The Lycan King’s heart

Episode 3

~ Hazel's pov ~

As I ran through the forest, the dense leaves swept across my feet, the branches tangling like skeletal fingers reaching out to me. My heart raced, my breathing ragged.

I got to a tree with wider branches which shaded the rays of the moon and I stopped to catch my breath. I didn't need a soothe sayer to tell me my life was in danger. More danger than that I was miraculously saved from.

The last image I saw was that of death, ready to take me with him. Why and how I am still alive remained a question that bothered me. I crutched my stomach, trying to control my breathing and be as silent as possible.

I woke up in the strangest place ever. I was able to tell that it reeked of Lycans. The very same creatures that murdered my father. I knew they wanted me dead as well. I was my father's only heir.

Next in line after him. If there was going to be a threat to their dominance, then I posed as one. It made sense to me that I was saved and taken to their territory to be publicly embarrassed and killed.

I thought I heard a branch tweak in the bushes behind me. I got myself to my feet and continued my journey. I had no idea where I was running to. All I knew was that I needed to go away. Far away. Even better if I returned to Braize Hill.

I sighted the road ahead and I felt a glimmer of hope.

Freedom…

I thought.

I burst through the underbrush, my eyes fixed on the road. I sprinted further, arms and legs pumping as I struggled with my balance. The bushes behind me blurred like I just walked out of darkness.

And then, without warning, a car screeched around the bend, it's tires squealing in protest. I was bathed by its flashlight. My heart skipped and I was thrown to the floor by fear.

I froze, shaking in the rain which just began to pour heavily. I heard the door open and close, then heavy footsteps approached me. He smelled like death. Like he was there to take me back to the reality I thought I escaped from.

“Are you hurt?” He asked, running towards me. The lights from his car blinded my eyes making it impossible to see who was standing before me. Rather it only made the showers of the rain visible.

Safe!

The little voice in my head muttered.

Several times had I listened to the little voice in my head and it landed me in a worse situation. How sure was I this wasn't one of those times to defy that voice. I found my feet, struggling as I got my balance.

I tripped and fell in his arms. I felt them wrap around my body. They felt familiar. His grip. His scent. Was I reliving a moment?

I sent my fist into his torso with force. With a swift turn, I started running the opposite direction. I didn't get far enough from him when I heard him call.

“You can stop running now…Hazel,” his voice echoed in the wind. My heart dropped after I heard my name. Slowly, I turned to face him holding my heart in my hand. “You're safe with me,” he added.

*****

“You're safe with me,” his voice echoed in my head as we drove down the road. That wasn't supposed to be enough to convince me that I was safe. But I found myself at peace just by sitting opposite him in his car.

He had driven miles in silence while I squeezed myself to the door of his car. My hand hung at its opening just incase the need to jump out arose.

“You left a whole lotta space vacant,” he broke the silence. Finally, I found an opening ground to ask my questions.

“How do you know my name? And who are you asides being a Lycan?” I threw my first two questions at him. He stole a glance at me and I saw a smile cross his face.

“You need to rest. Then maybe after that, you can ask your questions,” he replied. We were silent for the rest of the journey. But my heart wasn't. It raced as I watched him steer us cozily till we arrived a familiar house.

I could see the buildings from the gates. I didn't realize I was lost in admiration until his brakes were pulled and I fell back to the chair. This was the home of the Lycan king. What were we doing here?

I attempted to come down myself but he got to my door before me and helped me out.

“Here,” he offered his hand. With a little bit of trust, I took his hand and got down. He walked me to the doors of the mansion. They were three times taller than me. The last time I was here was when my father attended the concert of the supernaturals.

It was an event hosted by the Lycans where all the supernaturals gathered to celebrate life. The doors were pulled open from the inside and a young looking guy, about the age and size of the man standing beside me approached us.

“You found her…how?” He asked, hugging the man by my side.

“I ran into her. Take her to back to the clinic, Matt. I need a shower,” he said.

Matt…the first name I got. It stuck to my brain and I never knew he would end up being a huge part of me. I hesitated following Matt until the man returned to his spot.

“What's wrong?” His calm voice asked.

“I'm not going anywhere,” I responded. I saw him gesture the boy to leave us. When we were alone, he inched closer to me. He towered above me, his eyes piercing my soul.

I resisted the urge to look back into his eyes. Instead, I focused my gaze on the shiny piece of gem which twinkled far down in the hall.

“I'm sorry princess, but you have to do as Instructed until…”

“No,” I cut him short. We stood there in silence and nothing prepared me for what happened next. He scooped me like a child off my feet and started heading off. I struggled to get down, hitting his chest in frustration.

He ignored me, climbed up a long stairs and arrived a room where he gently placed me on the bed. I sat up immediately, looking away in embarrassment.

“I'm sure the Lycan king isn't in support of you treating women like this,” I challenged, forcing my way to the door. But he obstructed my path, his huge figure covering the entire space at the door.

“I'm sure if the Lycan king finds out the daughter of the Lycans' enemy is in his home, he'll ask for her head,” he returned.

Fear gripped me by the horns and I swallowed with a loud gulp. My body went cold, my mind filled with thoughts of regret. I knew I shouldn't have followed him. I took a few steps back to the bed, trying to control my legs which were now shaking.

“Your grace,” a feminine voice called from outside the door. A girl dressed in blue and white walked up to him. She courted and continued with her message. “The elders have requested your presence in the hall,” she delivered.

Your grace?

Before I could take another step, he shut the door and I heard the lock shift twice. I banged it with a grunt, retracing my steps in thoughts.

Your grace? Could he be the Lycan king?

*****