Claimed By My Husband's Enemy novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

(Creed)

I miscalculated. I knew I would regret leaving the five women together. These people still needed guardians. They could not be trusted on their own. By themselves, they were already a headache, especially their new recruit. As a group, they were the perfect recipe for disaster.

I was already expecting the worst when I got back home. I just did not anticipate that I would see them like this. Especially her.

I glared at my sister. Lizbeth and her friends were quick to lower their heads, acknowledging their mistake, although I knew the second they felt me look away, they all glanced up to stare at Vicious who were still crying as quietly as possible while holding the part of her wrist which used to have her chain that was almost identical to Emmanuelle’s.

My head ached so fucking much upon hearing what she did. But seeing her like this, vulnerable and in tears, another part of me began to ache as well.

My chest.

“Elianna?” the princess called guiltily when I was about to take her away. I stopped and turned to Her Highness’ direction, finally acknowledging her presence. I had almost forgotten about her. I was that furious while we were on the way here.

Romualdez River was infamous for its tricky water. The people who tried swimming in it once never came back again. Including the skilled swimmers. They all had the same terrible experience with it, claiming that the water tended to pull the swimmers down until they drowned.

Those who swam in it were hospitalized for almost a week. They emerged from the water shaking, weak, and traumatized.

Vicious glanced at her. “Yes, princess?”

Emmanuelle swallowed. “I’m really sorry I got you involved. Do you… hate me now?”

“I hate myself.”

“For saving me?”

“No way,” Vicious answered in a raspy voice. “I was embarrassed. I acted like a real adult there, didn’t I? I almost nailed the whole ‘cool adult’ concept. And then this happened. Now my pride hurts too.” Her eyes settled on mine. “If you could just let me go, I think my pride will hurt less.”

Even if my wolf was against it, I released Vicious and wrapped her with my coat. Sadness was still visible in her face when she smiled at Emmanuelle. “Don’t do that again, princess. Don’t jump so recklessly next time. That was dangerous.”

Lizbeth and I growled at her at the same time.

“That was different,” she said defensively. “It was between life and death. And I had to act fast. I saw the princess drowning. And there wasn’t anyone around me that I could ask for help. What was I supposed to do? Every second counts when it comes to saving a life.”

“I couldn’t agree more. It looks like our family now owes you one, little warrior. Thank you for saving my niece. Rest assured, today’s event will not be forgotten. Not many people would do that, especially a human. You were very brave, Elianna.”

My eyes narrowed upon hearing the fascination in Terrence’s voice. The Alpha King’s sole heir to the throne was looking at Vicious as if he was seeing a woman for the first time in his life. When the prince stepped closer, I instinctively planted myself between the two of them.

He interrupted me and His Majesty in the throne room earlier, eventually saving me from his own father’s ire by distracting the latter through insisting to discuss his report. Terrence then heard about the incident and came with me when I left their castle to check on his niece which he should be doing right now instead of eyeing someone else’s mate with keen interest.

“Niece?” The word got Vicious’ attention. “You mean you’re also a royalty?”

The heir smiled widely and offered his hand. “I’m Terrence Beckett, the prince of this realm.”

Vicious accepted his hand, making my wolf snarl. The two were quick to break it off. “And I’m Elianna Dawson, the prisoner of this realm.”

Dale and Terrence hid their laughter through coughing. My head started to throb again. Nobody had ever talked to me like that. I had never met anyone who could piss me off this much and make me feel other things all at once. Although I had to give it to her for remembering to use her maiden Successfully unlocked! had to get used to it again. She would not be

married for a long time.

Despite her witty replies, the sorrow in her eyes remained. It was like she purposely said those things to stop worrying the

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Chapter 17 princess.

If not for that, I would have bent her over as soon as we were alone and… I took a sharp breath and just shook my head in

resignation.

“Ninety-nine percent of the shifter population had nothing to do with it, so I hope you don’t take it against us. It’s all on your mate,” Terrence responded, still grinning like a fool. “Please feel free to call me Rence. I heard quite a lot about you, Elianna. It’s an honor to meet the woman behind the ruckus at the castle today. That doesn’t happen every day, that’s why I really enjoyed the show.” I glared at the prince who just shrugged innocently. “What? I was only stating facts.”

That distracted Vicious again. “At the castle? Why? What did I do this time?”

I completely blocked my friend from her view. She did not need another alpha in her life. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just here to annoy us. Let’s go.”

Another gasp. And this time, I was the one distracted, as I stared at those plump lips. Vicious was pretty. Too pretty that it was a problem. Her wet dress clung to her delectable curves, making her look like she came straight out of a man’s wet dream.

“Are you allowed to say that to a prince, Mr. Black? What if he punishes you?”

“Are you worried about me, Vicious?”

She did not have to say her answer. Her expression said it all. Her whole face turned sour as if I just insulted her whole family which had Terrence laughing his ass out behind me.

“I saved his ass far too many times for him to mind something as meager as that. Come with me now, Elianna. I will take you back.”

Terrence was still chuckling when I led her away. The doctors who came with us examined Emmanuelle and did a brief checkup on Vicious. Upon making her take an elixir to prevent her from getting sick, they let her leave.

As soon as we slid inside the car, I pressed the partition button.

“That was careless, Vicious. You could have died.”

The river was dangerous, especially for non-shifters. I was not a very religious man. I didn’t think I ever learned how to pray. But I remembered calling the Goddess once or twice during the drive. It was a miracle Vicious was able to swim in it without problems although what happened to her bracelet was still a mystery.

When I touched it last night, I felt the mana inside it. If my hunch was right, it saved Vicious from the river although the darkness underneath must have drained the mana which shattered the jewelry. That was all the amulets’ job. It shattered once it had fulfilled its purpose.

Which just brought me to another question. Who was Elianna Dawson and why did she possess something like that?

“I don’t regret it,” she said after some time.

“I know,” I answered with pride that surprised even me. “You saved a life. That was very impressive.”

She bit her lower lip as she struggled not to make me see it. Her stubbornness knew no boundaries.

“It’s alright to cry, Vicious. It’s just the two of us here. I will pretend not to hear it.”

As soon as I looked away, I heard her sob.

“I lost your gift. I’m so sorry, mom,” she whispered brokenly.

I watched the clouds drift through the windows and took a deep breath while listening to her cry, the sound stirring something inside me.

Without turning to her, I offered my hand. It took a few minutes before I felt her squeeze it as she cried even louder. And when she finally stopped after what seemed like hours, the little brat bit my hand. Hard.

“This is technically your fault, you know.” Still sniffling, she added, “That’s for taking me here, Black.”

I fought back a smile.

Whoever said only men were unhinged?

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