Prologue: A King's Descent

The Lycan King Demonicus

100 Years Ago

Like the stars twinkling and circling the precious beauty of the untamed orb above him, a jewel in the dark, cloudless sky, the future of his people shone like a beacon.

While bleakness was his. Uncertain. Like a rocking ship amid a storm.

King Constantine Demonicus, Moon Goddess's creation, ruler of the Lycanthrope Realm, powerful, loyal and true. The perfect Lycan King was...

Mateless. Inside, he was broken. Incomplete.

Unblessed with the one he needed the most. A woman to complete him. A mate to call his own. A queen he would bow to. To worship the ground she walked upon.

He waited. Prayed and cajoled. Served and protected. Offered and humbled himself. 

But Goddess had chosen his fate. He was to remain thus until his creator blessed him with his perfect woman.

For the past one hundred years, he had watched his subjects and his people find their true ones. His kingdom prospered and grew. Pups ran about safe and free. While he, their king, lose his human day by day.

Soon, he would be naught but an animal. His beast shall win and he will be a lone wolf in the alps. Or a lycan when he lost control altogether.

Any day now. Signs had been made themselves known. 

His voice had turned into growls. His deep chocolate brown eyes into black pools of a predator. His rugged face and the stature of his lycan made everyone wary though they still viewed him in awe.

King Demonicus sighed heavily. No use in delaying the inevitable. He was hanging on by a tread as it was.

It was time to descend.

At his last royal ball. A farewell. And a warning.

The glittering lights of the massive chandelier, made by diamonds gifted by the elves during one of his raids, illuminated all parts of the majestic ballroom. Mahogany double doors and windows left open to permeate the breeze brought by the winter season.

Mated pairs gazed lovingly into each other's eyes with no care in the world while they waltz.

Maidens, human and she-wolves, and strong warriors conversed in an animated tone at a respectful distance. Chaperons seated at scattered divans, eyes never leaving their charges.

There was one rule above all else his people had to abide by.

One can only claim and touch his or her fated mate. Or face death. His law was absolute. Applicable to all. With no exception. Abiding by his decree, conflict was avoided. War was far off. His kingdom thrived beyond belief.

Mated bliss was his legacy to his people. He would be stepping down head high, respected and revered by all.

The Moon Goddess was proud of him.

'But not proud enough to gift him with a mate' He thought bitterly.

'Your future awaits you, my son. For now, I need you to rest and let fate decide.'

Constantine closed his eyes briefly in pain. Though his wolf was howling, tasting the agony he was put through, he agreed. 'As you wish, Goddess Selene.'

'I only have your best interest at heart. You will know in time.'

'If you say so.'

He could sense the goddess's sadness through the link they shared then she faded away. The sky was cloudless on a night's full moon. A sign she was always watching her children. 

Opening his link to his royal beta, he glanced to the comfortable chair beside his throne. The man's face was impassive, deep aquamarine eyes scanning the crowd. Seeking. Waiting.

Constantine knew only too well how hard it was to look for someone who was not there. Just like him, the second most powerful man in the kingdom was mateless.

"To which mountain are you seeking refuge, my friend?"

"The Himalayas. Amongst the monks, sire."

"I will be at the Alps."

"I can join you, my king. You only need to ask." They had discussed their predicament time and time again. Each time Constantine declined his friend's offer. Though he valued his loyalty, he felt like he needed extreme solitude for himself.

Constantine shook his head, his dark eyes hardened. "I need to be alone. You know where to find me if the need arises."

The royal beta's lips quirked. Knowing the king only too well. He can only be found if he permitted it.  "As you wish, King Demonicus," was his only response.

He remained silent. Letting their guests enjoy the evening a few hours more.

Wine and food were aplenty. Music and laughter surrounded them. Pine trees surrounding the castle's border filling the air with their sweet fresh scent.

The hour had struck midnight and his whole body tensed.

"It's time."  His human voice had left him, the mind-link his only means of communication.

"Sire," Standing gracefully from his high back chair, Octavius inclined his head to his leader and strode to the center of the throne's stage. "May I have the heirs of four elemental alphas. Our king wants to address you. Join us." Hushed whispers reverberated across the room. Speculation aplenty. Their parents, Alphas and Lunas, gently nudged them forward with a gentle and proud smile.

Constantine watched as four young stripping male pups approached him slowly but confidently. Eyes cast down as a show of respect. He mentally approved.

The four Alphas in training bowed then kneeled before him.

