Fated to the Lycan Prince

Pulled

Darius could not believe what he had just heard. She couldn’t shift. He tried to gather his thoughts, but a light flicked on at the back door of a nearby house, followed by the sharp yip of a small dog.

They were too exposed. Without hesitation, he took Seraphina's hand and led her deeper into the woods, the fading daylight filtering through the thick canopy above. As they left the yards behind, the distant hum of the city gave way to the raw pulse of the forest, along with the scent of pine and damp earth.

After a while, Darius slowed to a soft walk and finally broke the silence. “So, you’ve never shifted?” His voice was calm but edged with disbelief.

Her breath caught. This was the question she’d always felt so ashamed to answer. Now, with him looking at her like she mattered, she couldn’t lie. “No,” she whispered. “Not really.”

He stopped and turned, golden eyes sharp and probing. “How old are you? Please tell me you’re over eighteen.”

“Almost twenty,” she said, her voice barely audible. “But I just… haven’t.”

A flicker of disbelief crossed his face. “So, are you wolfless? Or is this a choice?”

She shook her head, shame curling deep inside her. “Neither. Amelia’s always been there, I just can’t reach her. I’ve never had the strength.”

The silence stretched between them, tense and heavy.

Seraphina straightened, lifting her chin. “You never told me your name? I’m Seraphina.”

A slow smirk tugged at his lips, breaking the moment. “I'm Darius.”

A genuine smile warmed her face.

He chuckled softly and took her hand again. “So, change of subject then. How does someone as stunning as you end up with humans? Were you a rogue?”

Her smile faltered, shadows darkening her eyes. “I was once an Alpha’s daughter… but I ran. They never saw me as anything but a burden.”

She exhaled, pain and bitter memories flooding back. “My stepmother made sure I knew I didn’t belong. She starved me, punished me. The humans don’t know what I am, but at least they don’t treat me like I’m… disposable.”

Darius’s jaw clenched as Fenrir’s pull tugged at him, a fierce storm lighting his golden eyes. “How could your father let that happen?”

She looked away, her voice tight with sorrow. “He didn’t care. Selene basically took over everything.”

Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms. His voice dropped, fierce and raw. “He should’ve protected you. You deserve so much more.”

Her heart fluttered, a spark igniting as she met his eyes. “I just want to live. To be free. To be safe. That's why I went to the humans, I never thought this life would…”

He brushed his fingers gently down her cheek. “I promise you will have everything you need and more when we get home.”

A wave of relief at the promise washed over her. “Where is home? I’ve never been to any of the Lycan packs. What are they like?”

Before he could respond, a sharp siren shattered the moment. The sound of dogs barking and the rustle of leaves followed.

“Ethan,” she whispered, panic rising. “He’s probably called the police. They have dogs that can smell almost as well as us—they use them to track.”

Darius tensed, muscles coiling. “We have to move. Do you think you can hold on to me if I shift?"

She nodded, breath shallow.

He stepped back, then, in one fluid motion, exploded into action. Fur rippled, bones snapped, raw power flooding the clearing. When it ended, the beast stood before her, massive, black fur shimmering with golden flecks like stars.

Her breath caught, awed by his presence. He was magnetic, intoxicating. She could feel a pull to him and it stirred something within her.

The beast snorted, nudging her gently, as if to say, Come.

Amelia' voice flooded her mind, distant but there. Trust him. Fenrir will carry us.

“Fenrir,” Seraphina audibly breathed, heart pounding with fragile hope.

A low rumble answered her as he lowered himself, eyes fierce and loyal.

Without another beat, Seraphina swung onto his back, gripping his coarse, thick fur as he rose beneath her.

Before she could say another word, Fenrir surged forward, the forest whipping past in a dizzying blur. Cold wind rushed around them, carrying away her fear and doubt, leaving only the wild thrill of adrenaline.

Time etched on, and Seraphina’s hand stroked his thick fur as he ran. “I wish I could talk to you… or Darius. I don’t even know if you understand me, but Amelia spoke, an actual, clear sentence. She’s the one who told me your name. I still can’t see her fully, but she’s pushing for you. I feel her need for connection with you.”

Fenrir snorted softly and glanced back at her with a knowing look, as if to say he understood.

“Can Darius hear me?” she asked.

Fenrir gave a slow, deliberate nod.

Seraphina smiled, a spark of wonder lighting her eyes. “Can you talk to him when you’re like this?”

Another nod.

Their bond strengthened, fueling Seraphina's desire to open up and Darius's need to get her to safety.

