Hate Awakened: Book 3: The Feral

by Hartnady, Charlene

  “She is tall for a human. The female has a decent length torso and should be capable of carrying my eggs.” He looked…bored. How could Ekon be bored?

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ekon. I warned you of making that mistake.” He sighed. “Yes, her torso is a good length.” She had lovely long legs too and such lush thighs.

  “Her torso is okay…I suppose. Esla had a…”

  “Don’t do that. You can’t compare the two.”

  “You’re right I can’t, because they are not comparable.” Ekon paced away. “My Esla was the most beautiful female. No other will compare to her.” He shook his head. “I find it hard to believe Leukos is taken with this one. Her hair is…it’s—”

  “Her name is Claire.” There was an edge to his voice. Magnar didn’t like the way Ekon was talking about Claire. He didn’t like it one bit. He’d talked her into meeting Ekon. Had it been a mistake? “Her hair is golden blond. I thought gold was your favorite color.”

  “Not for hair.” He grimaced.

  “I take it that darker hair is more to your liking?”

  His eyes lit up. “Exactly right.”

  Magnar had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. It seemed that Ekon wanted a female who replicated his deceased mate.

  “I find it hard to believe he is taken with…Claire,” Ekon muttered to himself. “We always had similar taste in females. Did I ever tell you how we both wanted Esla? How I—?”

  “Yes, you did.” Several times, Magnar thought to himself. Although, Leukos had never mentioned being even remotely interested in Esla. “Why is it hard to believe Leukos is attracted to Claire? She has a great sense of humor. We’ve already established how intelligent she is.”

  Ekon made a noise that told Magnar he wasn’t convinced. “The human is soft. I always thought Leukos liked his females strong and lean. Tall and well-muscled.”

  “Tastes change.”

  “Esla was—”

  “You need to stop doing that!” Magnar snapped.

  “Don’t take that tone with me.” Ekon pointed a finger at him. What was with the male lately?

  “Don’t talk so much shit then. I’m here as your friend, Ekon.”

  “Why can’t I mention Esla? It shouldn’t be—”

  “It’s not that you can’t mention Esla, but you can’t compare her to Claire. You can’t talk of your dead mate every five seconds either.” He reckoned Ekon had done exactly that.

  “I can! I will!” he yelled, eyes blazing.

  “You won’t win the human. You won’t win Claire if you keep doing it.” No fucking wonder she fell asleep.

  “We should be aware of each other’s past in order to move forward.”

  “That is true.” Now this was the Ekon he knew. This was his friend. “Don’t you think her profession is great? A Customer Complaints Consultant.”

  “A what? I’m not sure what you mean.” Ekon looked perplexed.

  “Her day job? Remember I told you humans like to be asked what they do for a living.”

  “No, we didn’t get to that. We were talking about Leukos…what my brother did to me.”

  Magnar wiped a hand over his face. “You told her that story even though I specifically told you to wait?”

  “She needed to know what the bastard did.” He shrugged. “Everyone should know.”

  “You should have waited. You should have asked questions about her first. About things she likes. About her life.”

  Ekon got excited, his eyes were bright. “I found out what her favorite color is.”

  “Oh…great! Tell me more,” Magnar encouraged him, trying hard to think what it might be.

  Ekon frowned. “I don’t remember.”

  “That’s no good. Females hate that. It doesn’t matter what species. You can’t forget the things they tell you so easily.”

  “Agreed!” Ekon nodded. “Esla used to hate it when I didn’t listen to what she was saying.”

  Did the male normally talk this much about Esla? Magnar hadn’t noticed before.

  “Green,” Ekon yelled. “Her favorite color is green. The color of envy. Leukos has always envied me. My position. That’s why he went after my crown the first chance he got.”

  Had Ekon always been this bitter? Maybe he had. Magnar couldn’t blame him though…could he?

  No!

  He couldn’t blame him in the least. Leukos was no good. The male had acted completely out of character, but greed would sometimes do that to a person. Magnar still felt distress at the thought of how things had gone down. At how the Feral had been divided. Two factions. Certainly not equal, but the Fallen would end up on top again. They had to.

