E R I K

I headed out to the car park to cool down. My blood was boiling after my heated exchange with the doctor. I couldn't believe the disrespect my people showed me after the sacrifices me and my family made for them.

"You shouldn't let it get to you," Bryon said, joining me.

Frustrated, I blew my breath and kicked at the melting snow.

"Yeah, I know," I replied.

"We have to be nice to them. We need their money to get home," Byron said.

"At this point, I feel that robbing them would have been a simpler way to get money," I said.

"You're a King, not a petty criminal. We need to be patient and continue to build trust with the villagers. So, until then, keep your cool and try not to lose your temper," Bryon said.

I took a calming breath and nodded. I'd have to swallow my anger and try to forget that while my father and brothers were dying on the battlefield, these people were living in ignorant bliss.

"I can't wait to get out of this backward hole," I sighed.

Byron smiled sympathetically and changed the subject.

"We need to discuss what the doctor mentioned about Eli's body. I'm wondering if its a threat we need to deal with," he explained.

I shrugged my shoulders. "If the vampire possesses the body to attack others, it's a threat. But I don't believe the body was possessed. Only a bite from a living breathing vampire can cause a person to turn. I think it's more likely we have a shapeshifter on our hands," I theorised.

"Great, that means the vampire could be anyone," Byron groaned.

"It's not all bad news. If we can find this shapeshifter, we can find how it managed to get into this world. The shapeshifter could be our way back home," I replied.

Byron's eyes lit up as it dawned on him that we might have a way back home.

"You should head back and update Ranni. I'm going to stay here and keep an eye on Morgan. The shapeshifter may try to contact her again," I said.

Byron nodded and left me alone in the car park with my thoughts. Shapeshifting amongst vampires was rare. As far as I was aware, only one vampire capable of the feat in the Mad Prince's court, and this vampire had killed my oldest brother.

I headed back inside the bar. I needed to see my mate and check she was okay. The pub was crowded, and cold awkward stares from the locals greeted me.

I ignored their dark looks and scanned the room for my mate. Morgan was busily stacking clean glasses behind the bar. Charlie stood beside her, chatting to two older men at the bar. The doctor was gone, and all seemed to be normal.

I sat at a small table and pretended to mind my own business. But I kept glancing around at the unfamiliar faces, wondering if the shapeshifter was in the bar with us now. He could be one of the old men Charlie was speaking with. Any second, one might lean across the bar and sink his teeth into Charlie's neck. I shuddered at the thought.

I did not like this. Morgan was too exposed. I don't think I could protect her if the shapeshifter tried to attack now. My palms started sweating, and I thought about moving to the bar to be closer to her.

The pub's front door creaked open, and a group of four young men, including Rupert, swaggered into the bar. The men were similar ages and shared common features, which made me believe they might be brothers or cousins. The locals greeted them with warm smiles, and I would have gone back to minding my own business if Morgan's eyes hadn't lit up with excitement.

The tallest man of the group waved a hand and yelled, "How's my favourite girl?"

Morgan beamed at the man and answered, "I'm doing great. How was Barcelona?"

"Es una muy bonita! I wish you could have joined me," he gushed.

Morgan stepped out from around the bar and flung her arms around him, hugging him tightly. The blood in my veins felt like it was going to explode. Every instinct screamed at me to grab this man and pull him away from my mate.

Instead, I sat stiffly in my chair, remembering everything Byron had said about keeping peace with the locals. I tried to calm the possessive beast inside me, but I couldn't help staring at the man as if he was the Mad Prince himself.

"I'm so fed up with the snow. I could do with a little Spanish sunshine," she replied.

"We'll have to book a weekend getaway. Just you and me," he teased.

At that moment, India passed by with a tray of food. I grabbed her arm and pointed to this man, and snapped, "Who the fuck is that?"

India glanced over her shoulder and said, "That's Declan."

"Who the fuck is Declan," I growled.

"He's Rupert's older brother and Morgan's ex," she explained.

"Ex? As in ex-boyfriend?" I demanded.

"Yeah, chill out. Morgan dated him before he went to university. The relationship never went anywhere, as Declan's parents disapproved of Morgan. They wanted Declan to marry Eli's sister. The Greeves and Corvell family has been interbreeding since forever. He and Morgan broke it off, but they occasionally hook up when he's back from uni. Friends with benefits and all that," she said nonchalantly.

I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to castrate the man for even daring to touch my mate.

India rolled her eyes, took a bacon sandwich from her serving tray, and placed it before me.

"Have some food. It'll make you think clearer," India sighed.

I took the sandwich and bit into it, hoping this burning fury inside me might subside. Morgan had told me about her other lovers, which hadn't bothered me then. But I never imagined one of them would turn up and start touching her in front of me.

I swallowed the mouthful of sandwich and felt it sliding down my gullet like a heavy lump of lead. Insecurity started to gnaw at my insides. What if she wanted to be with Declan? What if she longed for his cock to be buried deep inside her?

I shook my head. I mustn't think like that. Morgan had been honest with me. Yes, she'd had other lovers, but none of them had ever wanted to please her as I did. None of them had ever opened her up and tasted her sweet juices.

This country boy was no threat to me. She had not cried out his name as I teased her clit with my tongue.

I relaxed back into the chair and took another mouthful of sandwich.

Declan glanced my way and smirked.

"Is that the infamous tramp claiming to be our King?" he asked Morgan.

Morgan shifted her gaze to me, and I saw the hesitation in her eyes. She didn't know how to respond.

"He's just a traveller," she waved dismissively.

"Rupert tells me he has quite the thing for you. I wonder if he realises that you are mine," he said, sliding his hand around her waist.

Morgan visibly tenses at the unwelcome physical contact and then leans away from Declan.

"Declan, stop it," she said, trying to keep her tone light.

I scowled at Declan, hoping he would heed my mate's advice before I went over there to teach him a lesson. Morgan forced a smile and stared at me with pleading eyes. Did she want me to help her, or stay out of the situation?

Declan locked eyes with me as Morgan tried to pull out of his grip. He grabbed onto her arm and yanked her back to his side. Morgan stumbled sideways, twisting her injured foot. She let out a sharp gasp of pain, and that was enough to break my last thread of self-control.

I launched myself at Declan, roaring, "LET HER GO!"

Declan shoved Morgan behind him, opening his arms wide to greet my challenge.

I balled up my fist and landed a punch square on his nose. Blood exploded across his face, and the entire pub went silent.

I had expected Declan to retaliate, but he didn't. Instead, he cradled his nose and turned towards Morgan.

"He's fucking crazy. We need to run him out of the village," he screamed.

"Pah, that was nothing more than a light tap. You country boys are too soft," I snapped.

"Look, pal. Do yourself a favour and find another village to bother. I'm sure there are plenty more hovels in the woods for you to squat in," Declan claps back.

"I would love nothing more than to leave your smelly stinking peasant village," I growl, taking a menacing step.

Morgan suddenly inserts herself between us and points at the front door.

"You two can go outside to finish waving your willies at each other. My pub is not a boxing ring," she said firmly.

I blinked at her in confusion.

"How can you be mad at me? I'm the one defending you!" I snapped.

"I didn't ask for your help. Nor did I ask you two to start fighting over me like a dog toy," She said sharply, turning towards Declan. "Both of you can finish comparing the size of your dicks outside, NOW!"

**Thank you for taking the time to read the chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you think Morgan has a right to be mad?**

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK <3