Dark Desires

ALPHA AND BETA. LUNA. Finally, after three and a half years, I was finally returning home. To my father and to everyone. I just graduated from Royal prep, the royal academy where all the children of the nobles and royalties attends. I didn't just graduate successfully, I came out top of my class and I am sure, father is so proud, which is why he is throwing a party in my honor tonight. Coincidentally, I was also turning 20 tonight. Speaking of my father, I couldn't wait to see him. Just at the thought of my eyes meeting his, in the next 10 minutes made my heart skip a beat, butterflies rumbling in my belly. I tried to stop my face from breaking into a wide smile but failed. All of a sudden, I couldn't wait to get home and fly into his warm, comfy embrace. My father, the ruthless and feared, millennium, werewolf king took me in at the age of 3. Despite everyone claiming he is cruel and dangerous, I still see him as the kindest and most compassionate Lycan I have ever met. I am not in any way related to him and yet he took me in and brought me up as his daughter. He made sure I never lacked anything, nor feel the void of not having a mother and sent me to the best academy. I made sure not to disappoint him and pass his expectations, but one thing has been bugging me. I will be turning 20 tonight, the age where every young wolf, get to shift into their wolves and find their mates. Somehow, I was having this dreading feeling about tonight, just thinking about it made goosebumps cover my body. I know despite everyone adored me, rumors still goes around that I might be ordinary because naturally, at the age of 18, my wolf should have awoken, even though I did not shift but I got nothing. What the people thought, didn't really matter to me but what my father thought did. I never wanted him to be disappointed in him. I loved him too much to bear seeing his eyes fall in regret about me. Yes, I love my father, romantically and I have been trying to push it down or clear it away for it was forbidden but I have failed. Every time, I thought of him, his charming smile whenever he set his eyes on me, the care in his orbs, always made my heart pound. Just as I raised my head up, I sighted the castle right in front of me and my heart started racing, my palm getting sweaty as I interlocked them together, trying to calm myself. The gates were opened and we rode in. I got down from the carriage with the help of one of the guards on duty and immediately the large door flew open and everyone came out of it, both guards, maids and Father's gamma. "Welcome back, young princess." Everyone chorused and a loud bang was heard, before Rose petals started falling from the sky. I looked up and saw a very wide banner with the inscription; "WELCOME HOME, DEAR PRINCESS AND CONGRATULATIONS". I felt moved, happy tears gathering at the brim of my eyelids, and Just then, I heard the voice I have been dying to hear again since I left home, from behind me. "Little one, welcome back". I instantly flipped around and saw no one other than; "Dorian" I screamed, unable to control my happiness and smile as I ran towards him and jumped into his stretched arms. He wrapped his arms around me and it felt just like I was in the cloud. Warm, comfortable and loving. I snuggled deeper into his embrace, feeling his rock, hard chest against my boobs but I didn't care and just hugged him tightly. He let out a deep chuckle, which sent shivers down my spine, a lump forming in my throat. I breathed in, the warm, spicy, aroma of his cologne and felt like my senses were coming to life. I felt a rush of excitement, knowing I was finally home, where I belonged, with them. Dorian was my father's Beta. Another man I adored, apart from dad who was often too busy to attend to me. Dorian wasn't just a beta, he was family and Daddy's best friend. I remember when I first thought they were both gay and were in a relationship due to the way they were both so close and refused to get married or find a mate. In this world, once you don't get your mate destined to you by the moongoddess, you get to pick but those two never did. ............. ............. "Where is father?" I asked Dorian as we entered the huge palace. "In the study!" Dorian told me with a wink before proceeding to turn around and leave. Once again, my heart started to beat fast as I made my way to where Dad was. 'Would he be happy to see me, was he pissed, why didn't he come out to welcome me with the others?' I wondered, different thoughts swirling in my mind when I crashed into a huge rock. "Ouch." I cried out, rearing backwards due to the huge impact, about to trip and fall on my butts when a strong, but warm hand caught me by the wrist and brought me forward into his chest. My eyes bulged out as I recognized the familiar scent of cider and wood, intoxicating. It only belonged to one person. "I see you are still as clumsy as usual." He said, followed by a deep chuckle as I slowly raised my head up to see him. I didn't know why, but as I stared into his golden eyes, tears rushed to the brim of my eyelids and I buried myself into his embrace, melting as he wrapped his hands around me. "I have missed you, dad." ............. ............. "So, how was your journey?" Killain, my father, inquired from me as we walked into his office, my arms in his. "It was pleasant." I giggled, not knowing exactly how to describe how happy and contented I was, just seeing him. "Your party is tonight, so go get some rest" He ordered, his tone stern and leaving no room for arguments as his hands left mine. My shoulders dropped as I signed in disappointment. We only just saw and he was sending me away? I suddenly felt empty and wanted to whine, but just then, the witch, I despised so much, who was obviously interested in father, came in, so thereby, father dismissed me. ............ ............ I twirled around, giggling and loving how beautiful I looked for tonight. The maids and I chatted as they dressed me up but then, they touched a topic, that has been weighting on my mind since morning. "We all can't wait to see you shift, princess Luna. Everyone is sure excited, are you?" One of the maids, Ashley inquired from me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity but all I did was to fake a smile at her, my mouth feeling too heavy to bring out words. 'Tonight was the night, what was I going to do, what if I don't shift and disappoint everyone, especially father?' I pondered, millions of unanswered questions running through my mind. I started to fidget with my hands, feeling my legs shaking but trying hard to stabilize myself. I didn't want to appear nervous tonight, I didn't want my fear to win. I tried thinking of something to distract myself and thought of Killain, his smile and warm embrace. A smile found its way to my face again, my cheeks turning pink. Everyone greeted me with presents, some going as far as embracing me but I wasn't too concentrated on them. I was looking for Kieran and Dorian, but they weren't here yet. I drafted my eyes around, unable to focus on anyone when the announcer, announced their presence. "His M-m-ajesty, King Zaren and Beta Dorian". A loud gasp erupted from everyone, as they all tried to adjust themselves, some were even shaking and murmuring between themselves. As they both walked in, their aura erupted and was felt. Their shoulders were squared, heads raised high and chins standing tall, as they calculated their steps, walking with ease but majestically. Everyone except me, who was in awe at how magnificent they were, bowed respectfully, greeting them. Dorian walked away to do something while Zaren just nodded at them in response, before turning to look at me, our eyes meeting. I gulped down, swallowing down my saliva as his piercing, gold orbs met mine, staring at me with such intensity that made me take my eyes away from him immediately. He was dressed, in an armless, royal robe which showed his muscular arms. Soon he was distracted and taken away by important guests who came to grace this occasion. In no time, it was twelve and time for me to shift. The air was thick with tension, that a knife could cut through, the silence oppressing as everyone's eyes was focused on me, beads of sweats appeared on my forehead. I felt like an insect under a microscope or that I was up for display, to be sold. I could tell everyone was waiting eagerly for me to transform so they could only know which rank I would fall under. I tried to distract myself, looking down at my palms already filled with sweats, my skin pricking. I closed my eyes and tried to tap into my inner self, to reach my wolf but all to avail. I tried continuously, steadying my breathing, to focus and not to think of anything else but meeting my Lycan form, but hours passed and still nothing. Then what I dreaded the most began to happen, whispers and murmurs flowing around. "Can't she shift?" "I said it. She is not one of us, probably ordinary." "Where did she even come from?" "I heard the Alpha and Beta just took her in and has no idea who she is ". It kept going and passing around, till it became more like a conversation, obvious for me to hear. My heart broke, for their words cut deep like a knife being twisted into my guts. The harshness of their questions, making me question the kind of creature I was. 'Perhaps they were right. Father must be so disappointed ' I thought, feeling tears almost seeping out of my eyes. Then he spoke, his voice low but commanding. "Everyone, leave us now. The princess is probably not shifting because she is shy so get out". He growled and I flashed my eyes open to everyone leaving immediately, and trying to not fall over one another, including Dorian who gave me a thumbs up. Somehow, I didn't want him to go but soon Killain and I were alone and he moved towards me, then all my hold broke and I burst into tears, while his expression remained blank and cold towards me. "I am so sorry Killlain, I know you must be so disappointed, I know you must regret bringing me in, I know y... "Will you shut it ?" He snapped and I immediately went quiet, seeing fury run through his orbs. "What nonsense are you spouting?" He demanded and moved even closer to me, our nose was almost touching. Just then, she came alive and I started to feel hot. A scent caught my nose, alluring and intoxicating, like a warm, earthly fragrance. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a thrill of excitement, my pulse quickening till I looked into his eyes, which widened slowly and realized it was coming from him, realizing, father was my mate. I can directly feel his breath on my nose, his gaze searching mine, before they dropped to my lips, his arms moving to wrap itself around my waist as he pulled me closer into him, our eyes still locked. He slowly bent his head, lower towards mine and I parted my lips, closing my eyes and expecting his kiss when he suddenly let me go. I opened my eyes to him turning his back. "Go to your room." As if that wasn't enough, the door burst open and Dorian dashed in, his red eyes glowing as he stared at me. I furrowed my brows at him till I began to smell something so desirable, my palms growing sweaty as I breathed heavily realizing something especially when he growled. "Mine."