Mated to the Mad Lord-Chapter 278: Lead the way

The jet’s engines whined to a halt, the metallic hum fading as the aircraft settled on the secluded airstrip.

Cain descended the steps of the jet, his expression calm and composed. His blond hair fell loosely across his forehead, framing his sharp, unreadable features. Henry followed closely, his gaze hard, his stance unyielding. The moment his boots met the tarmac, his hand rested instinctively on the hilt of his blade, ready to be drawn at the slightest provocation.

The pair hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a group of guards emerged—at least a dozen men clad in dark clothes, their weapons slung openly and arrogantly across their bodies. The crest of Eldric—a snarling wolf’s head—was emblazoned on their chests. They spread out in a loose, intimidating formation, blocking the path to the black cars waiting ahead.

The man leading them was tall, broad, with a sneer stretched across his scarred face. His eyes flitted over Cain with a dismissive amusement before locking onto Henry, who regarded them all with barely concealed disdain.

"Lord Cain," the lead guard drawled, his voice thick with mock respect.

They had heard of the rumors about Cain’s brutality but they had also heard the one where he had been unable to change back to his human self, something only the weakest werewolves had issues with.

’How could they possibly let go of the chance to mock a lord’ especially one that always looked at them like they were nothing but dirt at the bottom of his shoe.

"We’ve been sent to escort you to Lord Eldric’s mansion. Thought it best to make sure you don’t lose your way."

Laughter rippled through the guards, sharp and grating. Henry’s eyes narrowed, a muscle in his jaw ticking. His fingers tightened around his weapon’s hilt, the veins of his forearm pulsing.

"Escort?" Henry’s voice was low, simmering with barely restrained rage. "You call this an escort? Looks more like a failed ambush."

The guards’ smirks widened, their eyes gleaming with the thrill of defiance. The leader stepped closer, his gaze never leaving Henry.

"Easy there, dog," he sneered. "Don’t want to get put down before you even reach the gates."

A few of the guards chuckled loudly, their shoulders bumping each other as if reveling in the hostility. Cain’s gaze remained steady, his expression indifferent, but a dangerous stillness settled around him.

Henry’s grip tightened, his knuckles blanching. The urge to draw his blade, to silence the insolence in the guard’s face, pulsed through him like a drumbeat. The guard’s eyes glittered, daring him to strike, to give them a reason to retaliate.

"Enough." Cain’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and unyielding.

Henry’s eyes flicked to him, frustration barely contained. Cain didn’t glance his way, his attention fixed on the guard leader. The stillness in his gaze was a warning, an edge of violence masked beneath restraint.

"Lead the way," Cain said quietly, his tone flat, almost bored.

The leader’s smirk faltered for a heartbeat, his eyes searching Cain’s face for any hint of fear or hesitation. There was none.

"Suit yourself," the guard muttered, spinning on his heel. "Follow closely. Wouldn’t want you to get lost.

Aware that Cain had no control of his wolf and had only just turned back into a human, the last thing they knew he would want to do was to shift to attack them. Hence, with more men and weapons there was no way they could lose.

The guards closed in around them, a deliberate show of force. Some walked ahead, while others flanked their sides, their eyes darting between Henry and Cain, hoping for another chance to provoke.

Henry walked stiffly, his fingers still twitching near his weapon. The smirking faces, the casual insults muttered just loudly enough to hear, grated on his nerves. His teeth ground together, the taste of iron sharp on his tongue.

"Surprised Eldric even let a bastard like him through the gates," one guard muttered, his gaze flicking to Cain.

Another snickered, his voice oozing contempt. "Probably here to beg for mercy. Must be tough for a lord to crawl."

Henry’s step faltered, his eyes blazing. He whipped around, his blade drawn before Cain could stop him. The tip of his weapon hovered just inches from the nearest guard’s throat.

"Say that again," Henry growled, his voice a rasp of barely contained wrath. "I dare you."

The guard’s eyes widened, his smirk faltering. His companions tensed, hands inching toward their weapons. The air was taut, a single breath away from chaos.

"Henry."

Cain’s voice was a low, measured command.

Henry’s jaw clenched, his chest heaving. For a moment, he didn’t move, his gaze searing into the guard’s terrified eyes. Then, with a sharp exhale, he lowered his blade, stepping back with deliberate force.

The guards’ smirks crept back, some muttering curses under their breath. Henry’s fists trembled with the effort of restraint, his gaze burning holes through the ground.

