Forgotten Royalty (Escaping The Throne) (10 page)

“Milord, I am the Lady Katrina Lykaios, daughter of Devon Lachapelle,
Crowned King of the Dragon Guard Clan. My husband is Crowned Prince Curtis
Lykaios, son of Crowned King Richard Lykaios of the Knight Wolves Clan.”

He waves a hand, “Get on with it Lady Katrina. I’m not interested in
pleasantries.”

She bows, “We have read the archives and I understand why you are so
hesitant to trust any of us, let alone the other royals. We did not seek you or
your granddaughter out my lord. My son Damian is an honored member of the royal
guard as all princes are before their crowning. He was sent to investigate
recent Blood Borne Clan activity reported in this area. He tracked the hunter
Bane to your granddaughter’s school. He went in to investigate before Bane came
back that afternoon.”

My grandpa holds up a hand, “I want to hear the rest of the story from
the boy.” Katrina nods in agreement.

 “Milord, as my mother already said, I had tracked his scent to Sara’s
school. I went in to scout for anywhere he may hide if he ran inside. Sara
found me in the shadows without any kind of encouragement. I didn’t want to
interfere in her life as this was just a mission at the time. I was taught well
to leave the victim out of it if possible, so I left the school to wait in my
vehicle.”

My grandpa’s hand shoots up again. “I think you’re skipping a part boy.
You forget, I may be old, but I have no trouble reading your thoughts as you
remember.” Wow, grandpa had kept all of this a secret from me.

“If it pleases you to make me squirm sir, I can continue.”

I speak up, “Grandpa, why don’t you just read our minds if you can? I’m
not exactly thrilled that nobody had informed me about any of this.”

My grandpa looked into my eyes. “Sara, I am so sorry that you’ve been
going through all of this alone. When you hadn’t started showing any signs of
change at thirteen, I thought you would be normal like your mother. I know
you’re scared honey.”

Tears fill my eyes and I hug my grandpa tight. I sat there for about
ten minutes crying. I sensed grandpa scanning Damian’s mind and then mine. When
he finished, I looked up at him.

“Sara, I’m not mad at you. I love you whether you change or not. You
are my heir. Now, this Bane, he claims that my son Zachaeus has promised Sara
to him? I don’t know how he would have even known about her. Robert kept his
family well hidden from the clans. As you know, they thought I was dead. As
long as I am here, he has no say. As much as I want the son I never knew back,
I want the granddaughter I already know more. I will disown him before letting
another of my blood be taken by that clan.”

Damian looks at me, “Sir, there’s one more thing. He’s issued a challenge
to me. He wants to fight for her.” Grandpa looks in my eyes. “This boy bit you.
You were changing too fast. He knew it would stop it temporarily. Now Bane
thinks that he is to mate with you. How do you feel about this?” I stare at my
grandpa and he smiles. “You’ve felt this way since you saw him in the shadows.
It is written that the next heir of our family would marry into the Knight
Wolves Clan. I guess I can’t stop destiny can I? Your father found love outside
of the clans because I removed him from them. You seem to have found your way
back to them. Lady Katrina, if I could return to your manor with you, I would
like to make this official and escort my granddaughter down the aisle.”

She looks at me. “It would be my honor to have your presence for such
an occasion. I shall take her shopping immediately after lunch.” She whistles.
Seth comes in the door. “Seth, be a dear and bring the car around. Then escort
Lord Payano to the car.”

“Please milady, call me Zeke.” Grandpa smiles. “My boy, you will have
your hands full with this one.”

*****

Lunch at the manor was a bustle. Kat was continuously spouting off
plans for the wedding, “We will have to call a council session. We can
conference tonight. We will schedule the ceremony for two days from now. We’ll
have to have it while Lynn is at work, she would never allow it.”

Grandpa hits the table. “Let her try to stop it. I’ll put her in her
place just like I have in the past. That’s the only reason she quit bringing
Sara to see me. I told her what was.” We all had to laugh. Seth was to stay
with grandpa and Regina. Damian and his father were going shopping as well.

“Please try to control your blood pressure Grandpa. I’ll be back soon.”
I kiss grandpa’s forehead and head to the mall with Kat.

*****

“Oh Sara, that is a lovely dress. It’s perfect.” Kat peers over my
shoulder at the mirror.

I look down at the tag. “It’s too much. I don’t want you to spend this
much money on me. I’m sure I can find a cheaper one.”

She frowns at me, “Nonsense. Our money is your money. Sara, your
grandfather has trusts set aside in banks all over the country. They all revert
to you when you turn eighteen. Money is no object.” I smile. I know that she
won’t let me say no so we buy the dress. She has it adjusted while we’re there
and picks a dress for herself. “I only become a mother-in-law once you know.”

 I almost cry, “Kat, thank you so much for all of this. You are the closest
thing to a real mom I’ve had since mine passed away. You don’t know how much
this means to me.” Now she’s almost crying. “Honey, I know I told you to call
me Kat, but after the ceremony, I would be honored if you want to call me mom.”
We both did cry then.

