Unexpected Pup: Bad Dads, #1

CHAPTER ONE

Felgrean

Felgrean tried her hardest to keep her racing heart under control as she approached the castle with her mother and brother. Guards posted at their stations up ahead awaited their approach. The Quantum Prince had summoned her to his castle, and most would find it an honor, but Felgrean knew better. The young prince was a fucking brute and thought of women as less powerful and weak. She gritted her teeth as she inched closer to the metal gates.

Twelve slim, square towers were scattered in a seemingly random pattern but were built for an ideal defense. Against what, Felgrean didn’t know. Each tower was connected by fortified walls made of green stones, which matched most of the population’s skin except a rare few had blue like Felgrean and the Quantum Prince. The vast gate with wide metal doors and shiny artillery equipment provided a safe place to rest in the city and its only way in.

Felgrean glanced up at the statues of old kings lining each side of the path to the gate. A reminder from what she’d heard of the family’s power and stance in their city of Oxglen, also known as the capital of Hell. Yet no one would dare say it to anyone on the Quantum Prince’s side.

One of the guards approached. His set of armor had a rounded helm with a rounded opening, leaving just the eyes exposed. Attached to the forehead area was a shield-shaped ornament piece. The shoulders were fairly squared, long and enormous. They were decorated with a dragon's head on each side.

The guard motioned for her mother to come forward first. He patted her down with a fierceness Felgrean always hated. The upper arms were protected by squared, layered metal rerebraces which sat well under the shoulder plates. The lower arms were covered by vambraces with a curved animal bone attached to each outer side, the bone curved upwards toward the shoulder. It shook a little as he continued on with the pat down of Felgrean’s mother.

Two men reached for her brother, Tekara, and he placed his hands on one of the guards’ breastplate, made from various layers of squared metal sheets. It covered the entire front and back side, but the attachment straps left the sides under the arms exposed. His upper legs were covered by a tasset of many layers of metal sheets reaching just below the groin. The guard’s lower legs were protected by greaves, which had a tentacle-like metal ornament attached to each side and wrapping around the greaves. Felgrean’s heart leapt up into her throat. Her mother was clear and once they cleared her brother, she’d be next. And another step closer coming face to face with the Quantum Prince.

Once they knew her brother and mother weren’t bringing in any weapons, they approached Felgrean. The ivory glinted in the light from the side arm in the guard’s hip. Every guard on the street carried the same double-barreled pistol.

They are clear, the male closest to her yelled, making her wince at the sudden loud noise. A squeal of the metal released from the hold as one side slid open. Tekara took the lead, and her mother grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the man who wanted her. She’d been here before, and he’d put his hands-on places he shouldn’t have.

This is a mistake, she hissed at her mother, but the woman didn’t listen. All she saw was advancement if her only daughter married the man in charge. In other countries, he would’ve taken on the name Quantum King, but for some reason he liked prince better. Maybe it made him feel younger, and in all honesty, Felgrean didn’t give a damn.

Be on your best behavior, the prince has already asked for your father’s blessing. Today might be the day you become the ruler at his side. Her mother grinned, but Felgrean’s legs faltered. She stopped before they reached the castle doors.

You didn’t tell me that. Why didn’t you tell me about father giving his blessing? She felt her voice rise higher as the panic rose through her blood. The man just wanted to break her spirit and have an obedient woman at his side. A breeding bitch to give him babies to carry on the family tradition of ruling with the fear of starvation.

Oh, don’t act so surprised. The Quantum Prince mentioned that you two had already discussed this last visit. She leaned in closer. One day you will be the Queen and rule our great city. Her mother grinned as if this was the best news ever, but only horror pulsed through her blood.

That doesn’t mean I want it. She backed up from her mother, but her brother ran toward her, blocking her escape. He’s a monster. She pushed at her brother, then faced her mother again. A few guards approached from the castle doors.

Is there a problem? a high-pitched male voice called out, sending a shiver down Felgrean’s spine.

Your Majesty. We were having a little talk. Her mother bowed as the Quantum Prince took off his helmet. His brown hair pressed against his head in odd places, but he fluffed it up with his free hand. Those green eyes narrowed on Felgrean making her stomach twist. She bowed, along with her brother, and kept her gaze down. Even with her brother bowing, he had a few inches on the Quantum Prince, but the prince didn’t seem to care about his shorter stature.  

