The Lycans' property

Episode3

Chapter 3

~Ethan~

“My lord, my lord,” Rowan, my personal guard, called as he approached me on his horse.

“What is it?” I asked, my eyes narrowed suspiciously as I stared at him.

“W-we just saw a white stag my lord,” he stuttered, his eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation.

“Huh? Are you sure?” I asked, my face twisted in a frown.

White stags were known to be sacred creatures in the werewolf world and seeing one up close only meant something big was about to happen.

“Cut the crap,” Venon, my twin brother, sparked. He had been standing beside me. “The white stag is a myth and nothing more,” he added before mounting his horse.

“I hate this dude,” Rowan muttered, making me chuckle lightly. “Relax, Rowan, he could pluck out your eyes for that,” I added, mounting my horse too.

“Let the game begin,” I shouted, charging my horse as it galloped into the woods.

________

As we stealthily sneaked into the woods, I couldn't resist the restlessness that overtook me.

The damp smell that filled the air and the array of birds that flapped their wings seemed to worsen it.

“Careful, my lord,” Rowan whispered, holding me gently as I stepped on a twig.

It was hunting season, the time when my father gets to choose his successor.

Even though Venon was clearly older, we still had to battle to impress our father.

“We are here, my lord,” Rowan whispered, pointing to a fig tree that laid ahead. “This was where it was last seen,” he added, a hint of pride in his voice.

“Stay back,” I muttered, crouching a little with my eyes darting back and forth in case of any attack.

Venon had taken a different route, in a bid to outrun me. Even though I had no intention in becoming the king, I still had to participate in these feeble contests, at least I get to intentionally fail and frustrate my father.

Suddenly, Rowan froze, his gaze fixed on one side. “Over there, my lord,” he snapped, his face twisted in a wide smile.

I followed his gaze immediately and there it was, a white stag.

“So it was real,” I muttered underneath my breath, my eyes widened in shock.

The stag turned to face us, it's deep crystal eyes piercing into mine, as though it was searching my soul.

“Bring down your bows,” I shouted as I released my grip on mine. “It's harmless, “ I added.

“It's ok, I won't hurt you,” I whispered, walking towards the stag slowly with it's gaze still fixed on me.

The animal stood still without making any effort to flee. I was now closer to it than before, with only an inch between us.

“Errrrrrrrrr!!

The stag let out a pained bellow all of a sudden as it fell to the ground, its antlers crashing against the hard floor.

“Huh?” I stuttered, staring at the arrow that had pierced the stag.

“Finally, I won,” Venon shouted, dashing from the woods with an evil smile on his face.

He held his bow proudly, his eyes glinting mischievously.

“No, No, No!” I repeated, my eyes filled with sorrow as I crouched in front of the dying animal, stroking it fur slowly.

“I'm sorry,” I muttered, my voice laced in mysery and pain. It stared at me, as though it felt betrayed.

“Oh come on! It's a f*****g beast, not a princess,” Venon sneered, his face without an iota of remorse.

“You didn't have to kill it, it was f*****g harmless,” I retorted, raising my voice a little.

"It's just an animal,” he snorted, kicking it's belly. “See, it didn't move,” he added.

“f**k off!” I growled, my eyes blazing in a fit of rage as I charged towards him, punching his lips furiously.

He pushed me off him immediately, holding his bursted lips.

“Once again, you chose someone over your brother,” he muttered, his eyes squinted. “So much for a bastard son,” he added.

“Don't you dare,” I snapped, my fist clenched as our eyes locked in a fierce stare.

The atmosphere was tensed, with our hearts pounding in our chest.

“My lord,” Rowan shouted, dashing towards were we stood. “My lord,” he repeated, holding my arm gently. “Your father sent for the both of you,” he added.

“Pftt! I scoffed, bringing my hand down as I turned by back on him. “Tell him I'm not interested,” I muttered.

"Looks like our fun is over, brother." Venon, sneered, an evil grin spread across his face. “You won't be so lucky next time,” he added, laughing hysterically.

“I hope so,” I muttered before mounting my horse.

“May I come with you, my lord?” Rowan asked.

“Stay back, I need to be alone,” I replied, straddling my horse as I galloped away with only one destination in mind, the beach.

_________

“Bastard son,” Venon's words echoed in my head as I dismounted my horse.

“What did he mean by that?” I wondered.

It was no news that I was my father's least favorite son but it was rather shocking that Venon could speculate such.

My rage towards the secret of my mother's identity kept me at logger heads with everyone. I felt left out and I poured my contempt into frustrating my father's administration.

I had done something abominable earlier, enrolling a human into the list of the new maidens to serve in the castle.

“Father will be red when he finds out,” I muttered, my face lit up in a smile.

Werewolves and humans were sworn enemies and a human being among the maidens will be disastrous.

Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

The sky rumbled aggressively as dark clouds began to cover the sky, a raging storm was surely brooding.

“You are not supposed to be here, it's dangerous,” a voice suddenly said behind me.

“It's dangerous and yet here you are,” I replied, my face twisted in a frown as I turned.

An elderly frail looking woman stood in front of me. Her eyes were slightly brown with a little scar on her forehead.

“It might rain soon, you should go home,” I said, my voice cold and harsh as I walked past her.

“Danger is looming,” she said, making me stop on my track. “You should prepare.”

“Pftt,” you should go home woman, it's dangerous out here,” I muttered, paying no heed to her words.

“Your mother, I know her,” she mumbled, her voice firm and tender.

“What did you say?” I snapped, my brows creased in shock as I faced her. “Repeat what you just said,” I growled.

“Your mother is not who you think she is,” she said, her voice low and even. “She's alive,” she added, nodding her head slowly.

“W-what?” I stuttered, my brows furrowed as my confusion deepened. “what are you talking about?” I sparked, my eyes clouded in sadness.

Her face seemed to soften, her gaze fixed on me with a glint that I couldn't decipher.

"A prophecy is unfolding, Ethan, one that will determine the fate of y

our pack and life.” She whispered. “But you have to be strong, for your journey has just began,” she added.

“What are you……”

“Be strong,” she interrupted before disappearing into thin air, right in front of me.