Zane - Confessions of a lycan

Chapter 33

Zane

We walked hand in hand, in comfortable silence, through the forest towards the packhouse. My mind was heavy with regret, sorrow. Cassian was against my playboy behavior right from the start. Lycans and werewolves were in general very se*ual creatures.

But I didn't have girlfriends or any kind of relationships. I slept around, didn't care who they were or what their names were.

I didn´t even remember their faces, they meant nothing. Cassian hated everything I did from day one and shut himself off most of the time. He tried to talk me out of it or convince me to try having a normal relationship, but I just laughed it off.

He still tried to be understanding though, because through our connection he could feel what I felt. And maybe I seemed carefree, that I loved that life. But if the truth be told, every party, every fight and every woman was a way for me to drown out my own despair and loneliness.

Our father fed us from a young age that true mates were below the dignity of a royal. That even if we encounter our true mates, they should be rejected. Rejected unless they were of noble blood, that is. We were trained, pushed and raised to follow in his footsteps and, as the third son, my main goal was to flourish in martial arts and producing sons with a selected broodmare appointed to me by my father. I had this explained to me as a small boy. So small in fact that my legs hadn't even stopped dangling from the chair.

All our own ideas, wishes and wills he quickly made sure to suffocate at the slightest hint, leaving me emotionally drained and lost.

My mother was a kind, loving woman, though. She was, of course, not my father's true mate, but a well-chosen noblewoman appointed to him by his own father. Because of her kind heart, our father made sure we spent as little time as possible in her presence, and only when he was monitoring the interaction. He didn't want any weak-hearted sons.

However, there was no excuse for the things I did. I regretted not being wiser, or strong enough to stand up against his bullying.

I enjoyed pi*sing the old goat off with my behavior, without thinking about the consequences in the long run.

But everything changed after that one night, and Cassian hadn't been able to find forgiveness in his heart for what I did, for what we lost. I could only hope that now that we had found Lily, he would come out of his depression and become more friendly towards me and our bond. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't notice Lily stop until her hand slipped from my grasp.

She stood frozen, her gaze unfocused.

"Lily, are you okay?" I asked, concerned. She seemed to snap out of it and looked at me with a shocked expression.

“I think my wolf just spoke to me.” She mumbled. Her eyes widened in wonder.

"Ohh my goddess my wolf just spoke to me!" She repeated with excitement. I felt myself smiling at her happiness.

"Are you absolutely sure, wildflower? What did she say?"

“Either that or I've gone mad. You don't think all the silver made me crazy? do you?” She fretted as if it was actually a possibility.

I had a hard time holding back my laughter as I took her sweet face between my hands. Her expression was full of worry.

"I promise that you haven't gone mad from a silver overdose, my wildflower. What did your wolf tell you?" I said while trying to maintain a serious expression, which was easier said than done. She was so fu*king adorable, my little wildflower.

She didn't have time to answer me because Ronan came walking with determined steps towards us, calling my name.

I pulled her into my arms, holding her with her back against my torso.

"Zane, thank goodness you're back. My phone has been running hot from all the phone calls that I have received in the last few hours while you've been out running.” Ronan exclaimed. I immediately felt worried. Lucien wouldn't call unless it was a crisis.

“What the hell is going on?” I grunted. “Both Lucien and Mason have been calling, looking for you. There has also been a feisty woman, named Cassie, who has been terrorizing them about Lily's whereabouts. Apparently, Mason has taken over the pack after a trial by combat between him and Alpha Corbin. Lucien didn't want to say exactly what he wanted but was extremely anxious to speak with you. Mason said that Alpha Corbin's father, Connor, had arrived. That might have something to do with it.”

