The Werewolf King’s Mate
Chapter 56

Content Warning: The chapter contains scenes that may not be suitable for readers below 18. Lucas' POV:

Cory and I were making out inside one of the palace's solar. I wondered if turning the lights off and suppressing her voice was her new fetish. I continued to ravish her lips and caress her breasts. These past few days, I couldn't help but notice how much they have gotten bigger. Her pregnancy hormones must be why her mounds are more tender and swollen. The desire clouded my head, and I pulled her dress down. I placed kisses on her neck, shoulders, and chest. I couldn't wait to s*Ck on her tips. But something has been tugging on my head. Someone wanted to communicate and tell me something until I heard a faint call for help.

"Help..." Cory? It can't be. I think the l**t and body heat toasted my brain.

"Trapped...help," Her voice was a lot like Cory's, but it couldn't be her because she was right before me. "Pup..."

That alarmed me. I tried to connect with her, but I couldn't. There must be a dark magic blocking me from communicating with her. If that was Cory, then who the f*ck is this woman? I tightly grabbed her neck, and it completely shocked her. She was pushing me away as she desperately tried to get some air.

"Who the hell are you?"

When she didn't answer, I put more pressure on her neck. I knew if I tightened my hold, her neck would snap. I still need her alive. If Cory was taken, she was the best bet to locate them. I quickly mind-linked everyone and informed them of the situation. "Cory has been taken away. Search every nook of the palace. I don't think they have gotten that far! Silas and Ellie, come by the solar and have the guards bring silver cuffs." I said with every bit of urgency. "How did that happen?! Aren't you with her?"

"I will explain later. Now, look for Cory!"

I keep the mind link open if Cory or anyone else tries contacting me. The woman was struggling to breathe already. I stepped backward and turned the lights on. Honestly, I'm not even surprised that it was her-Laura. "Where is Cory?! Where have you taken her?!"

She's not answering my questions, D*Mn it! I grabbed her neck again as I became impatient with her and not knowing the whereabouts of Cory. Soon after, the guards entered the room with Silas and Ellie behind them. "Keep her locked up. Do whatever you need to do to get answers from her."

The guards rushed inside. They cuffed her with silver, and we heard her scream as it touched her skin. None of us paid attention. Instead, I focused on strategizing with Silas and Ellie. The rest searched the grounds for anything that would lead us to Cory. "I don't think they have gotten that far. I was with Cory just a few minutes ago, and everything was a blur."

"But how come Laura was here?" Silas asked.

"The potion. She used it to cover and copy Cory's scent."

"Sh*t! Then she must know the witch, Elisha! She's the one behind all this!" Ellie exclaimed.

"She might know who Elisha is, but I doubt she's the one behind Cory's kidnapping. She's working with someone else."

"Who could it be?"

"Find out where Cory is and whoever is behind. Kidnapping their queen and putting the heir in harm is treason! Once you replace them, bring them to me alive." Because I will personally kill them myself.

They left to join the search while I backtracked on what happened. I searched the whole solar - every crook and cranny of the room. Nothing was left unturned, but I still couldn't replace anything. I tried connecting with Cory, hoping I could reach her. Oh, goddess. Please! Please! I still couldn't connect with her. Ugh! It's undeniable that I bear responsibility for their disappearance. I shouldn't have left her alone. Now, Cory and my pup were taken away by whoever.

"Any updates?" I connected with Elias to see if they found anything.

"Unfortunately, none yet. Cory's scent is all over. They are trying to misdirect us."

I stepped out of the solar. The party has ended. Everyone left except for Sir Hendrix. What is he still doing here?

"Your Majesty, I heard what happened. Who would dare do that?! It's outrageous! It's treason!" He's angrier than I

"We don't have a clue yet. The priority right now is to have them back here safely."

"I will have my guards to help search for them as well. We'll replace them."

He tapped my back in a fatherly gesture and left the hall. I looked around the great hall. Recalling me stepping out of the solar, Hendrix popping a bottle of champagne, the waitress swarmed by the guests, and I returned to the room with a glass of water. Everything happened so fast. This is rattling my brain! I stepped out of the palace and shifted to my wolf. Standing there and looking around would not be anything. It wouldn't help me replace them fast. I ran towards the woods. Elias was right. Cory's scent was all over. I don't care how tired we are. We are going to search the whole kingdom before the sun rises!

