Forced to marry the powerful Lycan

Chapter Four ... Riding a Lycan

We rode for hours. By the time the sky outside turned a bruised twilight purple, I was struggling to keep my eyes open, weighed down by exhaustion. I was just beginning to doze off when the carriage lurched to a violent stop.

My eyes flew open.

Without a word, my husband opened the carriage door and leaped out. I sat frozen in my seat. Was I supposed to follow him? Had we already reached Eldoria? No, that wasn't possible yet. I shifted uncomfortably, the heavy, jewel-encrusted wedding gown digging painfully into my skin.

Curiosity getting the better of my fear, I edged toward his side of the carriage and pulled the curtain back just a fraction.

Outside, my husband stood surrounded by his five elite guards and about ten others. My breath hitched in my throat as my gaze fell to the ground.

Surrounding them were the lifeless bodies of several Lycan guards, lying in pools of dark blood.

Before I could pull away, the red-haired guard caught sight of me. My husband turned, his dark gold eyes locking directly onto mine through the glass. I flinched, snapping the curtain shut as my heart hammered against my ribs.

Who killed those Lycan guards? Were the attackers after me... or my husband?

Suddenly, the carriage door swung open.

I flinched hard, pressing my back flat against the far wall of the carriage in sheer terror. My husband stood in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the darkening sky as he stared in at me.

"Come here," he commanded softly.

My body refused to move. I was paralyzed, completely frozen by the sight of the blood outside.

He let out a heavy sigh and stepped into the carriage. I scrambled as far away from him as the seat allowed, burying myself against the wooden wall.

"Listen, Ariella, I don't have time for this," he said, his tone laced with exasperation. "I won't hurt you. Come here."

My hands shook violently, but I forced myself to slowly crawl toward him. The moment I drew close, his hand flew to his nose again, a brief crease forming between his brows. Sighing, he reached out and lifted me straight out of the carriage.

His remaining men stood in a loose circle, watching quietly. As my feet hit the damp soil, a blast of biting cold wind rushed over me, making me shiver in my heavy gown.

I blinked, looking around. The dead Lycans were completely gone.

How? Where did they go?

My husband nodded to the red-haired guard, who handed him a long, thick crimson coat. He held it out to me.

I stared at the heavy fabric, utterly confused.

"Wear it," he said, shaking his head slightly at my hesitation.

Heat flushed my cheeks. "Oh..."

I quickly slipped my arms into the oversized coat. Before I could pull it closed, my husband reached out, gently flipping the plush hood over my head to cover my face.

The red-haired guard stepped forward, raising his hands toward me. His bright red hair suddenly flared, glowing like flickering fire as swirling crimson magic drifted from his fingers, wrapping around the coat before seeping silently into the fabric.

Once the glow faded, he gave my husband a firm nod, which my husband returned.

"We can't use the carriage for the rest of the journey," my husband stated, turning his sharp gaze back to me. "I will have to carry you on my back."

I stared at him in utter horror. "What...?"

"Don't worry, Princess! It'll be fun," the red-haired guard chimed in, flashing me a wink.

"I am only doing this because we have no choice," my husband cut in coldly.

Before I could protest, his body began to shift. Bones cracked and muscles expanded as silver fur erupted across his skin. Within seconds, a massive, majestic silver Lycan stood where my husband had been.imposing, deadly, and towering over me.

I stumbled backward in sheer fright, my breath catching in my chest.

"It's okay, Princess," the red-haired guard said gently, placing a steadying hand near my shoulder.

Beside us, the other guards began to transform as well, shifting into large, formidable Lycans. But none of them looked like my husband. He was the only pure, striking silver Lycan among them.

The red-haired guard was the only one who remained in his human form.

My husband dipped his massive head, lowering his neck toward me so I could get on. I hesitated, trembling violently. Seeing my fear, the great silver beast lowered himself further, sinking almost to his knees on the forest floor to make it easier for me to climb up.

"Hold on tight, Princess," the red-haired guard urged softly.

I swallowed hard and carefully climbed onto the beast's back, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. I buried my face into his thick, surprisingly soft silver fur as he pushed himself up.

With a powerful leap, he surged forward, speeding into the dark forest faster than thought possible.

I chanced a quick look back over his shoulder. The red-haired guard was still standing in the clearing, watching us disappear into the trees with that same unreadable smirk.

Suddenly, a low, vibration heavy growl rumbled deep in the Lycan's chest a clear command for me to sit properly and stop moving.

I immediately pulled back, burying my face deep into his warm silver fur, clutching him tightly as the wind roared past us into the unknown.