Royal Connections - Book 2

Prologue

Long ago when the Ancient Ones, including the Moon Goddess, created the Lycans, they brought forth a generation of Royals. They were to be the protectors of all the Werewolf community.

With that responsibility, they were empowered with great wisdom and innate elemental gifts; only given to a selected few who were deemed worthy in their eyes. It was known at birth who received these gifts as it was seen in the form of a rare birthmark. A discoloration of the skin representing the color of one of the elements.

These special chosen Royals were expected to rule justly and with fortitude. They were also known as The Elders, because of their wisdom which surpassed beyond all other understanding regardless of their age.

With these great gifts from the Ancient Ones, any Royal who bore a mark of power was allowed to choose their mate because it meant that during the mating and marking ritual with that Royal, some of their power and strength would automatically be passed on to them. This power allowed a mate not of alpha blood to automatically become an alpha and with that honorable title great strength, agility, and for a very select few they were given enhanced mental abilities, like teleportation and, or mental persuasion.

All was well within the Werewolf community for many of thousands of years until a young Royal Elder was raped and tortured by a jealous pack member who wasn’t her chosen mate but wanted her still. In return, the pack member received some of her powers when he bit her during the hideous crime in attempts to mark her as his. It took many months for him to be dealt with due to his increased strength and agility which he never had before.

The Elders gathered together to come up with a solution in hopes to keep this tragic and horrific event from happening again. With only one solution in mind they decided to call upon the Moon Goddess for further assistance, and to their great persistence she finally agreed to help them, to keep order between the Were community. She selected one Elder to bestow a very special gift.

This one gift which would change everything.

In order to capture the vile werewolf who attacked the young Royal Elder, one was chosen to be gifted with all the elemental powers including teleportation and persuasion.

The criminal was finally captured and placed in the dungeons laced with wolfsbane and double plated silver walls and bars. By the time of his execution, rumors had been spread throughout territories all over the world of the power a Royal held and how it could be transferred during the mating and marking process.

Royals found their children and mates were no longer safe in the open. Everyone and anyone who bore such a mark was hidden from vile and feral tormentors who desperately wanted what only they could provide.

The Moon Goddess and Ancients Ones who bestowed the powers to begin with, came to hear about the chosen’s misfortune once again. Taking it upon themselves, they informed the Royals that a restricted condition was being placed on all who bore the mark for the protection of the Werewolf community. Including any and all future Royals who have not been born…. yet.

So, it was decided… the transfer… would only take place…. if the mating and marking was…. consensual.

~ Time Lapse - 23 years from present~

“NO! Please don’t harm my babies!” she begged and pleaded, only to have them fall on deaf ears. Her heart wrenched with the thought of her precious innocent babies being taken and harmed by the vulgar creatures who stood before her. Her mind takes her to places of the most horrendous images of possibilities.

Tears stained her face as she winced in pain holding tightly onto her attackers wrists as he gathered her hair in his hand lifting her into the air, legs barely touching the now blood soaked, stone flooring beneath her. Again pleading and begging for not just her life but theirs. Her claws digging into his skin hoping for some sort of release so she could get away. But there was none. Only tighter and tighter he gripped.

Raising his arm, claws extended, she was hit one last time across the throat before being thrown across the room's devastation into the air. Back crunching as it hit a pillar on the other side.

“Find. And kill the children.” He seethed victoriously. “She does. Not. Want anyone left alive.” looking around at the victory all around him, smugly his breathing calmed as he took in the gruesome sight before his dark onyx eyes.

The queen now dead, lying next to her king with his throat ripped out from its rightful resting place nowhere to be found. There were bodies everywhere. Scattered among the palace’s great room mangled from their brutal and unexpected attack.

Outnumbered ten times over without a chance for survival. They fought back bravely. In the end if they didn’t die then they were captured, for unthinkable things.

“We did it. We killed them and now I can take my rightful place on the throne.” a silky yet venomous voice came from behind as a warm hand reached over and rested on top his shoulder, kicking at the now dead body of the queen with her left foot smiling gallantly in triumph.

“Once my sister’s annoying little brats are dead, there will be no one left to challenge me for the throne.” he turned his head over his left shoulder slowly in her direction and stared at her from the slant of his eye.

She was a tall slender woman with an evil glint in her piercing green eyes. She walked in the room as if she owned everything around her. Always dressed exceptionally, adorned with a long flowing gown with delicate sequins deliberately placed around her tight fitting bodice that swayed behind her when she moved. Long dirty blonde curls cascaded down her shoulders over her back. If she wasn't so relentlessly brutish, she would be any man’s dream come true.

