BLOOD MOON LYCAN QUEEN

CHAPTER 3 - FIRST KISS - RAELYNN'S POV

After the adults returned home, I was scolded and grounded for my outburst at the party, but I still maintained it wasn't my fault. That jerk Dane shouldn't have provoked me.

''I am sick of staying indoors!'' Zhi complained angrily. ''I want to go for a run. Besides, it's our birthday. We should be allowed out now!''

''Fine,'' I smiled, and I tiptoed out of my bedroom.

It was still early in the morning, and no one else was up yet, but I could hear the kitchen staff preparing breakfast. I slipped past them into the study, where, behind a massive painting was a hidden door. I pushed it open and silently crept in side.

The chill of the stone passage seeped through my thin dress, but I was used to it, having been in here many times over the years. The hidden passages were my domain, a labyrinth of dusty trails leading into the forest. I’d spent countless hours tracing them, memorizing every creaky hinge and loose stone. Tonight, they served as my ticket to freedom.

My destination was the woods. Out past the river near the mountains, a place where I had a hidden cave set up like a tiny home. After one particular nasty outburst where I tried to attack Johnson. I'd run away and found it. I'd camped there until I was found, and often went back to deck it out with a bed, rugs, clothes and even food. It was my sanctuary, a place where I could just be me, without the weight of keeping my emotions in check. I imagined leaving my woes behind, trading them for the scent of pine and the rustle of the creatures that lived in that part of the woods.

The air outside the castle walls was crisp and invigorating, and there was a slight mist covering the ground. I saw one of King Caspian's guards wandering around, but when we made eye contact, he just smiled and turned away.

''How strange. Why do you think he's out so early?'' I asked my Lycan, but she just grunted, completely not interested, so I let it go,

I moved with practiced silence, my bare feet padding softly on the mossy ground. The moon, a benevolent silver coin was still visible. I ran down my usual path, running between the trees and ferns and over fallen logs. all the while avoiding the morning patrols.

I pulled off my dress once we were far enough away, and Zhi started running. She loved being in her body. She always felt cramped in mine, and she really sped up. The wind brushed her fur back and she shook her body happily.

''Do you think we'll meet our mate today?'' I asked as she leaped over the river in one massive bound.

''Maybe,'' She said, not caring.

''Well, we were born at ten in the evening, so we'll have to wait until then, to feel him.'' I pouted.

''Our mate will find us when it's time, now stop worrying about boys and enjoy the run.''

''Okay,'' I agreed, as she flew through the trees.

We were lost in our thoughts, and almost stumbled over him. A massive black Lycan, double King Masons size, and Zhi came to a halt.

''It's King Caspian.'' I said, as Zhi's tale wagged.

''He is so sexy!'' She gushed as my breath hitched.

I watched, as he shifted, but then, something peculiar happened. Instead of being naked, he was wearing black pants. Simple, dark trousers that hugged his toned legs.

''How?'' I asked Zhi, but she was disappointed, she wanted to see him naked.

''Raelynn?'' He asked, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine, ''What are you doing out here so early? I thought you were grounded.''

I took control and ran behind a tree, and pulled on my slightly damp dress Zhi had been carrying in her mouth.

''I can't believe we got caught by one of the visiting Kings,'' I said, as my cheeks flushed, ''Do you think he'll dob us in?''

''I hope not.'' She answered, ''We're in enough trouble, we won't be allowed on the council. Though I don't want to be in the first place. It's going to be so boring.''

I ignored her, and walked back around to see the King leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, and one leg bent against the trunk.

''Well? What are you doing out here alone at this hour?'' He asked me, and I felt like I was being scolded by a parent, ''It's dangerous, and you're meant to be safely grounded at home.''

''I… I escaped,'' I stammered, my gaze unconsciously fixated on his chest. He was muscular and there was a light layer of hair, ''Are you going to tell on me?''

The King laughed and shook his head, ''I'm not from your pack. I don't answer to your King.''

''Thank you,'' I smiled, ''And you… you're wearing pants.''

The amusement in his eyes deepened. He took a step closer, a playful glint in his gaze. ''Indeed, I am, it's a spell,'' He held up his hand to show me a small tattoo, ''This gives me pants after a transformation, and a dress for the girls.''

''Can anyone get that?'' I asked, and I found myself moving closer to look at the tattoo.

''Yes,'' He answered, ''Though if I had your body, I wouldn't want to cover up.''

I could feel the heat rising in my face, and he chuckled, a deep, resonant sound.

