LycanPrince (11 page)

She then shifted into a seven foot Lycan as Alex recoiled in horror.

* * * *

Vasilis took a big swig of his ale. He looked around him and watched his guards enjoying themselves. He was getting married soon and judging by the drinking and laughter around him, he knew his royal guards were satisfied with his choice for a bride.

King Drago chuckled at Vasilis's side. "I think Hesta will have a few patients to attend to later. Krako has nearly drunk a keg to himself."

Vasilis tried concentrating on what his father was saying, but all he could think of was Alex. A marriage in name only! He grimaced. He was mad! After what happened yesterday in his tent, he didn't think he could control himself with her anymore. Still, he didn't want to rush her into anything she wasn't ready for and in time, he would make her grow to love him.

He froze.
Love?
Where did that come from?

His father made a comment to him about Ortega's intake of ale when something violent slammed into Vasilis's gut. He dropped his glass of ale and it crashed to the floor, splintering in a thousand pieces. He sucked in a harsh breath, swearing roughly as he staggered to his feet.

"Son, what is it?"

"I don't know." Vasilis said, breathing hard. "I…I feel something. Holy Mother of God! I think it's Alex," he rasped.

Stunned at the powerful feel of her everywhere, he swallowed hard and looked wildly around him. What the hell was happening? He could feel her. Sense her. His Lycan blood pounded in his ears. His heart raced with terror. She was in mortal danger!

Vasilis threw his head back and roared like a beast unleashed. "Alex!"

He could feel where she was. She was by the water well. Shifting immediately into his Lycan form, he vaulted through the air, his silver dagger in his hand, and sprung for the doors, his father and the guards running behind him in their human forms, their silver swords readied.

Vasilis was at the well within moments and his heart nearly stopped when he saw the She-Lycan dangling Alex by her neck in the air. Alex was clutching at the She-Lycan's hands, gasping and choking for breath.

With lightning speed, he sprung in the air and threw his body over the She-Lycan, tossing them all to the ground. He tossed a quick glance to Alex who was on her knees, gasping and breathing in a lung full of air. He then turned on the She-Lycan.

He grabbed her by her neck and squeezed, bringing his sword's point to her chest.

"No, Vasilis!" Alex screamed hoarsely from behind him.

He felt her pulling at his arms, trying to loosen his hold on the She-Lycan and he looked down at her. "She tried to kill you," he growled.

Alex continued pulling on his arm, her eyes welling with tears. "Vasilis, no," she moaned. "This woman is ill. She needs help."

He struggled to understand what she meant.

"Vasilis, she's mentally unstable," Alex rushed on. "She was bitten two years ago and has since lost her mind. Can't we…can't you help her?" She let go of his arm. "She's gone mad. She's not evil. Don't kill her. The poor woman's gone mad since she turned," she said, collapsing on the ground, sobbing into her hands.

Vasilis froze. Had his mother gone mad, too, and he never realised it? Slowly he released his hold. The She-Lycan shifted back to her human form and Alex grabbed the torn dress off the ground and gave it to her to hide her naked limbs and breasts.

"Take her to the cellar," Vasilis told Malek. "Put a guard with silver on her watch and tell Hesta she has a new patient."

Slowly, he turned to Alex and grimaced. Her face was taut, ashen. He knelt in his Lycan form by her side and gathered her close in his arms.

His heart was heavy with anguish. What kind of life was he subjecting her to, he thought with deep regret. She deserved better than him. She deserved a normal life. She deserved a man not a beast.

"I'm sorry," he said hoarsely over her head.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. You didn't kill her," she mumbled into his massive chest.

"I'm not sorry about that. I'm sorry that bringing you into my life has surrounded you with danger."

She wiped her tears and raised her face to his, placing her hands on each side of his monstrous face. She held his gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm not sorry I'm going to wed you. You may be a Lycan Prince, but you're also the most understanding, kindest, most protective man I know." She paused and then kissed him on his Lycan mouth.

He stiffened. In two hundred years, no one ever kissed him with such warmth in this monstrous form.

In that moment he knew. He knew how much he loved her.