"Rise," he growled. Not one of the young men flinched from his commanding voice. They were used to it during their training these past few weeks. He studied their familiar faces, stoic, staring straight ahead. His lips lifted. There was hope for the future of the kingdom. "Do you know your duties by heart when the time requires for you to fulfill them?" 

"Yes, sire." They answered in uniform.

The King pursed his lips. "Who is the most important being in our world?" He directed his question to the lanky, blond pup, about the age of sixteen before him.

The heir to the Northern Pack met his gaze briefly then look away. "Our mates. My mate."

"And why is that, heir to the Eastern Pack?"

"Our mate is the Goddess's gift to our kingdom. To love and cherish. To protect at all costs."

"Why do they need protection?" Now he directed his question to a pup from the Western Pack.

"Our destined mates are the only ones who can bear our pups. Without them, we will be facing extinction. Our future will be no more."

Constantine couldn't be more proud of the future Alphas. He nodded and directed his last question to the Southern Pack's heir. "What is our golden rule?"

"We only touch and mate what is fated to be ours otherwise death will be the penalty." His young voice was steady and true. Full of confidence for his age.

"You did well, my future Alphas. I have the utmost trust my kingdom will be in good hands."

"My king," One of the heirs before him bravely called his attention. The pup shifted on his feet. Unsure.

"What is it?" Constantine arched his brow. Waiting for the pup to speak his mind.

"What if...what if something happens out of our control? What if we fail?" The heirs beside him jabbed his ribs with their elbows. "Ouch!" Pinning his peers with his aggrieved gaze.

The King chuckled witnessing their antics then he sobered and sighed. "With your doubts and uncertainties, with no arrogance and malice, that will make you a great leader. It means you still have room to grow. To improve. To be a better version of yourselves. An Alpha not only leads but follows. "  He paused. "If the Moon Goddess permits, if the time comes the kingdom will need me, then I will return. That's a promise."

His answer satisfied their curious minds. They bowed their heads once more and moved beside the royal beta. The current Elemental Alphas and their mates joined them.

King Constantine Demonicus strode to the center of the raised platform, power radiating from his bulky, heavily muscled form. He was ready to address his lycanthrope people for the last time before his enforced solitude.

"This eve, on a full moon's blessing, I am descending the throne a proud leader. We have fought and won wars, conquered lands in the name of our kingdom. Hand in hand, side by side, we prospered. Giving the secure life the women and pups deserved. Though my beta and I were not blessed with mates, I have watched how magical the bond works through your eyes. All I can say is, all the sacrifices had been worth it. I want each one of you to continue the legacy for the generations to come. I want you all to show the same respect and loyalty to your future leaders as you had all shown me, your king. And always abide by the golden rule. No matter what." Taking a deep constricted breath, he watched the familiar faces before him. Sorrow etched on their features. Eyes glazed with unshed tears. He couldn't take any more of this. "It was an honor to serve you. Until we meet again." He was not sure when. Only Selene knew. He will keep the faith no matter what.

"Long live the King!"

"Long live the King!"

"Long live the King!"

With a heavy heart, the organ thumping hard on his chest, his eyes turned black and gleaming, his long white fangs, razor-sharp surrounded his maws,  giving in to his beast, he jumped over the gathered mass in the ballroom with a deep growl, landing gracefully, his giant paws drumming on the snow-covered earth, pausing, he howled, long and woeful to the bright moon above, a final farewell to his beloved people then disappearing into the twilight. Never to be seen in a long time.

The Alps was his destination. A new home until his promised time.

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A Vampire's Den

"The Prophecy had come to pass, Orion."

The clan leader, seated at the head of the table, skin as pale as milk, two red orbs gazing at his council smiled evilly. His pointed fangs caught the candlelight's flickering glow.

"Do you have complete faith in me, now?" The Oracle said mockingly.

Orion didn't answer. His mind was occupied with scheming the Lycan Kingdom's downfall. Too long his vampire clan remained hidden. Slaughtered like game by those smelly beasts.

No more. It was time they reigned supreme and own the night once more.

"Very well. The time has come to awaken our elders. Tomorrow night we began feasting at the nearest human village. Kill every woman we can get our hands on, werewolf or not. But be vigilant. We don't want to be associated with the raids yet." The Lycan, even without their leaders, still held significant power. Their warriors were battle-hardened, deadly, with impenetrable fortresses. That was the reason he planned to hit them where it hurt the most. Almost every male wolf was paired with human females. Excitement coursed through his cold skin. He could almost taste their virgin blood.

The Oracle smirked. "That's your plan then? Drain the kingdom of their mates? Their women?"

"Yes." Throwing back his head, he laughed until blood dripped from his eyes. Yes.

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