The Lykos Chronicles

4 - The most beautiful man

Moira

“Stand straight!” Mother hissed while fiddling with the collar of my dress.

I tried my best not to groan. Mother wanted me to look my best, which meant standing like a lady. The only trouble was that I was no lady. I was a woman, and I didn’t want to pretend to be someone I wasn’t.

I understood that making a good impression on the King and his sons was what my parents wanted. However, forcing me to act a certain way would be a lie. But I would do as my mother wanted to keep the peace.

I stood straighter as my mother ordered.

“Good. Now,” Mother flipped the bottom of my hair over my shoulders. “Keep your smart-aleck comments to yourself, Moira.”

I was not a smart aleck!

“Yes, Mother. I’ll just stand here looking pretty and not saying anything.”

“Haud ye weesht!” Mother yelled. I was quite used to being told to shut up. It was a daily occurrence. “This is what I’m talking about! Ye cannae just keep that mouth of yours shut for one minute. Can ye?”

I opened my mouth to reply, but Mother annoyedly held up her hand to stop me. I knew I should not have been sarcastic; it was rude of me. But I didn’t know how to hold my tongue.

“That’s enough, Agnes,” Mother shot daggers at my father. “The girl knows she did wrong. She’ll not do it again. Is that not right, Moira?” Father squinted his eyes at me.

I knew he was fighting the urge to laugh. My father adored me, and he made no secret of that fact. I loved him just as much, and I would have done anything for him. However, Mother did not like how he always stuck up for me, even over her.

“Aye, Father.”

‘Ye Mother doesnae mean do be so harsh, Moira.’ Father told me through the mind link. ‘But this is important, my wee girl.’

I looked at my father and smiled. ‘I understand, Father.’

He winked at me as Mother hissed for me to keep my eyes forward. I did just that, and instantly, my heart began to pound while my Lycan growled inside my head.

‘Morag, what’s going on?’ I asked my Lycan.

‘I sense something wonderful, Moira.’

‘Like what?’ I whispered.

My Lycan didn’t answer; she just kept growling lowly in my head. I was confused, and my stomach was turning over repeatedly. I feared I might throw up. I was feeling hot, and my legs were tingling.

The King walked towards us with his sons trailing behind him in a line. The King was handsome and smiled as he shook my father’s hand. Father introduced Mother as his mate and Luna, and she curtsied.

“My King,” Mother said. “It is a great honour to have you with us.”

“Your kindness is much appreciated, Luna Agnes.”

“This is my son and heir, Duncan,” Father said as the King shook my brother’s hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, my King.”

“The pleasure is all mine, young Duncan.” The King replied.

Next, it was my turn, but words failed me, even when the King shook my hand and smiled at me. I could sense my mother’s annoyance, but I was struck dumb. Even more so when the King introduced his eldest son – Ronan. That name rattled through my brain as my Lycan screamed to be let out. It took everything I was to hold her back.

I could barely breathe at the sight of him. He was so handsome, and he had the deepest brown eyes I had ever seen. He was immaculately dressed in his Royal finest. His clock hung off one shoulder, and his sword hung from his waist on the opposite side. His dark hair was neat, and he smelled of soap, though I could smell snow and cut grass, a strange combination, but it was so appealing to me.

What was happening to me?

Then, he stood directly in front of me. His eyes sparkled as he smirked at me. “Hello, little mate.”

Oh, fuc.k!

I swallowed hard as he took my hand in his own. Sparks the likes of which I had only ever heard about shot through my body. My legs shook, and I gasped for air.

There were voices all around us, but I could not hear their words. Everything was blocked out as Morag screamed inside my head, ‘Mate. Mate! Moria, the prince is our mate!’

I couldn’t answer her because I couldn’t even breathe! But there was no denying that beautiful man was my mate. The way he looked at me told me he wanted me for his own, and nothing would stop him from taking me.

“M-Mate,” I whisper.

“That’s right,” He smiled. “Mate.” He touched his other hand to my face, and my eyes widened when his voice filled my head. ‘You are mine, and I am yours.’ Then, he kissed me!

I was taken aback and didn’t know what to do. I had never been kissed before! But within a second, I closed my eyes and melted into the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he wrapped one arm around my waist and pulled me closer to his body. The hand on my face stayed, and the fire burned in my veins.

What was this feeling?

It was all-consuming. Like a fire ravaging a forest, but instead of burning everything to ash, it was a light that brightened the darkest places. Something bubbled deep inside me. Something I had never experienced but didn’t want to lose.

Suddenly, the world around us came into focus as I broke the kiss. No one spoke, and I could sense all eyes on us. I breathed heavily as I looked into Prince Ronan’s eyes. I gasped because his eyes had changed colour. What was once brown was now deep blue.

“What happened to your eyes?” I whispered.

Ronan’s smile was devastating, and I pitied all the women who would never know the beauty of that smile. There was no doubt I wanted this man as my mate. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew we could never be. He lived too far away. I would not leave my home, and Ronan could not give up the crown.

“It’s just a little trick. My eyes reflect my emotions.”

I had never heard of such a thing. I wanted to ask more questions, but Mother’s voice cut through the air.

“My daughter’s mate is the future Lycan King?”

I pulled my eyes away from Ronan and looked at my mother. Her eyes narrowed, and my arms dropped from Ronan’s neck.

‘How dare you act so disgustingly before the King!’ She yelled into the mind link.

‘I’m sorry, Mother. I couldnae help it.’

‘I have never been so disgusted!’

‘Agnes,’ Father’s voice penetrated my mind. ‘This is neither the time nor the place.’

‘But look what she did, Duncan.’

‘I saw, Agnes. But the prince is her mate. We have no control over what happens.’

‘But…’

‘No buts!’ He yelled. ‘Do not do this in front of the Royal Family.’

“Is there a problem?” Ronan asked.

“No, my Prince,” Father replied.

“Good.” Ronan wrapped his arm around my waist and possessively pulled me against him. “Because this beautiful woman is my mate, and I will not reject her.”

“And you?” My father looked at me. “Do you want to reject this man?”

I looked at Ronan and swallowed hard. Of course, I didn’t want to reject him. But I was afraid of what being with him meant. I was scared because I would be Queen if I accepted him, and that would mean leaving everyone behind. I wasn’t sure I could do that.

But as I looked at Ronan and his hopeful eyes, I could not find it in me to reject him. We had much to talk about, and we would very soon.

I looked at my father and shook my head.

“Well, that is good.” Father chuckled. “Kelt Paw Pack, my daughter has found her mate! Prince Ronan Knight!”

The howls and cheers were deafening, but my mother’s eyes stayed on me. Oh, she was happy about me finding my mate. What she was unhappy about was our very public display. It was natural for Lycans to kick in public, but Mother hated it. As her daughter, I should have known better. However, I could not have stopped that kiss if I tried, which I didn’t because I wanted to kiss Ronan.

“This is a cause for celebration” The King yelled. “My son has found his mate!”

It was going to be a long night…