Chapter 4

Lucien's p.o.v

"Going to see that worthless witch again?" Amarantha said as I stood at the door entrance of my court. That traitor. I could tell it was her from the voice.

"What the hell are you doing here, Amarantha? Shouldn't you be with your mate?"

"You should give up the throne already Lucien. It's your destiny. Why still prove head strong with crowning Cassius King with no heir in sight?"

My anger piqued but I didn't turn back to reply her, I just walked away, throwing her question and choice of words to the wind.

As the leader of the Shadow pack and reigning Lord of Luparia, I have been subjected to humiliations by people that I'd die for, doubting my competence in leading the pack and kingdom at large due to my curse.

Actually, two curses.

I had acquired the curses through my father many years ago by a witch after he killed her only son. She had cursed his killer to never bear an heir and even if he already did , the child will never exceed the age of twenty five— the same age her child had died— nor have an heir.

Despite the curse, my father believed the witch's son deserved it before he died, remaining unapologetic about it. The witch was burned to death following my father's dead. Two years later, my mother remarried and as the Alpha queen, either me or Cassius, my half brother will be the ruler of pack. And since his father wasn't mine, he is free from the curse.

The good news as of now is that I am king and will remain king for as long as I live while my half brother succeeds me after I'm gone— a situation that has led him to be enraged and malad towards me— wishing my death would occur sooner than expected. My own mate even went as far as rejecting and ridiculing me in front of everyone, throwing herself into Cassius's arms that very moment, not to mention the constant intimacy they have shared.

The only reason I seem to still be in the court and strong enough to lead the pack is due to my ability to win the people's heart— to listen and act. I believe leadership shouldn't be forced but earned. I have been able to earn the trust and loyalty of some other clans in Luparia and I was able to know some of Cassius's evil plan against me through them.

But there was nothing I could do. I am cursed and he is the potential future king.

I have been having this dream since the last few weeks now and I just couldn't understand why the moon goddess would want to mate me with a homine. Maybe a second chance for a mate since I got rejected the last time, but definitely not an heir.

It is forbidden. Our side and their side don't mix— not in that way. Not after what that human hunter did to me, to my family. He is the reason for my predicament and there's absolutely no way I would let that slide and now I keep having this dream about this girl from Homines. What is even the point of mating me with someone else when I am just three years away from my death.

The Crag(a type of place where a witch lives) where Astrid, the oldest and most powerful witch in Luparia lives is over the mountain top and across the 'maker and breaker's wild'. I had told her about my dreams and she had only told me she will let me know if she receives any revelation.

But then, as I was walking across the wild, a strong smell filled up my nose and all I could hear my wolf screaming was 'mate'. I digressed.

Mate?

My sense got interrupted by the scream of a young lady in dilemma. My blood boiled at the sight of Ryan, one of the many rogues and minions of Cassius trying to have his way with a helpless girl.

"Let go off her," my stern voice commanded. "Now."

I could see the hurt and anger on Ryan's face as he gritted his teeth but I couldn't care less. Yes, they are our slaves but they can only be your slaves if you own them. This is definitely one of Cassius's doings— giving his allies the will to corrupt the land but that will be over my dead body.

Ryan disappeared and as the poor homine turned, I felt the urge to touch her, to hold her but then I stopped, disappearing into the wild even before she could turn around.

She looked around to see if Ryan or myself was any where around and I followed her from a distance as she carried her satchel and began to walk away, her hands wrapped around her body as if trying to ward off an invisible cold.

It was evident from her walk that she is tired and very much human or maybe a little stronger than a human. The humans I know can never walk that mile without getting too tired. Or maybe she's only one of the few strong ones around.

She stopped at a manor and entered.

She's Selene's slave?

Selene, one of my many omega, a popular merchant who is also very active in the political welfare of our world. She is one of my many trusted allies who not only uses her power but influence to help create a better world for the Lycans, building magic schools and encouraging education for the less privileged Lycans.

"Alpha Lucien?" a voice spoke to me from behind the oak tree facing the manor and I turned around. It was Selene's. She approached me with a smile.

"Hello, Selene."

"And what is the Alpha king doing out here all by himself?"

"Soaking up some sun rays wouldn't be a bad idea for the Alpha king. Would it?" I lied.

Selene nodded. "Why don't you join me for tea?"

Very typical of Selene. Her hospitality has always never cease to exist since my younger years I have known her.

We settled at a table in the manor and Selene ordered for the maids to serve us some tea as we discussed some pressing issues.

The mating bond kicked in when the homine girl appeared forth. She seems calm, like she hasn't just gone through a traumatizing experience moments ago.

I felt my senses heighten as she stood beside me, pouring some tea from the jar into the cup in front of me.

Her smell, hair and eyes were pure perfection. I had to plead with my wolf not to try to mess things us by touching her or doing anything stupid.

I watched her go from the room into thin air while holding the cup of tea, subconsciously.

"Alpha?" Selene waved at me.

"Uhn?"

"Is everything OK? I asked you a question about what the plan is with some of our rogues subordinates now going to work amongst the humans during the day by selling Lycan furs to them, all in the name of fashion." Selene said whilst looking at the door, smiling as if I had just been caught right in the act.

"Ye... yeah. I'm in talk with the Fenrirs' about it and the need to strengthen the guard at the gate during daytime. I'd be summoning for a meeting with the elders and leaders of other packs across Luparia soon."

"How's the tea?" Selene changed the subject.

"Selene?" I pushed the tea aside. "She's my mate. That slave of yours— the one that just left."