Marked by the Lycan King

27

Bria looked at Myra across the dining table, her eyes filled with caution and confusion. The playful expression she usually carried was gone completely. The moment she saw the livestream while hanging out with her friends, she rushed back to the villa immediately. The whole ride home, her heart would not calm down. Now seeing Myra sitting peacefully with her father made everything feel strange and unreal.

“Get away from my dad!” Bria suddenly shouted as she quickly moved in front of Butler William protectively. William looked confused and touched her forehead gently. “What’s wrong, dear? Why do you look so flustered? You should sit down first.” Bria quickly looked at Myra before forcing a smile. “Papa… can you get me some coke? I’m suddenly thirsty.”

“You scared me over coke?” William sighed dramatically. “You children want to give me a heart attack one day. I’ll ask the kitchen to warm milk for you instead. Too much carbonated drink is not healthy.” Bria nodded absentmindedly. “Actually… I need to talk to Myra privately first.”

Butler William looked between both girls suspiciously before shrugging. “Fine. You girls always have gossip to discuss anyway. You love fooling around and giving your old man a heart attack.” He grumbled softly as he walked toward the kitchen. The moment he left, the atmosphere became tense instantly. The cheerful mood disappeared completely.

Myra slowly dropped her fork. “What do you want to ask?” she asked quietly. “Whether I’m actually a criminal? Do you think I'd stay here long without his majesty turning me in?”

Bria folded her arms tightly. “I don't know, Myra, you tell me.” Myra remained quiet. Bria sighed and dragged her fingers through her hair. “Your identity has always remained a secret, Myra. You never really told me who you are or where you came from. Every time I ask questions, you avoid them. Now suddenly your face is everywhere online.”

Myra lowered her eyes silently, one of her greatest fear had started coming true. “I saw the livestream,” Bria continued. “People are talking about you everywhere. They dug up your past and honestly…” she hesitated painfully, “it looks bad.”

The room became quiet. “You think I’m a bad person,” Myra finally muttered softly.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t need to.”

Bria looked frustrated. “Then what do you want me to think? The internet is literally calling you a murderer.” Myra slowly raised her eyes to meet hers.

“For the past few weeks you’ve stayed here with us,” Bria continued, her voice softer now. “You laughed with me, listened to my endless talking, ate with me every day. I considered you my friend.” Her throat tightened slightly. “So I think I deserve to hear your side too before judging you.”

Myra stared quietly at the table for a while before finally speaking.

“The rumors are true.” Bria’s body stiffened.

“I’m a wanted criminal.”

The chair scraped loudly against the floor as Bria stood up abruptly. Shock filled her face immediately.

“What do you mean?” she asked shakily. “How could you kill someone?” Myra’s face remained calm. “I didn’t kill anyone.” Bria frowned harder.

“She jumped on her own,” Myra explained quietly. Bria stared at her blankly before laughing bitterly in disbelief. “Who would believe that? Why would someone kill themselves just to frame you? What would they gain from that? Anyone with f*****g brains knows that it doesn’t make any sense.” Myra slowly stood up from her chair.

“Maybe you’re right,” she muttered bitterly. “Maybe when I die too, I’ll ask Kylie ghost why she f*****g ruined my life.”

Bria froze, she had never seen this expression on Myra’s face, it was... frightening. Myra laughed softly under her breath, but there was no happiness in it. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” she continued quietly. “I lived like every normal werewolf girl. I tried being kind to everyone. I never abused my position as the Alpha’s daughter. I thought being good would make people love me.” Her eyes slowly became colder. “But being good only made people use me.”

Bria’s anger slowly weakened hearing her words. “My own family abandoned me,” Myra whispered. “The people I loved humiliated me. Everyone chose to believe the worst about me without even listening.” She looked away bitterly. “I spent my whole life trying to please people and still became the villain.”

Bria swallowed hard. Myra looked more heartbroken than dangerous.

Myra slowly picked up the money Victoria had thrown at her days ago and held it tightly.

“Thank you for being my friend though,” she said softly. “I really appreciated it.” Bria’s chest tightened painfully.

“And because of that friendship,” Myra continued quietly, “please don’t tell anyone where I am. I’ll leave before dawn.”

Bria rubbed her forehead weakly, completely conflicted now. Part of her still felt scared after hearing the truth, but another part could not fully believe Myra was evil either. "You have till dawn, that's the last thing I can do as your friend, but not everyone would be understanding as me so I suggest you hurry up, some people don't want you here." There was an underlying hint in her words, Myra’s pupils shrank as she realized something, "s**t! Victoria!" She turn towards to the exit. Reaching the door, she looked at Bria, "Thank you," Bria gave a faint nod before watching her fleeting figure. Her knuckles turned white, she sat there utterly confused.