The Lycan King's Defiant Surrogate

ing, Caleb masterfully uses his werewolf aura to control the lionesses down in the arena. Without his influence, they would have devoured Harper within the first minute of being released. He can't let things end that quickly.

The lionesses are hungry, though. The tug against his control, eager for blood and meat. Their desperation annoys Caleb. He will have to speak with the beast master, to make certain the animals not being neglected. These beasts are bred for conflict. They do not need to be starved to be bloodthirsty,

He'll take the beast master's head if he finds these animals have been mistreated. He might anyway, just for making this part of Caleb's plan so difficult.

The lionesses are getting too close. One even manages to break Caleb's pull long enough to claw at Harper's back. While he's not overly displeased with the punishment bestowed upon this long slave, he did not want to draw blood yet. He wants to tire Harper out first, bring her down into the deepest pit of despair, where she is too weak to even defend herself anymore.

Then, Caleb will finally break that strong will of hers.

As Harper continues to swing with embarrassing sloppiness, she's already growing weary. Caleb is surprised. He thought she would last twice this long.

But then, he recalls, she does not have a wolf to give her strength.

She is a mere human, facing off against three well-trained beasts

Perhaps he should have requested only one.

Two lionesses move closer at once, working as a team. Harper swings her sword wide, cutting into the space who expertly dodge away.

of both lions,

The swing puts Harper off-balance. Perhaps her wound is starting to drain her. Humans don't heal as quickly as werewolves, Caleb recalls. They'll just keep bleeding until they are treated by doctors. Three lions is definitely too many.

The break in Caleb's concentration allows the third lion to break free from his restraint.

The lioness pounces, tackling Harper to the ground. Her blade fies from her hand.

No, no, no!

I push my hands up into the lion's throat, trying to keep its snapping jaw away from me. It's so strong, it could break my hold at any time, but it doesn't, almost like it's playing with me,

While holding it back with one arm, I try

1 try to reach toward my sword with the other.

It's the extension of my arm. To lose it is to die.

If the Pitmaster is watching, she is likely disappointed.

I'm not a warrior. I never have been. I was raised spoiled from uty youth, then treated as a servant after my disgrace. I could do hard labor. I could tend the fields and scrub the floors from day to night. But I knew nothing of holding a sword. Of fighting lions. 173

I want to go home so badly-it hurts. I'd give anything to have Leah pour hot tea on my arms.

Anything but this. Anything but death.

But then, as suddenly as the lions pounced on me, they slink away. They continue to circle, snarling and spitting, but as I sit up to look at them, they almost seem to be waiting for something Grabbing my sword, I hurry up onto my feet and hold it ready once more.

Are they toying with me?

Are they?

Looking up. I see that Caleb has stood from his throne. Moving toward the edge of his platform, he holds up his hands in silent command. Immediately the crowd obeys, quicting.

I wish someone would push him. From that platform, he would fall straight into this arena pit with me. Let him fight these lions.

But that's a foolish fantasy, driven by adrenaline and desperation. He's the only one with any power here- power he even seems to have over these beasts.

"Slave," Caleb calls loudly. His voice carries oddly well for a space this expansive. It seems to echo all around her. "1 me now for mercy, I may consider it. Tell me what you know I want, and I might even let you live." u beg

I could lie, I could tell him I know where the child is and then make something up. He'd eventually discover the ruse, but in that time, I could try to find another way out of here

Or, I could make him so angry that he decides to torture me slowly instead. He's so ruthless, he would likely even torture those I care for right in front of me.

He'd already been planning on allowing my pack to be attacked by the bear clan. Who it be such a leap from that to hurting them in front of me?

So I can't lie. To protect my pack and myself.

"I don't have the answers you are looking for," I tell him.

His face twists in anger. "Tell me where the child is!" he shouts. The angry bellow echoes all around me, making even the lions wince.

He expects me to cower at his rage, like so many others do all around him. Even now, I can tell, half of the spectators are dipping their head in apologetic reverence, like they are the ones who did something wrong

I'm facing the sharp teeth of lions and the prospect of being ripped apart and eaten alive. I don't have time to be concerned over his paltry anger.

Lifting my head in defiance and my own building rage, I shout my response. "There was never a child!"

Caleb starts to growl How dare this lowly slave continue to stand against him? He is King He is Alpha. Her very life sits in the palm of his hands and she acts like she doesn't care.

Does she have a death wish? Is she using him as a means to that end?

"If you continue to defy me, I will have the lions kill you slowly. Do you understand the pain that would bring? You could live for hours, feeling their claws dig into your flesh, and their teeth at your throat, but never enough to kill you." "I'm not afraid!" she shouts. It's a blatant lie. The fear is obvious in her face, yet even with that fear, she stands against him. She disrespects him.

11:56 Mon, Nov 18 BG V

This cannot stand. He will simply have to let the lion's take a few more pieces of her, inch by inch

How many pieces will it take until she finally crumbles to his will?

"I am a generous King," Caleb calls. "You have one last chance to beg me for your

life."

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"I will never beg!" she shouts.

Suddenly, the image of Harper, naked and writhing beneath him as he plunges into her, fills his mind. He could fuck her for hours, keeping her on edge, stopping ever before she found release. "Please" she would beg so sweetly. He'd keep up the blissful torture just to see her cry.

He could make her beg, alright. With his tongue, his hands, his dick..Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Blinking, he returns to the coliseum, to that same woman glaring at him as if she has some power in a pit surrounded by lions at his control.

This woman does not deserve the pleasures he's already given her.

Caleb returns to his throne and sits down, a signal the fight should continue.