The Lycan Kings’ Fated Mate

Chapter Three

ISHANA:

I sigh, exhausted, leaving my house, I head over to where the Warriors in my team are. I knew I needed to leave the house because one more second, staring into my daughter’s eyes, I knew I would’ve spilled everything. She was curious. I knew I saw it in her eyes but I just didn’t know how or what to tell her, for even I had yet to figure it out.

Recalling the words of the oracle, as she had stopped us 13 years ago on the streets back at my wife’s pack, we had gone to visit her family during the moon festival. It was our third year of being mates and we were yet to be parents.

”Everything happens for a reason. Just believe. When she comes, do not let them take her early, for it will disrupt fate and the path which the moon goddess has chosen for us all. ‘for the prophecy states that the one chosen shall come, and shall be the balm that soothes the wounds of all and calm the raging fire of the two beast,’ she must stay away until she’s of age and can manifest. For then, will her mates recognize her and cherish her.”

She walked away as quickly as she had come, leaving us in a confused state. Bloom had been angry, after coming to terms with the fact that she could not conceive, the woman’s words had reopened wounds that had taken a long time to heal.

However, a few weeks later, we realized that bloom was pregnant. I had no idea if she could still remember those words that the woman had uttered. I did my best not to bring it up.

During the period of the pregnancy, We had all but forgotten about the words of the woman whom some people called the Oracle, until Wonder was born. One look at her at birth and I knew she was no ordinary child. I didn’t know whether I was to be happy or sad, but I swore to protect her and have done all my best as a father watching her grow, and I will not allow her to be taken in by two deranged beasts who will try to bend her to their will.

I must find a way around this situation, they must not see Wonder. I must protect her from all that is about to happen.

Meeting up with my warriors, I find some of them in a sullen state. Of course, I wasn’t the only one with a daughter around that age. Some of them did, but I wouldn’t have them sulking because they are warriors, men trained to protect the weak.. the women and children.

Pushing my worries to the back of my mind, I give them orders and send them to their posts.

While crosschecking to make sure that there was nothing left out, I find one of the women struggling with the barrel all on her own. Looking around, I find out there is no warrior on sight, so I decided to lend a helping hand.

“Here, let me help you with that. It looks to be too heavy for you to carry“

“Oh, thank you so much Ishana, we were supposed to be three but the other two are somewhat grieving, and I couldn’t push them to come lend a hand”.

“ I understand that, so where are you taking the barrel to?”

“ to the Alpha’s tent, this is the best wine and will be served to the head team of the royal army.”

“ OK, don’t worry about it. I will make sure it gets to the alpha’s tent in one piece”, I assure the woman. Her eyes twinkled with appreciation.

Leaving the woman to attend to other chores, I lift the barrel onto my left shoulder, effortlessly holding it firmly with my left hand while tucking my sword carefully using my right hand, I head over to the Alpha’s tent.

Since the army were too many to fit in Alpha’s pack house, a large number of tents had to be laid up in the field behind the pack house, with Alpha Ismail agreeing to stay in the tent too, to honor them. Not that it mattered because the Royal army were used to far more gruesome treatment during training and were said to have no emotions. The kings even went as far as rendering them infertile. Some say it was a discovery made by the current oracle through her experiments on the human body. It gave the army unfathomable strength.It sounded terrifying, but the kings had given their approval.

Rounding the main tent, I stepped to the back, hearing voices coming from inside the tent. I slow my footsteps and listen in.

“……the army is almost here, I’m sure”, recognizing my alpha’s voice.

“Yes…. Mmmmm.. by the way, Who is that little girl with the strange eyes?” I widened my eyes, my heart beat picking up as the Royal courtier asked my alpha.

“ mmmmm….oohh that must be Wonder. Her father is the second in command. Why?”

“I find her oddly interesting. I have already informed the kings and there has been a change of plans.”

“What change?” I nodded at my alpha’s question. Yes, what change.. Already my palms were beginning to feel sweaty.

“The Lycan kings will be coming here themselves to check the females but I doubt they will make it on time, they might meet up on our way back with the girls”.

“So you’re taking all the girls back to the palace?”Alpha Ismail asks, surprise evident in his voice.

“Yes they have to be under the watchful eyes of the kings and the oracle, receiving training until they turn 18 and get their wolf”.

“I thought the Lycan kings could pick up the scent of their mate even if they are still too young and without their wolf”

“Mmm” the courtier agrees, distracted, “but one can never be too sure, my friend, for even fate can twist and turn the future.”

