The Lycan’s Daughter

The Princess

Celeste

I woke up with Mom’s worried face. She’s holding my hand on hers, while Dad’s talking to Amoux and Chris. It’s like a hospital around here.

“You’re finally awake, my little wolf.” She pulls me in for a tight hug. I missed her. I reach out a hand to Dad, and he takes it instantly, giving me a slight squeeze.

“We were worried sick when we heard the news. You shouldn’t put yourself in danger like that.” Dad starts, I winced knowing it was just the start of a long conversation about how I should park my ass at home.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” He left it at that when he saw a glimpse of Mom’s relieved face.

“You must be hungry, I’ll get you something to eat.” She smiled at me, and hurried out the room. Amoux sits down on the bottom side of the bed, close to my feet. “I’m sorry.” He says, avoiding my gaze.

“I thought you stayed close, you were out of my sight for a minute and I lost you.”

I sighed, holding out a hand to him. He takes it on his. “I’m okay. Nothing happened.” I smile at him. He manages to put a small smile on his face too. “Your parents were looking deep into the case, they arrived after you went missing.” I nodded. They could have at least sent a message saying they were okay, but I know Mom and Dad had their reasons for not contacting us.

I slumped down the bed again. I reached up my neck to feel the place where the thread was. Call me crazy but I miss the pain of it, just because Deacon was the reason why it’s there.

I remember what happened, the pack came to rescue me when they smelled my scent radiating off in the air. The rain helped me escape, without it they would have never found me.

Amoux suddenly jumps up from the balcony, his wolf staring straight to my eyes. I recognized him right away. I sat down and showed him my neck that has a wolf's bane. He yanks it away, with his claw, careful not to scratch me in the process. He has to do it quickly otherwise he’ll burn his skin off.

Amoux whimpers when the plant touches his paw. I took a piece of fabric off my dress to cover it and place it on top of the bed. Careful not to touch it myself.

I transformed quickly after and ran, following Amoux away from the house.

We reached the end of the road with Chris, waiting by the car. First thing he did was hug and pet my wolf. “You’re safe.” He said.

We drove away with the rest of the pack following us behind.

The day at the camp is a regular mess. New pups are training, I wonder what happened to the old ones. A gathering is set for the afternoon. Mom and Dad have to be there. As usual, being a pack Alpha and Luna means they have to attend boring meetings, and gatherings.

I want to run free in the wild. I want to hunt like Amoux and the scouts. I don’t want to be cooped up in a house talking to people, but I understand it’s a part of the responsibility. I prefer action though.

I’m a young wolf. There’s so much I haven’t experienced yet, and I want to be free for as long as possible.

“You’re back.” Scout Leader Trevor has a huge grin on his face. I saw him yesterday trailing the car back to the camp. His feisty wolf can be recognized a mile away. Scout Leader Trevor has a scar on his face from a war he and Dad fought together long ago before I was born.

His wolf bears the same scar.

“You missed out on so much training.” His grin grew wider, I narrowed my eyes at him. “Have you been planning this since I went missing?”

A coy smile plastered on his face. “Maybe.” He shrugs, and hands me a bow and arrow. Before I could protest, a scout ran towards us. She looks like she’s been running for quite some time now.

“I’ve been looking all over for you.” She struggles to catch her breath. “Can’t you see she’s in the middle of training?” Scout Leader Trevor shoots her a look. She quickly stood straighter, saluting to him.

“Sir, news from the Alpha.” She says formally.

Dad called us in to identify a vampire they captured during my rescue. I’ve never met anyone else apart from the vampires close to Deacon, they say it’s a guard. Deacon didn’t have guards.

Nevertheless I have to go with Scout Leader to help with the investigation. He accompanies me until we reach a hidden part of the camp where most of the prisoners are kept. “I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it wasn’t important, but you know we need as much information as we can get.” Amoux coaxes me, I feel safe with them here. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to look at the person they’re referring to.

When the scout opened the door, a familiar face came to view.

Caius.

What the f**k is he doing here?

His hands were tied behind him, he didn't look hurt, even though the silver on his arm was digging deep into his skin. He was looking down on the ground, patiently. “We caught him wandering around the house. He came willingly without a fight.” Chris says.

“Do you have any idea who he is?” Scout Leader asks.

“Yes.” I reluctantly answer. Caius looks up to meet my gaze. He has on a sly smile on his lips. We spent an awkward amount of time looking at each other, Amoux notices and sighs. “Let’s talk outside.” He took my arm lightly, pulling me outside.

When we were finally out of earshot he stopped. “Is he one of the vampires who held you captive?” His face was stoic, but it was evident that he’s mad. He’ll rip Caius apart if I answer yes.

I quickly shook my head. “He helped me fend off a stupid vampire who wanted to drink my blood.” I shyly avoid his gaze. I’m talking about the annoying vampire, William. “I see.” He nods. “Can I talk to him?” I looked back at Amoux.

“No.” He sternly replied. “Vampires are cunning. You shouldn’t trust him just because he helped you once.”

“He’s harmless. Caius isn’t that type of vampire.” I remember how he shielded me from Deacon. Caius is slightly more decent than the rest. “Caius?” He asks, although I didn’t need to answer. “That’s the vampire’s name huh?” He looks back inside where Caius was.

“He told the scouts a different name.” He glared back at me. “5 minutes, I promise I’ll tell you everything.” I batted my eyelashes at him, and crossed my fingers behind my back.

