Chapter 4
1470 Words
I had to admit that it was a fair question. Lycans notoriously have stronger auras, so most non-lycans show at least a modicum of fear or submission. But I didn’t. I’m sure that even if I had already shifted, I would have done everything in my power not to react to him anyway. I always made it a point to show I was not weak and that no one could convince me or make me feel otherwise… At least that’s what I told myself in my daily pep talks in the mirror.
I supposed there was no use in hiding the truth from him, he was likely to find out about it anyway. I took a deep breath to steady myself and explained to him, matter of factly.
“I haven’t shifted yet even though I have my wolf.” I said, with a “no-nonsense” tone.
“Ah, so you are a late bloomer, then? You know, we Lycans don’t get ours until we are 18. And it even takes a few more years before we are actually able to shift. Your situation is not unheard of in the Lycan kingdom.” He responded.
I was surprised to hear this. A huge part of me was relieved to hear that I was not the only shifter in the world to have a wolf and not be able to shift. But another part of me was concerned that I had a seemingly random similarity to the Lycans, especially a similarity that was going to get me exiled.
I wonder if I can just go to the Lycan kingdom instead of the human territories. I thought to myself. No one here would have to know, they can all just go on believing I went to the humans.
I decided that I needed to make a good impression on the visiting Lycans if I was ever going to get a chance to live amongst people like myself after I was exiled from here.
I looked up from my pondering and met Clay’s eyes, and I saw something unreadable in them. Then he said, “Can I try something? It won’t hurt or anything.” He looked earnest.
I nodded my head in agreement and he took my face in his hands and looked deep into my eyes. I shivered as he searched my eyes for something, and I shivered even more when I saw his eyes change to the color black, which indicated that he was letting his Lycan forward. My wolf perked up at his searching and she became curious about what was happening, so I let her peer through my eyes in return.
My heart beat sped up and I felt a warmth flow through me.“What are you doing?” I asked him, breathless.
“I was curious to see if we were mates. If we were, my Lycan could’ve called your wolf forward. I was hoping I would have been able to help you shift. But it seems that we aren’t mates after all.” Clay said, looking disappointed, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed too.
“But…did you feel that, though? It was bizarre and warm. My wolf was very curious and almost a little excited.” I responded. “I've looked many people in the eyes and I have never felt anything like that. I wonder why that is.”
He gave me a thoughtful look and said, “Perhaps it’s because I am a Lycan. Maybe this is a way that I’m able to affect you, you being a she-wolf and all.”
I gave him what I hope was a grateful smile. But just as I was about to reply, my mother mind linked me.
Evelette. I have some good news. Alpha James said he would give you one more day before he exiles you. It’s an extra day to shift. I know it’s not much, but it’s something.
Thanks mom, that is good news. I said as I tried to sound cheerful. Honestly, it was just another day to prolong the torture and the inevitable embarrassment. But she was trying and I had to be grateful about that.
Clay waited patiently for me to finish the mind link conversation and smiled when he realized I was finished.
“Everything okay? You look slightly more frustrated than you did a few moments ago.” He asked.
“Yea, I’m fine, more or less. It’s just, well…. I suppose I’ll tell you anyway since everyone will know about it after the ball.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to fill him in on the current state of my life. “My alpha is going to kick me out of the pack because I haven’t been able to shift. He’s too proud of his pack and I have become a spot of shame in his otherwise perfect vision.” I said with a look of anger on my face. “It’s not fair! I’ve done everything I can to prove myself to him and the rest of my pack. I should already be strong enough to shift but Selene still insists that we are too weak. I’m one of the best fighters in the pack, but it doesn’t matter because I can’t shift. The entire system is just completely f*cked.”
For some reason unknown to me, I felt comfortable enough to just let out all of my frustrations on a near stranger. I supposed it was because it wouldn’t matter in around 48 hours since I would be banished to live out the rest of my days with the humans. I wouldn’t see anyone familiar ever again. Well, not unless I can leave with the Lycans.
F*ck, why did I just word vomit on him? This is not the best way to show him I’d be a good addition to their territory. I felt uneasy. You know what? F*ck it. He can know everything. I have nothing to lose.
I was about to continue to ramble on angrily when I heard a chorus of footsteps that brought me to attention. I looked in the direction of the footsteps and noticed five more Lycans walking from a black Range Rover. Every single one of them was tall and well built. And every single one of them made me want to drool. This seriously wasn’t fair. If the men in my pack looked anything like these, I would have been more eager to seek out my mate. As it stood, the local men were nothing compared to what I saw walking up to me.
I squinted my eyes and looked at Clay in a questioning manner. He returned my look with his own look of embarrassment.
“I thought the rest of the Lycans were not supposed to arrive until later tonight.” I said.
“Well, apparently these ones decided to come early. And without notice.” He eyed the other incredibly chiseled men walking towards us.
I caught myself staring at the parade of insanely beautiful figures walking toward us. No doubt I was slack jawed as the men seemed to walk in slow motion. What was wrong with me? Clay cleared his throat and I shook myself to focus again. When the Lycans walked close enough I pulled out my clipboard and checklist to produce an air of formality.
“Erm, My name is Evelette, I’ll be your point of contact while you’re here within the Blue Pearl Pack lands. Can I have your names so I can check them off of the list? I need to make sure I’ve arranged the appropriate number of accommodations.” I asked, pen ready.
I glanced up at the group of them and caught one of the Lycans looking at me with a little more than curiosity in his eyes. He quickly looked away as soon as we made eye contact. Was he blushing? I smirked to myself as the Lycans started giving me their names. The one in the middle spoke first. He was tall, of course, and had shaggy blonde hair with a single dimple on his right cheek when he smiled.
“My name is Luke. This is Allen and Atlas,” he said pointing to the two men to his right and they nodded at me with slight grins on their faces. “And these are James and Aaron.” He said as he gestured to the men on his left. “There will be four more of us coming later. Those will be Prince Malcolm, Prince Ivan, and their guards”
Luke, what a lovely name to match a lovely physique. I thought to myself. I was really starting to love that I was the one who got to welcome them…
- Writer
