Ileus: The Dark Prince

Olivia couldn't remember when she let Aban feel that she was interested in him. Was he daydreaming? Or was it that one glance that she had accidently given him made him think that? As if reading her thoughts, Portia said, "You are the daughter of the Beta of Whiteclaw pack and yet unmarked by your husband. Claiming you as his wife will put Aban as the immediate contender for Sarazin's position." 

"And you think I will accept it?" Olivia said sardonically. 

Portia shrugged. "You may not accept but would you go to the man who has been defeated by Aban?" 

Olivia's eyes were wide as shock flickered through her in icy bursts. The thought of Kaizan losing— Oh god no.

She was more than what her parents or her pack had reduced her to. When she had met him for the first time in the hollow of the oak tree, she recognized his deep-seated gloom. But she never knew the reason. After marrying him, she realized why he was sad. Since then the two had been battling with their inner demons. 

Aban kicked Kaizan in his stomach. Kaizan slammed against the rocks with a snarl. They surged over the edge of the pallets that were stacked on a side and plummeted into the water of a cauldron beside it, sending it rolling across the floor and spilling all the water. 

Though Aban seemed to have an advantage over Kaizan, it didn't last long. Kaizan grappled Aban and pushed him back. He lunged for his throat and then slashed his torso with his flared claws. Aban's blood-curdling scream ripped the night's darkness. 

Olivia watched Kaizan fighting for her and he fought with such ferocity that she couldn't help but admire him. He was ruthless and the way his muscles bulged through the tunic that was now in strips. Her man threw fists and elbows and kicked relentlessly on Aban. Aban was losing it and losing it quickly. He was breathless and one more anvil-like fist on his face from Kaizan had him sent to the ground on his back. Kaizan jumped to sit on his torso and straddled him. His fists landed on Aban's face one after the other in a soul-deep, dark and oily rage. 

Jograk rushed to intervene and it took several men to remove Kaizan from a very still and unconscious Aban. Kaizan was breathless and bleeding. He turned his head to look where Olivia was standing. He spat blood and as if to declare to anyone out there, he grated, "The girl is mine." He strode to where she was standing and pulled her tightly against his side, laying his massive hand on her nape. It was marking of a territory, a claiming. Lips drawn back from his fangs, he dared anyone challenge him. "If you come near what's mine, I will simply destroy you!" And at that, he turned her towards him. 

Olivia brought her hands over his chest, mesmerized by his strength. There were bruises on his face. Her lips parted, as she stared into his fierce hazel eyes. She felt as if she was his possession… the most coveted one. As Kaizan's gaze locked in hers, his grasp on her nape tightened. He was breathing hard and muscled chest was heaving. His intensity, his ferociousness, his possession—it consumed her. His brows knitted and before she knew what was happening, his lips crashed onto hers. And she was powerless to resist. He pried open her lips with his fangs and then his mouth captured hers, opening it for her tongue. She tasted the fire and metal. Her tongue twined with his till she wondered who wanted to consume whom. And now she burned for him.

Olivia had never engaged in such a consuming kiss, so much intimacy. World around her faded as she closed her eyes. She groaned into his mouth and sucked his tongue greedily. Shudder passed through her body and he pulled her closer to him. His hand slid to her buttocks, and he pressed her hard against his raging erection. The bulge of his erection nestled against her skirt nudging her to widen her stance and she went with the flow, sighing her relief and pleasure that he had won her, that she wasn't just a peace treaty. 

Kaizan made love to her mouth as he stroked and cucked and thrust his tongue inside mimicking the action of his hips. She whimpered into his mouth. For that moment she only wanted this—the feel and taste of the General of Sliver Vales on her. 

He was first to break the kiss and she gasped for air. Her eyes glassy and lips swollen, she buried her face in his chest, as his hands buried in her hair. "My sunshine," he murmured and she nuzzled in his chest. Even though he was bleeding at several places and her tunic was smeared with his blood, she didn't want to leave his embrace. 

  Kaizan looked at every man and woman present in the celebrations. He curled his hand around her waist and lifted her up to go away from this toxic atmosphere. 

However, just as he was about to go, he heard a rustle, a sizzle and then something crackled. He looked over his shoulder and found a circle of fire crackling in the air. A portal. His lips tugged up. He placed Olivia on the ground and tilted his head as Ileus stepped out of the portal. 

"You can't stay away from trouble, Kaizan?" came an irritated rasp. Ileus walked to him and the two men clasped each other in warm embrace. 

Sarazin and everyone else in the entire group got up. They were surprised as well as shocked that Prince Ileus had come to meet Kaizan personally. From the portal a dozen soldiers stepped out and they surrounded Ileus, Kaizan and Olivia. 

When Ileus pulled away from Kaizan, he studied his bloodied face with a raised eyebrow. "I must say those add glow to your already beautiful face." His gaze went to the owl-eyed girl beside him. "Hello Olivia," he said with a charming smile.