''Your body's fine too.'' I whispered, but he laughed again, ''But most Alpha's do have a nice body.''

''You like my body?'' He lowered his voice, taking another step, his eyes twinkling, ''I can remove the pants if you'd prefer.''

My breath hitched again, this time in genuine panic. The thought of him, naked, in the middle of the forest while we're alone was… a lot.

''No! No, thank you,'' I blurted out, my voice a squeak. I wrung my hands, desperately trying to regain some semblance of composure.

King Caspian walked over to me, and I moved back until my back hit bark, and the King put his hands on either side of head, and leaned down.

''I don't think I've ever had a woman turn me down?'' He asked, as my heart pounded in my chest. ''You're wounding my ego.''

I gulped, ''I'm sure you'll survive, your majesty.''

''Call me Caspian.'' He whispered, as he leaned in, and I could feel his warm breath on my marking spot.

''I... I shouldn't.'' I said in surprise as I shivered. I'd never been so close to a man, especially an Alpha, and I was feeling very strange at his proximity, ''You're a King. It would be inappropriate.''

''Fine. Just use my name when we're alone.''

''We probably won't be alone again,'' I said, as I avoided his eyes, as he looked into my face.

''We'll see,'' He smiled, and began playing with my hair, ''How did you get out of the castle anyway? My guard mentioned you walked out of a wall.''

I frowned in confusion, ''He told you I was here?'' I asked him, ''Is that why you came out into the woods?''

He blushed a little and finally moved back, ''I was out hunting, and Jarad mentioned seeing you.''

''Oh,'' I answered, feeling a little embarrassed to think that the King would come out here just for me, ''And I escaped through the hidden tunnels.''

''I see,'' He nodded, ''And what exactly were you expecting to find in the woods this morning,'' He asked, his tone shifting from playful to something more intimate. ''Freedom? Solitude? Adventure?''

The words caught in my throat. All of it. I had come seeking all of it. ''Just… quiet,'' I managed, my voice barely a whisper.

He reached out, his fingers gently brushing a stray strand of hair from my cheek. The touch sent a tremor through me. ''Quiet can be found in many places. Sometimes, it’s even found in unexpected company.''

His eyes held mine, and I saw a genuine warmth that dispelled some of my embarrassment. He wasn't just teasing me, he was… engaging with me. As an equal.

''So, it's your birthday today, isn't it?'' He changed the subject, as his thumb traced the line of my jaw,.

''Yes,'' I said, but then cleared my throat.

''I have a gift for you, but I'll give it to you later.''

''A gift? You didn't have to do that.''

''I'm aware.''

''Why did you even get me something?''

''Because I want you,'' He told me, and I froze in shock.

I laughed nervously, ''Your majesty, you shouldn't joke like that.''

''Who said I'm joking?'' He asked as he leaned closer again, ''I have desired you since I saw you.''

Before I could respond, the King pulled my face closer and kissed me. For a split second, I didn't respond, but as his lips moved against mine, I mimicked his actions. King Caspian's tongue moved into my mouth, pressing against mine, as he deepened the kiss and pulled me against his chest.

Nervously, I pressed my hands on his chest, feeling his heart racing just as wildly as mine. I moaned into his mouth and moved up onto my tiptoes, to press harder against his lips.

Zhi was purring happily inside me, and strangely, it felt like I'd kissed him before. Like he was mine, but that feeling brought me up and I pulled away. What the hell was I doing? He killed his mate.

''What are you doing?'' He asked, as he grabbed my waist, ''I wasn't done.''

I pushed him away, and stepped back, ''I have to get back for breakfast.''

Before he could argue, I shifted and ran back towards the castle. I kept control because Zhi was begging me to go back, but I ignored her and ran home.

I couldn't believe he kissed me. He wants me! I could still feel my heart racing. Why did it feel so good to have him touch me? Why did I want more? I'd never wanted to be with anyone. A fact that everyone teased me about until I claimed I was waiting for my mate, but in truth, I'd just never met anyone I desired... Until now.

When I reached the tunnel entrance, I looked around before shifting, and while I was naked, I rushed inside.

''I really need that tattoo.'' I told Zhi, as I continued to walk through the hidden tunnels, but I paused when I heard my name, ''What part of the castle are we in?''

''I think we're passing the Kings office, now shh, I want to hear why they're talking about us.'' Zhi answered, as I paused and pressed my ear against the wall to listen better.

"Are you certain she's a blood moon Lycan, Father?" I heard Dane's low voice, that was tinged with annoyance.