As Fenrir’s powerful legs devoured the forest floor, Darius’s voice cut through the beast’s mind. She’s not what I expected. Can you reach Amelia?

Fenrir snorted. Something’s blocking her, like a wall.

Keep trying, Darius ordered, low and tense.

Fenrir’s tone turned sly. You know what would help? Claiming her. Marking her. Once we’re inside the veil, take her, seal the bond, and give Amelia the push she needs.

Darius’s chest tightened. Not now. For as long as we have been searching for her, she’s been running from this life. We just dragged her back with no choice in the matter. You want Amelia, I get that, but we protect Seraphina first.

Fenrir rolled his mental eyes. Protect, protect… When’s the last time you actually let me do what needs to be done? She’s already mine, golden boy. Marking her just makes it official.

Not until she’s ready, Darius growled. I won’t let you hurt her.

Fenrir gave a low, amused rumble. Hurt her? I’m talking about keeping her alive. Claiming her secures her place and strengthens Amelia. If anyone’s hurting her, it’s you; shielding her from the truth helps no one. Tell her who you are.

No. The single word exploded from Darius.

The argument fell into a familiar rhythm, Fenrir pushing for direct action, Darius countering with calculated patience. Eventually, they struck a truce: Seraphina would learn he was the Prince, heir to the throne, once she reached the pack borders and was safe. They’d teach her about the mate bond, something she clearly knew little about, but marking her would wait until she was ready.

Fenrir, still unhappy, made one final demand: We try everything to pull Amelia out.

Darius agreed, as long as Seraphina remains unharmed.

Another hour passed, and Darius and Fenrir listened in silence as Seraphina spoke of the good parts of her life: her half-brother who showed her kindness, the pond and garden back home, and her awkward but determined transition into the human world. For a moment, it almost felt peaceful, as if the forest itself had wrapped around them in quiet protection.

But the moment they crossed the veil cloaking their world, It changed.

Fenrir skidded to a halt. From the shadows stepped three warriors, weapons glinting beneath the moonlight.

A burly man with a scar raised a cautious hand. “We are just looking for roug… Wait, that’s her. We’ve been searching for you on your father's orders.”

Fenrir stood tall. The warriors exchanged wary looks.

“Look, Seraphina, just come home,” one said. “You’re the alpha’s blood. Selene knows she took it too far by condemning you to the brothel.”

Fenrir’s growl rumbled through the earth.

The leader’s hand drifted toward his weapon.

“You don’t know what you’re dealing with,” he warned.

“Fenrir is twice as big and ten times more skilled than either of you. Don’t pick a fight you can’t win. Leave us alone.” Seraphina shouted out, surprising everyone.

Tension snapped like a wire as Fenrir took a step forward.

“This isn’t over,” the leader warned, retreating.

The shadows swallowed them as they disappeared into the trees.

For a long moment, silence stretched.

Seraphina’s heart pounded fiercely as she slid down from Fenrir’s broad back, landing lightly on the earth. She wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, eyes scanning the dark woods for any sign of pursuit.

Darius shifted smoothly back to his human form; he was completely and unselfconsciously bare. To him, it was nothing unusual, the casual normalcy of his pack’s ways. To Seraphina, it was anything but.

Heat rushed to her cheeks before she could stop it. She tried, truly tried, not to look, but her gaze betrayed her, darting over the sculpted lines of his chest, the taut muscle in his shoulders, the impossible… length of him. She’d never seen a man built like that. Never seen a man at all like that.

Mine. The whisper came from deep within, Amelia’s voice rough and hungry. The bond flared in response, tightening like a thread between them.

“They won’t take you,” Darius said, his voice low and certain, as if he didn’t notice the way her pulse was pounding or the way her breath hitched.

Before she could speak, he stepped in and pulled her into a steadying embrace. Warm skin pressed against hers, hard muscle shifting beneath her fingers, and the clean, primal scent of him wrapped around her senses. Her heart stuttered, caught between the grounding safety he offered and the raw awareness sparking through her, leaving her wondering if this was fate that made it so hard to breathe, or if it was simply him.

“You okay?” His tone was casual, but there was the faintest glint in his eyes—as though he knew exactly what was going through her head and was giving her the chance to lie about it.

She swallowed and nodded, though her voice refused to cooperate.

He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, the corner of his mouth twitching before he said, “We should move. Find a place to stay for the night, rest, and finish the journey tomorrow. It’s still about a five-hour run north from here in beast form.”