The lycan's bride

Chapter 1 Lucan's pov The meeting was over. Ric, my beta, came into the meeting hall as other members of Lunaria Park were exiting. "Lycan Lucan," he said, bowing his head. I gazed at him up and down. "Quit the formalities... what's new?" He raised his face. "Some rogues invaded the city hall and clashed with the warriors. A few made it," he said, horror dancing in his eyes. Just how bad was it? "They killed two young omegas, two werewolf farmers, and only one person—an omega—was injured," he added. I tensed, hearing two omegas were dead. "What about the dead bodies?" "Buried." "And the injured one?" "She's receiving treatment in the Herbalist Shrine." What could that mean? Why do I feel so uneasy? Was it my mate? Wait... if she dies, it could ev—no. "Take me to the injured one." "Lycan?" He looked stunned. I didn’t even know what I was doing myself. "I believe you don’t have cotton in your ears." "Y...ye-yes." We took a short trip to the shrine where the so-called omega was receiving treatment. "Lycan Lucan," I heard Tabitha’s voice—Lunaria Park’s herbalist—call out as she approached with her walking stick. "Are you here to see her?" she asked. Ric turned his eyes to me... the question dangling in them. "I don’t need to see her." Her question was confirmation—it is my mate in there. She already knows. "How bad is the injury?" "Very bad. With the weakness of her wolf, she can’t heal fast. But she’s recuperating... her heart was almost torn." What?! Heart?! "Does she need extra heali—" "No, Lycan. I’ll handle it my way." "I should trust you then." She bowed in respect, and we left. Later, going through some stashed documents on my table, Ric kept pacing back and forth in my office. "It’d be nice if you asked your question... formally. We're alone," I said without raising my head. As if granted permission, he sat down. "Lycan... no, Lucan. Are you going to spill?" I huffed. The audacity. "That’s surely the best tone to use on your Lycan." "You said we should speak like the friends we are." I gazed at him silently for a few seconds. "She’s an omega... my mate." "What?!" "Thought as much. Get Millar to submit this document to Toran before dawn," I said, standing in an obvious end to the conversation. "When will you care?" I was shocked. "When will you start caring about yourself?" he asked, standing behind me. I scoffed. Does he even understand what he’s saying? "When—" "Shut up, Ric." "It’s your mate, Lucan... your mate. I know how many years you’ve waited. Your craving to meet her." "She’s an ordinary omega, Ric. Omega!" "Still, she’s your mate." "She’s an omega who needs protection from her mate. You could offer her that—and more." "That’s the problem. I need a strong mate—one who will be a suitable Luna for the Park." "Here we go again... the dedication. Choosing the Park over yourself." "What the f**k do you want me to do? I was left with no mate for 366 years, and when I finally find one... she turns out to be an omega." "The Moon Goddess has her reasons." I chuckled. "Reasons? Very understanding of them." "They did you well—" "She can be great... give her time." "Time I don’t have. Can she even take my beast? Can she satisfy me? She looks like one who’d break just from my tip. What are you saying?" "I’ll guide her." I looked at him. Wait... is he falling for my mate? "Guide? Who—?" "Your mate. Let me train her—to know what she’s about to face being mated to a Lycan." "Why are you so invested in—" "Because I want you to have a chance at happiness. Just this once." I scoffed. Happiness, indeed. "Fine." "Fine?!" "You’ll accept her as your mate?" "I know what I said." "She’ll live in the castle as your mate?" I chuckled. "As my mate? Listen, I only accepted because I want to see just how great you'll do. And live as my mate? Her identity will never be disclosed. She’ll live just as her." "You won’t mark her?" "I think you’re going too far. She’ll be marked—if she passes my three tests. And that, she’ll have to figure out herself." "Anything else?" "No." "Prepare her to come to the castle after her treatment, and clear the puchoo down the left wing side for her." Hearing him say “okay,” I went for a bath. Why’s he so invested? I know what being a beta means, but isn’t he going too far? Mate or no mate, that's my business to deal with. "It’s not only your business," I heard Ash’s voice. "Thought you went into exile." "I’m happy you’re accepting... her. But please don’t be too hard on our mate." "Ash... be quiet. Let me think." It zoned down...