*****

After we finished, she took me to a beauty salon. We got manicures,
pedicures, and she had them give me a perm. I looked in the mirror and couldn’t
believe it was me. I looked so different. She paid the stylist in advance and
arranged for them to be at the manor Monday morning before the ceremony. Our
dresses were to be delivered to us the night before and their personal tailor
would be there first thing in the morning to make sure no adjustments were
needed. She even managed to have the catering party set up before we went home.

*****

We had a light dinner when we got back and Damian was just as stunned
with my hair now as he was by my dress this morning. “You do realize that we’ll
have to separate you tomorrow after lunch?” We just stared at each other.
Everyone laughed at us.

When Aunt Lynn got back from work, grandpa went to his room to hide. He
had no intentions of seeing Aunt Lynn the entire time he was there. She saw my
hair and that I was in a sundress and almost bawled. “Oh Sara, you look so
beautiful. Katrina you have to tell me your secret. How did you get her to
where anything other than black?”

Aunt Lynn turned in early and I noticed Damian getting tired also. We
cuddle up on the couch in the study and fall asleep.

“Hello son. I’ve already spoken with the council. They regret that they
didn’t search for you when you were taken, and have agreed that it is my right
as Sara’s grandfather to invoke the mating laws. If you had read the archives,
you would know that Sara is already promised since before she was born. I would
not force her into any marriage but she has found her way to her mate because
of you. If your swine hadn’t gone after her, she would have never met Damian.”
Zachaeus opens his mouth as if to argue but Zeke was ready for him, “If you
continue to attempt this challenge you will be disowned. As for Bane, if he
attacks Damian or attempts to mate with Sara ever again, his life will be
forfeit. I will kill him myself. Now get out of that house or I will have the
council arrest you!”

Zachaeus looks at us, “What kind of trickery is this? My father is
dead. I don’t know how you made this, but it’s some sort of trick.”

My mother whistles for Seth again.

“My boy, take out this trash for the Lady.” Sara’s grandfather addresses
him. He had spunk, I’ll give him that. The screen went black.

“I believe Lord Payano asked you to leave.” Seth growls.

 Bane was furious. “This is a farce. I demand you give me my challenge.”

I was done with this. “I accept!” I transformed.

“Damian, you will not. Go to your room.” My father commands.

Bane joined me in wolf form and I tore into him. “Damian! Stop this
now!” My mother’s commands were falling on deaf ears. I wasn’t letting this
filth continue to insult me or my family. I lunged at his back paws, he feinted
left. I was faster. I grabbed his front paws and tossed him against the wall. I
lunged at his neck and he grabbed my nose. I batted him away with my paws. My
father transforms to stop us. It’s too late; Sara is at the bottom of the
steps. I can smell her. My father rears up and howls. It’s over. We’re almost
instantly transformed back. I run to the steps but her uncle is already there.

“Take one more step and she’s mine forever.” Zachaeus brings his mouth
to her throat.

Everyone has converged in the hallway. “You would dare take your own
niece as a life mate? You know the laws. It’s forbidden to inbreed.” My mother
gasps.

He laughs, “You think we’re worried about your laws. We stopped
listening to you long ago.” I was ready to transform but I couldn’t risk him
completing her transformation. If he transferred his will to change on her, she
would have no choice and he would simply have to bite her in the process to
stop it. “Damian?” Sara was ready to cry, “I’m scared.” She moaned through our
connection.

He pulls her hair to make her head fall back. “You like that girl? Of
course you do. You will be our property now, one way or another. Crying won’t
save you.”

I start to seize, “Don’t touch her!”

My father looks at me, “Damian, calm down. You’re too close to the
situation to think straight.” He was right, but I didn’t care. I was still seizing.
He mauls my shoulder with his large hand and digs his fingers in. “I said calm
down.”

I had no choice. My dad was the alpha, when he gave a command, I had to
listen. “Yes, father.”

He didn’t move his hand. “Think about what you do Lost One. You know
the consequences of this decision.”

Zachaeus licks her neck with an evil grin. “My life has been forfeit to
the council since I was taken. I need only take this child as my own and her
life will be forfeit as well. Look at me child!” He turns her around to him and
forces her into a kiss. Smack! She slaps him across the face and leaves
scratches. “I like spunk in my whores, but do that again and you’ll regret it.”
Smack! She hits him with the other hand across the opposite cheek and struggles
to get free. “I warned you.” Crack! He backhands her with one hand but keeps
her from flying across the room with the other. She has a large gash on her
cheek.

“Take your hands off of her!” Her grandfather was at the top of the
steps. He was standing there which none of us had seen him come in.

Zachaeus spits at his father, “You have no say here old man. You’re
dead to me. You died the day I was taken.” I could tell that he was hurt deeply
by that.

“How dare you speak to me that way? You will address the alpha of your
clan with respect!” Zeke roars.