The sides of my mouth turned down as I frowned. The new oracle practiced dark magic, using people to run her ridiculous experiments. It’s a wonder why the Lycan kings let her, although there had been rumors that they were both under her spell.

“And if their families refuse to release their daughters to be taken.. Seeing as they were not informed about this new development”..

“Mmm they should be happy that their daughters will be residing in the palace.. they do not have a choice. Defying the Royal army means defying the Kings and that can only result in one thing and we both know that no one here would want that, especially YOU.”

“War will break out, you mean”, Alpha clarifies, not pleased.

“Hahahahahahaha.. Knowing the extent of the Royal army’s strength, I would say slaughter”.

I roll my eyes, clearly pissed at his smug confidence, knowing fully well that he speaks the truth. We didn’t have the number nor the brute strength to be on par with the army.

“So make sure they all come out, especially the girl with the weird eyes. We would not want to disappoint our kings, would we?”

“Fine” Alpha Ismail sighs defeat clear in his voice.

My eyes widened, realizing that I was still carrying the barrel of wine on my shoulder. I carefully drop it down, not wanting to cause any damage, so as not to bring trouble to the lady, I hurry away from the tent. I head home, half running, half walking, not even acknowledging those that I pass along the way, not bothering to return anyone’s greeting. Beads of sweat graced my forehead.

Getting to the house, I burst through the door, not bothering to knock or do it quietly. The door flew open with so much force that it hit the wall and the hinge vibrated. Bloom hurries out, her eyes wide on alert. She looked behind me. After finally realizing that I was alone, she calms down and eyes me curiously, waiting for an explanation. I sat on the couch and held my head in my hands.

“They plan on taking them away from here back to the palace” I said, my words coming out in puffs trying to calm my breathing.

For a brief second, confusion graced her face before recognition shone in her eyes, finally realizing what I was talking about.

“Why?! The alpha never said anything about that.”

“It seems that there was a sudden change of plans, for even the alpha was caught unawares. The courtier made the change and informed the kings and they are both on their way”.

My wife’s eyes widened in fear, “the kings are coming personally? But they have never done that before in the past.”

I hum in agreement, raking a hand through my hair. I take a deep breath, thinking of a way to divulge this information as lightly as possible.

She looks at my face carefully, realizing that I was holding back some information she asks,

“What is it, Ishana, what are you holding back? Tell me!”

“It seems that Wonder has caught the attention of the Courtier and he told the Kings about it which led to them deciding to come on their own. It shows the level of confidence of the courtier, for no one is bold enough to invite the Kings based on just facts alone.”

I leaned back on the couch to look up at the roof and continued “either he thinks he is that sure or the Kings are getting really desperate, but either way, it does not look good for Wonder”

I sigh, finally looking at my wife’s face when she does not speak, to find that she has paled incredibly. She was still standing on the spot from when I had come in. I lean forward and reached for her hand, drawing her in. She doesn’t fight, just let’s me pull her in. I sit her on my lap and hugged her waist before resting my nose on the crook of her neck. I inhale deeply, allowing her scent to calm me. She stiffens but relaxes immediately.

“We can not let them find Wonder. She can not be taken from us. I am not ready for that yet, and there’s the oracle’s words too. It just feels wrong to let them take her now” she says, finally pulling out of what seemed like a trance. She draws in shaky breath and adds,

“We will not bring her out to them, we will hide her away”, nodding to herself.

“But they will know that she’s missing and when they find out, it won’t look good. The others that brought out their daughters will feel betrayed and when the courtier finds out, it will be war” I try to make her see reason. That must have been a wrong move, for she flared up next, jumping up from my lap.

“I don’t care! This is my child that we are talking about, my ONLY child! I will never let them take my child away, not unless the kill me first!” Her voice rising in anger.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to push down the irritation and anger bubbling below the surface.

“She IS my daughter too, Bloom. You know I will do whatever I can to protect her”

“You sure are not acting like she’s yours.”

A threatening growl rumbled in my chest, my wolf hurt at her words. Just as I was about to reply, when the word “mummy” drew our attention. We both turned to see a sleepy Wonder standing at the doorway leading to the kitchen, rubbing her eyes before looking at us wearily. I stiffen, trying not to let my surprise show. We had forgotten to talk in hush tones so as not to wake her.

I look at her carefully, trying to figure out how much she has heard of our conversation, but I only see confusion.