Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 24

Zirah POV

The three kings leave and once they are gone, I feel like I can breathe a little easier until I turn myattention to the King. He watches me, then turns side on in his seat giving me his full unwantedattention while leaving one elbow on the table, his fingers drum against the mahogany wood."What is it you want?” King Theron asks tilting his head to the side.

“Nothing you can give me unless you know how to raise the dead,” I tell him and his eyes flickerblack, his lips pursing as he raises his chin slightly.

“Think of something else. I will give you whatever you want. I'm offering you the four kingdoms, alavish life full of riches and anything you could possibly desire.” The king snarls and gone is his calmdemeanor as his canines elongate. Shelley clears her throat awkwardly next to the King, and heturns his gaze to her and sighs.

"Shelley dear, fetch me a glass of water, my throat is feeling a little dry and it is making me crabby.”the King orders. Shelley shoots me a worried look but quickly obeys, and I wonder if this is theking's unstable side she mentioned earlier.

The king turns his calculating gaze back to me. “I will ask once more, what do you want?”

“Nothing, I just want to leave,” I tell him and he grits his teeth and I continue. “I don't care for yourriches, or your sons, I can't be bought. You had me ripped out of my bed, killed my grandmother,and you think I would just agree to marry your sons?” I laugh. This man is insane. What personwould agree to such terms, and who in their right mind would marry one of those insufferable men?“Fine, have it your way, then. You want your freedom, I'll grant it. But on one condition.” King Therontells me. 1 lift my chin, wondering what this condition is, yet by the flicker of his aura, from bluish-gray to black, I can tell his condition is quite sinister.

“Malachi!” The King yells and Malachi jumps in the room's corner where he stands. He takes a stepforward and I watch the two exchange in some silent conversation.

Malachi clenches his teeth. “But my King—"

“Do as I ask. I won't be questioned. She won the maze she gets to choose her prize and if that isfreedom, so be it.” Malachi's eyes flick to me and I watch his Adam's apple bob as he swallows. Hequickly bows to the King.

“Ten minutes, make sure it is done!” the King orders as he turns.

"Yes, my King.” Malachi rushes off just as Shelley returns to the dining hall. She nervously hands thecrystal glass full of ice water to the King. He takes it and motions toward the table.

"Are you hungry?” I shake my head. I was starving before, yet after seeing Malachi's nervousnessand the way he ran from the room. My appetite is suddenly gone.

“Shelley, go to my safe and fetch a bag of gold, also prepare a bag for Zirah here. Also, tell my sonsthey can enter.” the King says and her eyes move between me and the King. She bows her head andquickly rushes off while I turn to the King just as the doors are shoved open. King Regan, Lyon andZeke saunter into the room and retake their seats.

"So, are we allowed to have any input about this?" King Regan asks. The King shakes his headReaching for some grapes. He pops two red grapes between his lips and chews slowly, watching me.Butterflies swarm in my stomach nervously under the intensity of his gaze. Something telling me it isoff. My intuition tingles violently and I don't like the way he is watching me.

“No, Zirah here refuses to marry any of you and asked for her freedom. Since I am obligated togrant her a prize, 1 shall free her.” the King tells his sons. I glance at them and King Regan smiles andfolds his arms across his chest while leaning back in his chair. However, Zeke leans forward.

“Fine, but she can't leave with my wolf.”

My eyes flick down to Hunter sitting at my feet. “I'll ensure she gives him back. We leave in tenminutes, so if you're hungry eat, we'll be going on foot.” The King says. The Three kings glance ateach other, looking confused, but don't argue with their father. I pick at my food, mainly feeding itto Hunter while receiving death glares from Zeke.

When Shelley returns with a leather pouch in her hand and backpack over one shoulder, the Kingrises from his chair, signaling the end of the meal.

“One condition, then you're free to leave.” the King says. My brows scrunch and the three kings lookat me in question.

"What is this condition?” King Lyon asks.

“You'll see when we arrive. Malachi is organizing it.” the King states, his eyes straight ahead. Hewalks toward the huge double doors and stops. Shelley rushes to fit his cape to his shoulders andhands him a huge golden staff. The three brothers whisper amongst themselves while I rise from myseat.

“Follow Zirah. You have a choice to make; then you're free to leave. So hurry along, dear, I have notgot all night.” the King says. I pat my leg, and Hunter follows me. When I approach the King, heoffers me his arm. My eyes move to Shelley, and she inclines her head, telling me to do as he asks.Slipping my arm through his; I walk alongside the King, yet as we pass through the castle I replace it isdeadly silent. Guards watch us as the King leads me out the grand front doors and down somesteps. He then leads me down a narrow red cobble path between the gardens to the high-pointedfences.

As we approach the guards, they open the enormous iron gates that are wrapped in vines withblooming pink flower buds.

"Where are you taking us, father? I must leave soon?” King Regan questions.

“I told you, leaving is out of the question, now be quiet, son.” the King growls. We walk for anotherfive minutes along a private path when I hear hushed voices. Then the sounds of sobs and pleasreach my ears.

Looking toward Shelley, she has her head hung, and I can see she is trying to hide her tears. Iswallow, wondering what it is that upset her. I am not left wondering for long when I am ledthrough giant sandstone pillars onto a stage in what appears to be a massive town square.

Guards line the streets, and people are crying and begging. The King lets go of my arm and raiseshis hand in the air. The moment the people notice him, they drop to one knee, heads bowed.

“I'm sure you're wondering why you've been called upon today.” the King’s voice booms out loudlywhen I look at the crowd, only then do I realize the guards are barricading the streets, trying to stoppeople from getting near the stage. Looking down, I replace all those kneeling before the stage arewomen.