LIANA
I stare into my full–length mirror and sigh.
The dress is doing little to suck in my stomach. No matter how much I try, I am still the biggest she–wolf in my pack. I’m not obese or anything. I’m just…extra in size. The sad truth is that if I wasn’t the alpha’s daughter, no one in this pack would likely even talk to me.
I get my shape from my father. He’s a rounder guy but, in a male, extra weight is seen as intimidating. He may be thick, but he’s still strong, with deep, layered muscle beneath his bulk.
“You rudy?” My father’s voice speaks into my mind.
I straighten out the long curtain of raven hair that flows down to the bottom of my spine and add a touch of mascara to the lashes that make a dark ledge over my green eyes. My two biggest assets–well, along with a fat ass and tits. Who doesn’t love those?
Who am I kidding? My hair and lashes are the only thing I have going for me.
“Yes,” I answer back before my father comes looking for me. “Do I have to come?” I ask for the millionth time.
“Yes, Liana, you know that unless you’re on death’s door, you are expected to attend. As are all the packs and their families.”
“If I’d known of that loophole…”
“Don’t! Now get a move on. We’ll be late.
I roll my eyes at his barked order but do as he asks, making my way carefully down the stairs in my dangerously high heels. I always do as Father asks. Things are just easier that way.
My father stands at the bottom with Zeke by his side and I smile to myself like a schoolgirl. Zeke’s been coming around quite a bit recently. Ever since we hooked up on the last full moon, he’s been hanging around wherever I am. I know we’re not mates but I can’t deny it’s a nice feeling to have the extra attention. It’s not like I get a lot of it…
“You look beautiful,” my father says, and I force a smile, feeling Zeke’s eyes lingering on my full, bulging chest. “Ready?”
I don’t answer, just walk past him and make for the limo.
***
Pulling up at the palace makes me queasy. So many people, and I hate crowds.
I recently came of age so now that I am eligible to be mated off, that is exactly what my father intends to do. He wants the strongest wolf who’ll have me. He says it in nicer words, but that’s basically the root of his point. And my father may seem kind and caring, but he always gets what he wants. You don’t get to be one of the most powerful alphas in the territory without a bit of ruthlessness.
These balls are the best places to meet the kind of male my father wants for me, and I already dread how many wolves I will be introduced to tonight.
“Let’s go, darling,” my father says with an outstretched hand to help me out of the limo. I take a deep breath and follow his lead into t palace.
We are immediately placed with our pack on one side of the room as we await the king’s arrival. Who’s late to their own ball?
“Have you met him before?” My friend Ariel approaches me, and I smile at her.
“Who?” I say with a roll of my eyes, but my smile is still in place.
“The king, obviously! I hear he’s gorgeous but completely out of reach.”
the
course I haven’t. It’s my first year here.” My father attends meetings at the palace now and then with the king’s beta, but I have never been invited along.
“I wonder if I can capture his heart.” she says with a bat of her eyelashes, and I chuckle. Although, if anyone stands a chance, it’s Ariel. She has that slender and athletic frame that males just die for: taut stomach, long, slim arms and legs, and beautiful auburn hair that is naturally curly and full. She has the nicest face too, well defined but not harsh or hard in any way, and soft brown eyes. She is beautiful, not even I can deny that.
I stiffen as an arm curves around my waist from behind but relax a little when his sweet scent hits me, calming my nerves. I step back into Zeke’s hold.
“If anyone can, it’s you, Ariel,” I say while trying to ignore Zeke’s presence. She gives me a little shoulder nudge and fluffs up her hair as the doors open and the vast room falls silent.
“Oh Goddess…” Ariel mumbles from beside me as the biggest creature I’ve ever seen stalks in, dominating the room with his size.
He completely dwarfs even some of the biggest wolves I’ve seen.
His black, wavy hair is styled perfectly and his body is ridiculously broad, with impressive layers of muscle barely concealed by the tailored suit that clings to everything. For his size, he is surprisingly graceful, almost gliding around tables up to his throne.