Chapter Ten

The wedding came and went with joyous fanfare from everyone in attendance and Alex found herself back in the bower, unable to stop thinking about it.

Her dress was lovely, a gift from Vasilis as it fell in voluminous waves of white silk and fine lace to the ground. The train was fifteen feet long and her veil fell in a soft wave over her face. He dressed in his regal prince attire and she was never more nervous walking toward him during the ceremony. If not for his steady gaze pinned on hers, she wouldn't have made it across the courtyard.

Her stomach jolted as she recalled the wedding kiss. When his mouth had touched hers, she'd nearly melted. It was warm, firm and the crowds had cheered when he'd placed his arm around her and had drawn her close, deepening his kiss.

Alex stared at the exquisite diamond pendant in her hand, another gift from Vasilis. Ariel reached for it.

"Can I see it again? Please."

Alex laughed. "Okay. Here, you can wear it for a bit, but then we have to put it in its box." She clasped the pendant around Ariel's neck and smiled as her little sister stared in the mirror.

"Do you want some water, honey?" Alex asked.

Ariel nodded.

Alex walked to a jug and poured water in a glass. She gave it to Ariel. "Bedtime in a few minutes, okay?"

"Okay."

Alex's nerves rushed forth. She was going to sleep with him tonight. It may not have been the same as saying she was going to bed him, but the thought still made her nervous. She was attracted to him and sleeping next to him in her nightdress with his muscular body only inches away from hers brought a rush of heat to her cheeks. That morning in his tent swam before her eyes and her heart skipped a beat. She wanted him and she knew he wanted her. Would they make love tonight, she wondered nervously? If he wanted to, she was going to let him, she decided.

After the wedding ceremony this afternoon, he'd reminded her that marrying him requested she retire to his bed every night, even if they were wed in name only. She'd responded with a calm nod even though she had been a mess inside.

Heat warmed her face and she drew in an unsteady breath. "Carla will be here soon, honey. It's time for bed," she said. Carefully she removed the pendant from her little sister's neck and placed it in its box on the dresser. Ariel climbed into the massive bed as Carla knocked and entered.

Alex smiled at her. "She'll be sleeping in a few minutes. The day tired her out."

Carla smiled back and went to Ariel. "I hope you'll be able to stay up for at least one story?"

Ariel giggled. "Two stories."

"Okay. Two stories."

Alex loved Carla. She was so good with children…and so patient. "Are you going to be okay?"

"We'll be fine. Have a good night, Your Highness."

Alex was uncomfortable. She still had a hard time getting used to her new title. "Goodnight, Carla. Goodnight, sweetheart. I'll see you in the morning," she said to Ariel, reaching across the bed to kiss her.

"'Night, Alex. Love you."

"I love you, too."

She left them and walked down the long winding corridor to the west wing where the prince's chamber was. The castle was so huge it took her a few minutes to arrive at his massive double doors. She swallowed and knocked gently. Nothing. She knocked again. Again nothing. Frowning, she turned the knob and opened the door. The room was lit with candelabras and she gasped as she stepped inside its opulence. Her gaze went immediately to his bed. It was just as huge as the one in the bower, but his bed was raised a few inches off the ground on a platform and was covered by a canopy draped in blue silk.

"Vasilis," she called softly into the soft lighting. "Are you here?"

Silence ensued. Disappointed, she went closer to the bed and noticed a large white box on the blue covers. The box had a large red ribbon around it. She walked to the edge of the bed and saw a card.

For your wedding night. Vasilis
.

Curiously, she undid the ribbon and lifted the lid. Tissue paper covered what was inside the box and she pushed it aside, lifting the most beautiful nightgown she'd ever seen. It was a long, white flowing mass of sheer silk with exquisite straps and lace around the bodice. A wave of guilt rushed through her veins. He'd given her so many gifts in the last couple of days and she had given him nothing.

She went into the bath chamber and changed. She came out a few minutes later and looked around. He still wasn't here.

Alex stomped down on the flash of nerves rising inside of her.

Where was he?

Was he downstairs in the great hall drinking with his guards, or…or was he in another bedchamber with a young wench he picked up from the village? Alex sat on the edge of the bed and waited, wondering if she should just crawl into it and go to sleep.

