Freeing Starr
Chapter 43 ~ A Helping Hand

Leon’s POV

A grunt slipped through my lips as his foot slammed into my gut, causing me to stumble backwards.

I ignored the flare of pain and charged back at him, my fist aiming for his face that he quickly deflected. I quickly lifted a foot to slam into his side but he jumped out of the way, causing my eyes to narrow.

“Let’s go Leon! You can do it!” Remi called out excitedly on the side.

Theodore, my sparring partner rolled his eyes and muttered, “you should worry about yourself. You’re next.”

Remi grimaced and quickly switched sides, “Wooo! You got this Theo!”

I chuckled, bending in preparation to launch myself at him again.

Out of the three of us, Theo was more skilled in combat. His Kingdom was basically a war zone between him and the Kingdom of Alecia, a large human territory. Similar to my situation but worse. I only had one city to deal with. He had to fight an entire nation. His parents died to the war when he was young, which forced him to take up the responsibility of King before he was of age. His story was the most tragic and I always supplied him with manpower whenever he wished for it. Though, right now he’s been helping me instead of the other way around.

Because of how unstable the situation in his Kingdom was, Theo wasn’t planning on attending my mating ceremony but because I needed advice in how to handle the war with Glacial city, he packed a bag and came. Thus, these past few days, he’d been helping me the best he could before he had to leave again.

I felt guilty for keeping him from his people and had promised to give a few of my men to him as compensation.

Remi was the one that had it the easiest out of the three of us. He wasn’t King yet and had nothing tying him down to responsibility. I guess that’s why he could be so carefree like he was now. I somewhat envied him.

Theo lunged at me this time, a fist aiming for my face. I quickly dodged and threw out a fist of my own. He deflected and swung his leg out to kick me in the gut. I threw my hand forward to grab his leg but it was a feint. He quickly pulled it back and sent another fist aiming at my face.

I caught on in time and placed my hand up to block it, stumbling back a few steps at the sheer power behind the blow. I shook my hand off as the pain slowly faded.

I swore, “fuck. You want to damage my face or what?”

Theo’s lips twitched as he straightened up and nodded in approval, “you’ve gotten better.”

I rotated my arm and flexed my shoulder, grimacing at the pain, “With how hard Glacial city has been coming at us, it’s a given.”

“They’re of no concern to you now. The war is almost over and your kingdom is this close to winning. As long as you don’t give them a chance to strike out desperately, you’ll be fine.”

I nodded, “thanks again man. Your insight really helped me with this whole thing. I’m looking forward to finally ending it so that I can spend more time with Starr.”

Remi approached us, seeing as we had stopped our spar and grinned, “How do you feel, being the first of us to find your mate?”

A smile graced my lips at the thought of her but then I frowned and shook my head, “to be honest, I feel terrible.”

Remi furrowed his brows in confusion, “why? You don’t want her?”

I shot him a glare, “Don’t put words in my mouth. Of course I want her. It’s just the circumstances that led us to each other that I find myself regretting. Worst of all, I’m the one who pushed Starr into the situation she was in.”

I told them the full story, leaving nothing out. These two were my closest friends. I trusted them with my life and had no problem telling them about Starr and I’s situation.

After I was done, Remi doubled over and laughed, “leave it to you to actually scheme so well, you implicate your mate in the process.”

Theo smiled and turned to throw on his shirt, “why are you still guilty? She’s forgiven you, haven’t she?”

I sighed and ran a hand down my face. This really was weighing down on me. “She’s more than forgiven me but I just can’t get it out of my head. The things she suffered and everything she’s been through. Do I even deserve to be forgiven?”

“C’mon man,” Remi clasped my shoulder, his smile fading, “give yourself some credit. You didn’t know she was your mate. Sometimes, as a King, there are decisions that has to be made that may negatively impact you but benefit the people. This was one of them.”

