Chapter Six: The Lycan King

Damien's POV

I stood and watched over the large expanse of land before me.

BloodHowl Kingdom

Just as it's name was, it was built on the blood of thousands of wolves. Strong warriors who laid down their lives to protect their families, and now it was mine to protect.

My father had handed his empire to me even though I was not the first son, and not the rightful heir. 

But I was the only son who fought side by side with him, almost losing my life more than a few times. 

I was the only one who didn't spend all my time in the Harem, impregnating women that were not my mate, but rather I studied the politics and war strategies that BloodHowl was run on.

My thoughts went back to the day my Father was on his death bed and called for all his sons. I was the last son and nowhere near the throne, but he called me forward and placed the Lycan crown on my head.

I could almost physically feel the fury of my elder brothers resting on me, but even in their anger, they all managed to compose themselves before the dying Lycan King.

All except one, the eldest, Thorne.

His princely robes shred to pieces as every bone in his body enlarged, transforming him into Dagger, his fierce wolf.

He had pounced on me, his claws slashing the skin on my face. I quickly shifted and threw him off me, making an attack.

Thorne's wolf was large, but his laziness and lack of interest in fighting battles and harnessing his skills made Dagger weak.

It didn't take long for me to pin him down and I held him till he shifted back to his human form, his torn robe clinging to his body. 

My father had cursed him with his last breath and banished him from BloodHowl.

Thorne turned his back at us and left the King's chambers, swearing to return with vengeance and rain hell on BloodHowl.

"You will regret passing over me father" he had said, his chest rising and falling at every word. "You will regret taking my throne and giving it to this worthless filth. I will take back what is mine, and I will make sure you turn in your grave at how I will destroy everything you've built" he said before shifting into his wolf and bolting out of the palace with immense speed. 

Ever since that day, I had been looking over my shoulders. 

Most of the elders had asked me not to bother about Thorne, but I knew my brother, and I knew he didn't make empty threats. 

But Thorne wasn't always like that. We were inseparable as young pups, but as soon as our mother died, he lost himself and became bitter and full of rage.

My chamber door clicked open, arresting my train of thoughts and bringing me back to reality. 

"My Lord"

It was my beta and closest friend, Akan.

"How was your meditation?" 

I had been secluding myself for meditations every week, to seek counsel from the moon goddess. But she was mostly quiet, ignoring my pleas for guidance or for some sign, but today was different.

"My meditation went well, as usual" I replied keeping my voice low and still staring outside my window.

"What did Rhea request for?" I asked turning to Akan

"She asked that a certain girl she brought be allowed to stay and serve in the palace." 

A certain girl?

Was that what I felt when Akan was shutting the door?

Usually, during my meditations, I would burn incense to the moon goddess, and the flames would die down without a sign, or a word.

But today, just as Akan was leaving my chamber, the flames lit up brightly and suddenly went off. 

And I felt it. Something I had never felt before. My wolf stirred within me with a thirst that was overwhelming. 

I tried to turn to see if who or what could be causing that was outside, but the door was already shut. But all of that couldn't possibly be because of some slave girl.

"What about Montanne, how is she?"

Akan's expression quickly shifted to a frown. He never liked Montanne for anything and I couldn't understand why.

"She's there, being her usual demanding self" he said dismissively.

"You know you shouldn't speak about my mate like that" I said walking towards him.

Akan had always been my side since I was just a pup. He was stronger and faster than I was, I couldn't deny that, but he was also loyal to the death.

"She's not your mate Damien, she's the mate your father chose for you before he died" he said, his words sharp and uncoated.

"I won't have one more word of that from you Akan. She's my betrothed and I love her" I said, ending any form of opposition. But as much as I tried to deny it, those words seemed to be coming from my lips and nowhere deeper.

"I would be careful if I were you Damien" he murmured "I do not like her excessive interest in BloodHowl's political affairs" 

"I'll take care of that" I quickly added to appease him "she means well, afterall she will soon be Queen of BloodHowl"

Akan sneered quietly, but I still caught it.

"There is a more serious issue on ground Damien" he said, his face forming a frown.

"It's about your brother, Thorne Blackwood" 

My heart skipped a beat when I heard Thorne's name. I had spent these few years wondering where he was, what he was doing, if he was safe.

And I hoped against all odds that he had moved on to another kingdom and found a mate and raised a family of his own, forgetting his grievances against BloodHowl. 

But the Thorne I knew never forgot, and he never forgave.

"What about him? How is he doing?" I asked, masking any tone of worry or concern.

"It is rumored that he was mated to the princess of MoonShire Pack"

MoonShire Pack...

I remember my father taking me there once when I was a child for a peace treaty. Their Kingdom was powerful and their Moonstone heritage was rich.

"Well then, that is wonderful news" I said, relieved that Thorne had settled down and found a mate.

"Not quite your majesty" Akan quickly added. I stared at him with a questioning expression.

"His bride and her family had...an accident" he paused for a second "All of them are dead, and he has lost his wife. He is now the King of MoonShire"

We both stared at ourselves. We didn't say anything, but we both understood exactly what was going on. 

My fingers brushed against the scar that Thorne gave me, a permanent mark on my skin to forever remember that dreadful day.

Having known Thorne almost all our lives, we both knew he didn't 'lose' his wife and her family.

He killed them.