The Lycan King’s War Prize

“What do you think of my dress, Esme? Isn’t it just perfect?”

Isabella twirled slightly, letting the light catch the stones in her dress.

Esme looked up from where she knelt arranging the dress and smiled stiffly. “It looks amazing…”

“Oh it is, isn’t it?” Isabella laughed prettily. “And I have you to thank for giving me this dress too. Esme, you’re so sweet.”

Esme’s throat clogged up with emotion, seeing her sister in the bridal dress she’d chosen for her own wedding. Everything in her protested at the sight.

It should’ve been me, her heart cried out. It should have been me wearing this beautiful dress, me looking pretty on my wedding day, me marrying the love of my life…

“Esme?” Isabella frowned slightly. “Is anything wrong?”

Esme’s mouth twisted bitterly. Was anything wrong? Nothing was right! That was the problem.

“It’s almost time, Bella.” Esme rose up, ignoring her question. “I should go get a mother.”

“Okay…”

Just then, Luna Catherine breezed in, her eyes immediately going to her beloved second daughter. “Oh my dear, you look so beautiful. Michael will hardly be able to take his eyes off of you.”

“Mother, do you really think so? Do you think he loves me and only me?” Isabella’s worried eyes revealed her insecurity.

Catherine brushed her hand affectionately on her daughter’s cheeks. “Of course my dear. He’s besotted with you. He chose you, did he not? To him, you’re the most beautiful girl in the world and he has eyes for only you.”

Esme could hardly bear anymore of their painful words and she fled the room while mother and daughter embraced.

He chose you. He chose you.

The words rang like a bell in her mind, taunting her.

Dear goddess, would the pain lodged in her heart ever fade away?

As the wedding ceremony took place, Esme watched it happen through a screen of despairing tears. 

She could still remember the first time she’d met Michael. It had been at a dinner party thrown by her parents at the pack house.

Her mother had instructed her to keep her head down and so she went and hid near a potted plant, trying to read her book and be as inconspicuous as possible, when Michael first walked in, laughing heartily at what someone was saying.

He’d looked so handsome, so full of life that Esme had fallen in love with him right there and then.

She couldn’t believe her luck when he seemed to reciprocate her feelings too. It had seemed like heaven to her. She remembered his first words to her.

“Why is a pretty little flower like you hiding in here?” He had chuckled. “Come on out and let us feast our eyes on your beauty.”

Esme had blushed, her heart beating hard and fast. He had been the only one to make her feel like she was pretty, that she was just as pretty as Isabella. Perhaps even more.

Though, Isabella hadn’t been at home then…

Everything had been so perfect. The two of them became inseparable from that moment on. He had courted her and called her pretty names.

Once when they were in the meadows, among the bright yellow sunflowers and lilies, he had showered her with sweet words, telling her, “My pretty wallflower. The most beautiful woman in the world.”

His eyes had shown with so much love and devotion as he leaned in and kissed her. And Esme had been so starved for love, that she would have given herself to him, right there and then, if he had but asked.

But everything had been a lie. All the words, the gifts, the love… he swore with the heavens and the earth that he would never stop loving her but it had been one big fat lie. Because when Isabella had come home after a long vacation, he had stopped.

Through a weird kind of haze, Esme watched as the two got pronounced husband and wife and pack members came to congratulate and bless the happy couple.

Some gave her pitying looks as they passed, while others were openly contemptuous.

“She doesn’t have a wolf. What was she expecting? For an alpha to mate with a weak omega like her?”

“Poor, poor Esme. How must it feel to see your sister marrying the man she loved?”

These were some of the thoughts that ran through the minds of the people as they passed her drooping figure.

“Esme.”

She turned to see her mother standing before her. “Go and offer your congratulations to the new couple.”

Esme just stared dumbly at her mother. “My congratulations? What do you want me to say? That I’m happy that my ex fiancé is now married to my sister?”

Her mothers face tightened. “You’ll do as you’re told, Esme or else…”

“Or else what mother?” Her tone was bitter. “You’ll take my birthright away and give it to my sister? That you’ll take my fiancé? But see, you’ve already done that.”

Catherine’s face flushed red at her daughter’s derision.

“Shut up, Esme and do what I tell you to do.” 

Suddenly, all the fight drained out of Esme and her shoulders sagged, helpless. “Okay, mother as you say. What does it matter anyway? Let’s just get it over with.”

She walked over to where the happy couple sat, collecting gifts and exchanging giggling kisses.

“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

Isabella’s face was shining with happiness, not feeling in the least bit guilty that she’d just married her sister’s fiancé.

“Oh Esme, I wish you could feel a quarter of what I'm feeling tonight.” She jumped, hugging her. “We must find you a man to marry soon so you experience this for yourself!” Isabella gushed out, squeezing the knife deeper with her words.

Michael had the grace to look ashamed of his wife’s thoughtless words. “Isabella, that’s enough. Go answer your mother, she’s calling you.”

Isabella left with a pout, leaving the two alone near the cake. 

“Esme, I'm so sorry about what happened…”

Esme couldn’t help it, she laughed out harshly. “Isn’t that what you wanted? For me to be humiliated?”

Michael’s eyes turned pained. “No! Never!” He denied with force. “You know I loved you but my father… he wanted me to marry a strong shewolf with strong connections and your father chose Isabella as his heir not you.”

Esme couldn’t believe what her ears were hearing. “I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re a selfish and despicable man. You claimed to love me but chose my sister instead simply because she would be the next alpha female? You’re disgusting!”

“Hey!” Michael interrupted, offended by her words. “I’m not the one who told you not to have a wolf, Esme. I’m not the one who caused your parents to love your sister more than you! So stop putting all the blame on me.”

Esme’s eyes filled with tears. Because it was all true. It was all her fault. She wanted to turn and flee and lick her deep wounds in private when suddenly the doors burst open and a warrior burst into the hall, interrupting the gaiety of the party.

He panted heavily. “Alpha, we’re under attack!”