The Lycan King's Defiant Surrogate

I don't believe my

I had to have misheard. So I take a moment to catch my breath. It shakes as I inhale. Then I repeat the most shocking of the things he said to me, "Brother-in-law

"My wedding to Leals is already set," Samuel says. His voice is clair and crisp, but totally monotone, without any emotion or feeling

A cold chill creeps into my body. Not even my new burlap tunican protect me from the impossible icy numbness that freezes me from the inside out.

"You'll be married soon, then," I say, forcing the words. "But not yet."

"A technicality that will soon be remedied. I expect you to be congratulating me, Harper. Your sister would be pleased to know we have your blessing" "You can't mean any of this. Not after the things you said before

"I was caught up in the moment," Samuel says. "Things were said between us that I did not mean."

1 shrink into myself, realizing he is using my own words against me now. Just as in this very conversation, I claimed not to have meant my cold rejection of him, he now claims that his feelings were also false. "Samuel, please."

"Don't make a scene, Harper." Samuel scolds. "Soon I will be Alpha, and I will have your sister as my Luna. Give your blessing. After all, I wish you happiness in your life. Don't you wish the same for me?"

My chest aches as my heart shatters into a thousand tiny pieces Please, Samuel You can't do this. I... I love you..."

The line is quiet for a long moment, before Samuel speaks up, heartless and cruel once more. "If there is nothing else of value that you want to talk about.."

"Wait!" I shout, remembering through the heartbreak that there is more. So much more.

My silly, foolish love blinded me to the real issues. Heading the Colosseum as I am, does it truly matter who Samuel marries? I am certain to die by week's end. I'll never be free to leave this pace, to find my way back to him, and to marry him as I want. My main focus should be, as ever, the survival of the man I love and my pack.

Yet, as I think that, I'm increasingly aware of the King's Beta, listening to my every word from his post just inside the door.

When I start to give my warning. I will have to speak quickly. Else Tristan may interfere.

"Samuel, listen to me please," I say with hasty urgency. "Be careful at your Alpha ceremony. The Bear Clan is planning to secretly attack our pack. I heard from the

Behind me, Tristan storms forward

*Samuel!"

*Bullshit," Samuel says so loudly that Tristan could hear it too. He and I both stop. "You are simply coming up and more lies. Why should I ever believe anything you have to say?" with more

"I'm not lying!"

*You aren't here to ruin my ceremony and my wedding, so you are attempting to destroy us even from where you are!"

"If you would just lister

"I'm done listening, Harper. Bit even if you aren't going to give me your blessing. I will give you mine. I wish you a good life" ""What life?" I shout.

"Goodbye. Harper." He hangs up the phone.

"They're going to kill me!" I continue shouting.

He can't hear anymore, but hopelessness overwhelms me like a curse through my body.

Samuel didn't believe me. Not about my confession. Not about the attack.

1. it.

Tristan calmly walks up beside me and holds out his hand. I place his phone se mmediately returns the phone to his pocket.

He doesn't say a word, and for that I'm grateful. Instead, he hands me a handkerchief. I look at it with suspicion, and then up at his face to try to read his motives. He's not looking at me, his eyes on the door. I didn't even realize I was crying, but I can feel the tears now, dampening my cheeks.

"Where you are going," Tristan says, "You do not want to show weakness. Every tremble, every tear, every wince, they will exploit You must not give them the chance, if you are to have any hope of surviving." Why are you helping me?" I ask.

"I don't care what happens to you," he says. "My King is the only one worthy of such loyalty"

But he hates me

Tristan glances at me sideways. He doesn't say a word to explain the look, though I feel like he is attempting to convey something to me with his eyes. After a moment, when it's clear don't understand, he sighs as he faces the door. "Pull yourself together. We are on a schedule."

I finish dabbing my eyes with his handkerchief and hand it back to him.

"Follow me," he says. "Stay close. If you get lost, the guards will kill you the moment they see you alone, wearing that collar."

That certainly puts the damper on any escape attempt.

As it is, the pieces of my heart can barely feel anything anyway, I might as well face the Colosseum. There's nothing for me outside of this cave anyway.

I'm almost glad I'm so numb right now. Maybe my lack of emotion will ultimately save me in the end, given Tristan's

warnings.

At least until Tristan returns to Caleb. I have no doubt, he will share news of my treachery.

I can already feel the noose closing in around my neck.

Tristan leads Harper to the slave entrance to the Colosseum. The guards there seem interested in my charge, until one of them boldly asks her, "Why kind of fighting experience do you have?"

Harper visibly swallows. Her face has been pale since her phone call, but it's sheet white now.

"I'll figure it out," Harper says, as some of her typical defiance returns to her, along with a small dash of color to her cheeks.

Good. Tristan would be disappointed if she just rolled over and accepted death. She has too much tenacity, even able to stand up to the king as she sometimes does.

The guard shorts with disbelief. "Another to the slaughter then. He grabs Harper by the arm and drags her forward through the door. At the last moment, she turns, perhaps to look back, but the door slams closed before she and Tristan could lock eyes.

If she was hoping to give him a pleading look, she would have been disappointed anyway. He's done all he can for her already

For him to even have dared asked once placed him in a precariolis position with his King.

The king he now has to report to.

Rubbing his forehead, he turns toward the slaves chambers at the base of the hall. He finds the spiral staircase and takes the winding way up to ground level.

At the King's office, Tristan knocks

"Enter," the King calls.

Tristan docs.

The King sits behind his desk. His paperwork forgotten, he's pressing his knuckles into his temple.

Another headache, then. And the only cure they've been able to find for those just entered the worse punishment center in the kingdom.

"Beta. Has she been delivered?"

"Yes, my King."

"Good." The King deeply frowns. His expression does not match his word. Likely, he doesn't even know why.

"I have news," Tristan says, bracing himself for his King's rage. "She made a phone call.."