll be in for a rude awakening.”

“I appreciate your concern, Prince Lykaon. I too have immense faith in Beta David,” she proclaimed, locking eyes with Luka. “I’ve already started thinking of names for our future children.”

Matilda giggled into her chalice when a low-rumbling growl came from Luka. And while she enjoyed torturing the king, Prince Lykaon was deep in telepathic conversation with David.

Prince Lykaon: Bow out of the challenge.

Beta David: I will not.

Prince Lykaon: She does not want you. You’re simply a pawn.

Beta David: You don’t know this.