  “I’m going to take Claire back to my nest. She can take the bed and I’ll take the sofa. What time should I bring her back here? Maybe the two of you can have breakfast? You could take her—”

  Ekon set his jaw. “I’ve changed my mind.”

  Magnar frowned. “What have you changed your mind about?”

  Ekon was looking strangely at Claire. “I don’t think I want this female. I’m not attracted to her.”

  “You haven’t given her a chance. That was the plan, you win Leukos’ female in the ultimate revenge on your brother.” Saying it out loud suddenly sounded wrong on all levels.

  “It would be the ultimate revenge.” Ekon smiled. “Fine.” He bit out the word, like it was the toughest decision of his life. “Leave her. Let me have a crack at testing if we have any kind of chemistry. You can put her in my bed.”

  “She’s tired, sire. Claire needs rest.” His heart beat faster and adrenaline surged.

  “I’ll let her sleep for a few hours and then… Might be nice to mount again.” He still looked bored. What the fuck?

  “You just said you aren’t attracted to her. That doesn’t sound like a good plan.” His beast bristled inside him at the thought of Ekon touching Claire. His king wouldn’t touch a female without her consent, would he?

  “I will close my eyes and think of Esla.”

  Fucking unacceptable! He couldn’t say that, however. “That wouldn’t be fair to Claire.” Magnar shook his head.

  “So what? I want my crown back. It’s as simple as that. If I can hurt Leukos like he hurt me then all the better. The female will do. Put her in my bed!” Ekon commanded.

  “I think we should ask Claire what she wants first.”

  “No! Do as I ask,” he snapped.

  This had gone too far. It was his fault Claire was there. His responsibility to keep her safe. “The human won’t like it. I can tell you right now, I spent enough time with her to know her wishes.”

  “I’ll make her like it.” His eyes blazed. “I’ll make her want me.”

  “You can’t make someone—”

  “Watch me!” he growled. Ekon’s eyes had this strange look in them. A crazy look he didn’t like.

  This wasn’t going anywhere. They were talking in circles. “I have a better idea.”

  Ekon began shaking his head. “It can’t—”

  “Hear me out, my lord,” Magnar spoke in a soothing voice. “You will love it. You’ll get to have a female you actually want to bed. One who adores you. Reveres and looks up to you. Leukos will still have nothing in the end. He’ll lose the crown and the female he has chosen too. You can have a female you actually want in the process.”

  Ekon folded his arms. “How? What are you proposing?”

  “I’ll keep Claire with me. I’ll send Kwan and Jedrek to go and find you the perfect female. Better yet, I’ll have them bring three or four females for you to choose from. Dark-haired females who are tall and toned. Females who will be to your liking.”

  “You will keep this female?” Ekon was smiling as he pointed at Claire. “It seems as if you have a soft spot for her.” He chuckled. “Yes, I like it. You keep her. Leukos won’t get her in the end. It doesn’t matter that it isn’t me.” His eyes brightened. “Actually, I think he’ll feel worse if you end up with her. The two of you were v
ery close. Whereas we often fought. He will be devastated, and then I will end up with a female who I am, at the very least, compatible with. This human is not for me.” He wrinkled his nose in distaste. “You can have her.” Ekon spoke like Claire was a thing, an object he could give away on a whim. It irritated the shit out of Magnar.

  “No, sire. You misunderstand, I don’t wish to have the female. I will guard her until such time as you have secured a mate. I will then return her to—”

  No,” Ekon growled. “Leukos can’t have her. Either you take her, or I’ll pick one of the others to give her to. Our males are desperate for a female. Any of them would jump at the chance.”

  What the fuck!? Magnar couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What was going on with Ekon? He had always been a hard male, but this was ridiculous. “You can’t just give her to someone.” He tried to remain calm, only just managing it.

  “Of course I can,” he snorted. “I want her out the way. The best way to do that is to make sure she forgets Leukos.”

  “She isn’t going to just forget him.”