“Surprisingly, I agree with Remi.” Theo voiced, throwing me my shirt for me to throw back on, “you did all you could and it’s all going to pay off in the end. You have your mate, you managed to reduce the amount of rogue invasions in the surrounding packs and you’re close to winning the war with Glacial City. Look up. You’re a King everyone admires. Myself included.”

“You’re right,” I nodded, the weight slowly lifting. It was always refreshing after talking it out with the boys. There was no judgment. Just honesty and solid advice, a reason why our friendship was so strong.

Remi’s smile came back, “never in my life thought I’d ever see you this whipped. Whenever my future kids ask what a whipped man looks like, I’ll show them that video I took of your vows to Starr.” He cackled.

I narrowed my eyes at him and asked, “you took a video?”

He took his phone out of his pocket and waved it in my face tauntingly, “took it, saved it and plan to share it to the whole world. Get ready for the headline, ‘Werewolf King completely enthralled by his gorgeous mate’.”

I rolled my eyes and turned to Theo, “is it Remi’s turn to spar?”

Theo glanced at Remi with a raised eyebrow.

Remi froze then an innocent smile creeped across his lips, “Surely, the two of you have better things to do, no? Aren’t you Kings?”

I scuffed, “aren’t you next in line? I pity your Kingdom.”

“Worry about yourself. My father is still very much healthy.” He defended.

“So is mine,” I shot back.

He fell quiet at that, wide eyes staring at us like he just realized something, “you’re right! I’m not ready to be King! I have to go tell that old man to keep his position to himself.”

He stalked towards the door and pulled it open to reveal a startled Griffin, who was about to knock.

“What is it?” I asked.

All three of us turned to him as he entered and explained, “we found Ryan’s whereabouts.”

My eyes lit up and my heart raced in anticipation. Finally, I could lay my hands on that sorry excuse of a father. “Where is he?”

“He’s in Glacial City. Apparently, he’s staying at one of the mayor’s private villa so it’s hard for our people to approach him.”

I frowned, “he’s with Glacial City? The humans that hate werewolves? What was he thinking?”

“That he had better chances with them than he did with the Alpha King that wanted to kill him for torturing his mate?” Remi offered.

I shot him a glare, “didn’t you have something to do?”

Realization dawned on his face, “Right! I was going to beg my father to let me enjoy my youth. Thanks,” he quickly left the room and ran off.

Theo shook his head in amusement then turned to me, “Unfortunately, I can’t help you with that problem. I have to get back as soon as possible.”

I nodded, “I understand. I don’t want to keep you any longer than you need to be. I can handle the rest myself.”

He nodded then left to go back to his room and pack. His plane ride was scheduled for tomorrow. I could imagine how anxious he was from being so far away from his pack. I didn’t want to keep him here any longer.

I looked at Griffin, “let’s go tell that mutt the good news.”

He nodded and we walked out of the room and all the way down to the basement of the castle where the royal family’s personal prison was. This prison housed everyone who’s ever offended the royal family and the air was dense with the smell of blood as we took a flight of stairs down.

The moment our feet touched the floor, the strong scent of piss, blood and fecal matter permeated the air, causing my insides to twist. I really hated being down here yet I came whenever I had to question or torture someone.

Funny thing was, this basement was constantly being cleaned, however, every day screams pierced the air as the royal executioners did their job of making the prisoners ‘regret’ their life choices. This caused the floors to always be drenched in blood.

At the end of the hallway, in a cell that was guarded by two of my men, laid the man that played a part in my mate’s suffering.

My eyes narrowed at the thought and I pushed the heavy metal door open and stepped inside.

My eyes immediately strayed to the curled up figure in the corner of the room whose body was currently trembling in fear. He was naked and completely unrecognizable. Face smashed in, limbs broken and blood seeping from his back end that would’ve had me wincing if it was anyone else.

This was what he deserved.

A smile curled my lips as I walked towards him, inhaling the scent of his fear and anxiety. A rumble vibrated from my chest and his body jumped in response.

