The Lycan King's Runaway Bride

ELENA. I stood outside the towering gates of the Alpha Prince’s mansion, my heart pounding in my chest. The music from inside was loud, the laughter and chatter clear even from where I stood. It was supposed to be a party—a celebration for my sister Anna’s upcoming marriage to the Lycan prince. But instead of feeling excited, I felt nothing but dread. It wasn’t just because of the rocky relationship I had with Anna. We’d always been at odds, competing for attention, clashing over everything. It wasn’t even because of the awkwardness I felt about attending a party meant for her. It was because of him. Prince Theo. He was the Alpha Prince of our pack. My fated mate. Just weeks ago, I had discovered the truth about our bond, but it hadn’t brought me the joy I thought it would. Theo had barely acknowledged me since then, treating me like an afterthought. Yet, when the invitation to tonight’s party arrived, handwritten by Theo himself, I foolishly let myself hope. Maybe this was his way of reaching out. Maybe tonight, he’d finally accept me. With trembling hands, I pushed open the heavy doors of the mansion and stepped inside. The grand hall was packed with people, the air thick with the scent of alcohol and perfume. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the crowd. Laughter and whispers filled the room as I weaved my way through the guests, searching for Theo or Anna. But as I stepped further in, I realized something was wrong. This wasn’t just a party. My breath caught as I took in the scene unfolding in the center of the room. It wasn’t dancing or drinking or lighthearted fun—it was debauchery. People were tangled together on couches, their bodies pressed too close, their movements too intimate. And in the middle of it all was Theo. My heart stopped. He was sprawled on a luxurious sofa, his shirt undone, his hands roaming over multiple women draped across him. His golden eyes, the ones I had once thought were full of warmth, glinted with something dark and cruel. But what truly shattered me was the sight of Anna, my stepsister, right there with him. She was nestled against his side, her lips brushing his neck, her laughter ringing out like she had won some twisted game. The room spun around me, my knees threatening to give way. “Elena!” Theo’s voice cut through the chaos, drawing everyone’s attention. Heads turned toward me, their eyes filled with curiosity and something colder—mockery. “Ah, the guest of honor has arrived,” Theo announced with a smirk, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Laughter erupted from the crowd as the doors behind me slammed shut. I turned, my heart racing, but there was no escape. “Come in, don’t be shy,” Theo said, motioning me forward. His tone was playful, but his eyes were filled with disdain. I stood frozen, every muscle in my body screaming at me to run, but there was nowhere to go. Theo rose from the sofa, pushing the women aside as he made his way toward me. He looked every bit the powerful Alpha, his tall frame commanding the room. But the man I saw wasn’t my mate. He wasn’t the one the Moon Goddess had chosen for me. He stopped a few feet away, his smirk widening as he looked me up and down. “I’ve been waiting for this moment,” he said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “You see, I have an announcement to make.” I blinked, confusion and fear warring inside me. Theo turned to the crowd, raising his arms dramatically. “This omega,” he said, pointing at me, “actually thought she could be my mate.” Laughter rippled through the room again, and I felt my cheeks burn with humiliation. “You should have taken your chance yesterday, Elena,” Theo continued, his tone cruel. “When I offered you my bed, you should have been grateful. Do you know how many women would kill for that opportunity?” I felt like I was drowning. My chest tightened, and my vision blurred with tears I refused to let fall. Theo stepped closer, lowering his voice but making sure everyone could still hear. “But don’t worry,” he said, his lips curling into a sneer. “You’ll still get something. Just not me.” I stared at him, my mind unable to process his words. Then, as if to drive the dagger deeper, Theo turned to Anna. “I’ve made my decision,” he said, his voice softening as he looked at her. “Anna is my chosen mate.” The room erupted in cheers and applause, but all I could hear was the sound of my heart shattering. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head. This couldn’t be real. It had to be some kind of sick joke. But it wasn’t. Theo reached for Anna, pulling her close. Without hesitation, he bit into her neck, marking her in front of everyone. I gasped, the pain of the rejection ripping through me like fire. The mate bond I had cherished, the connection I had dreamed of, was gone in an instant. I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe as the room spun around me. Theo turned back to me, his eyes cold. “Consider this my rejection, Elena,” he said. “I don’t want you. I never did.” The crowd erupted into cheers again, their laughter echoing in my ears as I stumbled back, desperate to escape. My vision blurred, and my legs felt like they would give out at any moment. Somehow, I managed to push through the crowd, ignoring the jeers and mocking whispers that followed me. I didn’t stop until I was outside, the cold night air hitting me like a slap. Only then did I let the tears fall. I had lost everything—my mate, my dignity, my hope. And worst of all, it was my sister who had taken it all from me.