Chapter 4

• Nate’s Perspective
• ........
• Run, run!
• Growls reached our ears from outside.
• Bustane placed me next to him and softly squeezed my legs. He volunteered to assist me when I woke up feeling extremely exhausted.
• I found solace in clinging to Bustane's side. I was quite tired, and Bustane had promised to assist me get some rest.
• "Inform the King!" The tense silence was broken by Marcus's frantic voice.
• The Head security burst in, and his breath came in panicked gasps. He said, "Your brother, Nate, is here with armed men," his eyes glistening with panic. "They're causing commotion and seeking your attention outside."
• Bustane took in the information, his expression hardening with resolve. With worried eyes, he turned to face me. "Marcus, lead Luna to safety," he said, his hand squeezing tighter around me. "I'll handle my brother."
• Marcus nodded, and my pulse raced with terror and uncertainty as we hurried along the corridors. I couldn't shake the doubt that Bustane wouldn't be okay.
• In the meantime, with Bustane's jaw clenched in determination, he moved purposefully towards the mansion's door. The crisp night air filled his lungs as he went outside, enhancing his senses.
• With his devoted supporters at his side, Nate was a fearsome figure standing in front of him. With his wolf instincts fully activated, Bustane met his brother's stare with unyielding determination.
• The tension was sliced through by Nate's voice like a razor. You have the arrogance to take away what is rightfully mine once more because you are the king. How long would you like to continue doing this?
• Bustane, excitement pumping through his veins, stood tall, his voice unwavering. "Nate, you can no longer claim Luna. When you turned her down and abandoned her to her sorrow, you gave up that right."
• Would you still be here claiming her as your own if she had passed away?
• Nate's hands clenched in fury as his lip curled into a scowl. "She belongs to me by the laws of our pack," he said. "And I will not let you take her from me."
• Bustane's resolution was unwavering, and his stare never wavered. "This feud ends now, Nate," he said with a voice full of authority. Let's stop causing a scene now.
• The conflict was broken by my comments, which rang out just when the tension was at its highest. Please, leave me alone. "I choose to stay with the King!"
• I felt an adrenaline rush as I spoke, and all eyes were on me. "We must find a way to resolve our differences peacefully, for the sake of our pack."
• The brothers looked at me with a mixture of amazement and admiration for a minute, then stood in startled silence. Nate's expression steadily shifted after that.
• If you decide to return with me, then this will all come to an end. There was silence, so Nate spoke. Bustane was making an effort to avoid conflict with his brother. It was clear he wanted peace to prevail.
• I had a brief moment of fear that Bustane would give me up to his brother. I was growing to adore this place.
• She is going nowhere! Bustane's shout cut through my thoughts. And Nate went over and dragged me with the final roar. It caused the disturbance Bustane had been attempting to prevent from exploding.
• The clash between Nate's goons and Bustane's security continued.
• With my heart racing, I witnessed Bustane transform into a wolf as soon as he noticed his brother dragging me. The two alphas engaged in a fierce struggle of wills as they circled one another. I held my breath, praying that Bustane would prevail and save me since the tension in the air was so intense you could practically touch it.
• Suddenly, a black wolf from Nate sprang toward Bustanes throat. However, he sidestepped, biting into the other wolf's flank. A roar filled the air as they clashed, and I gripped the stone, resisting the urge to rush to Bustanes side.
• I wanted to go and stop them from fighting, But I knew deep down, that I would only be a hindrance. This was a battle of the Titans, a clash of the two brothers who were against each other, and I was no match for their raw, primal power.
• The battle continued, both wolves refusing to yield. Bustane fought fiercely, driven by a protective instinct that I could sense. Yet, the black wolf's size and strength gave it an edge, making the fight more challenging.
• As the battle reached a fever pitch, I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye. My head snapped towards the source, and I felt my stomach lurch with dread.
• More wolves were pouring through the breach in the palace walls, their weapons at the ready. And this time, they were not targeting the Lycan guards their sights were set on Bustane and the black wolf, the two alphas locked in their mortal struggle. Nate left me and went to join the other wolves fighting his brother.
• Without a second thought, I pushed myself up from my hiding spot, ignoring the searing pain in my shoulder. I had to warn Bustane, to give him a chance to defend himself against this new threat.
• "Bustane !" I cried out, my voice echoing through the chaos. "The Hunters! They're-"
• But before I could warn anyone, I was pulled aside by powerful arms that came around me from behind. I gasped in shock and thrashed against the iron hold, but my captor was too strong.
• "Well, well, who do we have here?" I felt a shudder of disgust run down my spine as a frigid voice snarled in my ear. "The Lycan King's little mate, all alone and vulnerable."
• I recognized the voice and froze, my blood freezing. It was Kim speaking; at last, she managed to catch up with me. And by the spiteful twinkle in her eyes, there was no way she was going to let me go this time.
• "Let me go!" I snarled, my nails clawing at her arms, but she only laughed, tightening her hold.
• "Not a chance, sweetheart," she sneered. "You're coming with us."
• I opened my mouth to scream, to call out to Bustane, but a gloved hand clamped down over it, muffling my desperate cries. As the wolves advanced, their weapons trained on the two fighting alphas, I felt a surge of helplessness and anguish.
• Bustane was in grave danger, and I was powerless to help him. Tears stung my eyes as I was dragged away, my heart aching with the knowledge that I might never see the man who accepted me as his mate, THE LYCAN KING.
• The last thing I saw before being hauled into the darkness was Nate lunging at Bustane, its jaws snapping dangerously close to his throat. And then everything went black.
• ***
• I woke up with a bad headache and a feeling of dread in my stomach. My arms and legs felt very heavy, and as I tried hard to open my eyes, the area around me slowly became clear.
• I was in a room with little light, and the air smelled old and unpleasant. Looking around, I realized with sadness that I was no longer in the Lycan King's palace, but in some kind of temporary prison cell.
• Panic began to set in as I recalled the events that had led me here. The wolves, their ruthless attack on the palace, Nate's fight against his brother the Lycan king, and my own foolish attempt to warn Bustane. it had all been for naught. Now I was their captive, separated from my mate at the most crucial moment.
• I exhaled a tremulous breath and reached up to touch the back of my head, my fingers shaking. I winced as I realized that I must have been struck during my capture because there was a dull ache there.
• "Ah, so the little wolf is finally awake."
• With a thumping heart, I froze at the frigid woman's words. I slowly turned to face Kim, the person who had earlier harassed me.
• With a twisted smile, she stood just beyond my cell's bars. "Roughly speaking. The boss is excited to have you meet him."
• "The boss?" I spoke again, my tone just above a whisper. "What do you want from me and who is the boss ?"
• Kim made a sarcastic noise. We have amazing things in store for you and your priceless Lycan King."
• Her comments sent shivers down my spine, so I "naturally moved away to the farthest" corner of the cage, pressing my back against the damp, cold wall.
• "What do you want with us?" I made my demands while gathering all my courage. "Why are you doing this?" Is this all about me and the Lycan king getting married? Is there more to it, just allow me to leave. I pleaded
• Kim's smile just got bigger, her eyes glimmering with unsettling malice. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough." Turning, she started to leave, stopping only to yell, "Sweet dreams, little wolf," over her shoulder. You will require as much rest as possible."
• With my heart thumping in my ears, I watched her go. What were these individuals planning on doing to me? More significantly, what was happening to Bustane and the other members of the pack?
• As I became aware of the gravity of my situation, a sickening feeling descended into the pit of my stomach. I was stranded, alone, and vulnerable to these vicious animals.
• And I was left wondering if I would ever get to see my partner again.