Chapter: six

Ezekiel fought to keep the growl from escaping his lips. How could she even think that?

He swallowed hard. Aylin was dead serious; she wanted to leave. There had to be another reason she was so determined to go.

“Shouldn’t I be the one to decide if you’re not good enough for me?”

Aylin looked down at her feet, took a deep breath, and her next words left the king stunned. “I saw you the other night…with that woman from the throne room.”

He was puzzled. When could she have seen them together? Ezekiel never made it a habit to be with her in public. “How?”

She wiped away a stray tear and continued. “In…in your bedroom. The door was slightly open.”

The wild look in the king’s eyes suddenly made Aylin more scared about leaving her room than telling the king she’d seen him with another woman.

She turned her back to him, feeling like there was nothing more to say. A bond might have been forming, but it was shattered when she’d seen him with another woman who wasn’t his mate.

Such a betrayal was something she couldn’t tolerate. It had happened once before, and she couldn’t risk her heart being crushed again.

Right now, she wanted to jump out the window in front of her.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she felt the king’s large presence behind her.

She wrapped her arms tighter around herself, feeling frozen in place. Kaia was running around like a mad wolf inside her head. ~“Mate wants us!”~ she yelped. ~“Let me out! I want to see Mate!”~

~“Are you serious?”~ Aylin snapped back.

~“I want to stretch my legs,”~ Kaia whined.

Aylin rolled her eyes, annoyed with her wolf. ~“I wish you wouldn’t eavesdrop.”~

Finally giving in to her wolf, she closed her eyes and let Kaia surface. “So, you’re my mate?”

“Aylin?” the king asked, sounding unsure.

“My name is Kaia.”

Ezekiel stepped back, wanting to see her eyes. “Turn around,” he ordered.

Aylin lifted her head. Her eyes had turned a violet color, but traces of blue remained, showing the girl was still there.

This was her wolf; her aura seemed powerful—the complete opposite of the human form of the girl. Sniffing the air, Kaia breathed in her mate’s scent. Involuntarily, a heat pooled in her core.

“Aylin doesn’t want to live anymore. I’m sure you know that.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” he said, his teeth clenched. “She also wants to leave.”

Kaia scoffed and moved past the large wolf. “Can you blame her? She shut me out for weeks after the last jerk rejected her. As it is, I’m barely holding the connection I have right now.”

Aylin was screaming inside Kaia’s head to shut up. She didn’t want Ezekiel to know too many details in case he did something rash. “Kaia, please stop talking,” Aylin pleaded.

A distant look came into Kaia’s eyes. Ezekiel knew they were communicating. “Why? Mate could kill Da—”

“Don’t say his name!” Aylin screamed. “I’m coming out.”

“Wait!” Kaia pleaded. After blinking her eyes a few times, Aylin shook her head, pushing Kaia to the back of her mind.

“Bitch,” Kaia grumbled.

Coming back to herself, Aylin wondered what Ezekiel thought of Kaia. “Sorry, Kaia has a big mouth. She’s the opposite of me.”

Ezekiel chuckled slightly at her. “I don’t think that’s necessarily true. She’s a reflection of you, what you could be.”

Scoffing, Aylin turned to the window. “Those days are long gone for me.”

A shiver went down her spine as she felt a large finger graze her bare shoulder.

“What if I help you find those days again?”

Sparks flooded her body. Stiffening her shoulders, Aylin wondered why he would say such a thing. It was becoming harder and harder not to let Ezekiel into her life.

A flood of emotions was making her brain overload. She never thought feeling such things again was possible. Not even Daemon made her feel the way Ezekiel did.

The sparks shooting through her even felt different, more intense.

“Zeke,” her voice wavered just saying his name. “Why?”

Confused, he stepped in front of her and sat down on the window ledge, more at eye level with her. “Why what?”

“You have this reputation for being cruel, ruthless, dangerous even. Why would a wolf like me even hold your interest? Please don’t say you pity me, because I don’t need that.

“I’ve been on my own for so long now that I’ve become accustomed to it. As a king, wouldn’t it benefit you to be with someone more deserving of your attention?”

Tears were freely flowing down her cheeks, landing on the floor at Ezekiel’s feet.

“Because,” he started, knowing that once the words left his mouth, there would be no turning back, “you’re my mate.”

Aylin’s eyes widened when he said those four words. An indescribable amount of joy flowed through her, from the top of her head down to the soles of her feet.

His large hand came up, cupping her cheek. Neither of them could believe that the truth was finally out.

Leaning into his hand, for the first time, Aylin saw a small smile play across the king’s lips.

A sudden realization made her frown. “What about that other woman?”

“Don’t worry about her.” Placing his other hand on her hip, he continued to smile at her.

Bringing her own hand up, she rested it on top of the calloused hand on her cheek.

~“Zeke!”~ Quill called through the link.

~“What?”~ he snapped.

Aylin saw the glazed look that swept over Ezekiel.

~“We’ve got something you need to see!”~

~“What is it?”~

~“A demon.”~

Aylin flinched at the sudden shift in his mood. “Zeke, what’s going on?”

“Get back to your room,” he ordered. “Stay there until I come get you.”

She simply nodded, watching his towering figure vanish down the hallway.

Taking his words to heart, she began to move toward the door, but something caught her attention. A particular book. “A History of Werewolf Mates.” She grabbed it off the shelf and hurried back to her room.

***

Ezekiel transformed into his dark gray wolf form, sprinting as fast as he could toward the cells.

Two warrior wolves stood guard at the doors, looking worn out and bloodied. Seeing their king approach, they immediately stood at attention.

“Your Majesty,” they greeted in unison.

“Where is it?”

“Locked up in the cells with Beta Angus and Delta Quill.”

“Did we lose anyone in the fight?” He asked, hoping the answer was negative.

“No, Majesty. But it sure put up a hell of a fight.”

Ezekiel shot a stern look at the warrior, who straightened up, eyes forward. “Stay here until I come back.” As he entered, the warrior on the left handed him a pair of shorts.

“Yes, Majesty.”

Descending the stairs to the cells, the overpowering smell of death assaulted his senses. Quill and Angus were standing in front of the cell, watching the creature struggle against the silver chains.

This creature was chained up even more securely than Aylin had been. It was battered and bruised, with bite marks all over.

“Where did you find it?” Ezekiel asked the men.

“It was lurking around the eastern border,” Quill answered.

“The same border that pathetic wolf came from,” Angus added.

Ezekiel growled in response, as did Quill.

After opening the door, Ezekiel approached the demon, seeking answers.

From what he could tell, it was a soldier—red rings around its irises, ribs sticking out under its skin, shaggy dark hair obscuring its eyes. Revolting.

“What are you doing on my land?”

It responded with a hiss.

Ezekiel’s patience was already wearing thin and he slapped the creature across the face. Its head whipped around so hard its neck cracked.

“Why are you on my land?!” he demanded again.

“Keep her close,~ King,” ~it spat.

Enraged, Ezekiel extended his claws, tearing the demon’s head off. Holding the bloody head, he walked toward Angus and Quill.

“That might have been a bit rash,” Quill commented.

“Where there’s one demon, there’s always more,” Ezekiel replied.

Angus chimed in. “Majesty, isn’t it strange that he came from the same border as that girl?”

Ezekiel growled at his beta, pondered his words for a moment, then, ignoring him, he ascended the stairs.

He took a few steps into the woods, away from the cells, and hurled the head as far as he could. There was no way that Aylin was connected to the demon, but he had to be sure.

***

Ezekiel rushed straight to Aylin’s room. He had to ask her if she knew anything about the demon. Despite the progress he had made with her, demons were a serious threat.

In his kingdom, the king couldn’t afford any loose ends.

Upon opening her door, the first thing Ezekiel saw was a sleeping girl with an open book on her chest. Not wanting to wake her, he gently approached, picking up the book.

Before he set it down on the nightstand, he noticed the chapter she was reading: Second-Chance Mates.

Looking back at her, he brushed a stray hair away from her face, causing her to stir. Instinctively, Aylin grabbed his hand.

Ezekiel froze, unsure of what to do. Her eyes squinted open. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he whispered.

Releasing his hand, she sat up slightly, rubbing her eyes. “Is everything okay?”

For now, he didn’t want to worry her. “Yeah,” he lied, “go back to sleep.”

He started to leave the room, but she called out to him. “Wait!”

He turned to see a look of near desperation on her face. “What is it?”

She hesitated, stopping herself from saying anything more. The courage she had mustered for that brief moment had vanished.

He walked back to her and gently lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Talk to me.”

“W-would you stay with me?”

Ezekiel smiled down at her. He was glad she had found her courage for something so simple. “Of course.”

After moving to the other side of the bed, he slid in next to her, pulling her small body close to his.

She let out a small yelp as his muscular arm wrapped around her and he buried his face in her hair, deeply inhaling her scent. For the first time in Aylin’s life, she felt warmth.

***

A piercing shriek woke both Ezekiel and Aylin.

Aylin blinked her eyes open. The woman from the throne room was standing there, screaming at the top of her lungs, pulling at her hair.

“Jesus, woman!” Ezekiel roared. “Shut up!”

Heavy boot steps approached from behind her, and Quill appeared with two other soldiers. “What’s going on?”

“That! That is what’s going on!” the woman yelled, pointing at Aylin.

