Page 52 of You Will Obey
Théoden sighed and nodded. “It is true, I didn’t spare one vampire to help you defend your territory from Kendrick.”
“You were probably hoping he’d take us out?” I speculated.
Théoden smirked. “One could hope, but you’ve proven to be a wily little wolf, Deacon.”
“Son of a bitch,” I growled, then rose from my chair. “Get the fuck out. I hope Alexander kills you all.”
“This is what’s going to happen, Deacon. You’re going to honor that allegiance and send a battalion of no less than a hundred wolves to New Haven within the hour,” Théoden said.
I blinked, because I couldn’t believe the shit I was hearing. “The hell I am,” I snapped.
“And if we don’t?” Elijah asked.
“Save the threats to my life, Théoden. Because if you even think of hurting me or anyone within my pack, you can kiss your alliance with Kendrick goodbye. Elliot won’t stand for it, and there’s no way Kendrick will put you over Elliot,” I taunted, because I knew the ball was in my court. He could posture all he fucking wanted.
He took a step toward me and Elijah rose from the desk, his eyes trained on Théoden, watching him as intently as I was.
“I’m not going to kill you, Deacon. No need to go to such drastic measures,” Théoden said. “But what I will do is claim you.”
He reached out before I could move and grabbed my hair and slammed me face down on the top of my desk. I growled and tried to rise, but his grip was like an iron vice, that immovable. Elijah leaned toward us, hands outstretched to help me, but Théoden struck out, sending my mate flying across the office and into my bookcase. He crashed to the floor with a loud grunt. The shelves broke and the books fell to the floor and on top of Elijah. I pushed against my desk, the wood creaking from my pressure, but I couldn’t move, Théoden wouldn’t let me. I began to force my change to my strongest form.
“Don’t even try it, it won’t help in any way,” Théoden warned. “And tell your mate to stay in a child’s place. This is between you and I, Deacon.”
“You motherfucker!” I snarled, my canines out. I was so damn mad, I saw red. The last time I was this fucking pissed off, that bitch, Julie, had insulted me. My heart was racing so fast and powerfully, I could hear my blood pumping in my ears and all of my senses were heightened. I could smell the blood pumping in our veins and I wanted to make Théoden spill his for this offense.
Elijah was on his feet and growling as he glared at Théoden. He went to charge him again and Théoden blew a ball of fire in his direction and Elijah leaped back, barely avoiding the flames.
“Stop!” I yelled. “You said you wouldn't kill us.”
“And I won’t, but it will burn the fuck out of your mate if he doesn’t settle down,” Théoden warned.
“Eli…”
“Fine,” Elijah said, his eyes still glowed yellow as he glared and snarled at Théoden.
I could hear Théoden chuckle. “My, my, you’ve come a long way from that foolish human I captured. Really, Deacon, had I known he was your mate, I would have made a bigger bargain.”
“As far… as... I’m concerned, we’re… square. You got… Dante,” I said between ragged breaths, then tried to push up again and he wouldn’t let me. It felt like I was being held in place by some pressing machine, leaving me no room to move or even breathe as I struggled with each breath.
“True. Now that cooler heads have prevailed, I’ll continue. Since I can’t trust you to honor our alliance on your word, as you’ve proven to me that you won’t, I’ll just have to give you incentive,” Théoden said.
“What are you going to do?” Elijah asked.
“I’m not talking to you, boy,” Théoden snapped. “I won’t tell you again to mind your place.”
“I’m an Alpha of this pack,” Elijah retorted.
“But thee Alpha is who I’m speaking with. Now. Shut. The. Fuck. Up,” Théoden said.
I couldn’t see what Théoden was doing, but I could tell he was doing something. “What are you–”
“I’m going to brand you with my dragon fire, Deacon. It’s called theFire Brand, a bit different from theDragon Brand. It’s something only dragon Knights can do. Long ago, when wolves were slaves to vampires and dragons, dragons had a very special way of keeping them in line. Don’t worry, this will only hurt a little,” Théoden said.
Elijah growled and leaped again. This time, Théoden caught him by his neck with one hand. I was helpless and I roared in rage as he broke Elijah’s neck, then let his limp body fall to the floor.
“I’ll… kill… you,” I screamed.
“No, you won’t,” Théoden said.