DANCING WITH LYCANS

CHAPTER 9: PRINCE PHOENIX

Prince Phoenix's POV

The entirety of my existence on this forsaken planet called Earth, I've been taught how to live a life of what others expect me to be. All because I'm a prince, royalty at its finest. Constantly under the watchful eye of my parents.

Thanks to that little fact, I enjoy hiding away from our castle, spending most of my time in the woods, reading books, instead of training the beast within me.

My lycan, Lucius, quite enjoys a good chase but is uninterested in easy prey.

If it doesn't stimulate our minds, it's a waste of time. We enjoy toying with our prey before dismantling them.

"Phoenix!" I hear my mother call for me.

"Phoenix, please come down and have a word with your mother. I can sense you're nearby. Must you make me come looking of you?"

Closing my book, I slipped down off the tree branch I was comfortably sitting on.

"What is it, Mother?"

"It's time for the meeting, Phoenix. You need to be ready to meet your future luna."

"Of course, I will be sure to impress."

"You better see to that. She is your chance to safeguard your seat on the throne. If Troy wins her heart, our rule will cease to exist."

"Troy the egotistical brawn." I snort out a laugh.

"How could he ever love anyone other than his own reflection in the mirror?" My question is redundant. I already know the answer.

"Well.. he is quite handsome. Lacking a few brain cells, sure, but you've seen the way girls fawn over him." Mother seems to think looks will win the heart of my fated mate, I can only hope there's more to my mate than s3x-crazed horomones.

"As if I don't receive the same adoration, Mother. The difference is that I am not so easily entertained by the pleasures of the flesh."

"Well, let's hope you have skill in that department. Once you have given her your seed and secured my grandchild, I could care less what you do with the wench." Mother dearest says with a scowl.

"Cringe. Never do I want to hear you utter a word of my s3x life ever again. This conversation is done. I know what I have to do." I walk back towards the mainland entryway where no doubt my father is impatiently waiting.

*****

We arrive at the meeting where my father, the king, is already patronizing me. No matter what I do, I'll never make the man proud of me. Why start trying now?

Hm, no, I don't think I will.

However, I would be lying to myself if I denied the interest I have in meeting my future mate.

The mere thought of a woman made specifically for me by the Moon Goddess herself stimulates every part of me in a way that makes both of my heads throb.

Despite my parents having their own agenda, I actually long to fill the void in my heart with a so-called love that seems to give others purpose in life.

"Do not screw this up with your melancholy behavior, Phoenix." Dad warns me.

"Father, you know my stubbornness is especially reserved for you and Mother. You love to be challenged. I am simply obliging you by keeping you sharp, old man." My face contorts with a sinister grin. "You will watch yourself, I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out!" Father all but yells, so nobody hears family secrets being spilled.

"You've never let me forget it." I stare him down, not intimidated by the man at all.

The sound of a door creaks and therein walks my doom, with a gorgeous dark brown lox to match my own color. Tilting my nose upwards, I am intoxicated by her scent. It drives my lycan mad with a hunger to taste her skin upon my lips, and that's when the hunger starts to build. "There's no forgetting you now." I whisper to myself, but my father hearing my words causes an evil grin of knowing onto his face. He knows he'll no longer have to convince me to do his bidding, only - I'm in it for myself this time.

Once called to stand, my father joins me in waiting to greet Angelica and her beta father. He does not play fair as he uses his kingly alpha aura to overpower Alpha Daniel, securing my place to speak with Angelica first.

I haven't taken my eyes off of her, and I feel no shame in admitting that it's nowhere in the cards or me to do so.

Looking into her eyes is like visiting the forest that brings me solace in my shallow life as a prince. I could get lost in them. What better reason for me to start learning the curves of her body instead.

My father gestures towards me to introduce us, better to keep my eyes on her face for the moment. I'll have every chance to trace those delicate curves with my tongue later. I smile. "Angelica, I've only heard stories. You're more beautiful beyond my capacity to imagine what others have described you to be."

My words were true. She's looking at me with a smile on her face, but her eyes are curious. She curtsys. "Thank you for the kind greetings, your majesty. And to you as well, Prince Phoenix, for your sweet compliment." She says. Who the hell curtsys these days?

It's so formal, yet cute. She seems a bit naive.

I can't wait to teach her all the things her mommy and daddy tried to shield her from.

Her father speaks up. "You will have a chance to speak with her soon, Prince Phoenix."

Oh, I will be speaking with her before you know it, daddy-o. I look back at Angelica. God, I can't wait to taste her. "It's my wish to kiss your hand before leaving, if only the circumstances were different. I'll see you on your birthday, Angel." I lie, I'll definitely be seeing her before then, but no one needs to know. Angel is a very fitting nickname for her, but she is quick to correct me.

Hmm, yes, make me work for it. I smile at her and walk towards the door, pleased with today's outcome.

My father walks to the car, but I stop and look towards the woods. "You're going to go study her, aren't you?" My dad asks while opening his door, and I smirk. "It's only fitting that I be prepared for the next step, right father?"

"Just don't get caught. The last thing we need is that asshole running off with the prize again." My eyes turn to slivers, and my smile drops. If looks could kill, my eyes would cut his tongue straight from his unworthy mouth. How dare he compare my queen to an object. "Whatever, don't wait up." Walking away and into the woods where I would shift and scent out her home to wait for her arrival.

*****

Sitting in wait, I grab a book from my satchel and lean my back against a tree.

She arrives back at home with her father, but it seems there is trouble in paradise. She's upset. A feeling within me is unsettled by the fact that I can not comfort her in her time of need. Perhaps she is also feeling like she's forced to do things she didn't sign up for.

She walks towards the creek where I am situated. Fvck! Must hide. Thank the heavens that she doesn't have her lycan yet to sense me nearby, yet she starts looking around as if she can tell.

Her senses are sharp. I'll definitely have to be careful with her. I smile to myself.