The Lycan King's Defiant Surrogate

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"I will feel a capabil darin, Trinas complus.

"Good "With de Caleb turns toward the rest of the land Harper out in die lodlway

He could leave her down here he spes Lock her in me of cells like the other criminals and people who wer wrongest him Kw'd devet for her treachery, and a healer cleat her down here just a sly as they could it bee

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Ver whenever he tries to slow his feet, of tries to turn around to ace her hack into her cell, his body won't let him uller than question the past continues of

He reasotis, if he jewes her down here, perhaps her bleeding wound would become infected, she could die, and then be would never had his lost child.

At the stairwell he doesn't hesitate, immediately taking to the stars that would lead him- and Harper-away from this plaer

I feel warm. It's winner, isn't it? Even fully dressed and snug in my bed. I wouldn't feel this full beslied heat. It's all around nae, rachating and soft, surrounding me like the world's furriest banket Reality comes back to me slowly. I'm not in my bed. Actually, I don't feel like I'm in any bed. In fact, it almost feels as if I'm resting against someone's chest, with their strong arms wrapped around me. 1 stuff a intle cautiously, and immediately recognizes Caleb's scent

Guldi The Livani King. The source of all of my fears and troubles

My heartbeat starts to flutter, yet, just as quickly, it slows back down.

There's something in my arm An IV? It seems to be helping melax. That, or the calming scent, or the steady rise and fail af Cairli's chest.

I don't want to admit how relaxing the feel of hum is it should. This is a man who has terrorized me since I've arrived here, who claimed me in bed and tried to kill me with a needle in my neck

Yet my body can be denied. It likes thus closeness. This warmth Just as it enjoyed all the pleasures of last night

Treacherous traitorous thing

1/3

Embarrassed by my own reaction to Caleb's closeness, I keep my eyes squeezed shut. I tell myself it's so I can avoid being

ped at a little while longer. The truth is, that I will deny to niy deathbed, I just want to be held like this until I absolutely

must be forced to move.

Treacherous body. Tired, weak limbs.

"My king," says a man nearby. It doesn't sound like Tristan. Another subordinate, perhaps? "Our spies in the Bear Kingdom have reported back. Tristan thought I should report to you at once." He clears his throat. "Unless you are otherwise engaged." "I'll hear your report," Caleb says. His chest rumbles as he talks, feel it vibrate against my ear. His skin there is warm.

Wait. Is he not wearing a shirt?

"Of course, my King," the unknown man says. "We've known that the bear clan has been making moves against us, planning an invasion on wolf pack lands. What we haven't been able to decipher is where that invasion might occur until now "Out with it then."

-

"The bear clan are building their forces just outside of the Riverwood Pack territory. We have every reason to believe the attack will be there."

My heart picks up speed. That's my pack.

"The Riverwood Pack are holding their Alpha succession ceremony soon," the man continues. "With it, they will be expecting many visitors from far and wide. This will lower their defenses. It would be the perfect opportunity for the Bear Clan to slip their warriors into the Riverwood Pack territory." "That would be the case, yes," Caleb says.

"We have a few days before the ceremony," the unknown man says. "If we want to make a move in their defense, we still have time to organize and deploy." The man pauses a moment. "What would you have us do, my King?"

I hold my breath. Surely the King will send his forces to defend my pack and its lands from this invasion. We've always been loyal to the Lycan King, expecting that the loyalty would be returned.

Yet, still, I'm nervous. Caleb is as ruthless as they say, and given how insistent he is about a child, I'm not entirely certain he is of a sound mind.

"Definitely not," Caleb says, a firm no.

I'm frozen deep down to my core.

"Of course, my King," the ma

man says. "Forgive me, but people will wonder as to the reason of the answer. If you would include me in on your thinking. I could help spread your message.

"The Riverwood Pack is withholding my child. As they have refused to hand over the child or any clues relating to the child's whereabouts, I am under no obligation to protect its people. They stand against me with their defiance, and are therefore not worth saving. This reasoning is so cold....

To let so many people die because they can't give information they don't have about a child that doesn't exist...

"In addition. Caleb continues. "This information provides us with a rare opportunity. Who can be certain that we will know in the future where the bear clan might attack? We let them make their move, thinking that they have the drop on us. Right as they are comfortable, we counterattack."

"Ah, a sound plan, my King," the man says.

Maybe to someone sitting at a strategy desk, playing with maps and paperwork, lives could be traded and lost so casually. But this isn't a game. These are real people. People who are precious to me. My pack.

Caleb wants to sacrifice my park just so he can have a better opportunity to counter.

I need to send word to Samuel somehow. As soon as I am able.

I don't know how, but I will find a way. I won't let my people die because of Caleb's callousness.

The unknown man excuses himself. At the doorway, he exchanges brief greetings with a man whose voice I recognize as

Tristan's

Tristan moves closer. "I trust the report went well."

"I'll tell you later," Caleb says. "We will need to strategize."

"Very well."

In the moment of quiet that follows, Caleb shifts slightly, readjusting his arms around my waist.

"What should we do with Miss Lovett?" Tristan asks. "Once she well, I can send her back to the dungeons. We can find something that will force the truth from her without killing her

Caleb makes a thoughtful hum, like he's actually considering it.

"I don't believe that will be necessary," Caleb says. "In fact, I have a much more pleasant torture in mind for her."

"Oh?" Tristan asks...

"Prepare garments," Caleb says. He lifts a hand-and places it at the base of my throat. "Harper will be my personal slave."