Stay Away (The Beocraftian Gambit - Book One)

~16 years ago~

Her little giggles echo around the palace as she runs through the hallways, her nimble maid running behind her.

"Astraea! We shouldn't be running!" Her maid whispers as she grabs onto Astraea's little waist. Her squeals echo and her hand flies into her mouth.

"Shh..we don't want the King and Queen to hear us!" Her maid warns and Astraea nods in agreement pulling her maid's hand from her mouth as she stares at a huge portrait in the hallway.

Her gaze fixated on it, the dark obsidian eyes drawing her in and her maid stared back. "Who is he?"

Her maid sighs, " He is one of the gods of the moon, a lonely one, he killed his brother next in line to the throne and took over the realm. His brother's mate cursed him. He is heartless and cruel, the god of werewolves."

"Can he be loved?" Astraea asked, curiosity laced in her voice and her maid chuckled. "But that won't make him love you back. "

Carrying Astraea in her arms, the maid strode to her bedroom tucking her in. "There is a prophecy - it has been for a century that his mate will save him. But he's never found his mate."

"He sounds sad, " Astraea says, clutching the covers as her maid kisses her on the cheek and walks away. "He is, now, Goodnight princess."

The door closes shut and Astraea stares at the glass door in her room, a bright light shines on the grass and a silhouette appears. 

With a gasp, she jumped out of bed and went out the doors to the silhouette.

"There's nothing here, sire." The second silhouette says and Astraea grabs the cloak of the first silhouette revealing his face.

Beneath the cloak, a handsome man stood tall, his features a harmonious blend of rugged charm and refined grace. Strong jawline, chiseled cheekbones, and a face that accentuates his attractiveness. His eyes, a captivating shade of obsidian black, deep and enigmatic, holding a magnetic allure.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my…." Her eyes widened as she remembered the same obsidian black eyes from the portrait. "It's you, you're the god in the portrait!"

He bends to her level, "You know me?" 

Astraea nods fervently, "My nanny told me stories about you, is it true you have no mate?" The man flinches at her bluntness but little Astraea stands, unfazed.

"Yes."

"My mama and papa are mates…it must be lonely for you- I'll be your mate, mate." She said with a giggle making his obsidian eyes widen a bit.

He was intrigued by the six-year-old princess. She was out after dark, talking to a stranger. What bravery.

"Thank you."

Voices echo from the palace making Astraea gasp, "Ah! That's my mama! I have to go!"

The man rose from his former position, watching as Little Astraea hurried away, but she stopped in her tracks running back to him.

"Will I ever see you again?" She asked him.

 He chuckled inwardly, people begged to get rid of him but she wanted to see him again. Such innocence.

"If you ever want to see me again..just call my name out to the moon, and I'll be there." He said with a smirk. 

"What's your name?"

"Orion."

She leaned in, placing a kiss on his cheeks before running off, "See you soon Orion!" 

He and his companion stood stunned, short of words at the little girl's actions.

~Present day~

"Let go of me!" Her screams echoed as he pulled on her dark locks, dragging her across the room.

"I said; Let go of me, you bastard!" She growled, her claws elongating and she dug it into his hand making him howl in pain.

"Bitch!" He curses, slapping her and pinning her down to the carpet. 

He chuckled, caressing her face, his hands brushing on her lips, she glared at him with her gray eyes which held fury.

"Bastard? Is that how to address your future husband?" She writhes under him and he raises his hand to slap her again but stops midway.

"We wouldn't want your pretty face to be bruised on the wedding day." 

"I will not get married to you, Alan, not tomorrow, not in this life." She yells, pushing him away from her, and rushing to the couch farthest away from Alan.

Alan Treynor, the Alpha of Bluedawn pack. With his striking blue eyes and blonde hair, he always has everything in his favor. 

"Oh Astraea…Princess Astraea, you really have no say, except you are willing to lose your family and kingdom." 

Astraea's life went down the drain when her father, the King, made the wrong deal which led to Alan and his pack invading the kingdom. Now she has to marry him to set things right, at least that's what her father said.

"When we are married, I will mark you as my chosen mate and I will have half of the kingdom's properties."

"But you won't be king." Astraea spat knowingly, this was one of those times she appreciated being the third child of the royal family. Her elder brother, Rowan was next in line.

Alan chuckled, striding towards her, gripping her arm tight, his claws piercing into her skin and crimson red liquid seeping out.

He brought his bloodied claws to his lips, licking every pint of blood with a sigh. "Accidents happen." 

Astraea's eyes widened in fear, "You wouldn't!" He chuckled loudly, making her grab onto his leg shakily. "P-please…no,"

His eyes glinted as she begged, her pleas music to his ears, "All that doesn't have to happen if you just be a pretty good girl."

She nodded tears flowing through her eyes,

 "please me,"