The Lost Lycan King

Mine!?

Anastachar's POV

I want Mauve to come with me but shes reluctant, I know that if we run away and get caught that evil monster that calls himself a king will surely put her to death. I cannot let that happen to her, she's my dearest friend and I forced her to be here with no consideration of what she was giving up. She's scared, I can tell by the subtle tremble of her lips. Her wide eyes and shaking head are also indications of her disagreement with my plan. I dont tell her what my plan is because Mauve doesn't lie and I cant afford for her to jeopardize my getaway.

To my surprise getting away from the Royal Carriage was pretty easy, I peeped my head out the opposite side to where the commander had gone, all the soldiers accompanying us seemed to be happy for the stop and preoccupied with looking at something in the general direction of the commander. I climed out the carriage lightly, Mauve made one last attempt to change my mind by quietly saying "No Ana, please" My eyes closed involuntarily, it pained me to leave her and also to possibly put her in danger but I had to go. I can't imagine a life with the king, I'd be miserable.

Taking cautious steps through the thicker parts of the forest, I scold myself for moving so slowly. Though I am very well hidden because of the dense bushes that lay behind me. I know I should've tried the main pathway, that way I could have ran a bit further, but that felt to obvious a route and I'm not sure how fast the Kings guards were, also my objective was not to get caught, no matter how long it took, I was escaping.

I'm devastated when I see the forest ahead getting thinner, making way for a clearing. I would be exposed. I would have to make a run for it. Sniffing the air I pick up on a very pleasant smell, I don't take the time to dwell on it because I'm sure it's none of the king's guards. I rear up, my body ready to sprint across the clearing and take off running the fastest I ever had in my life!

As soon as I breech the clearing I realize that I've made a mistake, Its too late because my legs are moving with a mind of their own, I try willing myself to stop but the momentum I've built because of the force I took off with doesn't allow me to slow. With a loud thud and excruciating pain I slam into a passing cart and fall to the ground. I just blew my escape!!

Placing my hand on my forehead where I'm sure there will be a bruise, I pause after realizing that the cart I bumped into would have an owner, or owners. Looking up tentatively, my eyes landed on a peasant boy pushing his wares. His eyes found mine and our gazes locked, my lips parted, a small gasp escaping. My wolf purred inside of me, she wanted to be in his arms, who was this peasant? a handsome peasant but a peasant no less. He might sell me out to the King. I needed to keep moving.

The strangers gaze pierced straight through me, his face taking on a look of confusion and anger!? He was angry with me? because I bumped into his stupid cart? I could buy ten of these things back for him in the morning. My wolf was uneasy at the thought of his anger being for us, I tried to focus on anything else but the way my heart ached, what was going on with her. I've never felt the need for anyone's approval, only my parents. Oh how I missed them. I raise off the floor and turn to get to the other end of the clearing, away from the stranger and to safety. Looking around before preparing to sprint.

"Wait!" the cart owner said before I took my first leap, "I'm sorry about hitting you with my cart, are you hurt? Can I take you to my mother, she's a healer" He's staring at me now, making me feel things, awkward things. I think I much prefer him to be angry, my wolf wants to go with him, to have his concern directed at her always. I really needed to get to my parents and find out what was going on with me, maybe the Commander gave me an opioid and im not being myself, I've heard about villagers that went crazy using the stuff, and I have to be going crazy.

Realizing that I didn't respond by the expectant look he still sported I say "no, I have to go, I'm sorry" I turn to leave but remember something vital, possibly the difference if I get caught or not. "Please don't tell anyone you saw me, please". I sprint to the bushes, diving in because I could hear the King's guards approaching, and if I could hear them, they could possibly hear me. I am royal and my senses will far surpass theirs but I am still young and have yet to fully mature, and my senses will grow even more when I am marked by my mate.

I've wasted so much time bumping into that cart and listening to the young man that Ive possibly made myself get caught. I run as fast as my legs could carry me through the many thorns and sharp branches. I get painful scrapes and scratches but I must not stop. I'm terrified, and the tears streaming down my face is evidence of that. I don't think that I've ever been this scared in my eighteen years of life.

The guards are gaining on me, I hear their footsteps closer than before with every leap I try to take. I have to stop and hide, possibly try masking my scent so they won't find me. A smirk appears on my face because the great one has heard my plight, I spot a dense cluster of trees. I hope to find some animal to hid my scent behind. I reach behind the clearing but my breathing is loud, In the quiet forest I'm sure to be heard. The tears flow effortlessly now all my running was for nought, I will be taken back to the king and possibly chained to his bed for running away. He will also be angry with my father as I've broken his oath, I was to be given to him peacefully, to be a loyal wife, to bear his heirs, to be docile and quiet. I cant be that to him, my father didn't raise me that way, so why then would he do that if he knew all along that he promised me to that monster who would ask for someone's child as a prize. Was he setting me up for failure? I hear the guards not more than fifty feet away, they've stopped running, I'm guessing because they've picked up on my scent, I close my eyes and accept my faith.

A hand suddenly grabs my shoulder and though I've expected being caught I still go to scream because of the unexpected and sudden contact, then a hand is placed over my mouth tightly, stifling my scream, "Ssshh" a voice says behind me and he starts pulling me backwards and towards the right,I struggle to get out of the grip and it just gets tighter, this guard is strong. I didnt expect that one man would be able to hold me down, the king must employ hybrids or full Lycans on his guard, a normal wolf would not be able to keep me this still, my father always said I got his strength, I could wrestle three of our guards off me but I'm struggling now with one!?

"Ssshh, they'll hear" comes the voice, I am totally confused right now, why would he not want his comrades to know that he's caught me? Unless he intends to take my virtue before handing me over, that could mean war, between the king and my kingdom, I struggle some more and I'm able to turn and face my attacker and I couldn't believe my eyes, it was the boy from the clearing, he released me and puts a finger to his lips indicating he wants me to be quiet, his scrunched face lets me know his patience is limited but why. He puts a finger to his ear then point the same finger in the direction of the guards, I hear them, their listening for me too, I do have to be quiet. I nod my understanding to the young man and his head tips back slightly and eyes slip close in quiet relief.

He flicks his head to his right asking me silently to follow him, I do because I much rather face one ordinary man than a fleet of wares and possibly ware/lycan hybrids especially if they want to take me to the king. He indicates a bank seemingly made from a large rock and I'm unsure of what he expects from me so I raise my eyebrows in question, he silently sighs and walks through the rock, disappearing from sight. I gasp loudly and I hear a guard shout "over there" I guess I'm walking into a rock, I leap forward eyes closed and sure enough the rock doesn't harm me, I fall into the arms of the young man and again im amazed at how strong he is, but what is he, I dont smell a wolf in him, what I do smell is very nice but its confusing, he cant be human, he's to strong, and how did he get here so quickly? and his breathing is not as laboured as mine, why is he not tired? He must be a witch, maybe he transported here, via teleportation is that even a thing? I didnt study much about witches but I dont think strength is a feature, maybe he cast a spell for strenght, that makes sense. His concern is evident so at least I know I'm safe with him. I'll make an attempt to ask him when we're a safe distance from the guards, for now we need to go.