“Do you know what fear is now?”

No response.

I bent down and nudged him with my hand. His body immediately convulsed at being moved and a groan forced itself through his lips.

“K-k-kill me...” was what he managed to spit out.

The satisfaction that burst inside me at seeing how weak and torn down he was right now continued to grow. I wanted more. I wanted to see him so far gone that he couldn’t tell where he was or remember what he did to deserve all of this.

I wanted to completely destroy him. Break down his mental barriers and turn him so crazy that the devil himself would feel pity for him.

My thirst for blood continued rising as I thought of sinking my teeth into his flesh and tearing it out bit by bit. Just imagining what he did to Starr had me wanting to kill him here and now. But killing him wasn’t enough. For taking what wasn’t his, he deserved a world of hurt and I was willing to provide it.

My glowing eyes snapped towards Griffin, who had stepped away from me and was straining himself against the cell door. He didn’t dare to leave without permission but he couldn’t stand too close to me either. My dominance had the air so thick, it was crushing.

I took a deep breath to control my bloodlust and reigned myself in a bit, causing him to sigh in relief.

I got up and stepped on Zion’s hand until a satisfying crunch was heard. A muffled groan sounded as his body convulsed in pain.

“It seems that Ryan betrayed you. He’s with Glacial City now. You couldn’t have seen that coming, now could you?” I mused, my voice straining against my barely concealed anger. “You took what wasn’t yours and you’re now suffering the price for it. If you had just lived quietly as a rogue, none of this would have happened. You’d have your mate, your child, and quite possibly a home.”

I stepped on his leg until it cracked, “but look at what you have now. Nothing. You have no home, no mate, no child. You’re all alone, Zion. There’s no one on your side. All your pack members surrendered. Most the rogues are dead, the others have gone back to their original packs and the ones that were loyal to you? They switched sides. How pitiful.” I chuckled.

I glanced over at Griffin, “pass me the wolfsbane.”

This was my new guilty pleasure. Carving wounds into his body whenever I got the chance to. I just hoped that Starr wouldn’t ever have to see this side of me. The side that only burned this bright when her tears flowed down her cheeks.

Ryan’s POV

The door slammed open as the mayor of Glacial City, Connor, marched through the door. His eyes blazed in his fury as they turned to me.

I sat up lazily and leaned against my headboard, the beauty curled at my side fast asleep despite the loud sounds this puffing whale was making.

“We’re losing this war! We’re this close to having our territory taken over by those werewolf bastards. Didn’t you promise to help!? You said you had a plan but you’ve done nothing but sit around shoving your cock up any breathing female that walks by.”

I yawned, “that’s a bit harsh. You’re worried too much.”

“How could I not be!? You’re here because you have no where to go. I need to see results or I swear to god, I’ll throw you right back into their territory and watch them tear you apart.” He threatened, the fat on his face bouncing as he pointed and huffed for breath.

I calmed the rage that wanted to reveal itself and instead smiled, “don’t be like that now. I’m simply biding my time for an opportunity.”

“What opportunity?”

“To see my daughter again.”

The man gazed at me in confusion, “your daughter?”

I nodded, my smile widening, “my lovely Starr. She’s the mate of the Alpha King. You know how important mates are to werewolves, right?”

Realization dawned on his face and he panted in his excitement as he said, “if we capture her...”

“Alpha King Leon would do absolutely anything we ask just to get her back. Even if we asked him to kill himself, he’d willingly do so if it meant his wife return to safety.” I concluded.

The mayor bounced as he began pacing, “That’s brilliant. How do we get her though? The Royal Castle is an impenetrable fortress. There’s no way to get in.”

I waved a dismissive hand, “That’s why you have my help, no? I’ll get Starr out of the castle. You just need to lend me a few of your men and we’ll turn this war around.”

His eyes snapped to me as he seriously asked, “How much do you need?”

My smile couldn’t get any larger as I replied, “As much as you can offer me.”

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