The Lycan’s Daughter

Eavesdropping

The King and Queen entered the room, everyone bowed down in their presence. The King is wearing a black tuxedo, while the Queen shines perfectly beside him, wearing a black ball gown.

A girl walks past me, on her way downstairs. Our shoulders lightly brushed to one another. She’s too entrapped at the moment to notice. Her white hair and scent was enough for me to know who that girl is. She’s wearing a black gown that hugs her figure in all the correct places, with her long leg in view. “Celeste.” Caius suddenly mumbled to himself. I was too captivated to care, we all were. Her beauty radiates off the room, she’s even prettier than the moon goddess in the middle of everything. She’s the main attraction.

I want to be the guy she sits beside. Seeing the guy from earlier offer her a hand makes my blood boil. The ceremony starts with oath taking and more bullshit speech I’m too lazy to listen to, my eyes never left Celeste. She’s the reason why I came here.

After the King and Queen were crowned, the room bursted with applause, and cheers. The people beside us keep whispering to each other about how kind and soft hearted their new King and Queen was, and how they’re the best people to rule over the Lyroan Kingdom. They adore them with so much passion. Something I’ve never seen my people do with Father, they despise him.

They would talk s**t behind his back, but not these people. They worship their King and Queen with utmost respect.

I turn my attention back to the King when I hear him mention his daughter. The mutt assisted her until she was beside her father, and he never left her side. I envy that hand that touches her skin, I would give up everything to be in that position. She kneels in front, while his father places the tiara on her head. She’s more beautiful than the tiara, but it accentuates all her perfect features, it also goes along with her white hair.

She’s the epitome of beauty.

Finally the moon reached its peak, the statue of Luna glistened under its light. The King and Queen took their first dance in front of their people. They look so happy in each other’s arms, so this is what being in love looks like. I find it hard to believe my parents are married like them.

What happens next is something I wish I never had to see. Her dancing with someone else. If I had a heart it would break in tiny pieces, but if I really do love her I’d be satisfied with looking even from afar.

Vladimir suddenly poured water over my clothes, it made me jolt in surprise. I don’t think he noticed what he did, his eyes were fixated on Celeste. I want to scoop everyone’s eyes out because they were looking at you. I feel like I’m going crazy obsessing over a girl who must’ve forgotten about me. I wiped my coat clean, before spraying the mist again. I still have to cover my scent even though the King and Queen already gave us permission to be here.

The people’s whispers suddenly grew loud. “The Princess found her mate.” They say. I can also hear her wolf’s heartbeat. The same heartbeat that longed for me that fateful night, when her wolf finally recognized me as her mate, not this mutt in front of her.

I want to pull her away from him. “Her mating ceremony should take place some time soon.” Serephine was smiling from ear to ear. I felt my face growing hot from annoyance. Mating ceremony?

“That guy is super lucky, he’s the son of the general, Amoux.”

“I heard he’s going to be a scout leader soon. He’s cute.”

“The princess chose well, he looks yummy. I could eat him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Were a few of the whispers I heard before my head couldn’t process any more nonsense.

A puppy is cute, but I’d still kill it if it shits on my carpet. I bet he’s not as in love with her as I am.

The King and Queen stop to hug their daughter, the King even shakes the mutt’s hand with huge smiles on their faces. They really think their daughter has it out for this guy huh? I wonder what they see in him. Even Vladimir is better than him, and that says a lot considering how much I hate my brother.

They were led outside by the elders. The centuries old wise wolves that has been guiding the Alphas, Kings and Queens way back Lyroan’s reign.

Everyone followed them including Serephine and Marcus. “We’re not allowed to go outside.” Caius stops Marcus before he could get far. “It’s okay, our scents are masked. They won’t smell us.” He assures with a small smile. He wants to see this so much I can tell.

“What’s going to happen?” I ask Caius. He seems to know a lot more than me and Vlad. “The King and Queen are going to transform into Lycans.” He responds as if that’s a natural occurrence. Being a Lycan means overcoming your wolf and becoming one with it. They’re going to be untamable once they transform into a Lycan. That species is so rare and powerful that only the ones the Moon Goddess blesses can transform into one. “What’s happening now?” Vladimir asks.

“The hunters are gathering in wolf form to surround the King and Queen, because once they transform it will be hard to tame them.” Serephine explains, her eyes never leaving the scene in front. Once the King completes his transformation he let out a loud howl that made everyone drop down on their knees. I could also feel the power radiating off of him, but it doesn’t have the same effect on vampires.

He looks more menacing. So this is the power Luna promised Lyroan.

The ability to transform into a monster.

The King was about to attack one of his wolves when the Queen suddenly screamed in pain. The same thing happened to her like the King. Only her furs are golden, unlike the King’s that was jet black.

“Even in beast form he still cares for her.” Marcus whispers under his breath. Celeste suddenly walked towards them, kneeling in front when she’s arms length. “Is she supposed to do that?” Vladimir asks. “No, no she’s not.” Serephine’s face is a mix between shocked and worried.

“Her father will kill her if he doesn’t recognize her.” Marcus adds.

Before I could walk a step closer, Caius stops me. “You’ll add fuel to the fire. Let them sort this their own way.” He said with a straight face.

I’ll be damned to let Celeste die, but I know Caius is right. Hopefully she knows what she’s doing.

“I’ve never seen anything like this.” Serephine’s eyes widened, the King and Queen bowed down to Celeste so she could take their crowns. “The old King killed one of his son when he approached him during the ceremony. The new King and Queen is much more in control of their Lycans.” Serephine sighs in relief, and a wide smile plasters on her face.