“Wow…” Ariel almost drools, and I smile at her as she pushes her tits up higher to reveal more flesh. Shaking my head, I return my attention to the king.
His voice resounds over the packs with a deep vibration that goes straight to my core and makes me shiver.
“You okay?” Ariel questions, and 1 nod, even as Zeke’s hand grips me a little harder, having felt my reaction. She gives me a strange look. The air is way too hot and thick in here but all my hairs stand on end.
The dinner commences and the food is amazing. With so many eyes around, I am more careful than usual about what I eat. My father is not so self–conscious and stuffs himself completely.
Ariel spends most of the meal gazing up at the king and although he looks our way, his expression does not change at all when he makes eye contact with anyone. It is odd but perhaps to be expected, considering his status.
I have already been introduced to several “suitors” by my father. Yes, some are wildly attractive, but although they indulge my father’s efforts, I can see they have no interest. Indifference is skillfully buried behind the fake façade they all maintain, but nonetheless it is still there. The only reason anyone would want me is to become alpha. Kind of pathetic, really.
“Our turn.”
I look at my father and frown.
What?
“We are to see the king. You need to be introduced. It’s protocol.”
“No I don’t!” I say, panicked, and look around the crowds for some kind of escape route. His brow furrows but I stand quickly before anyone can stop me and make a dash for the restrooms.
Safely inside, I relax back against the cold tile and breathe a sigh of relief. There is no way I am being trotted up there like a prize pig. No way.
I glance at the mirrors and scrunch my face up at the reflection before looking away again.
The door opens, and I stiffen, then relax as Ariel comes in.
“Oh my Goddess!” she squeals, and I frown. “We need to go!”
“Why?” I heave a sigh at her wildly excited attitude.
“The king is having a lineup! All females,” she says, beaming, and my stomach roils.
“N–no,” I stutter, but Ariel cuts me off.
“Liana, we don’t have a choice. Come on!” she squeals, and my eyes roll as she prances out of the door.
want to check
my
dress in the mirror, but I can’t bear to see myself again. I wouldn’t exactly be missed all that much if I ran right
Iow if I’m ant them. He won’t malarsta ma aiuina aur
3:54 PM
now…but I know Ariel’s right. There’s no real way out of this. My father will notice if I’m not there. He won’t tolerate me giving our pack a bad name by missing a mandatory lineup.
I wonder what the hell the lineup is for. Why does the king need to inspect all the single she–wolves at the ball?
There’s only one possible reason, really. The king wants to choose a bedmate for the night. I’ve heard the rumors about his endless appetite for she–wolves. He uses them and tosses them aside like discarded toys.
Thank the Goddess, I’m in no danger of being chosen.
With a sigh, I reach for the handle, but the door is quickly pushed inward, and I snap back as Zeke comes in and presses himself back against it. Reaching forward, he snatches my wrist and yanks me flush to his hard body as 1 gasp. Shoving a hand into my hair, he pulls my face to his and quickly possesses my mouth.
I forget myself for a moment and push back into it with a small whine. Zeke is not exactly the worst kisser and my wolf is close to the surface, crazy for more.
“You taste so good,” he mumbles between breaths. Until he spoke, I was completely lost in my body’s needs, but somehow I snap back to reality and shove myself away.
“Zeke…stop,” I breathe out in a pant, and he groans in resignation. Quickly. I slide up to the mirror and check my makeup for smudges.
“You still look beautiful,” he whispers, and I grin to myself, knowing he can’t see me. At least one male appreciates me.
“I have to go.” I say, and his head dips in a nod as he stuffs his hands into his pockets.
“The king’s lineup,” he utters with distaste, and I sigh, walking back over to him and pressing my hand against his chest.
“You have nothing to worry about,” I say with a snort. “No king would want me.”
He frowns, lifting his hands to cup my cheeks, and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Any man would be lucky to have you…even a king.” he whispers, and there’s a hint of pain in his voice. Then he sighs deeply and releases me.
My stomach flutters, his words doing nothing to quell my anxiety.
Deep breaths, Liana. Everything will be fine.
