08. Prince Of The Lycan Empire

APRIL’S POV

My eyes fluttered open, and I surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. Where was I? It certainly wasn’t my room. I sniffed the air, but none of the scents here were familiar. Where was I?

I tried to sit up, but a gentle hand pushed me back on the bed. “You need to rest. Don’t worry; you are safe.”

Looking at the man, I noticed him trying to hang another bag of fluid on a stand, and a needle was in my arm. Puzzled, I waited for him to change the fluid bag. Sitting beside me, he offered a reassuring smile.

“Where am I? How did I get here?” I questioned.

He took a deep breath and began to explain. “This is Blood Shadow Pack. Our Prince found you in the forest. You were on the verge of death when he brought you here. You are severely malnourished, and you need to rest. I can tell that you need time to process all of this.”

He rose from his seat and gracefully exited the room. As the door closed behind him, I found myself alone, and gradually, his explanation echoed in my mind. Prince? Did he really say ‘Prince’? Was he sure of what he uttered? No princes were associated with any packs except— I gasped — the Lycan Kingdom, the sole realm adorned with royalty!

My heart raced wildly. The Lycan kingdom governed all wolf packs in our country, boasting the strongest and most potent shifters. No one dared to challenge them; they were known for their strength, power, and ferocity.

Panic set in. I wasn’t meant to be here. Hailing from a lower pack, they would surely detect my weakness, and the consequences could be deadly. What was happening? Why me? I needed to...

“April, calm down.”

I froze for a moment before realising the voice was in my head. My wolf.  

“Why didn’t you show yourself earlier? You made me go through all that, and now, I have no idea where I am.”

After making the rash decision to run away, I had called on my wolf so many times in the forest before my body gave out from exhaustion. Yet, I had gotten no reply from her.

“I apologize for not revealing myself earlier. I feel all your emotions—your happiness, sadness, anger, and pain. I felt your betrayal, embarrassment, and fear. You deserve better.”

Wiping my face angrily, I retorted, “Easy for you to say. You are in my head, but none of it is happening directly to you.”

“I feel your pain and wish I could make it different, but you don’t need to be sad. The Goddess has blessed you. The future is bright, April. You are the Chosen One.”

Raising my eyebrow in suspicion, I questioned, “Chosen One? For what?”

Before I could inquire further, the door swung open. A striking man walked in, leaving me utterly stunned. He was tall and muscular, with the deepest pair of blue eyes and light blonde hair complementing his face.

His presence made me giddy, and my stomach danced with butterflies. When he spoke, his voice resonated throughout the room, each word sending a delightful tingling sensation to my ears.

“I’m glad you’re awake. You were in pretty bad shape when I found you,” he said.

Stumbling for words, I asked, “Who…who are you?”

He gave a small smile, tugging at his succulent and well-carved lips. “I am Conrad, Prince of the Lycan Empire.”