A Very Levet Christmas (Guardians of Eternity) by Alexandra Ivy Read Free Book Online Page B

rumors that the King of Weres had made a treaty with the bloodsuckers were obviously true.
    And he was in the presence of the king.
    Turning his attention fully toward the Were standing directly in front of him, Damon reeled beneath the impact of Salvatore’s stunning power.
    When Damon and his mother had been forced to leave the pack, Salvatore had already been coming into his strength, but Damon didn’t remember it being this extreme. Clearly Salvatore’s defeat of the demon lord, as well as his recent mating, had catapulted him into a level of strength that had been forgotten by most Weres.
    Slowly adjusting to the sizzling power that buffeted against his body, Damon struggled to understand what the hell was going on.
    Before he’d been tossed into situations from his past.
    He had known exactly how the scene would play out, even if he didn’t want to relive the memory.
    This time he didn’t have a damned clue what the hell was about to happen.
    Which was terrifying the hell out of him.
    As if sensing Damon’s unease, Salvatore narrowed his dark eyes that glowed with the power of his wolf.
    “I offered you the opportunity to walk away from this fight,” the king said. “That pathway is still open.”
    Damon discovered that his awareness didn’t give him control over his own body. Instead he was an unwelcome passenger as his “other” self gave a low growl and bared his teeth in open challenge.
    “I’ve waited my entire life for this meeting,” he found himself saying, his breath creating small clouds of mist in the frigid air.
    Salvatore cocked his head to one side, his piercing gaze searching Damon’s grim expression.
    “You are . . . familiar.”
    Damon felt his lips twist in a humorless smile. “I have a faint resemblance to my father.”
    It took a minute before the king sucked in a shocked breath. “Mackenzie,” he muttered. “Which means you must be his youngest son, Damon.”
    Damon took a sideways step, his concentration focused on the Were in front of him despite the number of lethal onlookers.
    This was a “challenge.” Tradition demanded that no one interfere unless Damon attempted to cheat.
    “So you remember me,” he said.
    “Of course.” Salvatore matched his step, making sure Damon couldn’t attack his flank. “When you disappeared I feared your father had killed you.”
    Damon made a sound of disgust. As far as he knew not one Were from their pack had made an effort to help his mother after they’d been banished. It hadn’t occurred to him that the pack might have assumed his father had simply killed them.
    “Feared or hoped?”
    Salvatore looked surprised. “Why would I wish you to be dead?”
    “You must have known I would one day challenge you?”
    “Why would I?”
    Damon felt a flare of fury at the dismissive tone. “I am a potential heir.”
    “Along with a dozen other Weres.”
    It was true. There were always a number of potential heirs waiting for an opportunity to snatch the throne.
    Of course few of them would dare to confront this particular king. Salvatore had defeated a demon lord. What chance did a mere Were have against him?
    Damon, however, didn’t have a choice.
    “They’ll have to get in line,” he muttered.
    Salvatore frowned, as if troubled by Damon’s lack of burning ambition. “You’re not a fool, Damon. You must sense you’re no match for my power.”
    Damon locked out the truth of his words.
    Destiny didn’t have to make sense.
    It just . . . was.
    He took more steps to the side, watching as Salvatore mirrored his movements. He didn’t expect to find a weakness, but it seemed important to go through the motions.
    “It’s my duty.”
    Salvatore arched a brow. “Duty?”
    “To my mother.”
    “Cristo”. Salvatore was once again caught off guard. “Rosina is alive?”
    Damon flinched. “No longer. She went mad from grief.”
    Genuine regret touched Salvatore’s face. “I’m sorry.”
    “You should be,” Damon growled.
    “You