Marked by the Lycan King

20

“What do you mean by Myra’s…?” Lyka snapped, her voice sharp with irritation. “What does that b***h have to do with any of this?”

Aiden frowned slightly at the insult, but he didn’t correct her. He simply looked away, correctling her will only make her angrier, he wasn't in the mood for her drama. The air in the car felt heavier, before he finally sighed. “The Silver Clan Pack was once the strongest pack in the world,” he began slowly. “Ours was nothing compared to them back then… just another rising pack trying to survive. But your father was never the type to stay small. He was ambitious—too ambitious.”

“He set his eyes on the Alpha’s daughter,” Aiden continued. “She already had a fated mate, but that didn’t matter to him. He forced her to reject that bond and married her instead. After that, everything changed. He overthrew the system from within, planted spies in the pack, turned people against each other… and slowly drained them of everything. Resources, power, loyalty. By the time they realized what was happening, it was already too late. That was how the Crimson Moon Pack started rising.”

Lyka’s fingers curled slightly on her lap.

“The Luna gave birth to Myra,” he added, his voice quieter now, “but she was already breaking. The fall of her clan, the forced marriage, everything… it destroyed her. She fell into deep postpartum depression, became unstable and hostile."

Lyka blinked slowly, her chest tightening. She remembered the first day her father had introduced her to Myra, she was in a bright princess dress, hair tied neatly into two pigtails, smiling like the world belonged to her. And her… standing there in a dull, worn gown, her messy hair draped over her shoulders with dirt clinging to them at the end. Her mother was an Omega, so life was not easy for them. They were both daughters of the same man. Yet one looked like royalty… and the other looked like a maid.

Aiden’s voice dragged her back again. “Then your father brought another woman home. Said she was his mate… and she came with a child. You.”

“That broke the former Luna completely,” Aiden said. “She couldn’t take it anymore. She ended her life. And the next day…” he paused briefly, “…your father crowned your mother as the new Luna. Just like that, absolutely ruthless.” Aiden completely forgot that he rejected his own mate at the wedding with his sister.

The car was filled with silence as Lyka processed everything, she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm. She had spent her whole life hating Lyra, looking down on her, blaming her… but now everything felt twisted.

“That changes nothing,” she said coldly, lifting her chin. “If the Silver Clan Pack was so powerful, why did they let it happen? The elders just sat there and watched? Then they’re either weak or stupid. My father only took an opportunity.”

Aiden exhaled softly, shaking his head. “You still don’t understand,” he muttered, not wanting to argue further.

By the time the conversation died down, they had already reached the mansion. Guards and maids stood in neat lines at the entrance, waiting. Alpha Ryan stood at the center, his presence commanding as always.

Lyka suddenly felt uneasy, like something was off, like the air itself had changed… but she pushed it down and forced a smile as she stepped out.

“Mom!” she called, rushing forward. “I missed you so much.”

Luna Daria immediately pulled her into a warm embrace, kissing her forehead like she hadn’t seen her in years. “I missed you too, darling. Tell me everything—how was the trip? I hope you had some fun in between all that work.” She gave her a teasing wink.

Lyka flushed slightly. “Mom…”

“Sister!” Elvis came running in next, still sweaty, wrapping his arms around her tightly. “I thought you wouldn’t come back like sister Myra… I missed you.”

Daria frowned a little at his words, but Lyka just laughed softly and ruffled his hair. “I’m here, aren’t I? I’m not going anywhere.”

Alpha Ryan cleared his throat, cutting through the moment. Lyka turned to him, softening immediately before stepping forward to kiss his cheek. “Hello, Dad.”

He smiled, though there was tension behind it. “I’ve been on edge since you left. But seeing you like this… I assume you’ve brought good news?” Lyka hesitated, her smile faltering just slightly. “Well, Dad…”

“He refused,” Aiden said calmly, stepping in before she could continue. The air changed instantly.

Alpha Ryan’s expression froze. “What?”

“He rejected the proposal,” Aiden continued, his tone steady. “And he mentioned that he finds our past dealings suspicious… he might investigate the pack.” “Investigate?” Ryan’s voice rose, disbelief and anger mixing together. “Why would he investigate us? What have we done?”

“Dad—” Lyka tried again, her voice softer this time. “Shut up and let me think!” he snapped sharply, making her flinch where she stood. Daria gently squeezed Lyka’s hand, silently telling her not to push further.

“Aiden,” Ryan said, already turning away, “come with me to the study.” Then his eyes flicked back to Lyka. “And you, don’t disturb me.” They walked off without another word. The once happy atmosphere turned gloomy. The maids carried their luggage as they all went inside.

At the same time, far away in the Lycan Kingdom, Carl stood in front of Matteo, looking slightly uneasy. “My King… he has called again. This is the fourth time now. We should respond, or he might come here himself, and that could complicate things.”

Matteo’s eyes lifted slowly, cold and sharp. “Are you suggesting I can’t handle him?”

Carl straightened immediately. “Not at all. I just mean… it would be unnecessary trouble. That pack is strong, and dealing with them directly might create more problems than we need.”

Matteo remained quiet, not wanting to listen anymore, his mind drifting to his mate, how will he convince her wolf. He has never heard of a situation when it is the wolf that is resistant.

Carl kept talking, going on about alliances and affairs of the kingdom … but none of it was reaching him anymore. "Your Majesty...." Carl called out, Matteo gave him one last look before leaving.