Chapter 16
Maxwell’s POV.
“I’m on my way. What happened?” I linked to my Beta as I stormed out of the palace.
“We’re under attack at the Eastern border,” he said, his tone strained. “Some powerful
creatures.”
“I’m coming.” I severed the link, my pulse quickening. Zion, my wolf, growled in the back of my mind, his bloodlust igniting like wildfire. He was ready for the kill. I smirked.
“Not yet, Zion. Not yet,” I muttered, gripping the wheel as I sped off. My beast was dangerously impatient, and it had taken years to tame him. If I wasn’t fast enough to act, he’d gladly take over–and when he did, it wasn’t pretty.
The drive was a blur. In minutes, I arrived at the border. Chaos had taken over. The scent of blood and the clash of claws filled the air. My warriors fought ferociously, but the enemy–a pack of towering Lycans–was overwhelming. These weren’t from around here.
I stepped out of the car and scanned the battlefield. Amid the chaos, I spotted Cross locked in a brutal fight with a Lycan whose crown glinted under the sunlight. Their
leader.
The crowned Lycan broke away from Cross the moment he noticed me. With a guttural roar, he charged.
I smirked, holding my ground as the beast lunged, fangs bared. At the last second, I sidestepped and drove a blow into his neck. The force sent him crashing to the ground, howling in pain.
“How the hell did you do that?” Cross’asked, shifting back to his human form, blood streaking his face.
“I don’t know. It just happened.” I shrugged, walking toward the downed Lycan. “Lock him in the cells. He’ll be out cold for a while, but I want answers when he wakes up.”
Cross nodded, barking orders to nearby warriors.
Two more Lycans charged me, snarling. My hands shifted into claws mid–movement, and I grabbed their heads, smashing them together with bone–cracking force. They collapsed, stunned. Wasting no time, I tore into their chests and ripped out their hearts. No coming back from that.
Another pair lunged at me. I ducked, spinning, and snapped one’s neck with a single twist while driving my claws into the other’s throat. Blood sprayed as they fell lifeless to the ground.
Around me, my warriors adapted my technique, quickly dispatching the remaining Lycans. When the last of them lay dead or incapacitated, I shifted my hands back to human form, blood dripping from my fingers.
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Chapter 16
The injured warriors were already healing, their wolf genes working overtime. Satisfied there was no further threat, I left the battlefield and drove back to the palace.
“Your Majesty,” the guards greeted as I strode through the entrance, my boots echoing in the quiet halls. I headed straight for my quarters, ignoring Anna as I passed.
In the ensuite, I scrubbed the blood from my skin, my mind replaying the battle. Lycans. Why now? Why my pack? No one dared attack us–they knew better. Could these Lycans be tied to the recent attacks on other packs?
After drying off, I walked into my room. Anna stood there, her arms crossed.
“I’m still here, Maxwell,” she said, her voice sharp.
“You’ve overstayed your welcome, Anna. Go home,” I said, heading for my closet.
She followed, but I stopped her in her tracks with a single word. “Anna.” My voice held the power of my Alpha tone, and she froze, trembling.
“Y–You’ll kill me,” she stammered.
“Leave now, before I forget you were once my woman,” I warned, my tone cold.
Her lips quivered, but she dragged her suitcase out, slamming the door behind her. I exhaled deeply, shaking off the lingering anger. I had a mate now, and I wouldn’t disrespect her.
Dressed and composed, I descended to the dungeons. The iron steps echoed under my feet as Cross and two warriors came into view.
“Your Majesty,” they greeted, standing at attention.
“Is he awake?” I asked, my eyes narrowing.
“Yes. He’s been… insistent,” Cross replied grimly.
I stepped into the dim cell. The Lycan leader sat chained, his glowing red eyes locked on me. His towering form and tan skin marked him as a higher–ranking predator.
“What do you want here?” I demanded, my voice calm but laced with authority.
His lips curled into a sneer. “Something of ours is here. We’ve come to take them back.” “Something of yours?” I glanced at Cross, who shrugged. “What could possibly belong to you in my kingdom?”
“You brought them yourself,” the Lycan growled. “Return them.”
His words made no sense, but before I could respond, he added, “Send her back. She doesn’t belong to you. She’s ours.”
My blood ran cold as his next words hit me like a storm.
“Princess Delilah. Send her back.”
My beast roared to life, threatening to tear free. Delilah? A princess? Who is she really?
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