The Lycan Queen

Chapter One

Cold wind blew against the back of Thea’s neck sending a shiver down her spine. The men around laughed as her body shuddered, but she ignored them, her soul focus sat on the boy in the middle of the field. Times of war required one of the alpha’s family members to be with the group at all times. Thea was a strong ally, but they tended to forget that when they looked at her size. Thea was small, a runt as some would call her. A rare genetic defect in her bloodline that caused her to have grey eyes as well as a tiny frame. Thea had curves, but no one paid attention to them when their eyes fell on how small she was. The wind shifted, sending the scent of the onslaught from across the grassy plain.

Thea nodded to a large male, his black hair brushing his forehead just above red eyes. The man snorted, “Whatever you say, your Highness.”

“I’m not royalty, Arius,” she hissed, rolling her eyes.

“You’re the alpha’s daughter. May as well be royalty,” Arius replied, a smirk spreading across his plain face.

“I’ll go check on the kid. If things turn bad send in the troops.”

Thea took careful steps down the hill and walked cautiously through the grass. The little boy turned, sensing her presence. His face froze, his grey eyes matching her own. Thea tilted her head to the side and patted the boy on the head. The boy’s tense shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. Thea extended her hand and the boy snatched it, placing her hand to his lips and biting into the skin. Pulling her hand away, Thea grabbed the boy and carried his squirming body back to the others. When Thea reached the top of the hill Arius snatched him away, placing his teeth at the child’s neck. The boy stopped moving, a look of terror dashing across his features.

A sigh escaped Thea’s lip, causing Arius to glare at her. “Let him up,” she ordered.

Arius’s head rose, leaving the boy laying in a heap. “Yes, your Highness.”

Thea hated the nickname. “Just bring him in. Alive. I have to meet with the family.”

“We’ve got it from here,” a man with blonde hair whispered.

“Thanks, Tristan. Bring in the women in the forest, make sure they know a child is with you. They may have better luck than I did.”

Tristan nodded. Thea took off into the woods, dodging the many trees that popped into her vision until she was just within eyesight of her home. Bright lights flowed from windows, where parents fed their children. The pack had always taken care of one another, babysitting was never an issue, people came and went freely until there was war. The training yard that was usually only used during the day was crowded with people by night. Many took bets on winners and losers, ignoring the real reason for their practice.

Thea walked through the entrance, taking shallow breaths as she attempted to catch her breath before getting to her cabin. A light shined through her bedroom window, causing her to pause. In the back of her mind, she knew she had locked the door. Her feet trudged up the stairs, pausing outside the door. Thea tried the door, watching it swing open without force.

“Emmy, I swear if you’re in here we’re going to have a rough night,” Thea whispered.

“I just wanted to borrow something for tonight,” a dark haired woman responded, her tan skin a hard comparison to Thea’s pallid complexion.

“Please don’t just walk in like that. At least text me to let me know you’ll be here.”

“I did. Three times in fact. Did you not check your phone?”

“No, I was kinda busy wrangling a child.”

“Are they bringing him in?”

Thea nodded. “They should be here in a few minutes. I told them to call all the women in. I just came home to get ready for the meeting.”

“Meeting? A gathering of our allies isn’t a meeting it’s going to be a party.”

“Emmy, it’s a gathering to discuss strategy disguised as a party. People will just be there to collect information,” Thea whispered, her eyes falling on her overly tall sister.

“It’s weird looking down at you, ya freak,” Ember joked.

“Meh. Are you borrowing something or what?”

Ember smiled and grabbed one of Thea’s miniskirts. Thea c****d an eyebrow at her. “Not leaving anything to the imagination are we?”

Ember laughed. “You know that a king is going to be there?”

“You’re hoping to find your mate, I see.”

“I’m hoping for royalty. Are you ever going to wear these skirts? If not I’m going to take them off your hands.”

Thea rolled her eyes, “You gave me those. Take them. You knew I wouldn’t wear them to begin with.”

“Are you going to wear something classy?”

“I’m thinking about going black tonight.”

“Aren’t you pale enough?”

Ember pulled out a pack of cigarettes, placed one in her mouth and offered another to Thea. Thea shook her head and pulled a small vape from her pocket. “I think being pale helps me to stand out.”

“You know, everyone underestimates you, dear sister. You’re older than me, yet smaller. You’re reserved, but outspoken. You are a paradox.”

Thea pushed the button to her vape and inhaled, her eyes staring up at her little sister. “I just live in the moment.”

“You’re something,” Ember replied. “So, black tie. That’s really what you’re going for?”

“May as well,” Thea whispered. “Did you expect anything less?”

