Wolf King’s Cursed Mate

The Fortune’s Fall

In the palace grounds, King Lykaios was feeding his pet wolves. Large and strong, the animals walked around him with a playful affection. His right-hand man, Egon, came over.

"My king," Egon announced, "Deluca has arrived."

Lykaios's long-time friend and confidante, Deluca, came into the yard. However, Princess Sylvia appeared before he could get to Lykaios, since she emerged walking from a different route.

As Sylvia walked past Deluca, her face changed to one of disdain. Her eyes lingered on his shabby clothes as she wrinkled her nose.

Deluca shook his head, "What a rude young lady," as she left. "Treating me like trash."

The wolves became aware of Deluca as he moved further into the garden. They got ready, staring at him, and started to move forward.

"Hey, hey!" Deluca shouted, raising his hands. "Don't you remember me?"

Lykaios grinned. “Deluca, what were you expecting? After all these years?"

“But… what abmy smell!" Deluca objected. “Surely they remember my smell."

Lykaios smirked, "Your smell has changed," as his grin grew. “Decades have passed, my friend."

Lykaios tried to reassure them, but the wolves persisted in their attack, ripping at Deluca's clothing.

Deluca shouted, "Lykaios, help!" in an attempt to repel them.

At that moment, Sylvia arrived with a calm expression.

“Brother," she replied, "I wanted to talk to you, but it seems you're busy." Her gaze fell upon Deluca, on the battered bag fastened around his neck. She gave him a look of utter disdain.

Sensing the tension, Lykaios moved forward. "Sylvia, don't you remember Deluca?”

"Of course not." With her nose in the air, Sylvia spoke.

With his clothes ragged apart, Deluca stepped in. "She doesn't, of course. He held his hand low and remarked, "She was this tall the last time I saw her. Now look at her, a grown lady."

Sylvia squinted her eyes. “I'll return later," she spoke in a calm tone. “When you're not entertaining…guests."

With her slow and firm steps, she turned and walked away.

“Well, that went well," Deluca remarked, brushing his ripped clothes.

Lykaios laughed. "She's always been… like that… particular."

“Particular? She gave me a cockroach-like look you know.”Deluca cried out.

Lykaios repressed a giggle as he remarked, "She's just…used to a certain standard,"

“A standard that involves looking down on people?" Deluca raised an eyebrow in question.

"She's young," Lykaios shrugged. “She'll learn."

“Hopefully," Deluca said, continuing to rub away the wolf fur. “Or she'll end up alone."

“So, what brings you here, Deluca?" Lykaios enquired, shifting the topic.

“It's been a while." Deluca stated, "I heard about the troubles," his face growing solemn. "The high taxes, the Zogale herb…things are getting messy."

“They are," said Lykaios. “And I need answers."

Deluca stated, "Then I'll help you find them," with a determined expression in his eyes, “That's what friends are for."

“Good," Lykaios murmured, a faint smile creeping back into his eyes. “Because I have a feeling we're going to need all the help we can get."

Then Deluca turned to face the suddenly-calm wolves and remarked smiling, "I think they are starting to remember me now."

Lykaios grinned. “Perhaps."

His gaze met Lykaios's as he looked around the grounds. “Lykaios, my friend!"

“Deluca!" Lykaios gave him a kind greeting. "It's good to see you."

“And you," Deluca added, turning to look at the wolves. “Impressive beasts."

Lykaios remarked, "They're loyal," and tossed another piece of meat. "Unlike some people."

Deluca and Lykaios carried on talking, recalling their earlier exploration. As they reminisced about past antics and bold adventures, laughter erupted.

“You've gotten worse, Deluca," Lykaios remarked, grinning and shaking his head. "Slyer, smarter... It's nearly frightening.”

Deluca said, "Years of experience, my friend," with bright eyes. “I've learned a thing or two."

Lykaios remarked, "More than a thing or two, it seems, You're like an old card reader, but one who looks suspiciously young."

“A compliment, I presume?" Deluca smiled and asked.

Suddenly a metallic clink echoed close to Lykaios's feet. He noticed a golden coin on the ground when he looked down.

“Did you drop this, Deluca?" Lykaios picked it up and asked.

“Ah, yes!" Deluca exclaimed taking the coin. “When your tiny wolves were attempting to redecorate my clothes, that must have fallen.They were quite enthusiastic. “

With a playful twinkle in his eyes, he studied the coin. "Hey, hey," Deluca whispered as he flipped the coin in his palm.

Lykaios’s eyes narrowed. He became aware of what had happened.

