The Lycan's Marked

ELARAThey say a wolf without a howl is just prey in waiting.I used to think they were just being cruel. Now I know they were right.I was born into Nightclaw Pack, but I’ve never belonged here. Not really. They called me cursed, weak, useless… and worse things when no one was listening. Some days, I wished I was truly invisible. Other days, I wished I didn’t exist at all.This morning wasn’t different. I walked across the icy path with a heavy basket of laundry in my arms. My hands stung from the cold and a fresh cut burned across my palm from yesterday’s punishment.They said I was too slow. That I was too pretty for someone without a wolf. That I reminded them of betrayal.“Elara the cursed!” someone sang from the side. Laughter followed. I didn’t turn. I never did. Looking back only gave them more reason to hit me.My arms trembled as I tried to keep the basket from falling. My body hurt, but I couldn’t stop. If I slowed down, I’d get whipped again.A splash of icy water hit my ba

LUCIUSI didn’t sleep that night.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face.Those green eyes. That soft mouth. The way she looked at me when I rejected her. Like I was just another person who had broken her. And maybe I was. Maybe I didn’t care.But if I didn’t care, why was I here again? Standing outside her door. My hand hovered over the knob like it burned.What was wrong with me?“Lucius?”I turned sharply. Lilith. Of course.She stood in the dim hallway, arms crossed, her robe clinging to her like silk armor. She raised one brow as she walked toward me.“What are you doing here?” she asked, voice low.“I didn’t know I had to report my movements to you,” I replied coolly.Lilith stopped just inches away. “You’re outside her room again.”“I walk where I please.”“You want her.”Her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. Watching me. Searching for the crack.“She’s mine by fate,” I muttered.“She’s your weakness.”I stepped forward. “Careful, Lilith.”Her lips curved, but her ey

ELARA"Mara, please you can't tell anyone about this." I pleaded with shaky hands."I know but why? Shouldn't Alpha Lucius know that you're carrying his heir?" Mara asked, confusion written all over her face.May the goddess forbid it! Plus, how do I tell her that this is a different case? What if I tell Lucius and he asks Lilith to use her magic on me to check if I'm saying the truth?They'd definitely find out I slept with another man. Lucius would kill me."Elara you're shivering." Mara called out, snapping me out of my thoughts."I have to go, but promise me you won't tell anyone?" I needed to be sure this little secret of mine would be safe with her."Of course. But just so you know, it can't remain a secret for long." She pointed at my stomach. Baby bump... In a little while my baby bump would appear.I nodded my head, stood up and fled back to the royal pack house."Where are you coming from?" I heard Lilith's voice through the hallway and I halted."N–no where. I went for a wa

ELARA“Who's the father?” He yelled and Mara stepped forward standing between me and him.“Alpha, lower your sword. This is not the right way to handle this.” Mara said, looking between the sword and his face.I felt my heart jump down to my stomach. I made to stand up but Lucius brought the sword closer and tighter to my neck. If I should make another move, I would surely get a cut.“Lower your weapon on her! You might wound her.” Mara removed the sword from my neck but she did it with a little force, making Lucius look at her with malice in his eyes.“I will get back to you. Let me deal with this healer first.” He turned to look at Mara and she shifted back a little. Fear was very visible in her eyes.“Since when did you care about her? My slave?” He asked but Mara looked down and intertwined her hands together.“Nothing Alpha, I was just scared you'd hurt her. Besides, she's pregnant.” Mara selected her words carefully while avoiding Lucius' gaze.“Pregnant? Not for me and why do y

ELARAI was taken to the dungeon and made to stay there till the next day. The servants had me remove the gown I was wearing and handed a white robe to wear.I was in an intense argument with the maids. They were all insisting I cut my hair. And out of nowhere, the head maid slapped me and I didn't hesitate to slap her back.“I won't cut my hair for whatever rubbish y'all want.” I spat still staring at her, waiting for her to make another move.“It’s an order that was passed by the council members and the Alpha. And besides, you will die so what are you saving your hair for!?” She shouted back at me and I took a few steps back in a bid to avoid her spitting all over me.I blinked fast, not believing what she just said."Wow," I scoffed and took a slow step toward her. "So just because I’m going to die, that means I should start acting like I’m already a corpse? Do I look like a ghost to you?"She opened her mouth to speak, but I didn’t let her."If I'm going to die, I’ll die with all m