  “Why not?” Ekon quirked a brow. “The right male could make that happen. Perhaps you aren’t the right male. I want my twin to suffer as much as I suffered. Maybe…” he rubbed his chin, “giving her to another male won’t be enough of a punishment. An eye for an eye. You see,” he smirked, “I am learning these silly human sayings.”

  “That’s good.” His voice was flat. “How will you make Leukos suffer?”

  “Easy…I will take his female away. I plan to make it permanent.”

  He couldn’t possibly mean what Magnar thought he meant. “You aren’t saying…?”

  “You know exactly what I mean. Do you need me to spell it out?”

  “Not necessary! I think it would be a waste of a really good female. Also, I think that it would hurt Leukos more if he had to see her with someone else. Day after day. His pain would be prolonged.”

  “When you put it that way.” Ekon seemed to be mulling it over.

  “I would hate to see her hurt. I would rather take her for myself. You were right, I do like the female and she is taken with me.”

  Ekon sneered. “They all are. Human females love you.”

  “I’ll take her…” He pretended to be thinking things through. “Then again…I do love being single.”

  “You like her. You said you think she’s sexy.”

  “She’s fucking sexy! And all the other attributes I mentioned.” Magnar heaved out a breath, hoping he looked like he was serious, although, at that moment, he was actually being serious. He liked Claire. He didn’t want to settle down though. “Let me test the merchandise first.” This was all about saving her.

  “Fair enough.”

  Thank fuck! The male had bought into it.

  “How soon until you get it done?” He narrowed his eyes.

  “Midday tomorrow.” Magnar raised his brows.

  Ekon looked at him like he’d just sprouted nose feathers. “Are you losing your touch?”

  He chuckled. “You’re right.” He pulled in a deep breath. “I must say, this is the first time I’ve been really serious about a female. I’m a little nervous about messing up.”

  “You won’t mess up. You have until sunrise,” Ekon announced, in a tone that told Magnar not to question it. Then he laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

  Magnar tried to look determined. “I’ll make it happen and I’m sure we’ll be great together. Don’t you dare send another male to my nest. I might be forced to maim him.”

  “Work your magic and all will be well.”

  “Noted.” He picked Claire up, pretending to be careful. He even forced himself to look down on her lovingly. Not too much of that bullshit though. Ekon wouldn’t buy it otherwise.

  “Don’t let me down.” Ekon’s voice turned hard. His eyes matched the tone.

  Magnar made a face. “I won’t. In the morning I’ll speak with Jedrek and Kwan about finding you some females.”

  “I want to be at the briefing. You can tell me all about your human then.”

  Magnar nodded once. “Now if you’ll excuse me, sire, I have work to do.” He chuckled and then shifted, the human still in his grasp.

  Chapter 21

  “You can stop pretending to be asleep now,” Magnar said as he put her down on the sofa.

  For a moment, Claire contemplated ignoring him and continuing to pretend. That, or pretending to wake up. In the end, she opened her eyes, looking into his golden stare. “How did you know?”

  “You have this little snore. When Ekon and I first began talking, you were snoring away happily. Then you weren’t. Also, your fingers were in the butter, but you pulled them out. Next time, don’t move at all. The good news is that Ekon didn’t seem to notice.”

  “That guy has a couple of screws loose.” Her heart began to pound at the thought of him.

  Magnar ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what’s going on with him.” He pushed out a heavy breath. “He isn’t normally like this. He’s single-minded and driven, sure, but a cold-blooded killer…no way.”

  “It seems he wants revenge so badly he’s willing to kill to get it. I see deranged and off-kilter.”

  Magnar’s Adam’s apple worked. “How much did you hear?”

  “Enough.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to pretend to be together. I’m not a great actor. He’ll find out in no time and then…” she ran a finger across her throat in a slitting gesture, “I’m dead.”

  “I don’t think he would actually go through with it. I—”

  “You’re delusional, Magnar. I understand that Ekon is your friend, that you’ve known him for years, but I think he means it. In fact, I know he means it. I think you’re fooling yourself if you think differently. I could see it in his eyes.” She shivered.

  His frown deepened. “I’ve known him my whole life. We grew up together.”

  “He mentioned that the three of you used to be best friends. You, Ekon and Leukos. Is it true?”