Lykaios responded, "You tricked me," in a humorous tone.

Deluca started giggling. He clapped Lykaios on the shoulder and whispered, "You let me, my king,"

Saying, “You and your…games," Lykaios shook his head.

Deluca responded, "Come," and pulled Lykaios over to a bench nearby. “It's time to read the card you just picked."

“Card?" Lykaios enquired, perplexed.

“The coin, my friend," Deluca said and tapped the gold coin. It's actually a disguised card… An extremely lucky card.”

Deluca sat on the seat with a mischievous sense of wonder in his gaze.

Deluca remarked, "Now, let's see," as he held the penny in his hand. "This coin, it speaks of…secrets."

“Secrets?" Lykaios raised an eyebrow in question.

"Yes, secrets," said Deluca. “Secrets hidden in the shadows, waiting to be revealed."

“And what secrets does this coin reveal?" Lykaios enquired in a doubtful tone.

Deluca remarked, "It speaks of a woman," while keeping his gaze on the coin. “A woman with red hair and cat-like eyes."

Lykaios’s breath caught in his throat. “Red hair?"

“Yes," Deluca murmured softly. "And she calls you…Kai."

Lykaios's gaze expanded. "How did you…?"

“The coin knows," Deluca stated in an enigmatic tone. “It sees what others cannot."

"And what else does it see?" Lykaios enquired in a strained tone.

Deluca replied, "It sees danger," as his eyes grew gloomy. “Danger from the north, danger from the south, danger from within."

"What kind of danger?" Lykaios asked.

“The kind that threatens your crown," replied Deluca solemnly. “The kind that threatens your life."

Lykaios's eyes become stony. “Tell me more."

“The coin speaks of betrayal," mentioned Deluca. “A betrayal from someone close to you."

“Who?" Lykaios asked in a hushed voice.

“The coin does not reveal names," mentioned Deluca. However, it warns you to use caution. Never put your trust in anyone.

Lykaios enquired, "And what about the woman? Who is she?"

“She is the key," Deluca stated in a peculiar tone. “The key to your past, the key to your future."

“The key to what?" Lykaios enquired again.

“That's for you to find out," Deluca responded.

He encircled the coin with his hand.

His words were, "The coin has spoken, Now, it's up to you to listen."

Lykaois’s thoughts were racing as he gazed at Deluca. Although he was aware that Deluca was playing games, he also understood that his statements were true.

Lykaios responded, "You were always a trickster," and he shook his head. “But you've never been wrong."

“Just looking out for my friend." Deluca grinned as he spoke. “Now, about those wolves, I think they want a rematch."

“What is it?” came the king's rough voice.

“Your highness, a letter from Domara.” Egon replied to the man while waiting for the order to read it out.

Lykaios’s face turned black, a letter from Domara? At this time. is Yorian alright? The thought that something might have happen to his dear friend hit him hard.

With a hand wave, he signaled for Egon to read the letter out loud for him.

“Prepare for a journey to Grandvest.” Lykaios commanded.

Upon hearing the king, his right- hand man Egon, bowed and left to do as he was told. Prepare for a journey to Grandvest the man said. But then why the human kingdom?

“The Master of Coin, Lord of the Northern Alvanova, Lord Lucian is arriving.” The guard announced.

“Long life the king of Alvanova.” Lord Lucian. Step brother to the king of Alvanova. The master of coin bowed in respect as he greeted the king.

The king though was rather expressionless as his brother spoke. He threw the last batch of grey in his hand at the pets he was feeding before taking a seat and signaling for the man standing in front of him to do the same.

“The citizens are being stubborn. No taxes are being paid. All they do is complain about the hike in food stuffs.” The Lord Lucian explained taking his gaze away from the king’s scrutinizing eyes.

Lykaios shifted in his seat, crossing his legs. He stared at the man before him, finally speaking. “Your intelligence is why I appointed you as Master of Coin. So, what are your suggestions, Lord Lucian?”

“Your Majesty, we must carefully strategize to address the rising food prices.” Lord Lucian replied. He then stepped forward presenting what he had brought along with him then continued.

“I have some few suggestions here.” He added handing the king the note he had specially made.

The line between Lykaios’s brows deepened. “Hah! you see, that’s why I made you the great Master of Coin.” the king remarked, taking the note from his brother.

But Lucian didn’t take it as a complement. He was well aware his step brother was making fun of him and not praising him. he knew the man way better to think of the impossible.

Lykaios’s mere presence screamed with rugged authority, his aura alone was more than enough for some of his enemies to admit defeat and run away at just the sight of him.