An hour later of pacing and sitting and staring out of the window, she gave up. He was with another woman. He must have been if he'd kept her waiting all this time. Humiliated, she began removing her nightdress. She wasn't going to wear it. Naked, she walked to the dresser and opened the drawer where she saw a long cotton nightdress.

At that moment, the door opened and Vasilis strode in. Alex froze and stared at him from the corner of the room. She watched him pause, his hand still on the door and look around until his gaze rested on her and she heard him draw in a harsh, strangled breath. He'd seen her!

Quickly, she grabbed the nightdress from the drawer and held it against her body. Without saying a word, he slammed the door behind him and strode toward her, removing his armour and tunic as he approached, letting them fall to the ground. He stood in front of her, bare-chested and grabbed the dress from her clutches. He threw it on the ground behind him as he ran his gaze over her naked breasts and lower to her femininity. Alex couldn't move.

"Don't cover yourself," he rasped and dragged her into his arms.

His kiss was punishing and she welcomed it as she ran her hands through his hair. Her senses flared to life as his hands circled her waist and he dragged her lower body up against his hard member. She was weak kneed and returned his kiss passionately.

Before the kiss started, it ended as he grabbed her by the shoulders and withdrew. He looked down at her with unconcealed hunger on his face and she marvelled at the effect she had on him.

"Why did you stop?" she asked breathlessly.

"I want you to be sure this is what you want."

She pulled away, gasping. Oh my God! He
was
with another woman and he wanted to know if she was fine with the fact he would never be monogamous! Humiliation and rage made her grow cold. Without thinking, she swung her hand to his face, but he was quicker than her and he caught her hand before she slapped him.

"Damnation, woman! What is wrong with you?" he growled.

"Where were you?" she asked.

His breathing was laboured and he frowned, momentarily confused.

"The sun will be up soon. Where were you all this time?" She hated that she sounded jealous, but she couldn't help it. She didn't want to share him with anyone.

His brows came down and his mouth tensed. "I was with Katya."

She felt her legs grow weak. She tried pulling her hand out of his grasp and failed. "Which lover is Katya?"

His expression darkened. "Katya is the She-Lycan you didn't want me to kill."

"Oh," she replied in a small voice. Ashamed, her gaze wavered under his and she stared at his chest.

"Hesta came to get me just as I was coming to you hours ago," he explained. "It appears our Katya is from the Lycan pack in the mountains and she was giving me information on them. Where they hide. How many are in their pack." He paused, the silence deafening. "Alexandra," he said quietly. "Look at me."

Slowly she raised her gaze and their eyes locked. "I'm sorry, Vasilis. I…I thought…"

He grimaced. "I know what you thought." He ran a dark, passionate gaze over her bare breasts before looking back into her eyes. "And I don't blame you, but that was my reputation in the past, before I met you. Right now, the only woman I want to be with is you, dammit."

She parted her lips and exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Then be with me," she whispered.

He looked visibly shaken as he stared into her eyes. "What are you saying?"

"I want you to make love to me," she said softly.

Desire flared on his face and he immediately lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and stood back, his gaze never leaving hers, as he removed the rest of his clothes. Alex couldn't take her eyes off him as she devoured every inch of his magnificent body. When she looked down to where his male sex was, a thick, long, steel shaft, she blushed. Every part of him was all male, sexy and strong.

Her breath caught at the predatory glint in his eyes as he walked to the bed and stretched his long frame beside her. He ran his gaze hungrily over her naked body. A sudden attack of shyness made her bring her hand up to her breasts, but he stopped her with a tender touch.

"Don't. I want to look at you. You're beautiful, Alexandra. More beautiful than you realise."

Slowly, he lowered his head and trailed hot kisses along her shoulders, her arms, her breasts. She closed her eyes and let the moment sweep her away. His mouth was heaven on her skin and her body reacted instinctively to his touch.

He slid his hand over her shoulder, down her arm, over her flat belly, making her moan softly, her eyes still closed. Her stomach quivered as he slid his hand from her belly around to her hip and then to the top of her thigh.