Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 59

Time passes quickly and I have no idea how long for before I hear Zeke's taunting voice echo off thetrees. His voice mocks me and I slow trying to pick up which direction he is in. Yet the way noisetravels through here it's near impossible when I spot light up ahead. I run for it, anything to getaway from his haunting voice that sends chills dancing up my spine. By the time I reach it I burst outof the trees and clutch my knees. Exhausted, and panting.

Lifting my gaze I replace I am in some small clearing, not as many trees through this patch and Iunderstand why. A river splits the earth, the rapids moving fast. Peering around I move along theforest edge, keeping low as possible and start jogging around toward the river. Yet the closer I getthe more I realize the only means of escape is crossing it. Moving to the edge I shudder, knowinghow cold that water will be before jumping in. The moment I hit the water the harsh bitter coldnessof it steals my breath.

I wade through the chest deep water to the other side, huffing and panting at the cold that isseeping through me when I spot Zeke emerge from the trees before I can climb out. I immediatelydrop down below the bank so he can't see, and let the river wash me down stream.

My heart races in my chest as I wait for him to replace me and after a few minutes, I lift my head to replaceI can’t see him anymore I am no longer in the clearing. Instead the trees aren't thick here as theycanopy over the river, birds are whistling and frogs croaking loudly making it hard to hear mysurroundings. I replace this part of the woods is not as dense. Carefully, I try to stand to replace I can't, mybody dropping beneath the surface and I claw my way back up, looking around I start swimming tothe side and haul myself onto the bank. Crawling my way out I flop onto my back trying to catch mybreath.

Think, Zirah! I scold myself. I can't keep running, he will catch me. Instead I need a plan. Rolling onmy side, I look at the trees, debating whether or not to attempt to climb one but know that willleave me a sitting duck.

Grabbing the bag beside me I open it, replaceing the rope and the broken knife. Tossing the bag aside Ilook for the best spot to create a snare trap. It takes me what feels like forever to hide it with leavesand cover my tracks. All while glancing over my shoulder expecting him to catch me at any second.When I am done I climb the tree I set the trap in, snickering to myself. Sitting in the high branchesabove I wait, instead feeling for the trees’ vibration, and watching the birds swing on the vines thatlead down to the ground.

It is about another five minutes before I hear movement and my eyes glance around, nervously.Planting both hands on the tree trunk I am perched on, I look at the ground waiting for him tocome into view.

“Really, a snare?” Zeke questions, looking up at me. He picks up the rope, holding the noose in hishands while I feel for the energy of the tree, and the leaves rustle, the vines twitching. The very vinesI made my real trap out of.

“I am honestly a little disappointed, I thought you may have been smarter. Although, I didn't thinkyou would jump in the river, given how cold it is. You must be freezing.” he taunts, I stare down athim in his Lycan form, in this form he is a huge gray beast. Long claws that could easily cut throughflesh, sharp teeth that could bite through bone, and gunmetal gray fur. He is a magnificent sight buta petrifying one at that.

“I really don't feel like climbing a tree, how about you jump down. I kill you quickly, I can tell daddy,you got eaten by wild wolves, or maybe bush turkey’s since your human and those fuckers arevicious, then I can go home and have a drink. But if you make me climb this damn tree, I will pullyou apart limb by limb and make it excruiat—" his words cut off when takes a step forward and thevines wrap around his feet. A strange shriek that also sounds like a howl escapes him when the vinestug sending him to the ground before he is ripped upside down in the air.

The vibration of the tree makes my runes on my back tingle and I gasp at the sheer power of thetree, the second rune which I know is earth magic rushes through me. Not even I was expecting it tobe quick, and so easily manipulated. It gave me a taste of actually how powerful granny was. Thevines twist and wrap around his body, encasing him quickly as he spins violently in a blur of fur andhe is suddenly hanging upside down. The rune on my back I feel burn out, making me hiss. Andthen there was three.

“What the fuck! How did you do that! What kind of fucking girls scout shit is this!” Zeke roarsthrashing in the vines grip that has a stranglehold on his body not allowing him to move an inch.His only ability right now is to sway upside down. I jump from my branch. Landing beside him andhe glares down at me.

He snarls. “Where did you learn that?”

“As you said girls scouts, top the class.” I taunt turning around to head back to the castle.

"Zirah, cut me fucking down.” I pause looking up at him.

"Wasn't this part of our date, we're hunting aren't we?” I ask and he growls.

"Only the hunter became the hunted.” I smile deviously at him.

“I'm going to fucking kill you!” he snarls at me.

“I'll be back at the castle waiting, while you hang around, good day to you, .” I tell him wanderingoff back through the trees while laughing to myself while he curses my name and spits vile words atme. I glance at my hands shocked by the power that came from them. I knew of course it wasn'tmine but for it to be that strong, I could only wish to yield magic and have the power granny justleant me one day. I could still feel the after effects of it, buzzing through me, giving me a taste ofwhat it means to be a born witch not a made one.

I always tried to understand what granny meant because how could one be made and not born. Butfeeling her power even if only briefly I could tell how miniscule mine was in comparison. Reachingthe river, I am about to cross when I hear Zeke growl menacingly. I stop peering back at the treeswondering if he escaped when I hear a loud roar. My blood runs cold at the sound and I turn back. Ihear it again and there is no doubt in my mind and I know it is a bear.

My subconscious tells me to keep going, leave him, abandon him like he would have done me. Yetmy mind goes to Regan and Zeke, knowing their lives are linked to his. Swallowing that down is likeswallowing acid.

“This would be your chance to run, they'll be dead and humanity free of them.” I remind myself. Ishould leave him... I should... yet why can't I seem to move. My heart races when I hear Zeke make apained noise, before he growls then roars loudly, his howl echoing off the trees sending the birds tothe sky to escape it. He would have called for help, I should go!

Yet as I turn back to the river, I know they won't make it time. Cursing, I pull my ax from the back ofpants and run back toward the trees and Zeke. It takes me about five minutes to reach him, andwhen I do I replace a huge grizzly bear swiping at him, trying to get him. I stop in my tracks at the sightof it. A gasp escapes me and I stagger back. Zeke has managed to get one arm free, his furry facehas huge claws marks down one side.

His blood spilling to the earth and onto the bear. The bear swipes at him, its claws raking down thevines, slicing through them like a hot knife through butter and Zeke groans as its claws tear throughhis shoulder. He thrashes trying to get free and only just lifts his head in time when the bear swipesat him again.

The next time it does I throw my axe, it hits the bear's paw, making it roars furiously and it spins onme within seconds.