Yes, we will. Did you hear anything from Hotah? Before they were taken away.

No. I bet whatever they inhaled blocked our communication.

It's dark magic, for sure. That witch probably created it.

Most likely. Bring me that witch, Lucas. She's the root of evil. I want to be the one to tear her head off.

All yours, buddy.

We're ready to kill the monsters behind this and start with the witch. Kali and I have searched deeper parts of the woods but to no avail - no other smell or paw tracks. The sun's about to rise, and we haven't found anything. I went back to the chateau and called everyone in.

"Have you found Elisha?" I asked the group.

"Not yet. We're still looking and asking for other witches," Tommy answered.

"How about Laura? Did she say anything?"

"She's keeping her mouth shut." Silas was the one who answered this time. He continued, "No matter how hard we whipped her, she refuses to say anything."

In the heat of the moment, Alfred entered the study room. He was holding a black envelope in his right hand and a bundle of brown...hair. Cory's hair?! I felt ominous about it.

"Your Majesty, w-we saw this at the front gates just now." He handed over to me the envelope and the hair.

"Is that Cory's hair?!" Lola's eyes widened.

"Did you see anyone?"

"No, Your Majesty. No one was there when we found it."

"Sh*t!"

From the scent of the hair, it is indeed Cory's hair. This was a warning. I opened the envelope, and the first to unfold was a Polaroid picture of Cory. She's unconscious. Her mouth was covered with duct tape, and her hands seemed tied. F*cking sh*t!! I am losing it!

I unfolded the letter next. There would be no way for us to identify who the penmanship belonged to. It was freaking typewritten! The words made me crumple up the paper and throw everything at the table! Everyone stood frozen in their place. "Silas, call the council members and draft my formal resignation as King."

"What?!"

"Your Majesty, you can't..."

"I can and I will. If it means saving both of them!"

"What did the letter say, Lucas?"

When I didn't answer, Silas picked up the letter I threw. His face paled at the words he read. He immediately understood my desire to resign. This is an all-or-nothing game for them. Either way, I will lose something here, and I'd rather be the crown than my family. "Your Majesty, there must be another way!"

"What?! If you have an idea, then tell me now! I am losing my sh*t here, Silas!"

Iris took the letter from Silas and read it. When she did, she looked petrified. Everyone read the letter, and Lola couldn't help but sob. It was only three sentences, but it carried a lot of menace.

What should I cut next? Give up the throne, or I will send her body in pieces. You have two days.

No time is to be wasted. Silas had no choice but to do what I asked him to. Before the meeting, I went to the dungeon where Laura was being kept. I could see the line marks from the whip. "Where are they hiding her?"

"Lucas! I've been waiting for you. I know you will come."

"The only reason I'm here is for Cory. Where is she?!"

"Don't be like that. After the night we had..."

"SHUT UP! AS YOUR KING, I COMMAND YOU TO ANSWER ME. NOW!"

"I-I don't know."

"Then who took her?!"

She kept her mouth shut. And that's when I called one of the guards. I took the whip from his hands. I lashed out at her 5, 10, 20, or 30 times. She screamed mercy at every whip. I grabbed her hair and pulled it hard. "Who are you working with?"

"Uh, uh"

"Don't make me order them to hit, shoot, or burn you until your body can't take it anymore."

"N-no. You're not like that."

"You don't know me. Now, answer me!"

She still kept her mouth shut. I called one of the guards again. This time, I asked them to hit her as hard as they could. Make her bleed more. When I thought her body was giving up, she spoke the man's name. "H-Hendrix..."

"What did you say?"

"It was Hendrix!"

"If I replace out that you're lying. Better say your prayers."

"I am not! H-he's been planning this all along. He wants the throne! Chloe! Chloe was working with him. Sh...She knows the witch! Lucas, just please get me out of here."

Sir Hendrix?! It's all falling into place now. I quickly left the dungeon and informed Silas about this. We quickly devised a plan to catch Hendrix in the act. I just hope he's ready for what's coming. That piece of sh*t!