He thinks about it for a while before nodding. I beamed up, shaking him slightly. “Thank you Amoux.” I say before heading back inside. Before I spoke to Caius, I stared at the scout close to us. He realized what I meant without a word, he left his post.

“You intimidated him.” Caius chuckles to himself.

“Shut up.” I say to stop him from speaking another word.

I chanted a spell Mom taught me when I was little to put a barrier around us. Werewolves have super hearing. This will help us talk in private. “You continue to surprise me, wolf.” He snickers. I’m not having any of it, I’m risking Amoux’s trust in me just so we could talk.

“Caius why are you here?” I c**k a brow at him, he simply shrugs in response. “I saw you with them, I thought you were in danger so I surrendered, and they took me with them.”

“They could have killed you.” I sighed, massaging my temples. Vampires are really stupid. “You sound worried.” I hear him say.

I quickly shot up, he had another smile plastered on his face. “I’m not worried-”

“Why are you protecting me? I could tell your friends are hungry for vampire blood. Tell me, wolf.” He suddenly asks. He’s like Deacon, there isn’t a hint of hate in his voice, just pure curiosity. I avoided his gaze and looked down at the floor.

“You shielded me from Deac-”

“Jasper’s powers are strong, he can rip you to pieces unknowingly. I’d be the one to suffer if he accidentally kills his toy in that state. Think of it as a preventive measure.” He made sure to use the words ‘preventive measure’ like the other vampires.

“You saved me from William who knows what he would have done if you didn’t stop him.” I continue.

“I didn’t stop him. I only spoke the truth.” He shrugs. “I understand Caius.” I smile at him. He’s trying to act cold so I’ll keep my distance, but I see it in his eyes. Caius isn’t like the rest of the vampires I’ve met. He’s smarter, I could sense his sincerity when he shielded me from Deacon, and when he interrupted William’s plan to make me his lunch.

He looks at me, confused. “Why are you smiling?” He asks, that got a laugh from me. “You’re so full of questions. Is that a vampire thing?”

He didn’t answer. I noticed he was fidgeting with the thorns on his arm, I remember feeling trapped when my hands were tied behind my back. I felt sorry for him. “I’ll ask them to release you, Caius. You don’t deserve to be held against your will. No one does.” I say, before removing the barrier around us.

Dad and Amoux were waiting for me outside, they both had a stern look on their faces. Like they’re ready to pounce any minute. “So?” Amoux asks.

“He’s a mere guard, Amoux. Caius is harmless, you should release him.” I patted his shoulder.

I don’t think he’s satisfied with my explanation. He looked like he needed more, I’m not going to give him any more information about Caius. He’s the beta of the pack. He’ll kill him with no remorse.

“We have to talk.” Dad suddenly interrupts before Amoux could ask more questions.

They led me to the great hall, Mom was waiting there along with the elder wolves I’ve only met once back when I was little.

I attended my uncle’s inauguration as the Lycan King when I was 6. It was mandatory for us to be there. Dad needed to perform his duties as the general, and to support his brother.

He said he wouldn’t miss it for the world.

That’s where I last saw the elders. It’s very rare for them to visit, and only important wolves with high ranks are granted to see them.

With a confused face, I followed Dad inside, and sat down next to Chris. Although stiff he offers me the seat with a small smile.

“We have something to tell you.” Mom starts, she has a serious face, I’m not used to seeing her like that.

“Your uncle- King Lyro died.” She runs her palm on Dad’s back, comforting him. He smiles a little her way. “It was sudden news, he died young.” Mom blinks away the tears that were forming at the tip of her eyes. I know they’re close to my uncle, it must’ve been hard for them.

“They want your father to take the crown.”

I looked at both of them, confused. “Doesn’t King Lyro have a child? Prince Ben?”

An elder spoke before Mom could. “Unfortunately the allegations against Prince Ben have earned him a reputation of an unfit ruler. He’s currently serving time under the council’s guidance.” He spoke slowly.

“The Lycans won’t survive under his reign. We believe it would be wiser to pass the crown down to his brother instead.” Another elder spoke. I could only nod in response.

“That makes your generation the next future monarchs of the Lycans, Princess Celeste.” She smiles my way. I tried hiding my emotion but my jaw dropped when she called me Princess. A princess!

A freaking tutu wearing princess. I’m not cut out for that kind of responsibility. I want to be a scout for Pete's sake! I’m not girly in any way or form.

“The coronation will take place tomorrow, afternoon. We plan on making the celebration as simple as possible.” Dad sends a warning look to the elders. He’s never been a show off, he would rather do things quietly. “We understand. The decision about your coronation is up to the reigning monarch, and since we currently have none, you have the power to bend the rules as you see fit.” An elder nods in his direction. That calmed Dad down a bit. His face shows relief.

“But,” He continues, the anticipation puts an anxious look on all of our faces. “The council demands a mating ceremony soon.”

That got a laugh from me, everyone’s gaze suddenly shifted to my direction. “That’s nonsense, Dad’s already mated.” I chuckle nervously. I’m the only one who sees the situation funny. No one’s laughing with me.

“They’re not talking about your father.” Amoux raises his eyebrows, insinuating I should know who they’re talking about.

“We want to ensure the reign continues under your family’s bloodline, Princess. The mating ceremony isn’t for your father. It’s for you.”