They reached the entrance of Eldric’s mansion—a towering structure with guards lining the perimeter, their expressions unreadable but watchful. The lead guard halted before the heavy, iron-bound doors, turning to face Cain.

"Wait here," he said. "Before you see Lord Eldric, we have to make sure there are no... unexpected incidents."

He motioned to a guard behind him. The man stepped forward, a pair of iron manacles in his grasp. The weight of the shackles glinted dully in the gray light.

Henry’s eyes widened, his fury reigniting. "You dare—"

Before he could finish, the guard seized Cain’s arm, attempting to clamp the cuffs around his wrists. For a fraction of a second, there was stunned silence.

Then—

A wet, sickening crack echoed through the courtyard. The guard’s head twisted unnaturally, his eyes glassy and unfocused. Blood splattered across the cobblestones as his body crumpled, lifeless, to the ground—his head torn clean from his neck.

The guards recoiled, their faces pale, their weapons half-drawn in shock. Cain’s expression remained cold, detached. He tossed the severed head aside, its vacant eyes staring blankly at the gray sky.

"Anyone else?" Cain’s voice was as calm as ever, but it cut through the stunned silence like a blade.

The guards stepped back, their confidence shattered, fear rippling through their ranks. The lead guard’s smirk had vanished, his face drained of color. Garrick, Eldric’s head of the guard, finally appeared with the heavy stench of blood that filled the air, his eyes narrowed, assessing the chaos.

"What is going on here?" he barked.

The guards stumbled over their explanations, stammering out excuses. Cain’s eyes locked onto Garrick’s, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint, humorless smile.

"Your men seem to lack discipline," Cain remarked. "Perhaps you should reconsider their training methods."

Garrick’s gaze shifted from the corpse to Cain, a dark glimmer of understanding passing through his eyes.

"This way, Lord Cain," Garrick finally said, his voice tight, controlled. "Lord Eldric is waiting."

Henry’s glare burned through the guards as they backed away, their gazes cast downward, any lingering arrogance stripped away. The heavy doors creaked open, and Cain stepped inside, his steps steady, unhurried.

After what felt like an endless procession, they reached a grand set of double doors. Garrick paused, his eyes sliding over Cain and Henry as he stood in front of it.

"Lord Eldric will see you... eventually," he drawled, his tone dripping with the slightest bit of condescension.

Before they could respond, the doors were pulled open just enough to admit Garrick, who slipped inside and let them slam shut behind him. Cain stood there, his expression calm but sharpened.

Minutes bled into a half-hour. The hallway remained silent except for the occasional footstep of guards who patrolled with smug grins, their gazes mocking.

Henry’s patience was wearing thin. His fingers twitched, itching for violence. A particularly bold guard stepped closer, his smirk stretching wide. His eyes darted between Cain and Henry with a leer.

"Maybe the great Lord Cain isn’t so great after all," the guard taunted. "Standing here like a good little dog, waiting for a real lord’s mercy." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Henry’s gaze snapped to Cain, seeking permission. Cain’s expression didn’t shift, his eyes fixed on the guard with a chilling steadiness.

"Should I?" Henry’s voice was low, restrained.

"No," Cain replied simply. The single word was ice. The guard’s smirk faltered, caught off guard by Cain’s calm.

A loud snort came from another guard lounging nearby. "You’ve got your dog well-trained, I’ll give you that."

Henry’s restraint snapped. He surged forward, grabbing the guard by the collar and slamming him into the wall. The impact cracked through the air, scattering the gathered guards. The man’s eyes widened in shock, his smirk evaporating.

"Say that again," Henry growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. "I dare you."

The guard stuttered, his bravado crumbling. The others stiffened, their hands drifting to weapons. Cain’s voice cut through, sharp and commanding.

"Enough, Henry."

Henry’s grip tightened for a breath longer before he released the guard, who crumpled against the wall, gasping. The tension in the hallway was a living thing—taut, trembling. Eyes flicked nervously between Cain and Henry, and for the first time, caution glimmered behind the guards’ mockery.

At last, the double doors creaked open, and Garrick reappeared, his expression irritated but composed.

"Lord Eldric will see you now," he said curtly. He glanced at the guard still slumped against the wall, his lip curling. "Clean yourself up, idiot."

Henry shot the guard a final glare before following Cain through the doors. There was no way he would stand by and allow them disrespect his lord.