Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
And they’re mine.
We just have to make it official.
Chapter Ten
King Tovik
Hundreds of fresh-faced wolf shifters stare at me in silence as I walk the line, inspecting them. They’ve come from all over the kingdom to patrol the Blood River and to keep our wolves in Varkhar, and now the humans in Aurevale, safe.
I was hoping for a few dozen, but we got over two hundred. It’s more than enough to keep the Blood River secure. The Hollowborn won’t stand a chance.
I move down the line, checking the boys. Some have just barely gotten hair on their chins, but we’ll find a use for them. Cassius and I agreed to send our veteran guards to the most dangerous areas while these new recruits get their paws wet.
“It’s okay to be afraid,” I holler. “That fear keeps you alive. What I don’t want to see is complacency. When you let your guard down, you become Hollowborn food.”
The kid in front of me—thirteen years at the most—trembles as I stop in front of him. I give him a nod and smack his shoulder before moving on.
“Listen to the men who’ve been doing this a long time,” I holler as I walk down the line. “Do what they do. Think how they think. They’ve stayed alive out here. You can learn a lot from them. There is power in the pack. The Hollowborn are ruthless and vicious, but we are stronger when we work together. No beast in all the nine kingdoms can overcome a pack working together. Now, everyone phase.”
The line of recruits starts popping into wolves of all shapes, colors, and sizes. I move down the line, checking claws and inspecting teeth. Some are small, but they’ll grow. These recruits will be helping to secure Vaela’s homeland for the next decade or so. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously. I won’t let anything happen to my mate’s family.
Just the thought of her throws off my focus. The sexy image of her with my cock in her hand, burying it into her mouth as I growled and snarled in bliss… Fuck… I can’t even think straight.
It’s a struggle to go on with these sensual thoughts while she’s back in the castle waiting for me, but I do. Keeping my girl safe is not a responsibility I take lightly, no matter what my carnal desires are begging for.
By the time I dismiss the recruits, the sun is dipping low over the training grounds, painting everything in a golden hue. I catch myself grinning like a fool as I race back to the castle for dinner with her.
Cassius is waiting outside the hall, already dressed and ready for our dinner. I quickly throw on some fine clothes and join him.
When we’re inside the dining room and Vaela walks in, I nearly collapse at the stunning sight.
She’s wearing a light purple dress tonight, the material looking as soft and beautiful as her pale skin. Her hair is a nest of curls and waves, pinned up with sparkling jewels, and the smile on her face is one I’ll never forget.
“Did you miss me, boys?” she asks with a grin as she glides in like a goddess.
“More than you could ever know,” I say.
This princess looks like she was born for a throne. Our throne.
We sit down and have a lovely dinner. This time, my nerves are in check and I’m able to eat. I’ve barely eaten in days and I catch the princess watching in awe at how much I’m wolfing down.
Cassius gets her laughing about the new recruits and how they had the same look of shock as she did when she arrived in the courtyard.
“Although they didn’t look nearly as beautiful,” he says with a grin.
Her cheeks blush as she playfully swats his hand. “I bet they weren’t so foolish as to show up in a fancy dress and silk slippers.”
“It wasn’t foolish, Princess,” I tell her. “You looked every bit the queen that Varkhar needs.”
“That reminds me,” Cassius says. “We’d like to show you the throne room after dinner. Would you like to see where you’ll be sitting between us?”
“Perhaps I’d prefer to sit on your laps?” she says, teasingly.
“I was hoping you’d say our faces,” Cassius says, grinning.
She blushes as she takes a sip of her wine. “Perhaps we can arrange that,” she whispers.
We’re both in awe as we listen to her tell us about Lark and her family and her life growing up. I hang on every word. I want to know everything about her. I feel like I’ve missed so much.
By the time the plates are cleared and the candles have burned low, we are ready to move on. I catch a glimpse of her neck and feel my heart pounding as I imagine my mark there, making her mine forever.