Purest

13. Surprise, Surprise

Constantine Demonicus
The Lycan King

His fated mate, the Queen of the Lycanthrope realm, must have accepted their bond in her ardent state. Had accepted him on some level. Although partially completed, it had been enough.

The bite his lycan beast gave her, despite given under duress, had satisfied him so much that he had calmed enough to let his human emerge, retracting after a century of rage and disquiet, trusting his other form completely. Surprisingly, the transition was effortless. Opposite to what he had expected from an ornery lycan. Clashing of wills and dominance had been his wont ever since he took over.

Shaking his head, more in wonder than worry, he continued on his course. His strides were confident, accustomed to the terrain.

Mia Jane's weight in his arms grounded him in an instant, lulling his panic down, reminding himself he was not dreaming. Selene had deemed him worthy of a soul mate. The only one to complete him. His balance. His other half.

Deprived for so long, his skin felt ultra-sensitive in benevolent form, barely acknowledging the biting cold of the night while he carried his queen back to his castle, he made sure she was wrapped in furs for added protection from another unwanted gaze.

An instinctive reaction to address her human side. Shifters like them were genetically immune to this type of weather. Nudity was a part of their culture but Mia would not appreciate it if she knew he carried her across their realm naked. He was even wearing trousers for her. Constantine grimaced at the constricting material.

Walking for a few miles, he had no intention of shifting back to his lycan. No. Not for the time being. He was as strong in his human form as he was in either of his beasts, capable of protecting his mate anytime. Besides, he loved the tenderness, the tingles of mate bonds where their skin touched.

Taking a deep breath, scenting the frigid air, he could sense his wolves patrolling the borders. Good. Octavius, his blood brother, had not lost his touch. Cautious to a fault, the realm, his priority.

Constantine gave a heavy sigh. Wished his loyal friend and Alphas would find their spouses soon. He wanted them to experience the mysticism of mate bonds. Its sense of completion.

When his continued strides brought him closer to home, he halted for a minute, taking a deep breath of the crisp air.

Began to assess. Planning for the immediate future.

He knew his kingdom's forests like the back of his hand, he knew where to navigate to avoid unmated males. To be near them right now was dangerous. Mia still transmitted traces of heat, no one was allowed near her except her mother, knowing his beasts could only tolerate so much.

Moaning, she burrowed deeper into his unyielding chest. He glanced down at her, studying her anew.

Stunningly beautiful. Akin to a goddess. Fierce, strong, albeit a bit reckless. He had no intention of taming her. No. Far from it.

Full fleshy lips twisted in a small smile. But he had to teach her more. Train her to be a fierce warrior queen. Make her formidable to their enemies. Their union was fraught with dangers. War was looming on the horizon.

His Lycan Queen should be invincible to protect their future pups.

With those thoughts, he winced. The scenes from the cottage played in his mind.

Would she ever forgive him? He was not able to control his lycan. Good thing, he didn't mount her and hurt their precious mate. His untameable beast was at the back of his mind now. Content with the intimate bite he gave his queen, while his dire wolf was very much awake, after a century, sharing his consciousness. Curious about the woman in his arms.