  “Ekon isn’t a bad male.” Magnar’s eyes blazed. “He can’t mean it. I don’t believe it!” He chose to ignore her question, which told her it more than likely was true.

  “I’m scared,” she blurted. “I’m terrified of him. I don’t want to take that chance.” Claire hugged herself, feeling cold all of a sudden. “What if he does? Mean it, I mean? I don’t want to take any risks. I don’t want to die or end up forced into something with someone I don’t want to be with. You convinced him that giving me to someone was a good idea.”

  Magnar widened his eyes. “I was trying to save your life.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, the stubble catching. “I never intended for it to actually happen. I won’t allow that. That’s why I offered to take you myself.”

  “Oh, so you do believe he planned on killing me as revenge on his brother.”

  “I didn’t want to take chances. That’s all!” His stance softened. “I agree, we shouldn’t try to pretend. I’m also not very good at deceit.” Magnar began to pace, his eyes blazing. “I don’t know what to do about this whole thing.”

  “If we stay here, one of two things is going to happen. I’ll end up being ‘given’ to someone else when it becomes clear that we’re not together. Whoever that individual is might not be as understanding as you. Or...even worse…way worse…” her throat felt thick and her voice hitched, “I could end up murdered.”

  Magnar took her hand and squeezed before letting it go. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I got you into this mess and I’ll get you out of it. I still don’t believe Ekon would do such a thing, despite what he says.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  He shrugged, looking deep in thought. Magnar finally pushed out a breath. “I can’t be sure.” He locked eyes with her. “Which means that we can’t take any chances.”

  “We have until tomorrow morning. Sunrise, if I’m not mistaken. Enough time for you to test the merchandi
se.” She widened her eyes.

  Magnar choked out a laugh. “I knew you were awake and listening in when I said that. Relax, there will be no testing of any merchandise. The only thing I can think of is to get you the hell out of here. Get you somewhere safe. Unfortunately, the only place I can think of is with Leukos.”

  She watched as his jaw tensed, as his hands curled into fists.

  “Do you hate him that much?”

  “What he did was unthinkable. I was the one who had to pick up the pieces. Ekon was…he was devastated. Not just at the loss of his mate and children, but also his brother. His twin. His friend and second in line for the throne. Leukos stabbed him in the back. Used him as a stepping-stone to get what he wanted and yet…” he clenched his teeth for a few moments, “it was the very last thing I expected of the male.” She watched him swallow hard. “Leukos was never like that. He was always a male of honor. Ekon often talks of how jealous Leukos was of him, but in truth, the opposite was true. Despite Ekon being next in line to rule and then later even though he was the king of the Feral, he always envied Leukos for his easy nature. His ability to draw others to him. Leukos was always an effortless leader. Maybe better suited to the crown. Once…” He let the rest of the sentence die. Clearly deep in thought.

  “Once what?”

  “Once upon a time, there were those amongst us who felt that Leukos should be given the crown. It is not our way. The first-hatched male is the one who is heir. That is how it works, and so Ekon became king.”

  “How was he as a ruler?”

  “He wasn’t a bad ruler. Does it matter? What Leukos did was unforgivable, Claire. He is not a good male.”

  “Yet at the same time, you think I should go back to him?” She found it hard to believe Leukos would hurt his own flesh and blood like that. Then again, she didn’t know him very well at all. Maybe she had been wrong about him. “Even knowing the whole story makes it hard for me to believe Leukos is an asshole like that. I keep thinking to myself that he must have had a good reason, but I don’t know him well at all. I don’t know him and still…” She bit down on her lower lip.

  Magnar smiled at her. “You and your rose-colored glasses. Your positivity is a wonderful trait. I think Leukos’ nest is the safest place for you right now. The male will keep you out of harm’s way. The Fallen are a small faction who decided to continue serving Ekon. The majority of our people are under Leukos’ rule. Ekon won’t be able to touch you. It is for that reason that you belong there and for that reason only. You should stay with the Feral for a time, if only for safety sake. Amongst the humans, you would be a sitting duck. I do hope, however, you avoid pursuing a relationship with Leukos.”