They both ran deeper into the woods with the rest of the wolves following their trail. “We should head inside the feast is about to start.” Marcus says, leading Serephine with huge smiles on their faces. They look like they’ve seen the most epic movie ever.

Celeste almost died.

I don’t think that’s something to be elated about.

The music stops, and the door opens wide, spitting Celeste out with a guard beside her. I could see her tense eyes scanning the room for a familiar face. Who is she looking for?

She strides in the middle of the hall, until she reaches the throne meant for her. She fidgets with her gown, but elegance never left her body. My mouth gape slightly open when I finally hear her voice again. She positioned herself in front of the table, Celeste closed her eyes, with her palms open, suddenly a blinding light came out from it. She started blessing the food, with a soothing voice. These people are lucky to receive grace from someone like her.

She ends her speech with a smile, the room erupted with applause and cheers before the music started playing again.

“Can you introduce us to the princess?” Vladimir suddenly asked Marcus. They look hesitant but sigh in defeat. “Fine, I guess it’s only right to formally introduce you to her.” Marcus and Serephine look at each other before leading Caius and Vladimir where Celeste is.

I lagged behind to see her reaction. “You can go ahead, I’ll catch up.” I told Serephine when she looked back at me. She sends a small smile and a nod my way.

I could hear their conversation if I focused enough.

“Princess Accalia.” Marcus and Serephine curtsied in front of her. I can see the warm smile on her face, when her eyes connected with Serephine’s. “It’s been a long time since I’ve last seen you Princess.”

That got a laugh from Celeste.

“I was six and you saved me from the other kids who were bullying me.” She chuckles, reminiscing. “I remember, but you handled yourself well, I think my help wasn’t needed that day.” Serephine answers with a smile. Celeste shook her head. “I owe you one for saving me.” She offered a hand, and Serephine took it. They share a meaningful look before Celeste turns her attention back to Marcus.

“You must be the vampires, people are talking about.” She looks at Vlad who was grinning hideously. “I apologize for not introducing them earlier, Princess.” Marcus motions to Vlad. “Prince-” before he could finish his sentence Vladimir stops him.

“Prince Vladimir, from the Kingdom of Valhalla.” He offered Celeste a hand. She took it warily, she looks like she did it out of duty rather than willingness. “Kingdom of Valhalla, why does that name sound familiar?” She turns to Serephine beside her.

“King Lyroan’s mistress.” She whispered, but I know Vladimir heard it.

“King Lyroan’s first love, if I’m not mistaken, they tend to tell the story more melodramatically.” He smiles at Celeste, Serephine smiles awkwardly beside her.

“And the vampire beside you?” Caius had his head down for the entire time they were talking, it’s customary for warriors to do so when royalties are speaking in front of them, but he’s not a warrior.

“A lowly warrior, my Princess nothing you should worry about-” before Vladimir could finish Celeste raises a hand to stop him. “Speak up please.” She insists.

Caius raises his head to meet her gaze, she was taken aback when she saw his face, but she masks it with a smile. “The first Prince’s General, Sir Caius Yodurmlin.” Marcus nods to his direction.

“Sir Caius, it has a nice ring to it.” Her smile looks more genuine now her eyes are fixated on Caius’. I don’t think there’s something going on between the two of them but I don’t like the way she stares at him.

“Wait, first Prince?” It took a couple of minutes before the realization dawned on her. Marcus looks back at the table we were at earlier, but I already left that spot while they were talking.

I couldn’t hear their conversation through all the chittering, and loud music. I needed a better place.

“King Lazarus’ first born, the inheritor of the throne, Prince Alaric.” Marcus shook his head, he looked dismayed that I wasn’t down there with them.

“Alaric, that’s a very peculiar name.” She furrowed her eyebrows. “Between all of us I think it sounds lame.” Vladimir chuckled to himself. He didn’t get the reaction he was expecting, Celeste shook her head with a smile on her face.

“No, not at all. It sounds fitting for a Prince. Don’t you agree?” She turned her attention to Serephine. “Yes Princess, I think so too. Prince Alaric is named after his Grandfather, a wise and noble King during the Great War.” They both nodded to each other with a smile.

A sour look washes over Vladimir’s face, I’ve been aching to see that ever since he came back from Transylvania. This trip is worth my while after all.

“Apart from being named after his Grandfather, he’s also the third Prince in their generation who was blessed by the holy catholic.” Marcus adds.

That’s true, and it burned through my skin, I thought I was going to die from the pain.

“Isn’t the church against vampires?” She furrowed her eyebrows again. “It’s because of the old folktale that vampires are the living embodiment of evil.” Caius responds. “You’re not though, right?” Celeste’s question made the people around her laugh, Vladimir shook his head to answer her question. “As the story of Lyroan and Valhalla goes, Luna is the reason why vampires exist.” Marcus explains.

“We are all Luna’s creation afterall.” Celeste’s warm smile spreads to those around her. “I look forward to meeting your first Prince, Marcus. Hopefully he’ll live up to my expectations from your stories.” She narrowed her eyes playfully at Marcus. He returned the favor with a giddy laugh.

“I think you already have an idea who-”

“I think the Princess is hungry, should we go and get something to eat?” Serephine quickly shut Vladimir, turning Celeste’s attention to the table with food. “You go ahead, I’ll catch up.” Celeste curtsies in front of Vlad before excusing herself from the group. When she was finally out of sight, Marcus shot Vladimir a look. “What’s wrong with you?” Serephine narrowed her eyes on Vlad.

“We were getting acquainted, you guys kept pitching Dee’s name. I think it’s only right she knows he’s the person who kidnapped her.” Vladimir shrugged.

As much as I want to stay and listen to their mindless ramblings, a sarcastic note implied, I have other places I want to be at.