"Of course I am," The King boomed, though he tried to keep his voice down. "The signs are undeniable. There were rumors from her old pack that a child was born under a blood moon, and when she was the only survivor from that pack, I had her blood tests. She shifted early. Even her temper is a sign, and next year, during the next blood moon, she'll be even more powerful, and we can take her power.''

I frowned, scrunching my nose in the darkness ''A Blood Moon Lycan?'' I asked Zhi, ''What's that?''

''It... sounds so familiar.'' She answered.

"But... she seems so innocuous," Dane whispered back, and I got the urge to punch him.

"Precisely! That is how they hide," King Mason hissed. "But the power she holds is too great to be left unchecked, son. It must be bound by her mate. And you, as the future King, must be the one to bind it."

''But she's not my mate,'' He pointed out, ''Is this why you keep throwing her at me?''

''Of course it is,'' His father answered, "Tonight, at the party, you need to claim her. We have acquired the necessary compound from the witches, a formula, that when administered, will force a false, accelerated heat cycle. It will be intense, primal."

My jaw dropped slightly. A fake heat? They were planning on drugging me? Honestly, the level of organizational effort they put into plotting was incredible.

"You will drink the toast with her. But hers will contain the compound," The King commanded. "And then make an excuse to talk to her alone. You'll only have half an hour before it hits, and when the false heat settles, you will take her to your bedroom and you will mate and mark her. You will claim her. Once the mark is set, and then next year during the blood moon, her power will be entwined with you, and you can take it. It will be yours to control.''

There was a long moment of silence. I could almost hear Dane gulp.

''Alright, but once I have her power, I'm rejecting her to get my true mate.''

''You kill her for all I care, just get that power.''

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I stood there long after they changed the subject. They were monsters. I always thought the King wa a good man. I felt I owed him for letting me live here, but he only did it to get my power. Power not even I knew I had.

''They have to be wrong. We don't have powers.'' I told Zhi, as I started walking home again.

''Do you think Jess, and the others know?'' Zhi asked, and I felt a cold sweat cover my body.

''I suspect Johnson would, but not the others.'' I told her, ''I can't believe Jess would raise me as a pig for slaughter.''

''She's better not have,'' Zhi said angrily, ''We have to get out of here. Let's go to the party, and then when everyone is distracted we need to run. When are the other Kings leaving? Maybe we could hide in one of their carriages and sneak away with them. I vote for Caspian.''

''He said he likes us. Do you think he'd help us get away if we tell him the truth?''

''Maybe.''

''What if he tries to use us too?''

''I don't think he'd do that.''

''You don't even know him,'' I pointed at as I started walking down the the final path to Johnson's office.

''It's worth a try,'' She pointed out, ''Or maybe we can just tell him about the drugging and not about being a Blood Moon Lycan, whatever that is.''

Before I moved back inside the suite, I smelt the air to make sure the coast was clear, before I snuck back in and ran for my room. I'd only just managed to get inside my bedroom before I heard someone coming.

''Sh*t.'' I gasped, ann ducked into my bathroom, as the door opened.

''Rae!'' Jessica's stern tone had come out, ''Where the hell have you been? I came in to get you for breakfast, and you weren't here, and judging from the fact that I heard you come out of John's office, you clearly snuck out again!''

I wrapped a towel around my body and came out, looking guilty, ''I'm sorry. I was just so bored, and wanted to go for a run.''

She glared at me, ''You are officially and adult today, act that way.''

''Yes, mam.''

''Get dressed and come down for breakfast.''

''Jess,'' I called out, and she paused with her hand on the door handle, ''Have you ever heard of a Blood Moon Lycan?''

I watched her body, and saw her tense. She knew.

''Yes, I've heard of that before,'' She said, sounding casual, ''It's just a Lycan born under a Blood Moon, now hurry up, we're all hungry. I told everyone you were still sleeping.''

After she left I sat down on my bed, ''She knows.'' I said to Zhi as tears filled my eyes.

''It doesn't mean she knows that the King wants to take our power.''

''We can't trust them anymore,'' I told her, as I looked around the room, ''You're right, we have to go. I'll get through breakfast and pack. I'll hide everything in the cave, and we'll go there first.''

''Deal.''

Pulling myself together, I dressed, and went to the dining room, where my adopted family were waiting.

''Finally!'' Charley complained, as he started shoveling bacon on his plate.

''Sorry,'' I answered, and sat down.

