Rejected and Marked by the Lycan Prince

Nyx Pov

A cold breeze splashed against my face, combing my hair in different directions as I ran as fast as my legs allowed. The beast chasing me wasn't moving like a normal wolf, more like a man in beastly form.

Its hinds thumped heavily on the ground. I could feel the vibration beneath my feet. Or was it the pounding of my heart?

I ran as fast as I could, but it was no match for a lycan. He grabbed my ankle and lifted me up, baring long fangs at

me. My heart stopped. He slashed his claw across my chest.

"Noo..."

My eyes shot open as I sat upright, scanning my surroundings. Sweat clung to every inch of my malnourished body as I tried to steady the pounding of my heart. I pressed a shaking hand to my chest.

Being human in a house full of werewolves was more than enough punishment for me, but fate still rewarded me with nightmares that made me wonder if my reality was a

dream. My room door pushed open, jolting my head up.

"You lazy bitch!" My mother's voice cut sharper than her slaps. She stood at the door, not daring to enter for fear of passing out from my stench. Or so she said. Her nostrils flared slightly as if confirming my thought.

Thank goddess werewolves can't read minds, my life would have ended a long time ago if they could.

"You lazy bitch!" she spat again with disgust all over her face.

"I... I was about to..." I stood up from my bed, my vision a bit blurry from yesterday's fast.

"Save it. Breakfast won't cook itself and it's already six o'clock. Your father has an urgent meeting with the Alpha this morning," she cut me off.

Heaven forbid the beta's mate let the servants do their jobs. Of course they had more value than me. They were still omegas while I was just human.

"Yes, Mother." At least she let me call her that even though she wasn't my biological mother. I stopped wondering who my real mother was a long time ago.

According to my stepmother, my father found me in the gutter and took pity on me when I was three years old. Last year when I turned seventeen and still couldn't shift, everyone confirmed what they had only suspected — I was human. She turned and left without another word.

I moved to join the servants in preparing breakfast and doing the chores, praying secretly that I wouldn't run into my brother Cullen. The next Beta of Nightclaw Pack and my parents' golden child.

Funny how the girls at school fawned over him more than they did the Alpha's son. Thankfully, I didn't run into him until I finished my chores.

The morning sun beat down on my skin as I rode my bike to school. Even though I was late, I still had a moment of peace, however fleeting. Among the rich kids that drove past me was the Alpha's son. The thought of him made my heart flutter.

By the time I got to school, my legs were already aching from pedaling too long. I chained my bike next to the others.

My backpack hung on my left shoulder while I held some books in my hand. As I walked through the hallway, the familiar whispers and laughter welcomed me. Everyone looked at me as if I didn't belong here. Actually, I didn't, but they shouldn't make it so obvious.

No one dared approach me, not when my stepbrother was nearby.

Speaking of the devil, he was standing at the end of the hall with his group. The Alpha's son Calix and daughter Vesper stood facing him while Sera and Cale stood beside him. Cale was the future gamma while Sera was the girl who tried to fit into the circle.

Suddenly Calix turned around and my heart stopped. Literally. He was so handsome that my heart couldn't take it. Nobody knew this but Calix had been my crush since I was little.

Of course his height and build were the first things to notice about him, but his chocolate eyes and full lips made me forget myself. I quickly walked to my locker before I do. I dropped the books I didn't need and took the ones I did.

Suddenly a strong hand gripped my arm tightly. Fear leaped into me as Cullen came beside me.

"Why were you staring at Calix that way? Are you forgetting that you are mine?" he said in a low firm voice even though we were the only ones in the hallway now.

"I am not yours, Cullen. I'm your sister." I gritted my teeth as the pain in my arm became unbearable.

"You are not my sister," he said, lowering his head to my ear. "You're my property, Nyx. Go to class. I'll deal with you later."

He released my arm and strode away. I watched him go, dreading my fate. Did I ask for too much when I prayed not to run into him today?

First period was long and boring as usual but I needed it for my scholarship. Who doesn't need geography? Thank goodness it was almost time for second period.

I get to meet Mira, my best friend. Totally joking. She was my only friend. And no, she isn't an omega or some lowly human, she's Sera's younger sister. Beats me why she hangs out with me and not her sister's group.

As usual, some guys were trying to get her attention as I entered the classroom.

"Hey girl," she said as I took my seat next to her.

"Hey Mira."

"You look terrible," she said casually.

I knew I looked terrible. I have fate to thank for that.

"Wow, Mira, want to comment on my entire life while you're at it?"

"Oops, sorry Nyx. I mean you're out of breath and your hair is all over the place."

I quickly brought out a hand mirror from my bag. Yep, my red hair looks scattered. I forgot to fix it after I got off my bike. I quickly brushed the hair off my face.

"So how are you preparing for the Crimson Hunt?" Mira said in a hushed voice. I was sure the teacher could still hear her.

Crimson Hunt? I had completely forgotten about it. The yearly event lycans held to find their fated mates. What was my business with that? I wasn't even a werewolf, let alone a lycan. Alphas would give anything to have their daughters mated to a lycan. Lycans were rare and low in population so they took finding their mates very seriously.

"That's hardly my business, Mira."

"Am I interrupting you, Miss Nyx?" The teacher's voice startled me. Of course I was the only one she'd call out.

"No, ma'am."

Mira and I kept our mouths shut for the rest of the class.

Soon it was lunch break. As Mira and I walked to the cafeteria, I noticed the male students were staring at me a bit more intently than usual.

"Something's not right," Mira murmured, glancing around.

"Yeah, I see that." Did my boobs grow larger or what? It wasn't my fault I was cursed with big boobs.

I didn't think too much about it as I followed Mira to get lunch. We got our food and walked to the back of the school where we preferred to eat in peace.

"What was that about?" Mira asked. "The way they were staring at you."

She settled beside me a low rock.

"You tell me. Do I smell different or something?" Before she could answer, Sera and her minions appeared behind her.

"Look what the wind dragged in." Sere said.

I braced myself for the insults about to rain down on me.

"Go away, Sera," Mira said, stepping in front of her sister.

"It's a shame you choose to hang out with this weakling instead of your own sister." Sera's eyes were filled with anger.

"I'm sure you'll get over it one day," Mira retorted.

I knew where this was going. Students were already crowding around.

"It's okay, Mira. I'll just leave." I stood to leave but Sera stepped in front of me. "Not so fast, bitch. Isla here said she caught you staring at Calix this morning."

Can't a girl catch a break? "Don't know what you're talking about." I tried to walk past her but she grabbed my hair and slammed me against the wall. I saw stars. "You don't leave while I'm talking to you."

Her minions wouldn't stop laughing. What was so funny? Mira rushed forward to stop her but Sera was too strong.

I reached back and touched the spot where my head had hit the wall. My fingers came away wet.

I already knew it was blood. But my only focus was on the pair of blazing gold eyes watching from deep in the woods.