She was just as ruthless, cunning, and devious as he was. But way worse for setting up such a slaughter on her entire family. Just to be queen. He didn’t know if he should be outright disgusted by her actions or extremely aroused by them.

Although,

He found himself feeling… both.

“You truly are, devilish, woman.” turning around to fully face her while pulling her in tightly by the waist in a jerky motion. Grabbing her by the neck he kissed her hard. Pressing themselves against each other in a desperate… wanting… desire. This diabolical woman stirred his blood in ways that made his pants tighten.

He wasn’t sure if he should be slightly afraid of her or devour her whole. His mind and body said both.

“They're missing!” a panicked voice ran through their ears as they parted and looked in the direction of the invasion. “We can’t find them anywhere!” was heard again from behind as a warrior quickly ran into the room gathering their now full attention.

A scowled frown appeared on her face at his treacherous intrusion as her brows furrowed fiercely. Lifting her hand she grabbed into the air and squeezed her fist closed before swinging it to the left. A cruel diabolical smile formed back on her silky face as she threw him across the room.

He gasped and his eyes widened as his airways closed off feeling himself being thrown through the air before slamming into the wall across the room. Turning to stare at the wolf who would dare to intrude on her without permission.

“DO NOT! Interrupt me again when I am busy.” she stated rather abruptly; turning back around in the dark clutches of her lover she lustfully looked into his piercing eyes. Devouring the lips of the roguous man in front of her again holding onto the back of his neck before abrasively turning to find the missing children. The breaking of bones was the only sound heard once he landed.

“What, is this I hear?! You cannot find even a simple pair of pups?” bellowing out to the warriors walking up the corridor in her direction.

“We are s-sorry mi-mistress, but they seem to have…. Disappeared.” cowering at the sight of her. “We looked everywhere. They are not here.” he said bowing in panic showing their necks in submission.

Hoping for a reprieve from her quick igniting anger. The warrior looked up briefly into his eyes, giving him an unspoken word before looking back down. Hoping she didn’t catch their silent communication.

“You are all a bunch of worthless dogs!” she scolded before walking out passing between them, scoffing... “I will just have to find them myself.” seething her words with indignation and annoyance in her voice. Preparing herself she swung the tail end of her gown around taking in a deep breath lifting her head slightly upwards.

Closing her eyes she released her mind and opened her arms calling to the children. Since they were part of her bloodline she would be able to find them easily. She concentrated on them intensely. Not once hearing the betrayal that slowly stepped up behind her as a fist pushed into her back and pulled out her heart like she was made of soft putty. Yet, still beating from the abrupt withdrawal in his hand before stopping.

Her eyes opened suddenly as they widened in surprise, gasping for the life that had just been ripped from her body. Her eyes looked down as her hands fell over her chest where her heart had once laid beating, blood emerging from her like a river letting loose pouring from her back down her legs pooling on the floor under her dress.

Turning around slowly in shock to face her betrayer, “Y-you?!?” she gasped and sputtered in surprise and confusion. Blood spitting out when she spoke. “B-but… W-why? We co-could have r-ruled… t-to-toget-ther?” she choked for breath as blood filled her cavity.

Once more a lone tear ran down her cheek before her knees hit the floor still clutching with one hand to the emptiness that her heart once filled. Disbelief still evident on her dazed face as she fell reaching out to him with the other. Before she ever heard the answer, she fell dead without ever knowing why.

The warriors nearby just watched in disbelief, and yet relieved of what they just witnessed.

“What?! She was too bossy.” looking at the warrior next to him as if, an explanation was really necessary. “Give me one of the twins. Kill the other and dump her body for the savages to feed on. I only need one to rule with. Once she becomes of age I will mark and mate her, obtaining her powers making me a true alpha and the ruler of the Lycans.” plainly saying voidly to the same warrior as he reached for the small crying pup cooing at her with whispers.

“Yes sir.” taking one of the children in his arms looking around at the mess around them, “and these?” gesturing with his free hand.

“Have it cleaned up. We can’t live, and raise this little mate of mine in a filthy bloodbath of a home now can we?” he commented in a cooing sing-song of a voice, while talking with the child in his arms. Chuckling at his own remark he stepped over the dead woman as if her lying there didn’t affect him in the slightest.