Queen of the Lycan, Karina Espinosa [accelerated reader books .TXT] 📗

My vision darkened and I heard the unmistakable crack of marble in my ear. My eyes were open but they couldn’t focus, however I was acutely aware of the hundreds of horrified people watching the match unfold. I was out of it for a couple of precious seconds, but was snatched back to reality when he started to lift me up off the floor.

I managed to reach my left arm over his and maneuvered it around, elbowing the crease of his arm until he released me. Taking advantage of my slight victory, I kicked him with all my might at the knee until I heard an unsettling crack. I rolled backward until I was back on my feet, though I was woozy and lightheaded from my head being smacked on the marble. Even so, I didn’t wait to regain my bearings. I ducked my head down and barreled straight for him, tackling him to the ground and falling on top of him. He flung me off him with a growl before I could hit him, and we both quickly scrambled on all fours and stared each other down.

“You’re fighting differently today,” he remarked with a tilt of his head.

“I’m fighting for my people,” I said, out of breath.

Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how true that statement was. Before, I was just fighting for my own life. Not that it was something to sneeze at, but it was different when you had the future of an entire species on your shoulders. What shocked me even more was how I now considered the Lycan my people, when it wasn’t that long ago that I hadn’t.

Fenrir grinned maliciously. “Your people will watch you die.”

As if from one mind, we ran toward each other on all fours and struck at the same time. We each dug a clawed hand into the other’s chest and gasped in unison as we held onto each other’s beating hearts. My eyes widened as I felt the taloned tips of his claws graze my heart. I knew if I moved even slightly, I was a goner. Then again, so was he.

I heard a thunderous growl and an anguished roar from Bash and saw him over Fenrir’s shoulder where Ranulf and Alexander were trying to hold him back with a couple of guards. He thrashed in their hold in his single-minded focus to reach me. A single tear drop slid down my face. I knew my life was about to end, and that Bash’s life would end as well because of our bond.

My mind clicked through the possibilities of my situation, unwilling to give up just yet. Fenrir was a god. I could rip his heart out, but would he die? It might be a gamble he was willing to take. Only one of us was mortal and guaranteed to die.

I swallowed a couple times, my mouth unbearably dry. My gaze traveled around the ballroom to the shocked expressions that surrounded the grisly spectacle. I glanced at Alexander and wished I could communicate with him so I could tell him how sorry I was for disappointing him. I hadn’t been Queen for even a day and I was already getting myself killed. In front of our people, no less! His gray eyes glistened with unshed tears, the anger simmering in impotent rage. But the anger wasn’t directed toward me. He stared at the back of Fenrir’s head as if he wished he could drill a hole right through it.

My gaze trailed back to Fenrir’s wild eyes. His grip on my heart tightened and I sucked in a pained breath through the wreckage of my ribcage.

“What are you going to do now, little wolf?” he taunted. “It seems we’re at an impasse.”

I coughed and winced from the pain it caused. “What are you waiting for?” I whispered. “You have your opportunity. Take it. Kill me. Isn’t that what you want? To get rid of me so the Lycan will bow down to you?” I gasped when he squeezed my heart again.

Fenrir growled, “You think I won’t do it?” He leaned closer, bending my arm where my hand was embedded in his chest, barely holding on.

“I think …” I breathed, “I think you fear the people.” He tilted his head, curious, and I elaborated. “I might not be Miss Popular, but there’s one thing I do have, and that’s the love and loyalty of the lunas.” I grinned lazily. “They’re no longer the silent minority. When you kill me, you’ll have them to deal with. They’ll never bow down to you, whether you’re a god or not.”

I peered around the ballroom and connected with each luna in the room, seeing the stern looks and hardened fire in their eyes. Over the years, I’d been arrogant about a lot of things I shouldn’t have been, but this was one truth I was positive about. They would stand by me until the bitter end and beyond.

“Go ahead.” I nudged him and stepped closer, wincing from the pain. “Kill me … KILL ME!” I shouted, making the walls tremble from the force of my Alpha voice.

Fenrir frowned, clearly not expecting this reaction from me. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing, honestly. Was I being a martyr? Truthfully, I just wanted his hand out of my chest. The pain was swiftly becoming unbearable and I could barely stay standing on my own.

Fenrir grabbed my face with his free hand, squeezing my cheeks and bringing me closer to him. Before I could take my next breath, he ripped his hand out of my chest. I panted loudly, my eyes widening in shock as I heard Bash scream. I expected death and was surprised to still feel my heart beat soundly in my chest, especially after feeling like I’d just been torn apart. Instinctively, my hand retracted from his chest to touch my own.

I peered down at his hand to see it was bloody, but blissfully empty of any of my organs. My heart was