The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin
4. One of Us

SKYLA.

He doesn't fight back and that just angers me even more and I keep hitting his chest. I'm about tobreak.

I need them gone! I need to be alone.

"Get out! Everyone get out.” I say, my command rolling through my voice.

“Sky.” Azura tries, but I don't want to hear it.

None of them fucking moves!

“I said get the fuck out!” I scream, feeling my canines grow, and my claws come out as I glare atthem all.

Kataleya is the only one hesitating, wanting to listen and I can tell my command is affecting allthree, but they're also fucking strong enough to defy me.

I'm about to shove Dante again, when a hand gently wraps around my wrist, making my heartthunder, as sparks sizzle through me, and my gaze snaps to the bed.

Royce!

His gorgeous grey eyes are half open as he looks at me through his lashes. The lightning is nolonger rippling through him.

"You're rather loud, Love.” He says, his voice hoarse and I almost collapse in relief, a surge of reliefand happiness rushing through me.

I hear Azura and Kataleya gasp in relief, but I'm far too emotional to care, or consider the others inthe room anymore.

"You're awake!” I say, turning and raising his hands to my lips. “Thank fuck!"

I kiss his hand, my heart pounding. I want to hug him; I want to hold him close, but I know he'shurting.

He tugs me close, and although I want to protest that he’s injured, he pulls me onto his lap,wrapping his arms around me tightly. He kisses the top of my head. Despite being weak, there areso many emotions going through him

His hand grips the side of my face and the back of my neck as his lips meet mine in a smoulderingkiss.

My eyes flutter shut as I kiss him back, I almost lost him... how terrifying is life that at any moment,anything can happen?

He's displaying calmness, even the beating of his heart is steady, but the way his chest is heavingtells me he’s trying to control his emotions.

The enticing taste of his mouth, the passionate caress of his lips. His tongue plunges hungrily intomy mouth as he devours me entirely.

A soft moan escapes my lips and intense pleasure rushes through me, making me press my thighstogether.

But our kiss is put to an end when Leo and Dante both clear their throats.

“I would fucking like to give the two of you a moment, but how about we first discuss what the fuckhappened out there?

I sensed the serpent's aura, yet you were shot, five times in total. Two entirely different things.Which doesn’t add up...” Leo says, now standing up.

Royce pulls away and I almost growl but settle for glaring at Dante and Leo as Royce looks around,as if only now realising where he is, assessing the situation and his own state.

“You're at the Sangue pack.” I explain, trying to get out of his lap, not wanting to hurt him, but herefuses to let me go.

I see Kataleya and Azura watching me, and Azura wiggles her brows at me. I smile weakly at her.Royce sighs and a heaviness seems to settle in the room as we all become serious while we wait forRoyce to answer.

“Quade. The man who was with me, where is he?” He asks.

"His body is in a separate room. I'm afraid he was dead when I got there and there was nothing wecould do.” Leo says.

Royce looks down, and his hair curtains his face. I squeeze his arm gently, wishing I could do more.“I thought so, but I was hoping for a miracle... I presume you saved me then.” Royce says, lookingup at Leo again and their eyes meet.

Leo pulls out a cigarette and lights it, before placing his other hand around Azura’s waist andjerking his head at Dante and Kataleya.

“It was a team effort, but you pretty much held on yourself... you were shot with bullets of suchcalibre that you should have been dead the moment they fucking touched you. You survived five.I'm fucking impressed.” He says, his voice is cold and cutting but there's a compliment in his words.Royce frowns. “He said something along those lines.” He says.

There's a glimmer of hurt in his eyes before he rests his head back against the bed and closes hiseyes.

I'm not sure who he means by “he.’

“Quade’s really dead...”

None of us speak, giving him a moment.

Kataleya looks at him sadly. “I'm sorry for your loss, Alpha Royce.” She says quietly.

He opens his eyes and gives her a small smile and nod. “He was a good man.”

“Was there another serpent?” Azura asks.

“There was no serpent, just one man, who was disappearing just like that thing, his aura was fusedwith one identical to the serpent I killed.” Royce says, his eyes flashing blue.

“So it was a man?” Dante asks sharply.

I glance at him curiously, wondering what he sees, and he looks at me seriously, a frown on his face.“I can't see much further... just glimpses... there is nothing about a man with that aura...” He answersmy unasked question.

Royce frowns. I had told him about Dante a little, and it's obvious there is something else troublinghim.

“It was a man and one I know.” He sounds distracted.

"So, this man who was doing this disappearing act was the one who shot you then. Care to share hisfucking name?” Leo asks.

Royce is struggling. I don't know who it was, but it's clear that coming to terms with who it is, isn'teasy for him.

"You don't need to say if you don't want to.” I say.

"Only he has those bullets, and his aim was to kill you, so yes we fucking do need to get thebastard’s name.” Leo says sharply.

“I'll handle him. I'm his target. I always have been. This is not your battle to fight, it's mine.” Roycesays, his voice is cold.

“That's the thing...” Azura begins, stepping over to the bed and resting her hands on her thighs asshe bends over a little, tilting her head, looking him directly in the eye, making him move a fewinches back.

“You're one of us now, and together we're damn stronger. So whether you want it or not, like it ornot, we fight, play and win together. Welcome to the family of psychos, Magic Fingers.” She finishes.Royce cocks a brow, no doubt at the use of my nickname, one that Leo cocks a brow questioninglyat as well, as Kataleya giggles.

The mood instantly lightens, and I can see Royce taking in Azura's words before he smiles faintlyand I can't deny that a warmth floods my chest and I realise it's true... Even though I always fight it,we Rossis and Westwoods, we always have one another's backs, come fucking whatever. No matterwhat, we are one.

I turn to Royce looking into his gorgeous eyes.

“So, want to share?" I ask softly through the link.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes as he looks away for a moment before he speaks.

“It was my brother, Aleric. He's the one who shot me and somehow, he’s no longer just a werewolf.He had the aura of that serpent, the power and the very same disappearing act.”

Shock.

We're all not expecting that, and Dante is the only one that looks thoughtful, as if he's trying topiece the puzzle together.

My shock soon changes to rage.

That mother fucking bastard! I'll kill him myself.

“Right, I think we need to understand this a little better.” Leo says.

“I assume so, but before that... there's something I need to do.” Royce says as he pulls out the driphe is hooked up to. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“I Royce Jonathan Arden, son of Alpha Kenneth Henry Arden and Luna Catherine Arden, reject theShadow Wolves Pack as my home and Pack. Giving up all ties I have to the pack and its people.” Hesays quietly, shocking us all.

What is he doing?! He can't reject his family! His sister...

It wasn't easy for him as I watch him stare at his hand. He frowns and I know the pack tie has beenbroken.

His eyes are cold when he opens them and looks up at Dante and Leo. There's a determination inthem.

“If Aleric wants me dead, then he needs to think that I'm actually dead. He's played his card. It's timeI played mine.”

His words fill the room as we all let the weight of the situation settle in, and then Kataleya speaks.“You mean to say, it's time we play ours.”

We all nod in unison, and I turn to Royce, I can see there are emotions he’s trying to hide in his eyes,but I do hope he realises we really are behind him.

Always.