Ezekiel stormed toward the irate woman. “Do not speak to her that way!”

“She’s weak! She’s pathetic! Kill her and be done with it already!”

Ezekiel roared in her face, “Get her out of my sight!” The woman recoiled.

Quill grabbed her arm, pulling her from the room, but not before he shot Aylin a wink. Embarrassed, she looked away.

Ezekiel shut the door with a bang, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration. Aylin rose to her feet, placing a soothing hand on his chest. “It’s okay,” she murmured.

He looked down at the petite woman beside him, lifting her into his arms. She nestled her head against his chest, and he pressed a kiss to her hair.

He was struck by how light she felt in his arms. She needed to put on weight, to get healthy.

“Get dressed, and we can grab some breakfast, okay?”

She nodded in agreement, and he set her back on her feet.

“Wait for me before you go.”

He nodded in response and headed to his room to change. When he returned, he opened the door to find her missing. “Ay?” he called out.

She peeked out from the bathroom, her hair damp. “Sorry, I wanted to shower.”

She seemed almost embarrassed for making Ezekiel wait. Then she did something unexpected; she stepped out wearing only a towel.

His eyes instantly darkened, aware that she was naked underneath. He let out a low growl, catching Aylin off guard.

She looked up at him, taking a step back in surprise.

Regaining control, he quickly turned around, avoiding her gaze. Behind him, he could hear her getting dressed—the sound of the towel hitting the floor.

His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt himself harden in his jeans.

Aylin watched him, unsure of how to react. It was clear she affected him more than he let on.

She quickly pulled on a pair of straight-leg jeans, a loose blue sweater, and thick boot socks. It was what she felt most comfortable in, given her thin frame.

She walked over to Ezekiel, placing a hand on his back. “I’m ready.”

Without turning around, he opened the door, letting her go first.

She hesitated, thinking he would want to go first. She was pleasantly surprised when he placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her forward. His hand stayed there for the entire walk to breakfast.

When they arrived, everyone in the room stood up in respect for their king. Aylin immediately felt self-conscious under their scrutinizing gazes.

Ezekiel’s hand remained on her back. He took his seat at the head of the table, and she sat down next to him.

The meal was uncomfortable. She didn’t dare look up to meet the gaze of the woman across the table.

Despite being at the other end of the table, the woman’s glare made Aylin feel sick.

Suddenly, there was a loud clanging sound. Everyone looked up.

~“Quill, get her out of here!”~ Ezekiel ordered through their link.

~“Tell Angus to do it. She’s his sister!”~

Aylin watched as the two brothers communicated silently. Kaia was pacing in her mind. ~“I want to kill that bitch!”~ she growled.

~“We’d get killed if we tried.”~

Aylin was pulled from her internal argument with Kaia by Ezekiel’s angry voice.

“If you can’t show me, and your future queen, some goddamn respect, I’ll have you removed!” he roared.

She looked up at her mate, his face was bright red, veins bulging.

Despite his anger, the sight of him defending her made her stomach flutter and a warmth spread through her.

The fact that Ezekiel had declared her future queen made her heart pound with joy.

The woman was pulling at her hair, her face twisted in rage. “You promised me I’d be queen! You’d choose this lost little wolf over me! She probably brought the demons here!”

Quill couldn’t hold back his anger any longer. Before Ezekiel could respond, his brother spoke up. “Angus! Get her out of here!”

Aylin had never really paid attention to the beta before.

His name was Angus. He had light brown hair, a stubbled chin, a strong jawline, and was muscular, though not as much as Ezekiel or Quill.

“You have no authority to order me!”

“He does now!” Ezekiel shouted. “Get your sister out of here before I kill her!”

Angus bowed, hoisting his sister over his shoulder as she kicked and screamed about being a better queen than the intruder.

Her words echoed in Aylin’s mind long after they had left.

Ezekiel slumped back in his chair, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

With her head down, she turned to Ezekiel. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Being a werewolf, he heard her clearly. “Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“She’s just a crazy bitch,” Quill added.

“What was she saying about demons?” Aylin asked.

The two brothers exchanged a glance. Their distant looks told her they were communicating through their link. Ezekiel’s fist slammed down on the table, startling Aylin.

Quill quietly got up and left the room.

Turning back to her mate, Aylin was curious about their silent argument. “Has something happened?”

He sighed, running his fingers over her knuckles. “When I left you last night, I was called to the cells. Quill and the others had caught a demon on the east border.

“When I interrogated him, he told me to keep you close.”

She shrugged, still not understanding what he meant.

“The east border is where Quill found you. Have you ever encountered demons?”

Swallowing hard, Aylin knew that was a loaded question. Should she risk telling him the truth or lie and potentially destroy the trust they had built?