“Well, at least wear this,” Ember smiled, pulling out a black v-cut dress with a tulle skirt.

“Fine, if it’ll make you leave me alone.”

“Time to get ready. Do something with the mop on top of your head, please.”

“Alright mom. Make sure you’re on time!”

Ember’s middle finger flashed up as she backed out of the room, a sly smile on her pretty face, her blue eyes dancing across the room as she turned for the door. Thea pulled her hair loose, letting it fall down her back. Picking small leaves from her hair, she looked at her reflection. Splotches of mud flaked her pale face, but her eyes were the one thing that stood out. Thea peeled her sweat drenched clothes from her body, letting her bosom hang freely. Turning the water on, she stepped into the cool water and ran a brush through her dirty hair. Her soap filled hands ran through the tangled mess, making their way over her exposed body. The water went off and Thea stepped out of the shower, draping a towel around herself.

Thea dried off and pulled her hair into a loose bun before placing small pins throughout. A small amount of eyeliner covered her eyes, crimson paint on her lips and the dress that once sat on a lonely hanger now clinging to her skin. Ember knew better than to dress the way she did, but Thea refused to speak up, knowing her sister would wear what she wanted. Thea gave a nervous giggle as she thought about the night ahead. If she were totally honest she had no plans on attending that night’s gala, but the patrol switched shifts early, her father knowing her plan to stay in the forest.

Stepping out of the room, Thea headed for the door, grabbing her heels from next to the door and slipping them on. The heels added a few inches to her height, but it did very little compared to the lycans that filled the pack. Thea had asked for her own cabin rather than living in the packhouse with her family and the other members of the close knit community. Her father was reluctant to agree, but Thea had always been able to convince her father; her mother still held a grudge. The meeting hall was across the large village, while her pack wasn’t huge; they had expanded due to an outburst of births.

“Time to put on my face,” Thea whispered to herself, forcing a smile.

Thea walked into the one room building. The tables that usually littered the floor had been moved. Potted flowers sat around the hall, white curtains draped the walls, and the hardwood floor was waxed the day before. Her parents were already in the hall, waiting on their daughters to grace them with their presence. Thea smiled at her mother, who grimaced at her appearance.

“Black, really?”

“Yes, mother,” Thea hissed through gritted teeth.

“You look lovely,” her father interjected.

“Thank you, Father.”

“The king of the region will be here tonight. I don’t want you to show your ass,” her mother scolded.

Thea rolled her eyes and stepped away from her family, taking a glass of champagne from the waiter’s table, downing in a single gulp. Ember walked in, her too tight skirt drifting just over her upper thigh. As she entered her father’s eyes widened, her mother gasping in shock. Thea shook her head and grabbed two more glasses of champagne, approached her sister and handed her a glass. Ember nodded in thanks, but her eyes watched the large oak doors. Groups of people trickled in, but King Kira was nowhere to be found. Thea looked at her mother who had already approached the microphone that stood at the back of the room.

“Good evening, as Luna to the Halfcrests I would like to welcome you to tonight's soiree. I know that things have been tough around here with the war, but I believe tonight we can come together in peace and get the families together. Now, please indulge in the festivities.”

The room filled with applause that echoed throughout the hall. Ember sidled up to Thea and smirked at their mother. “The perfect host.”

Thea nodded, “That woman only cares about appearance.”

“Well, being the luna of the pack does that I suppose. One day that could be us.”

“I don’t think so,” Thea whispered, glancing at the door. “I don’t plan to find a mate. The woods are my home.”

“Who’s that?” Ember questioned, eyes fixed on the door.

Thea turned to the man, a sudden urge to run to him took over her mind. The man turned to face her, feeling her eyes on him. A shock ran through her, stopping at her most delicate regions. The man took quick steps across the room, his pointer finger extended to the man he was talking to. He stopped and glanced at her small frame, his green eyes focused on her and her alone. Ember glanced at her sister, a sly smile crossing her face. “And you are?” Ember questioned.

“Kira, King Kira,” the man responded, his eyes still focused on me. Ember straitened her posture.

“King Kira, it’s nice to meet you. This is my sister Thea.”

Thea stood fixed to the spot, avoiding his eyes. Thea’s father approached the group. “I’m Dariston, my wife Parella should be here to greet you after she mingles.”

“It’s nice to meet an alpha who introduces himself. Usually I have to approach the alpha myself to get information.”

“I see you’ve found one of our best fighters,” her father whispered. “She’s better than most of our men.”

Thea stepped away from the group, leaving her father to deal with Kira. Ember was on her heels, her chipper smile aimed at Kira as she walked in my direction. Thea grabbed another glass of champagne and walked out of the hall to get some air. That was the night she found her mate.