''Happy birthday dear,'' Johnson smiled at me, but I just glared at him.

''Thank you.''

''Sounds like she needs more sleep,'' Ryan commented from his seat, where he was drinking coffee.

''Maybe,'' I said, and started eating.

''Your gifts are there,'' Jessica pointed, ''You can open them after breakfast.''

''Thank you, but I'll open them later.'' I told her, and she frowned at me in confusion. Every other year, I'd rip into my gifts first.

''Are you still sulking because you were put under house arrest?'' Ryan asked me, ''It's over today, don't be childish.''

''I apologize,'' Was all I said, and continued eating.

I knew my behavior was odd to them, but I didn't care. My mind was racing. I had to find out what a Blood Moon Lycan was. I had to pack and get ready to leave. I had to avoid getting drugged, or have a way out in case Dane succeeded.

''Where will we go?'' I asked Zhi as I ate, ''To our old home?''

''No. They might search for us there.''

''But there could be information about the Blood Moon Lycans.''

''Maybe.''

''Rae are you even listening to me?'' Jessica asked, angrily, and I looked up.

''Sorry no, I was talking to Zhi. What did you say?''

''I asked if you wanted to go shopping after breakfast to pick out your party dress?''

''No thanks, I have an old dress I'll wear.'' I told her, and went back to eating. ''Plus, I promised to meet up with Jodie after breakfast.''

''Oh, alright.'' Jessica responded, looking a little glum.

I continued to eat in silence after that interaction, while the others made the conversation, then finally I was free, and excused myself, and left quickly.

The city hummed with loud conversations from pack members as I stepped out. It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day, my favorite time of year.

I continued to the library, a grand old edifice of brick and stone, standing proudly at the edge of forest, an oasis of quiet contemplation. I pushed open the heavy oak doors, the familiar hush settling over me as I stepped inside. The air inside smelled of old paper, dust, and a whisper of lemon and vanilla polish.

I bypassed the receptionist, and new releases and the popular fiction, heading straight for the labyrinthine depths of ancient scrolls.

I didn't know where do you even start, but the Blood Moon Lycans can't be a new thing, so I was sure the old scrolls would have some insight.

I decided to go broad, starting with anything remotely related to wolves, lunar cycles, or obscure regional legends. My fingers traced the words in each scroll, reading and taking in the information. I even pulled out a hefty tome on folklore, a slim pamphlet on local urban myths, and a surprisingly detailed academic paper on canine behavioral psychology, A lot of scrolls on white Lycans and some information on the royal bloodline.

My initial search was, predictably, a bust. Nothing directly mentioned the Blood Moon Lycans. The closest I got was a footnote in a book about some kind of curse that briefly mentioned ''Lycan man of the crimson moon,"

''Is everything alright, dear?'' A voice purred, startling me. It was Mrs. Jenson, the head librarian, a woman whose silver bun was pulled back tightly. She peered at me, a knowing glint in her eye. ''You've been here for five hours.''

''Oh, Mrs. Jenson! Yes, perfectly fine. Just… researching.. You wouldn’t happen to have any books on the Blood Moon Lycans?''

She frowned. ''It's been a very long time since I've heard about the Blood Moon Lycans. Many years ago, the King removed all those texts, books, and scrolls.''

''Really.'' I said angrily. ''Do you know anything about them?''

''Not really, just that they're born under a Blood Moon, and most of the time the mother dies.''

''Really.'' I repeated, but my mother didn't die, not during childbirth at least. ''Anything else?''

''No, but... you know who might?'' She added, ''King Caspian. I believe the last Blood Moon Lycan was from his pack.''

''Really?'' I said for the third time. Is that why he liked me? Did he already know what I was? Did he want my power too? I couldn't trust anyone, ''Thank you,'' I said as I closed the last book I'd been reading, and put it back.

''Why are you looking up information on them in the first place?''

''Oh. I just heard someone mention one, and I didn't know what a Blood Moon Lycan was,'' I answered and started walking off, ''Thank you, Mrs Jenson.''

As I was leaving the library, I noticed another of King Caspian's guards, sitttng on a bench reaching a book, but I got the feeling he was watching me. This made me even more suspicious of King Caspian.

I rushed home, and started packing. I only took things I truly need, and started sneaking things out through the tunnels and into my cave, before I returned to the castle. Once I was back in Johnson's office, I snooped around in his bookshelf, seeing if he had anything on the Blood Moon Lycans, but he didn't, so I just returned to my room to get ready for my party that I was no longer excited for.