Crescent Curse

Prologue

Diana's POV

Nerves ate away at my insides, and a chill ran down my spine despite the warmth of the sun that lingered in the air. I just needed a moment to breathe. Nature and I were like a dance, two partners moving in beautiful turns and bends. The magic of both air and earth made us closer in every way.

And as I sat out on the terrace, I could feel his eyes on me. I knew if I were to turn around, I'd be met with his warm, enchanting chestnut eyes. My wolf, she was upset over what we'd walked in on. I had no right to be upset though; I broke up with him. He was given permission to have fun with other girls, so I had no right to be mad at him. But I was.

My heart was pounding as I took a deep breath. His masculine scent filled my lungs, and I had to fight the sob that wanted to break free from my throat at the scent of him filling my senses.

"You are angry!" he stated rather than asked.

"No," I shook my head, still not wanting to turn around and look at him.

I wasn't angry, but I was deeply, deeply hurt. And as I said, I had no right to be this hurt, and yet, here I was.

"You're my mate; you have every right to be angry with me. Jessica was just..." he sighed. "I just wanted to feel something, and I'm sorry if you felt it." Surprisingly, I felt nothing; that's probably why I was so shocked to see him with another woman in his bed.

"I rejected you," I whispered. My wolf tried to claw out of me; she wanted to feel her mate and take back my selfish rejection. My skin itches and is hot because she wanted out. Though she knew if I granted her wish, my instincts to go to him would force me back to him. And I didn't want that, or so I thought.

"Yes, you did, but you've yet to explain why."

I had many reasons.

Selfish ones at that.

And none were of his own doing. But mine.

I heard him sigh again. "Is it because of Marco?" he asked. My heart stuttered for a moment. He couldn't know about Marcon. Could he? The tears that filled my eyes finally fell down my cheeks. How did he know about him? Not even Liam, my older cousin, knew I had been seeing him behind everyone's back.

"You know, as your mate, I should be the one that's upset...not you," he chuckled lightly. "Marco seems like a great man, and if you wish? I will accept your rejection and go back home to my own kingdom and forget you and I ever met...but only if you tell me how you feel about me, how you truly feel." I now could feel the heat of him behind me, his warmth creeping into my back and his hands ghosting over my arms. I couldn't hide the shiver he sent through me with his body so close.

"Diana, love, please give me this. If you tell me you love me...we can figure this out. But if you don't, then I will go home and never think of you again. I promise." He whispered, his hot breath fanning my ear as he spoke. But I couldn't ask him to do that. He was a Lycan; his kind can't reject their mate and live to talk about it. His beast would slowly die, and then...he would follow shortly after.

"I can't." I mumbled. I wasn't even sure how I felt about him. Our bond was never something I wanted.

I didn't want to be like my mother. Her many mate bonds nearly destroyed her and my family. I didn't want more than one man to love. I only wanted Marco, someone who knew me better than anyone else in my life. But if I chose to be with Skye, then I'd have to give up Marco. It was an impossible decision!

I also knew Marco and I couldn't be open about our relationship. I unknowingly signed something that only allowed royal bloodlines to be my mate, and that's what Skye was. Royal. And Marco wasn't.

If they weren't royal, then the person in question would have to be exiled from any kingdom that I was aligned with. I refuse to allow Marco to be banned from his home.

Fingers brushed over my birthmark. Pleasurable sparks lingered over my skin, and goosebumps rose in equal ferocity. Looking down, I saw my skin shining in a golden hue. Stupid f*****g mate bond. I knew why he didn't accept my rejection. He would be saving us both from the pain if he did. The sickness we would feel, and because I was the one who rejected him first, he was making sure I didn't kill him because of it. However, he was going to risk that if I told him I didn't care—no...if I didn't love him.

I wanted to tell him what he wanted to hear, but even I wasn't sure how I felt. "I can't answer what I don't know." I whispered.

"Princess," Skye grasped my arms, sparks rushing in every spot his hands and skin touched. My eyes closed as I let the feeling of it wash over me. "Deep down you know the truth; you are just hiding it from yourself. I'm sorry I messed up things with you and your boyfriend, but..." He kissed my shoulder. "I love you and just want you to be happy, even if it isn't with me."

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

"I know, and it's okay." Skye stepped away from me, and I instantly felt cold now that he wasn't close. "I'll be leaving next week. If you don't come to me in the following days, I'll have my answer. Goodbye, Princess Diana...for now."

