Were Slave (2010) by Lia Slater Read Free Book Online Page B

foyer. There was an
unusual bustle around the castle today. Mace stepped out of the way while large
flower arrangements were carried through the door and into the grand ballroom.
    Saul looked to him. "The Harvest Ball is tonight. It's a
grand affair."
    "I see. Nayla hadn't mentioned it." Mace used her given name
freely, refusing to call her his Queen. The formality was ridiculous
considering she'd sucked his cock just that morning and every day since he'd
taken residence in her chambers.
    Saul didn't seem to care. "I'm sure the Queen would have
liked for you to attend the Ball. Though, the council would never agree to
something so daring."
    "Really?" He hardly believed it. "Because I'm a monster?"
Mace continued to follow the guard's lead through the castle.
    After a pause, Saul looked back at him and smiled. "I know
better than that."
    "You would. Does Nayla know you're part wolf?"
    The middle-aged man stopped at the end of the hall and
glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "No one knows," he said in a
low voice. "How did you figure it out?"
    "Your wolf scent is weak but I can still smell it when
you're near me like this. Where did you come from, brother?"
    Saul shook his head. "I'm no one's brother. I'm the bastard
son of the late Queen Beatrice and her WereSlave. She gave birth in secret and
handed me to the servants."
    Mace's jaw twitched. And Weres were considered the animals?
"Have you ever changed with the moon?"
    "A few times when I was a boy." He looked around the room
again. "I've learned to control it."
    "You should tell Nayla. She respects you and might think
differently of me and the other Weres if she knew her own guard is one of us."
    Saul smiled. "Do you want her to think differently of you?
Is it important to you?"
    "Of course. It would mean my pack could have a home. With
your country's acceptance we would no longer be vagrants." Mace smirked,
realizing how ridiculous he sounded to his own ears. "But that would be asking
for a miracle." He slapped Saul's shoulder. "Were brother, your secret is safe
with me."
    Saul nodded. "The country's hatred runs deep, especially
after the war. I'm not sure peace among humans and Weres is possible." He grinned.
"Well, I wasn't until I noticed how you've affected the Queen. Look what's
happened in the short time she's known you. Your pack is treated as if you're
guests to the castle and you're without chains."
    Mace remained silent for the rest of the trek to Nayla's
chambers. It was foolish to hope for peace. Even more foolish to entertain the
idea that Nayla would ever want him to be more than her WereSlave. He clenched
his fists at his sides as renewed anger built inside of him. If only he didn't
crave the woman's touch.
    * * * * *
    Nayla had greeted each of the castle's guests as they made
their way into the ballroom. Everyone, including Stephen. He looked as good as
he did when he'd been her lover just over four years ago. Broad shoulders, a
lean waist and a smile that could flatter any woman. Though, oddly, her heart
didn't pitter-patter like it usually did whenever she was around him.
    He'd always held a special place in her heart, as the only
man she'd ever given herself to before her bloodlines forced her into being the
Queen. He'd courted and pursued her for months and she hadn't seen a reason to
deny him. Her destiny of solitude had inspired her to be a little naughty while
she still could. And it had been worthwhile at the time.
    She looked at her ex-lover, who stood amongst the other
bachelors. Rightfully so, she thought. No woman would ever be good enough to
claim his heart. That was why he'd been such a fine choice back then. There'd
been no chance of either of them falling in love. Sure, Nayla had come close
and it had hurt to say goodbye. But Stephen had made it easy. He'd moved right
on to the next woman without a complaint.
    Across the room, he met her gaze and flashed her an intimate
smile that told her he remembered every minute of the wicked