Lycan's True Queen

A sudden gust of wind blew a biting chill, causing some of the spectators to rub their arms for warmth. Ignoring the murderous glare from my lookalike, I smirked and raised my head higher, allowing the wind to carry the secret I had buried in my heart for seven years to the ears of everyone present on the scene. “You can't be Saira Malivik, because the real Saira Malivik died seven years ago.” ~7 Years Ago~ I walked out of the rubble, naked and tired. My head throbbed, every inch of my body aching as if I’d been run over by a truck. I wanted to lay down and sleep for an eternity. But I knew this wasn’t the place. I had to get out of here before whoever funded this place got wind of its destruction and started a mad hunt for me. Fighting off the fatigue, I dashed for the woods, and ran until dusk settled and stars dotted the sky, then dawn arrived and soon gave way to a scorching noon. Two more dusks and three dawns later, my body collapsed from overexertion, and I fainted beside a lake. “Do you think she’s dead?” “She isn’t. She wouldn’t be breathing otherwise.” “Oh, that’s right! Then we should help her.” “I don’t think that’s...” “I don’t care what you think! I want to save her! Go and carry her! Otherwise, I’ll complain to my daddy!” “Fine.” In a semiconscious state, a few voices faded in and out of my consciousness. I tried to shake off the fog that was gradually encroaching on my mind. But my effort proved futile, and soon there was only darkness. ... “It’s been an entire day! Why isn’t she awake yet? Did you lie to me?” “Miss Saira, I really didn’t lie to you. The girl is still alive. She’s just exhausted.” “Hmph! You better be telling the truth, otherwise...” “I know, I know, you’ll file a complaint to the Alpha. Can we go and eat now?” “No! I want to stay here until she wakes up!” ... “Beta Rian, quick, come and see! She’s waking up!” ... I groaned, lifting a hand to my ears. There was an angry buzzing in my head, growing louder and deafening with the raised voices in the background. They seemed to be arguing. I tried to focus on the few garbled words I could understand to make sense of what they were saying. “No...Stays with me...” A girl’s voice, loud and unfamiliar, but undoubtedly agitated. “Without Alpha’s permission...can’t allow a stranger...” A male voice replied. The harshness of his tone reminded me of the man who sold me to those terrible creatures. I strained to open my eyes, the effort covering me in sweat. After starving for over a year in the underground dungeon, it’s been years since the last time I felt so battered and weak. My body was heavy, everywhere aching. It refused to obey my commands as if it weren’t a part of me, but had a mind of its own. I hoped it wasn’t broken. I still needed it in operative condition to find my way home. With great effort, I managed to force my heavy lids open. Gentle rays of sunlight burned my vision. I squinted and blinked rapidly for a few seconds until my eyes adjusted to the brightness. “Oh! You’re awake!” The sweet voice from my side had me turning my head. My heart nearly stopped when her face came into view. “You...” The same eyes. The same hair. Aside from a few notable differences, even similar facial features! Was I dreaming right now? “Surprised, aren’t you? I was also surprised when the servants washed you. We look almost the same!” The girl fell back in her chair, giggling. “Do you think you’re my lost twin sister?” She asked, fixing me with eager eyes. I shook my head. We couldn’t be twins. I was sure of that. Because unlike her, I remembered every second of my birth the moment I entered this world. I would’ve known if I’d gotten kidnapped or picked up from the road. And the truth was, I wasn’t kidnapped or lost. The people who loathed my existence and treated me like an animal were my biological family. “That’s too bad. I was looking forward to having a twin sister.” The girl sighed, becoming despondent. “By the way, I’m Saira. Saira Malivik, daughter of Alpha Malivik, the greatest Alpha in the entire world!” She spread out her hands in exclamation, love and pride glowing in her eyes as she talked about her father—something I couldn’t say the same for mine. My heart twanged in jealousy. What would it be like to experience the love of a father, I wondered. “Everyone in the world fears my Daddy! He’s big and strong, and loves me the most! That’s why Sofia and Tia won’t play with me. Because I’m the Alpha’s daughter.” She pouted, slumping in her chair. She went on talking about her father, her mother, and her pack members, telling me how everyone treated her like a princess and didn’t dare to upset her or go against her wishes. The Beta’s and Gamma’s daughters were jealous of her and refused to play with her. “I know! How about you become my playmate?” She squealed, excitedly jumping out of her seat. “It’s perfect! I’ll finally have a friend!” I was stunned. When did I agree to stay? Without waiting for me to speak, Saira ran out of the room, shouting for Beta Rian. An hour after Saira made her announcement to keep me as her playmate, the Beta discovered I couldn’t speak. After the doctor completed his check-up, he learned my vocal cords weren’t damaged. I just never used them, requiring me to learn how to speak from scratch. Saira found this news exciting, calling it an opportunity for us to bond while she taught me everything. The Beta, however, didn’t see it that way. He became wary of me after that day, always staying within earshot whenever Saira was around me. I didn’t blame him. What 14-year-old girl didn’t know how to speak? Combine that with the condition they found me in and how I looked almost identical to the daughter of his Alpha, and you would understand his reason for being on guard against an underage girl. “My daddy won’t be back for a month. He’s in a meeting, a big meeting with all the Alphas in the States. What’s it called? Annual...Annual convenient? Annual commence...” “Annual Convention.” Beta Rian supplied, looking poised at his post by the door. “Right! Annual Convention!” Saira squealed. “They’re going to discuss big things, important things that concern the future of the packs!” Beta Rian’s lips curled up. I had a feeling her attempt at solemnity amused him and began to wonder how I looked next to her. I certainly didn’t have the same innocence. Years of mistreatment had robbed me of that luxury. But what I lacked in innocence, I made up for it in maturity. Or at least, I hoped so. In this manner, a few days went by. Saira and I became close fairly quickly. For one, she was the first person who treated me with kindness—scolding, laughing, and exchanging secrets with me like a normal girl. She liked to talk, and my inability to speak gave her the incentive to start, change, or end any conversation as she wished. For another, her bubbly nature was infectious. I found myself warming up to her when she began to tell me about her parents. "Just wait until you meet them! My mom's going to love you, Zia!" I laughed, unnerved by the nickname she gave me, and to be honest, a little nervous at the prospect of meeting her parents. I wanted what she was offering me, something I never had the chance to experience since entering this world. The warmth of a family. But with my identity, did I even deserve that kind of blessing? What will Saira think of me when she finds out my own parents sold me to an experiment lab? And if her parents find out the name they called me...they will probably send me a similar lab. The prospect cooled my heart, and the bubble of nerves building in my stomach burst at the sound of a familiar voice from outside. "I am Rimon Marid, Alpha of the Crescent Moon, Descendant of the Last True Alpha of the Northwest. Beta Rian, I believe you have something that belongs to me." "I don't understand..." "Now, don't even try to play dumb with me. The girl you picked up beside the lake is my...a member of my pack. Do you need me to contact your Alpha?" He was here. The man I should've called father. Contrary to Saira's panic at his sudden appearance, I didn't even feel despair, because somewhere in my consciousness, I always knew he would find me. I just felt disappointed with myself for thinking I could leave everything behind and start over.