Bound To The Lycan King

CHAPTER TWO

“You don’t get to speak about her that way.” I whispered, but no one heard me.

"My beautiful, beloved Luna did everything she could to give me an heir." Edward said in feigned grief.

"Ten children she lost before you. Ten times her body tried to give me an heir, and ten times it failed. Everyone said she was cursed. That the Moon Goddess had turned her back on her."

"But she tried one more time," Selena added, dabbing her eyes with a napkin.

"I should have stopped her. Maybe she wouldn't have met the cruel fate of bringing you into this world. She risked everything, the love of the pack, my care, just to bring you into the world."

"If my Luna had only listened, you wouldn't have killed her," Selena finished as tears formed on her eyelids.

Edward drew her closer and rested his hand resting protectively on her shoulder. "I know you adored her, but stop crying. It's over."

Then he turned towards me. "Ivory, your mother was a virtuous woman. She taught Selena everything she knows today. I loved her. Everyone loved her. Selena loved her."

Yeah right, she loved her so much that she could f**k her husband behind her back and finally take her place once she died.

"We don't celebrate your birthday so that we don't reopen a healed wound. Birthdays aren't worth remembering when they mark tragedy. This day isn't a celebration, it's the anniversary of the day you murdered your mother."

I felt tears form at the sides of my eyes, I’m already aware of what they think I did, can’t they just let it slide? I muttered, cursing inwardly.

The tears I had been holding back dropped from my eyes. I was innocent. I never wanted her dead, if she was alive I wouldn’t be subjected to this torture. She would shield me and protect me from these vultures who called themselves human.

"I didn't—" I sniffed. "I didn't ask to be born."

"No, you didn't," Edward agreed coldly. "But you were. And every day since then, this pack has paid the price for your existence."

"I did all I could to care for you," Selena sniffed, with her flawless performance. "To repay all that Evelyn had done for me. We could have left you to die with your mother. We could have exposed you as the cursed thing you are. But no we did not, we showed you mercy."

Mercy, That had to be a joke. They had beaten me, starved me, and locked me in the basement like an animal. They'd made my life a living hell for eighteen years and they dared to call it mercy.

"So today," Edward continued, "We thought it only appropriate to finally celebrate. After all, you're eighteen now. And it's time you learned what your life has cost this family, and how you'll repay us."

He gestured to the food spread across the table. "This feast? This is what your mother's funeral would have looked like, had she been given the honor she deserved. But there was no time for a proper funeral. No time for mourning. It was just...you. The screaming cursed child marked by the Moon Goddess as a mistake."

“Maybe if you cared about her enough, you would have actually had time to give her a proper funeral.” I said in anger, as the words slipped out before I could stop them.

“What did you say?!” Edward rose from his seat, heading towards me. But Selene held him back. “Nevermind her darling, recall we do have more pressing matters on ground.” She cooed and caressed his arm.

“Yes we do.” He responded and shifted his weight to look directly at me. I knew nothing good ever came out of them. “You are eighteen now.” He paused. “And very old to be useful. I have arranged your marriage to Elder Harkin.

Marriage.

To Elder Harkin.

A man with an ego bigger than his age. A sixty-three year old elder who was known for his greed and cruelty towards women. A man who already had six wives, two already deceased from labour and continuos torture. They wanted to sell me off to death himself.

“You’re sending me off to a man who would kill me within a week.” I spoke, shaking with both fear and anger.

“An elder.” He corrected me. “Elder Harkin. And yes, you should be honored. For once in your miserable existence, you'll actually be useful to this pack."

I took a deep breath and spoke. “No. I don’t want to go. I refuse to!”

A slap landed on my face faster than I could comprehend, my head turned to the side and my cheeks burned with pain. Selene stood over me, with anger clearly written all over her face.

"You don't get a choice!" she shrieked. "After what you did to this family, after you murdered the woman who gave you life. You really think you have the right to refuse?"

"Your mother died for you," Edward said coldly. "The least you can do is die for this pack."

“You will be married to Elder Harkin and that is final.” He said with finality. “Make yourself presentable, the representatives will be here tomorrow.”

“I will not marry him, cursed or not!” I said in tears as I stood to face them.

“Just go already, do you know how many times you’ve refused to die!” Selene said before she could stop herself. Edward gave a warning look. But she pressed on with the last of her composure breaking.

“You don’t feel pain, do you?” Celeste leaned forward with fake sweetness. “Maybe Elder Harkin would do us all a favour and end your miserable life.”

“Listen to us Ivory. This is for the best and a win for all.” Edward supported. I knew they hated me, but this was beyond hatred. It was pure unfiltered evil. More tears flowed down my face as I thought about it.

“You’re right,” I whispered. “I don’t have a choice.”

I never had.

“No you did not, cursed children are fated only for the worst.” Celeste responded to me.”I will send a bag of things to you, see if it fits and work out something…presentable for your ceremony.”

After that they sent me back to the basement to prepare, Selene tossed down a bag of Celeste’s cast-offs; dresses she had grown out of, shoes two times smaller than her feet, jewelry that was tarnished and broken.

“Have at it and be ready by tomorrow.” She ordered.

I sat alone in the dark, staring at the bag of things. I pulled out a small blue dress, with a tear by the side which was the most manageable so far. I cut out the rest of the tear and put the dress on.

I will not be married off to a death sentence who is old enough to be my grandfather. I will run away tonight, to find my true mate and I had an idea of who that might have been.

Caden.

The only other person beside Mira who showed me subtle kindness, one whom I shared secrets under the moon light with. He brought me food occasionally and showed me warmth. Through our shared moments, we became accustomed to each other and an unspoken emotion grew between us.

Tonight he’d acknowledge it, and we could run away and be mates far away from here.