Zachaeus laughs, “My clan is the Borne Bloods. I never belonged to your
clan.” Lord Payano started to seize as I had only minutes ago. He falls to the
ground and we think he had a heart attack. “You can’t even give a lecture
without dying how pitiful?” He laughs and turns back to us. “Was that your
great rescue attempt? Leave it to the royal families to rely on an old man.”

I was still watching Lord Payano. He was still seizing. He grew fur. I
try to link with his mind and manage a small connection. I pull at his pain and
fall to the ground myself. My father has seen what I’m doing and shakes his
head to my mother.

“This child is not yours to bond with.” They were trying to distract
him. In a second the transformation would be over. As Lord Payano lets me bear
some of his pain, I send him some of my energy; he was going to need it for what
he was planning.

There’s a howl heard throughout the house. “What, no, it can’t be.”
Zachaeus quivers. At the top of the steps stood a magnificent wolf like no
other I had ever seen. Silver fur streaked with black covers his massive body.

He sends out a mental command and everyone bows to him in obedience.
“You dare defy me child. I am your alpha! You will obey me in this form or any
other I may take!”

Zachaeus still has a hold of Sara, but he’s trembling in his father’s
presence. “I, Crowned Prince Ezequiel Payano, son of Crowned King Joshua Payano
of the Taurs Hawks Clan, ascend the throne of my clan. My absence is at an end
and I take my place as rightful King. Zachaeus Payano, I command you to release
my granddaughter. For your insolence, I banish you from the clans. My word is
law as I am the descendent of Zakarius Lucaynan, original leader of the wolves.
Let me give you a history lesson. Zakarius had twelve sons, who each had twelve
sons. They were bestowed individual clans as their colonies grew. They married
the most beautiful she-wolves who bore them strong beautiful children. This process
went on for five generations. In the sixth generation, the clans decided that
we needed to purify the royal houses and it was decided that each generation
that followed, one house would marry the offspring of another. They mapped out
which families would join and when.”

“This leads to the prophecy that says my next heir will marry into the
Knight Wolves Clan.” He was showing everyone his wisdom matched his strength as
he sent waves of memories to all of us. “Now release her! Sara, come to me
sweet heart.” She attempts to stand, but he hasn’t let her go.

In a single bound, Lord Payano is on top of him. “You dare to still defy
me.” He digs his claws into Zachaeus’ shoulder. When Zach still doesn’t release
her, he grabs Zach’s throat in his mouth. He shakes Zach around like a rag doll
and throws him toward the door.

“You think you have won old man, but you haven’t. She will come to us.
Even if she mates with this boy, she will come to our side before the end. You
should have accepted my offer child.” Zach growls while holding a hand to his
bloodied neck. He glares at Bane to tell him he had failed him miserably. They
stumble out the door and Seth closes it.

I run over to Sara. “Are you okay?”

Her grandfather steps between us. “My dear, I’m afraid that I have
expended too much energy tonight. I will not be able to change back.” He turns
to me and takes my hand in his mouth. He brings it to Sara’s “I, Ezequiel
Payano, son of Crowned King Joshua Payano of the Taurs Hawks Clan, name Sara
Payano, as the next rightful heir to my clan. As she has already chosen her
life mate without my help, I name Damian Lykaios, son of Crowned Prince Curtis
Lykaios, as my successor. Do you understand the responsibilities that come with
this honor?”

I knelt down in front of him, “My Lord, I understand and accept all of
the responsibilities you are bestowing to me. I would be honored not only to be
your successor, but to take your beautiful granddaughter as my life mate if
she’ll have me.” I knew the rituals well. He was performing the ceremony now
before all of us.

“Seth Kumara and Chance Valera, honored members of the Knight Wolf
Guard, will you bear witness to this joining of families?” Zeke states.

They kneel down before him, “It would be our honor Lord Payano.”

He looks to the top of the stairs. “Regina Ashtabula, honored member of
the Taurs Hawk Guard, will you bear witness to this union as well.”

She descends the stairs and kneels before him, “My Lord, it would be my
honor to bear witness to such a wonderful union.”

He moves to the staircase and takes a ribbon off of the banister, “Lady
Katrina, if you would do me the honor of completing the ceremony.” He places
the ribbon in her hand and she smiles as she wraps it around our wrists.

“I, Lady Katrina Lykaios, am honored to offer my son Damian’s hand to
Sara, granddaughter and only heir of Crowned King Ezekiel Payano. May their
union be blessed” She steps back and smiles.

“Damian, Sara. I share with you the memories of past unions.” He opens
his mind to us and shows us the final step of the royal union. Sara looks into
my eyes and I hers. I let my open lips brush against her neck. I press them
down and bite down with my lips. As the suction begins, my fangs extend and
break into her flesh. She turns her mouth to my neck as I’m doing this and
follows my lead. She mimics what I’ve done and I feel her fangs extending for
the first time. I slowly release my bite and lick her neck and again she mimics
what I’ve done. She looks up at me and I see the ecstasy in her eyes. “Sara,
it’s time for you to complete your transformation. We will all bear witness to
this and if you need more assistance than Damian can give, we will help. You
need to transform completely this time.” Her grandfather was ready for
anything.