Eryon glared at him, his amber eyes burning with defiance despite the chains that bound him. Misery struggled to her knees, her breathing ragged as she shot the King a look of pure hatred. Adrian remained silent, his body tense, his fangs bared as he watched the King with a predator’s intensity.
The King’s smile widened, a cold, calculating expression that sent chills down their spines.
“Oh, don’t look so grim. You’re not dead yet. Though, I must admit, it was tempting to leave you in the hands of my Shadowbound.”
“What do you want?” Adrian growled, his voice laced with venom. “If you’re going to kill us, get it over with.”
The King chuckled, the sound low and cruel.
“Kill you? No, no, my dear Adrian. You misunderstand me. Death would be far too merciful for the likes of you.” He rose from his throne, his tall figure casting a shadow over them as he stepped closer. “You see, I don’t want to kill you. I want to use you.”
Adrian’s jaw clenched, his hatred palpable as he spat, “You’ll get nothing from me.”
The King’s smile remained, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Oh, I think you’ll find that resisting me is… quite impossible. You see, I have plans for you, Adrian. Plans that will ensure my dominion over every pack, every clan, every wretched creature in this world.”
He turned his gaze to Eryon, his smile fading as his tone grew colder.
“And you, my dear wolf. You’ve become something fascinating, haven’t you? A hybrid, caught between the power of the wolves and the allure of the vampires. You’ll be a fine addition to my army.”
Eryon snarled, his body straining against the chains. “You’ll get nothing from me either.”
The King tilted his head, a mocking pity in his expression. “You still think you have a choice. How quaint.”
He stepped back, gesturing to the Shadowbound that lingered in the shadows.
“Take them to the cells. Let them ponder their defiance. They’ll come around soon enough.”
As the Shadowbound closed in, Eryon, Misery, and Adrian exchanged a final glance of determination. Whatever the King had planned, they wouldn’t give in without a fight.