The Blind Lycan King and His Queen
KL Han
X
LUCIAN
The part of the evening I have most been looking forward to is finally here. The shift. Anyone who wants to can shift into wolf form and roam the grounds or surrounding fields and forestry as freely as they desire and I am definitely in the mood to run. I need to feel the wind in my face. I also need my sight for a while, Hut as of tonight, the shift also signals the part I have been dreading. I stare at the closed doors, knowing exactly what is waiting behind them,
I feel Kia approuch my side.
“Are you sure about this?” he asks quietly. I grunt in response, clearly evading his question, but right now I have no time for discussion or debate. I’m out of options.
It’s simple. An heir within the year or I’ll be stripped of my title….
Ironic that I have absolute power, as king–except when it comes to the laws of succession. Even a mighty monarch must how to those ancient laws, I know the laws were made for a reason, but it doesn’t make my situation any more bearable. Lycan fertility doesn’t last forever, and my sell by date is fast approaching.
Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to my dream of finding my mate. Something in me cracks at the thought.
“Let’s go.” I mutter and feel him nod as the doors ahead open and we step out.
I may not see them but I can hear the hushed, excitable whispers of the she–wolves who stand before me, waiting to be presented.
Their heady s
scents fill the air but I remain focused as Kia guides me to the start of the line.
Drawing in a deep breath, I start to march down the line.
I don’t need to see them. Scent only is enough. I’ll smell where each one is in her cycle and we’ll go from there. The silence is thick. broken only by the occasional intoxicated whine or whimper and the sound of heavy breathing.
“Halfway, sir.” Kia’s voice echoes in my head as we keep walking.
“Just pick one. Anyone, the voice of Alexandre, head of the council, calls from the back of my mind, but…!
I stop and hear a sharp intake of breath to my right. I frown as I draw in a lungful of air–and instantly swoon. My head twists to the side and I zone in on the sound of her heavy, thumping heart. A beat that mirrors my own.
Oh yes…that is what I need.
-Sir…which one?
Kia w
whispers inside my head.
“Appearance?” I ask him and feel him move beside me as her heartbeat thumps louder.
“Auburn, slim, tall, very athletic. Bright smile. Euger… “I stop him with a small shake of my head. “Uhm. black hair thick…very Mick…..green eyes…….
”
“Her,” I state firmly, feeling my body instantly respond to his description as my heart races.
Lunging forward. I go to grab her wrist, but as my hand grazes her skin, she squeaks out a gasp at the fire I know we both feel. Heat radiates up my arm and 1 growl.
“Liana” a girl cries out, and I hear the sound of running footsteps.
P
A
I smile. Without a care for where we are. I rip off my clothes and shift. Letting out a bloodcurdling howl, I disperse the pack to enjoy their evening
Finally in form, I glance at what my second option was, and my insides squirm.
Oh, absolutely fucking not.
“Which way did she go?” I look down at Kia from my considerable height, and he points to the east.
I grin.
Oh, little wolf.
Run all you like, but I am coming for you.
The pack starts to shift around me, eager to enjoy their evening, and I launch into action and thunder across the grounds to catch up
with her.
She can’t hide from me.
***
Diving into the woodlands, I catch wind of her magnificent scent and a shiver rolls down my spine, spreading through my entire body and stopping me dead for a moment to catch my breath.
I sniff at the air, reeling in disbelief at the pure adrenaline shooting through me as I catch her scent again. Then I tear through the undergrowth to hunt her down. She is not getting away from me, no way.
Does she really believe she can outrun me and hide?
Looking around, I frown, seeing the dim lights of the palace breaking through the trees as I race toward it, still firmly locked onto her
scent.
Why did
Ishe come back here?
When I reach the building, I quickly shift into my hybrid form so I can use my hands to open the door. Then I duck back into wolf form while sniffing at the air. She has definitely come through here.
I smile.
Clawing my way through the house, I am confused when her scent leads me to the staircase. My brow cocks slightly before I trek up them and let my nose lead me through the halls to…my bedroom door?
