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

an oversized sweater, but … you know, flexibility and all, plus I needed to be able to shift in a hurry.

I climbed onto Shadow, who was already saddled and ready for me when I arrived at the stables, along with a massive army of guards. The fastest way to Loch Lomond was from the rear entrance of the castle and through the forest. I remembered the path from when my fake brother Andrew brought me one day.

Many guards were in wolf form, others in a half shift, while some stayed in their human forms so they could communicate and wield a weapon. I appreciated how they each had their own fighting style.

Alexander was riding his horse Lily, even though I begged him to stay behind. Just like with me, there was no use arguing with that man. Ranulf and Bash rode in front and behind me, Ranulf leading the way toward Loch Lomond.

“Let yer guards do the fighting,” Alexander instructed beside me as we trotted through the forest. “Stay behind.”

I gave an unladylike snort. “If you think that’s what I’m going to do—”

“It’s what I want ye to do, Mackenzie,” he clarified. “I know it’s nae what ye want to do, but I want ye to be safe. As Queen, yer nae obligated to fight in battle.”

I peered over at Alexander appraisingly. “Is that what you did? Sat back and let your people fight for you?”

His face darkened and his jaw clenched along with his grip on the reins.

“I didn’t think so,” I muttered. “I know you want to protect me, Alexander, but you have to let me fly on my own eventually. I’ll get hurt, but I’ll also pick myself back up. It’s the way of life.”

“This is different, Mackenzie,” he growled as he peered over at me. “He is unlike anything we’ve seen before.”

“I think there’s something even worse than him out there that we should be worrying about,” I argued. “Don’t worry too much about Fenrir.” With a start, I realized how true that statement was. Ever since the vision I had of Fenrir and Raven speaking about what was to come, I worried less and less about Fenrir and more about this unspoken enemy. Because if Fenrir was worried, then it had to be bad.

Two miles from Loch Lomond, Ranulf ordered a wolf to run ahead and secure the area while we waited. After an hour passed quietly with no word, we knew something was wrong. Well, that, and also when a torrent of arrows started to rain down from the sky.

I heard the first whine of a wolf as an arrow struck him. I glanced around to see if I could find the source, and then up at the branches, where I saw a Valkyrie perched above us with a bow and arrow. There were hundreds, maybe thousands of them poised in the trees, waiting to attack.

“We need to retreat, Yer Majesty!” Ranulf shouted from up ahead where arrows hailed around him. I saw the moment one struck his leg and heard his anguished grunt.

My expression darkened. “No. We do not retreat. Charge!”

I dug my heels into Shadow’s sides and clicked my tongue, snapping the reins to urge him to run. We sprinted into the forest at full speed with the others following, the wolves keeping up with me.

The trees are my friend. I repeated what Ophelia said to me as a mantra.

We swerved through the forest with ease when suddenly an arrow struck me in the shoulder. I winced from the sharp pain and grunted, trying to ignore it and keep going until I arrived at Loch Lomond.

As I leaned forward, I saw a Valkyrie perched on a low branch. Just as I got within range, I reached for the branch and pulled myself up and onto the tree, letting Shadow run free. I quickly gained my balance and released my claws, swiping at the golden-armored warrior. She stumbled back and attempted to aim her bow and arrow at me, but it was more of a long-distance weapon that wouldn’t do her much good in close combat.

I grabbed the bow and snapped it in my hands with a satisfying crack before planting my foot in her abdomen and kicking her out of the tree. She fell to the ground, landing head first. I jumped down, landing in a crouch and swiveling my head around to search for other enemies lying in wait. I reached for the arrow in my shoulder and pulled it out with a groan, tossing it aside.

I hovered over the Valkyrie and sliced my claws across her throat. Blood spurted in a red curtain and she clutched her throat, but didn’t immediately die.

Can’t she die?

Instead of waiting around to find out, I took my booted foot and stomped her face to knock her out. With my immediate threat neutralized, I brought my thumb and pointer finger to my lips and let out a loud whistle, bringing Shadow back toward me. As soon as he arrived, snorting and eager to run, I climbed onto his back and we galloped toward Loch Lomond, where I hoped the others had already arrived.

Shadow and I raced through the forest, the long-fingered tree branches smacking my face as I valiantly tried to duck and push them away. The instant we bounded out of the tree line and onto the shorelines of the loch, we were greeted by a scene of pure madness with Valkyries fighting against Lycan. I searched for Ranulf or Bash among the fray but didn’t see them or their horses anywhere.

I saw Alexander up ahead, still seated on Lily. I rushed toward him just as he jumped off his horse and went into a half shift. I blinked a few times before I realized who he was up against—Fenrir.

It was a flurry of claws and canines as the two Lycans attacked each other with unmatched ferocity. Fenrir clawed Alexander on his side, twisting him around and almost knocking him down. Alexander stumbled and