His footsteps departed, but I still could smell him. His spicy and smoky scent still lingered, even after he'd left. A sob broke through my walls, and I crumpled then and there. I didn't care who saw me. I had guards all over my apartment in the palace; I knew they could hear, but I didn't dare move to comfort myself.

Someone tapped my shoulder a short while later; sniffling, I looked up after wiping my face with the back of my hand. The guard my grandfather put on my service was standing there with a box of tissues. He gave me a sad smile, and I looked away, feeling ashamed.

Douglas, a man as old as my dad, knew all my secrets. I wasn't sure how he always knew, but he did. He was the first one to tell me not to get my feelings hurt by staying with Marco. Seems he was right, as he always is. He was like an uncle to me, and I know he felt the same about me. His daughter, Jamie, was my best friend, and she didn't know the things he did about me.

"Want me to go and fetch him?" he asked, looking out at the sunset. The lake I saw every morning had a beautiful glow to it when the sun descended and night followed. Looking back up at him, I furrowed my brows. "What?"

"Skye!" he said, still looking at the majestic view. "Princess, I know you can't admit it, but you know what needs to be done. You have to go with him."

"No, I don't; I have a choice."

"Your grandfather has been informed. I'm sorry, but I am only looking out for you." He admitted it and looked down at me.

His brown eyes shone with sorrow. "You told him?" He nodded.

"I did. He's agreed that if you break things off with Marco, he can stay, but you will have to leave with Prince Skye."

I can't believe what I was hearing. "And if I refuse?"

Douglas sighed. "Then Marco will be banished and your privileges will be revoked." He placed the tissue box down in the chair beside me. "You have a choice to make, my lady. I hope you make the right one." He gave me his charming smile and looked back at the sunset. His eyes reflected in the burning hot star before he turned and walked back to the door where he stood guard previously.

Realization hit me like a tidal wave. I was being forced to leave the only home I've ever known and leave the one person who knew me best. This wasn't fair. I was the princess and future queen; I was destined to lead alongside my cousin.

Was my role here so little because of who my mate was? Who wawas? Tears streamed down my face, and I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of having to leave. Forced to leave.

"Diana Eloise!" my grandfather yelled.

I stood back up on shaky legs just as he stormed through my living space; his feet echoed off the marble floors as he stormed through the room and onto the terrace. The heat radiating from him forced my eyes down to the stone flooring at my feet. I hated disappointing him.

"What were you thinking, young lady? Do you have any idea of the trouble we will have by your rejection of the Lycan Prince? It's blasphemy!" I winced at his anger; he never yelled, and he's yelling at me now because of my selfish reasons? It broke my heart.

"I'm sorry," I choked on a whisper. But he didn't hear it.

"Diana, if your mother were here, I'm sure she'd be disappointed in what you've done today," he snarled.

I lifted my gaze at him, anger filling me. "Well, she isn't here, is she? She and Dad shipped me off and never once looked back. Who are they to be disappointed in me when they don't care enough to even call or write?" I growled at him.

"Watch your tongue!" he pointed at me; his usual blue eyes were a bright green as his fairy took charge. "Gabriel and Everly had to leave you here. You needed to be raised in this palace due to the accord Ronald and Everly made. You and Liam—" It was always the accord he used when talking of why I was here. Not the real reason. Not the dark truth whispered behind my back.

"Everly this, Everly that... I'm not her grandpa. I am me! Your granddaughter, Diana. I'm allowed to make my own mistakes, my own choices. And if I choose not to be with my mate, then that is my choice. I am not my mother; I don't want to have multiple partners like some w***e who can't—" My outburst was stopped abruptly when a hand struck my right cheek. Hot burning pain filled the right side of my face, and I could taste copper in my mouth.

"I told you to watch your tongue. You have no idea the things your parents went through because of you." I saw pain behind his scorching and angry eyes. I cupped my cheek and looked back down at the ground.

"I'm not leaving!" I stated defiantly.

Grandpa Leo chuckled. "You've no choice. You will be leaving Monday morning with Prince Skye and his company when they return to England."

More tears filled my eyes. I took in a deep breath and stared right at my grandfather. "I hate you!" I pushed past him. Uncle Douglas tried to grab my shoulder, but I slapped his hands away. "Don't touch me; you caused all this." I snapped at him and darted for my bedroom.