I shove
the door open but the room is empty
A garment lies on the rug and I lean down to pick it up, bringing the fabric to my snout and inhaling it deeply with a growl.
I clutch it in my hand like a prized possession. I was right, the scent is definitely hers. Now where the fuck is she?
Moving to the bed, I crawl across it, my nose guiding me to the pillow where her scent is strongest, I shove my face into it, shifting to human form and holding it to my face until I’m light–headed.
Oh, sweet Goddess!
“Ki!” I shout through my mind and wait for him to arrive, pacing impatiently.
“Sir,” Kia pants as he jerks to al
halt in the doorway.
“Beta, she’s been in here. I can smell her.”
“Who, my king?
“My mate. It’s her, she’s been here. Her scent… Oh, her scent. It’s everywhere.” My voice has gotten deeper and more possessive. Oh, that smell, it’s like lavender and honey. Oh, holy .
“Find her,” I growl. My need is overwhelming.
“My king?”
Chapter 3 of 53 Runaway Prize
“My king?”
“Take this! And you find her! No one is to lay a finger on her. Bring her straight to me!” The shivers of her scent run through my body like the blood in my veins. I’m not leaving this fucking room. The thrill of the chase is gone there’s too much at stake now. The scent in here is the only part of her I can keep hold of and I’m terrified that if I leave, all traces of her will leave me too…
I shove the pillow toward him and he takes it gently from my hand. He sniffs the fabric. Goddess, I want to punch him for that, even him smelling that sweetness makes me angry.
“Yes, sir,” he says firmly and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
I will have her. I will find her. I’ve waited too long, believing my curse would deny me my mate.
Oh, Goddess, thank you.
Alone, I crawl back onto the bed, still naked, and let her scent consume me.
I grab the pillow beside me, crushing it to my body and covering myself in the perfume of her. I bring it to my face, inhaling deeply Ch , I feel high.
I roll over on the sheets, crazed, taking in as much of the scent as I can. My cock strains from her scent alone and I don’t resist stroking myself.
My lycan lets out a feral growl. One of desperate need, the need to possess this creature that has lain on my bed.
My hand moves faster and harder on myself. No more random . Not until I find her. She will be mine, I will make sure of it. I bite into the pillow, holding it to my body as my cock brushes against the material. I want to be covered in her. Her scent is so strong even though she’s not even in heat. Everything is making my lycan go crazy within me. I can smell her arousal on the fabric and imagine all the things she might have done in here.
Oh …the thought is unbearable and I blow quickly, covering myself in a thick load with not a single ounce of shame.
I want her. I need her! He’d better find her!
I pace around my room waiting for Kia to return. I am being driven crazy in here. I just need to hold her. To feel her and know she’s real and that she is mine. I pulled on track bottoms so as not to scare her if she is found and brought here. I can only imagine how intimidated she would feel.
I start to count my steps in an attempt to calm myself when the door opens and Kia walks in. I know she’s not with him. I can’t smel her.
“Sir…
“Where is she?!” I growl and he flinches. I am not usually so hard on Kin but he has no idea the pain this is putting me in.
“We checked the remaining packs for every member, sir, but…“I let out a low growl of frustration and he sighs. “She wasn’t there.”
“Who is she, Kia?!” I snap impatiently.
“Alpha Zayne’s daughter…Liana.”
Liana. Even her name makes my heart beat faster. “Prepare for our departure.” I tell Kia.
“Sir?”
“I have waited three hundred years never knowing if I will find her! Believing I will never have a mate! 1 NEED her!” I snap, then take
Π
a deep, calming breath. “I’m sorry…” I stop my pacing, turning my head to where I know my bed is. She may have run but she left her calling card. She knows I can find her.
Does my little mate want a chase?
I am more than happy to oblige.
I’ll let her think she’s escaped my net. Let her lie in her bed thinking she ouiran the king…
not her wink she’s escaped my net. Let her lie in her bed thinking she outran the king…
The thought is thrilling.
“We leave at first light,” I murmur and feel him agree as he slips from the room.
One more night.
And then…you’re mine.
