Page 144 of Hunt Me

Ezra straightened, returning to formalities.

“The nobles have been informed of your turning.”

Matilda’s jaw tightened. “Already?”

“Time was of the essence. There was no reason to delay, especially with Denalia’s arrival.” His eyes moved briefly to the infant. “Her arrival complicates matters.”

“How so?” Matilda snapped.

“King Alesi securing a queen and bearing an heir will upset those who wished to see us weakened or wished for a regime change. The wolves will become desperate, especially if Luka has regained the trust and curried favor with the nobles.”

“Then it is in Prince Lykaon’s best interest to accept a peace treaty,” Matilda mentioned.

Luka nodded. “It would, but unmated wolves are impulsive and unpredictable.”

Matilda raised a brow. She’d never thought about it before. Prince Lykaon didn’t have a mate. If he had, he would bear the title of king.

“Royal wolves can only be bonded to their mates as destined by their deity,” Luka answered. “He has not found his and shall remain a prince until he does.”

Ezra cleared his throat and continued. “There will need to be an official decree that confirms your status, your transformation, and your position within the kingdom.”

“Will there be ceremonies?” she asked, looking down at her daughter again, at the steady rise and fall of her chest. The very child who had anchored her through death and brought her back again.

“Yes, you will have an official coronation,” he answered.

As the men conversed, Matilda’s concentration drifted to the stabbing pangs in her stomach and the burn that clawed at her throat. A sharp inhale dragged through her lungs as every muscle in her body went rigid. Denalia stirred gently against her, and that alone was enough to force Matilda to refocus. But it wasn’t long before all she could think about was quenching her blood thirst. This time, her hunger was deeper. It felt like it hollowed her from the inside, and every heartbeat in the room became unbearable. Especially the heartbeat that fluttered in her hold.

It was Luka who noticed first.

Gently, he removed Denalia from her hands and passed her to Ezra.

“We must not delay, Matilda.”

“I am fine.”

The lie died on her tongue as her body continued to betray her. Her gaze dropped to the small thump against his throat.

“No,” he said softly, gathering her hands in his. He lifted her to her feet. “Not like this. You will lose control.”

“Just a little, my King,” she whispered. Her voice was thin and broke on each word as she stroked his face. Ignorance would see affection; however, Luka knew how manipulative vampires could be to get what they wanted. Matilda was full of deceit and lies, but she wasn’t to blame. It was the thirst.

The hunger surged again. This time, violent enough to bend her forward, her hands bracing against her stomach.

“Fix it,” she whimpered.

A dark, twisted, and delightful thought came to Luka.

“Let us journey to the dungeon where you may feast to your heart’s content.”

“What awaits me in the dungeon?” she asked curiously.

“Draven.”

Matilda went still, then smiled. “Lead the way.”

Minutes later, they descended into the dungeon together. Their footsteps echoed through the narrow stone corridor, and the deeper they traveled, the colder the air became. Torches flickered along damp walls, illuminating iron doors and the occasional curious face peering from behind the bars.

Matilda could hear the rapid beat of Draven’s heart long before they reached his cell.