All this are what the people think not him. and those running aware at just the sight of the man are cowards. Lykaios scares them outside but not him.

He, Lucian Draven is not threatened by anyone and shall never be. He soon quickly composed himself waiting patiently for the king who was busy going through the note he brought.

“Is there something else?” Suddenly the king asked, causing Lucian to gulp hard.

Lykaios, who had been reading the note his brother brought, handed back the man’s property to him.

“That’s all my king.” Lord Lucian retorted.

Lykaios sighed, taking a look at his brother before saying, “I hope you will address this issue soon.”

“Yes, your majesty,” Lucian dutifully answered.

Lykaois hurried and sent Lucian away as he needed to address the situation at hand.

“If you may, excuse me, Master Of Coin.”

Since the letter itself stated how urgent the matter at hand is, Lykaios instructed his right hand man to prepare everything ready.

“Get the horse, we need to reach Grandvest.”

“The journey begins tonight.”

Egon kamanaki bowed, “Yes, My king.”

The journey to Grandvest was long and arduous, even for wolfs. Lykaios, mounted on his powerful black horse, led the small contingent of his royal guard, Egon ever at his side.

The landscape shifted from the familiar dark forests of Alvanova to the sun-drenched plains and bustling human settlements of Grandvest.

“Your Majesty, we should be at Grandvest in two days.” Egon the wolf king’s right hand man spoke as they continued their journey.

And they hastened their pace so as to reach before the sunsets. It will be terrible to allow themselves to reach the human kingdom at sunset.

“We won’t want to scare the humans so hurry!” Came the wolf king’s sharp reply.

As they approached the capital, the imposing gates of the city loomed, a testament to human ingenuity and resilience.

The guards, recognizing the royal banner of Alvanova, opened the gates with a mixture of apprehension and respect.

King Theodore Corvus of Grandvest, a man of middle age with a stern but fair countenance, awaited them at the palace courtyard, accompanied by his son, Crown Prince Aureus.

Aureus, tall and fair-haired, held himself with a quiet dignity.

“King Lykaios Ivanov,” King Theodore greeted, his voice resonating across the courtyard. “Welcome to Grandvest.”

Lykaios dismounted, his movements fluid and regal. “King Theodore Corvus,” he replied, his voice cool and measured.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

“It is an honor to host you,” King Theodore said, his eyes scanning Lykaios and his guard. “Though I must admit, it’s great meeting the wolf king in person.”

“I hope the werewolf king of Alvanova will find Grandvest likable.” King Theodore added, looking at the young king before him.

As they entered the palace, Lykaios's mind was already racing. He knew the vampire king had to do this marriage.

It seems he is the first to arrive and by the looks of it even the human king has no idea what the real agenda of his friend is.

“Marrying into the human kingdom. How ironic, Yorian.” Lykaios mused as they led them to the guest chamber. And of course he will have to wait for his friend to arrive.

The wolf king, Lykaios, and his right-hand man, Egon, had reached their guest chamber in the palace of Grandvest.

After a long and arduous journey, Lykaios sought a moment of solitude, stepping out onto the balcony overlooking the bustling city below.

As he stood there, gazing at the distant horizon, he suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him. He turned to see Yorian Ivanov, the Vampire king of Domara, standing with his arms crossed, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Well, well, well," Lykaios said, his voice booming with his characteristic warmth. "Look who we have here, in the heart of the human kingdom."

Yorian chuckled, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Lykaios, you old rascal," he said, his voice filled with affection.

"You didn't even give me a chance to catch my breath."

Yorian added and laughed, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. "You're always in such a hurry, Lykaios," he said.

"Besides, I couldn't resist the opportunity to surprise my old friend." The wolf king countered his reason from coming early.

He stepped closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And who brought you here in the first place? Isn't it your fault we're in this human kingdom?"

Yorian laughed, a genuine chuckle bubbling up from his chest. "You have a point there, my friend," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

"But I had my reasons."

He gestured towards the city below. "Grandvest is the likely source of this Zogale herb. I need to investigate, to find out who is behind this."

Lykaios nodded, his expression serious. "I understand," he said. "But be careful, Yorian. Humans are cunning people. They may not be as strong as us, but they are resourceful."

Yorian nodded, his eyes fixed on the city below. "I know," he said, his voice low. "But I will not be afraid. I will find the truth, no matter what."

They sat down on a pair of ornate chairs, their conversation flowing easily, a testament to their long friendship.

They spoke of old times, of shared adventures, of the trials and tribulations they had faced together.