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

I need a better reason than that, Raven. Even you have to see how absurd this all is. The Lycan won’t follow him and he knows it.”

She ran a hand through her short hair and sighed. “None of this matters—”

“They’ll fight,” I insisted stubbornly. I knew the Lycan, and they wouldn’t accept Fenrir. “If he tries to take over, there will be a revolt. The Lycan will go extinct before they allow Fenrir to lead them. Mark my words.”

Raven raised a brow and chuckled. “You’re that confident in your people?”

I nodded. “He’s not the only one after my crown,” I offered that little tidbit. My guards shifted on their feet uncomfortably and looked over at me with concern. Hmm. I guess they didn’t know about the Summits’ plans, or whoever this new leader was that Ophelia saw in her vision.

“If you don’t comply, I will be forced to make you.” Raven shrugged as if she didn’t care either way, spreading her wings behind her.

I laughed. “One thing you should know about me is that I don’t respond well to threats. For another thing – what’s that saying Americans have?” I pretended to ponder as I tapped my chin. “Oh, right! I don’t negotiate with terrorists,” I added dryly.

Raven chuckled. “You’re a real riot. No wonder Fenrir couldn’t kill you. But don’t worry, Mackenzie, if he can’t … I will.”

I winked. “Looking forward to it.”

A slow grin crept over Raven’s face. “Hildr!” she called out to her friend, who stood like a statue behind her. “Let’s give the Lycan Queen a preview of what to expect if she doesn’t submit.”

“My pleasure,” Hildr said as she brandished the sword from her back in one fell swoop and charged toward one of my guards.

They were ready for her attack, jumping from their horses and moving into a half shift in one smooth motion, blocking her sword with their claws. When the others jumped in to assist, Hildr released her razor-sharp wings and sliced the guards sneaking up behind her. They stumbled back and fell to the ground.

Liam was steadfast by my side, blocking my view from Raven as the others took on Hildr. It said a lot about her fighting prowess that she could hold down five Lycan all on her own.

Raven’s wings retreated into her back, disappearing from view as she reached down and pulled two daggers from her boots. When she started walking slowly toward me, Liam jumped off his horse and growled as he morphed into a half shift.

I felt sick to my stomach. The last thing I wanted was for something to happen to my guards all because Raven wanted to prove a point. I moved to get off Shadow and put a stop to all this when my body tensed and my vision blurred. My hands tightened on the reins just as a milky whiteness covered my eyes and blinded me, freezing me in place.

I felt like I was spinning in place for an indeterminate amount of time when suddenly I was no longer in Caledonian Forest. I was standing in a darkened room, but I wasn’t alone. Fenrir and Raven were there, standing in front of each other and holding each other quite intimately. Were they a thing?

“Do you really need them, Fen?” Raven asked, slightly annoyed. “You have the hellhounds and you know the Valkyries will always support you in anything you need. Why do you need more?”

“They were promised to me,” Fenrir responded heatedly. “They should have always been mine, but of course my father likes to rewrite history.”

“Who cares?” Raven frowned. “Haven’t our parents screwed with us enough? Leave the wolves be and let’s move on.”

Fenrir’s face darkened. “You know what’s coming. They’re unprotected. The little wolf won’t know what to do.”

Raven shrugged. “That’s their problem. What do you care? I thought you didn’t care about the human world?” She smirked. “That’s my department. We’ll go to Asgard and wait it out there.”

Fenrir tilted his head consideringly. “You’re not worried about the humans?”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t affect the humans. They’re safe. It only affects the supernaturals, and they’re not my problem. They can handle their own stuff.”

Fenrir released her hand and walked toward the open window, giving her his back. “You can go to Asgard or Valhalla, but I’m staying. I don’t mind being the bad guy.”

Raven sighed. “You know I won’t leave you. If you really want to help them, then I’ve got your back,” she relented. “You just have to get rid of their queen.”

He grunted. “Little wolf …” he murmured. “To kill or not kill her … that is the question.”

Their voices faded into murmurs until I could no longer hear what they were saying. My vision swirled and the world spun as my eyes turned milky white. Suddenly I was back on my horse, in the middle of Caledonian Forest where my guards were fighting two Valkyries, Raven and Hildr.

I had a vision. From the past, it seemed. Why now?

I would have to think about the reasons why later. Right now, I had to end this reckless fighting. Taking a deep breath, I released a loud, thunderous growl that traveled through the forest, bristling the leaves and trees, making the birds fly away screeching from their canopies. Afterward, I exhaled in a gasp, having released too much energy and already feeling lightheaded. I still didn’t have my strength back, but I couldn’t allow them to see how weak I was. I blinked a few times to cover my dizziness and held the reins tighter to steady myself, trying to focus on one spot until everything snapped into focus.

Everyone froze as they felt the unmistakable power of an alpha and were nearly paralyzed. Once I was steady, I dismounted from Shadow and approached Raven, who was facing off with Liam. I stood between them even as Liam tried to keep me behind him. I brushed his hand away gently.

“What is coming?” I asked Raven. I could tell the question