Unwanted

Petra’s P.O.V.

If the people who took over the palace were going for shock value, they succeeded. However, I’m the only one not vomiting because I’m staring at the heads hanging on the ceiling. Something isn’t right. Anton grabs my arm as I start to walk into the dungeon.

“What are you doing?” He asks with concern.

“I need to look at something.” I don’t want to tell him my theory until I’m sure. I know he doesn’t want to go with me, but after what happened in Texas, he hasn’t let me go anywhere alone, so he follows me inside. Just as I thought. The heads aren’t real.

“Logan, Kiana, this isn’t your family.” They both jump up and look at me in disbelief.

“What do you mean?” Logan asks, trying to avoid looking at the heads above me.

“They’re not real. Someone made really good replicas, but they’re fake.” Everyone comes in and sees the same thing I saw. At first glance, they look real, but when you really examine them, they are clearly manmade.

“Are they dead?” Logan asks, pointing to the three men lying on the ground.

“No, just sleeping for now. I can wake them whenever you want.” I tell him as we walk out of the dungeons.

“Just wake Steve.” He grabs the man by the neck and holds him up as I wake him. Steve looks confused, but he smirks when he sees Logan’s rage.

“I guess you’ve seen your family is dead. Are you ready to join them?” Logan tightens his grip on Steve.

“They’re not dead. We know those aren’t real, so where is my family?” Logan demands. I step forward.

“Allow me,” I say. Logan nods and tosses Steve to the ground. I use my magic and make him feel pain through his entire body. He screams as I increase the intensity.

“They’re in the palace with the new king.” He finally admits. Logan looks at me with fire in his eyes.

“I’ll kill him myself.” I stop the pain. Logan grabs Steve and snaps his neck with one twist. “Let’s go to the palace. Everyone stay together.”

We walk across the grounds to the palace, and I see all the men I made sleep still lying around. How many men did this imposter king bring? We go through the back door, and the palace is eerily quiet.

“Where do you think they are?” Kiana asks Logan.

“Let’s start with the dining hall, and then we’ll go to the throne room.” He replies, taking Emily’s hand.

We begin walking through the palace. It doesn’t feel like a palace but more like a large, comfortable home. When we reach the dining hall, one of the guards peeks in and then comes to where we’re waiting.

“None of the family is in there; there are only more men like we saw outside.” He says quietly.

“Let’s go to the throne room.” Logan begins leading us away from the men in the dining hall. I do some magic and make them all sleep. No need for surprises. I would put everyone in the palace to sleep, but I won’t until we find the royal family.

When we get to a set of large wooden doors with gold handles, I assume it’s the throne room. We can hear talking on the inside. Logan and Kiana listen.

“I can hear Dad, but I can’t hear what he’s saying,” Kiana says anxiously. Logan nods and looks at the guards and then at me.

“Let’s go in. Petra, if anyone tries to hurt them or us, take them out. I don’t care if you kill them, put them to sleep, or cause them excruciating pain. I’ll let you decide what’s best.” He says.

“Okay,” I answer. I have never felt more powerful in my life. I only wish Teegan was here. At the same time, I’m glad she and Joel have this time alone together. Hopefully, by the time her heat is over, we will be finished here, and she’ll have a pup growing in her belly.

Two guards open the throne room doors, and what greets us makes us all freeze. A man and woman are sitting on the thrones, but from the look they’re giving us, I don’t believe they’re the real king and queen. There are people in chairs who can’t move due to the silver-lined chains wrapped around them.

“Logan, it’s so good to see you.” The man on the throne says.

“Who are you and what are you doing here. This is treason punishable by death.” Logan says as we all step inside. I do some magic to make the chains lose their silver lining. The family must know about my abilities because several look at me with gratitude. I don’t want to remove the chains until I see what this man’s plan is. We don’t need any more surprises.

“I’m the rightful lycan king. My name is Chris, and this is my mate Docia. You will bow to us now.” The man demands. He’s large like most lycan men. He has long, wavy brown hair and steel-gray eyes. He’s handsome but nothing like the real royal family. Docia has shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes. She looks a lot younger than her mate. It’s not unheard of in the shifter community for mates to be decades apart in age.

“We will not bow to you. Explain why you believe you’re the king.” Logan yells at the man. Chris sits back and smiles.

“Adrian, why don’t you tell them why I’m the rightful king?” He looks toward one of the men in the chairs.

“Chris’ grandfather was the king over a century ago. He was a tyrant who terrorized all shifters. My grandfather rallied shifters of all kinds to stop him. They seized the palace and killed the king. They voted for my grandfather to be king when it was all over. We’ve been ruling since that time. However, Chris believes he should be the king because his grandfather was removed from power.” Adrian replies, glaring at the man on the throne.

“He was unlawfully removed, so now I’m removing you. Your family will now become my servants. Docia, dear, make them bow to their king.” I don’t know what her plan is, but I quickly use my magic to block whatever she’s going to do. I see her frustration when her eyes meet mine, and she smirks.

“I can’t, my king. I’m being blocked.” She says, still looking at me. Why do I have a chill going down my spine? I squeeze Anton’s hand.

“Who is blocking you, my queen?” Chris asks her. Docia points at me.

“She is. Hello, Petra. It’s been a long time, sister.”