Miss Felgrean, let’s take a walk. He extended his hand, but she didn’t take it. Her brother shoved her forward, and she collided with the Quantum Prince. Jackass. She lifted her gaze to the Quantum Prince, and he grinned, which made her stomach tighten. Come along. You two will show our other guests to the downstairs dining room. He spoke offhandedly as he steered Felgrean away from her family.

Deep in her bones she wanted to yank her arm away and run. She’d even gone as far as figuring out how she’d survive if she decided to escape her personal hell. Most daughters in the city would be happy for the Quantum Prince to be calling for them, but not Felgrean.

How are you doing today? he asked as his grip tightened on her skin. No doubt it would leave a damn bruise on her flesh.

Wonderful, she snapped back.

He motioned to a garden. Great. Well, I’m here to make your day even better. Flowers covered almost every inch of the pergola’s wood frame. Shit balls! He finally released his grip and stepped inside, under the covering, then pulled out a box.

She eyed the whole area, looking for an escape. He was ready to ask for her hand in marriage, yet she had never wanted him. Never dreamed about becoming a princess.

Will you be my princess and the mother to my children, the future ruler of our great country? He smiled brightly.

No. The word fell from her lips, and his grin vanished.

I am the Quantum Prince. No one says no to me.

I’m not ready to be a bride or a mother. She had used the same excuse when he brought it up the first time. He inched closer to her, his breathing heavier than before. She didn’t know what he was thinking or about to do.

He grabbed her chin and made her look up at his face. You will be mine. I know you’re still a sweet little virgin, and I’ll be the one to claim you completely. He used his free hand to grope her chest. Has he been spying on me? How would he know I’m a freaking virgin? She swallowed hard as her mind raced to figure out what she could do.

Sire! a guard yelled, and the Quantum Prince pulled away and grinned as if nothing had just happened.

What is it? he asked with a hint of anger in his tone.

We have a situation. The guard shifted his weight and motioned toward the closest tower near the throne room, but her family was in a different part of the castle. Right? There’s a visitor you need to see right away. His unease pulsed over to Felgrean as the Quantum Prince pulled her in tighter, blocking her view of the guard.

The Quantum Prince’s face contorted with rage as he lifted his gaze away from Felgrean to glare at the guard. The scowl deepened, then he nodded twice. Take her home with her family. Tomorrow, I’ll have you come back, and we can do this again. He strolled off with a determined stride.

Felgrean wanted to collapse onto the ground, but her feet managed to carry her to the guard’s side.

I’ve got her and her family. Yosalez Chatico, the Quantum Prince’s cousin raced up and stopped between her and the guard. Yosalez stood taller than the ruler and had strong features with a thick jaw, bright eyes and tinted blue skin. His mother had blue skin like Felgrean, but his father was greener than his wife making Yosalez similar to Felgrean.

Thanks. Felgrean didn’t meet his gaze. Everyone knew he had a strong claim to the throne, and it was why the Quantum Prince kept him closer than anyone else in the city.

Are you okay? he asked after the guard left them alone and Felgrean sighed. She had to pretend her ruler walked on water and was not the total fire monster he truly was to her.

I’m fine. Just need some rest. She gave him a quick answer to shut it down but this also gave her an excuse to get away from the palace. Yosalez nodded and lead her to her mother and brother.

The Quantum Prince wouldn’t take no for an answer, and he made it clear that he would keep pushing until he got the answer he desired.

She only had two options: give in or vanish.

CHAPTER TWO

Vunzect

Vunzect paced in the throne room, waiting for the Quantum Prince or whatever he called himself. The Dick Ruler was more like it, but he was here on a peacekeeping mission.

He looked around at the narrow braziers encircling each of the twelve sandstone columns. They lit up every part of the throne hall in a warm radiance. The illustration of battles on the domed ceiling danced in the flickering light, while statues and carved images looked down upon the limestone floor of this magnificent hall. For the longest time, he pictured a dungeon with cold walls and a dark color tone, but this was completely unexpected.

A woman probably decorated it before the Quantum Prince took over. He hadn’t heard about the ruler taking a mate or wife. The thought of having a mate stirred up his beast, but he ignored him as he looked down at the floor. A turquoise rug split the entire room in half from the doors to the throne, while guiding banners with ornate crowns covered parts of the walls. Between each banner, thick yellow candles were lit, and in turn illuminated the statuettes of royalty long gone below them.

The chirp of birds caught