“The fu*k! I missed a trial by combat?! That must have been one hell of a fight to watch.” I grumbled mostly to myself before thinking over the main problem. “I'll call Lucien, but I'm afraid we must pack up, wildflower. Trust me, I know how you feel, but we are needed in that pack. Our friends need us. Not to mention that we all think that it would be the safest place for you at the moment, with Nolan on the loose. Mason is alpha now and we have a whole bunch of warriors who will defend you. And if anyone so much as gives you a mean look, I will have my Lycan tear them to pieces. Please tell me you understand, my love.” I whispered in her ear, knowing that this decision wasn't something that would be easy for her.

I felt her stiffen in my arms, before she took a deep breath and looked up at me with her big, blue, innocent eyes.

"You’re right. I don't ever want to set foot in that place again. But, I need closure and I trust you to protect me. I also feel the need to rush there to save poor Lucien. I can't help but imagine that Cassie is making his life a nightmare now that she knows I'm saved but can't get in touch.” She giggled, causing the weight in my chest to ease.

“I have to say that I am extremely disappointed to lose Mason as my beta. But that pack really couldn't get a better alpha.” Ronan admitted. “I agree with you, Ronan. But we must hurry to pack and hit the roads before the day turns to evening. We don't know where Nolan is, and I don't want to risk dusk falling on us before we get there." I replied as I took Lilys hand and continued to walk towards the packhouse. “I have already mind-linked two omegas that will help you pack your belongings. I am also sending two cars of warriors to accompany you to the Blood moon pack, as security along the way. But they will return here when you get inside their territory.” Ronan stated. “I´m deeply grateful for all the help you and your pack have provided. I will forever be in your debt. If you are ever in need of anything, please do not hesitate to contact me, Ronan.”

“Kindness is free, and easy to give to those who deserve it.” Luna Cora said before Ronan managed to answer as she came walking towards us while holding a toddler twin in each hand. They are almost 3 years old now, I think.

Seeing their happy little smiles with mischief in their eyes made me long for my own little ones. A thought that had never even crossed my mind before. “We will miss your presence, but please feel free to visit again. It would bring us so much joy.” Cora pleaded. “I´m taking with me great memories from your pack. Just like Zane said, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. It would be an honor to come here again sometime." Lily assured her.

I smiled at her. Glad that this place had given her the courage to meet others and learn that not everyone was out to hurt her.

An hour later, we were in the car on our way to the Blood moon pack. Two warriors were in the car with us, so we stuck to superficial topics all the way there. I had a quick chat with Lucien before we left. I told him to drop everything for a while and go to sleep, seeing he had been up for days. Being up during the day made vampires weaker, draining them slowly. Even if he was indoors away from the sunlight. I knew he wanted to help everyone. But sometimes he had to put himself first as well. Something the stubborn bastard had yet to learn.

When the cars had passed the gates to the pack territory and we parked in front of the packhouse, we were met by what had to be a vengeful furie. Fu*king hell, she looked ready to chop my balls off as she came rushing down the front lawn.

This must be Cassie. I liked her already, I thought while snickering to myself. My wildflower needed as many ferocious friends as possible in this fu*ked up pack.

"Lily! I've been worried sick about you! Where have you been and what the hell happened?” Cassie demanded to know while she pulled Lily into a tight hug. Lily didn´t have time to answer before Cassie pulled back. I saw that my wildflower's eyes shined with unshed tears, making my heart constrict painfully. I was just about to pull Lily back into my arms when Cassie turned towards me with a menacing scrowl on her face. “And who the fu*k do you think you are to keep Lily away from the only people that care about her, huh?!" Cassie argued. This little warrior woman was allowed to quarrel with others. However, if she tried to come between us, I couldn't stop Cassian. I could already feel him growling deep in my chest.

“Cassie, mind your words. His name is Zane Wulfric, and he´s a Lycan prince. For the love of god, Cassie, calm down.” Lily explained and pleaded with her friend while I did my best to control my Lycan that was snarling in my head.

“I don't give a damn who he is. If he has so much as touched a hair on your head, I will skin him alive!” Cassie growled at me.

I heard someone running and Lily's shocked gasp. But it was too late. Cassian broke free with a roar so loud it shattered the car windows.