The Last Lycan Princess

Aunt Josephine

I was exhausted by the time I reached the border. It had taken everything in my power to stay awake these past few hours.

The pain I had felt only last night was slowly fading and excitement filled me.

Surprising, since I had not only gotten divorced just yesterday but also stripped of my title and forced to leave the only home I had ever known.

But the kingdom was pulling to me and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, allowing me to finally breathe.

I drove down the long winding roads, passing houses and shopping centers until I saw a castle in the distance.

My aunt Josephine had told my father that she would wait for me there as it would be easier for me to navigate too, and she was right.

This castle stood at the very top of a mountain, nearly four stories tall. It was built of white brick and had beautiful stained glass windows that shined brightly when hit by the sun.

It was magnificent and it had to be, as it housed the last Royal Lycan Family.

I pulled up to the magnificent castle's gates, and rolled down my window as a guard approached my driver's side.

He sniffed the air before speaking.

"What do you want, rogue?" he snapped, giving me a dirty look.

"I'm here to see my aunt. She asked me to meet her here."

"We don't allow rogues in the castle." He spat. "You will turn back!"

I was shocked, I knew that rogues were disliked. But from the stories I was told growing up, the Lycan kingdom welcomed rogues, offering them a pack and sanctuary. I had hoped this was still true, as I doubted any other pack would take me in.

"Can you at least tell my aunt that I'm here? Please?" I begged.

"Name?"

"Her name is Josephine Willows."

His eyes widened in shock before glazing over.

When he came back too, there was a look of fear on his face.

"You may enter" he said, not even waiting for my reply before turning around and opening the gates.

I was about to say something, but used my better judgment and decided to just ignore it.

I drove till I came up to a round about in front of the castle. I parked in front of the stairs and exited my car, stretching my body and shaking off the past few hours of stiffness.

The doors of the castle opened and out walked a middle-aged woman. I instantly recognized her as my aunt from the photos my father had.

They were twins, both with the same brown curly hair and brown eyes. She smiled at me and approached me with wide open arms.

She gave me a warm, knowing hug, before pulling back.

"I hope Gerald didn't give you too much trouble, did he?" she asked with concern.

"Im sorry, Gerald?"

"My nephew, from my husband's side. He was the guard at the gate."

"Ohh" I said, a slight disappointment in my voice at the realization I may be seeing an awful lot of him.

Josephine's face fell slightly in worry.

"Nope, no issues at all" I said with a forced smile, quickly trying to recover some of the cheerfulness she had just a moment ago.

Five minutes in and I already seemed to have upset the only family I have here. I bowed my head slightly, looking for the right words to say next.

"Well, that is good news!" She smiled and clapped her hands together.

"Come, Come, let me show you to your room!" looping her arm in my own and walking me up the stone steps.

"What do you mean my room? I thought we were going to your house?" I asked, with a worried look.

"Oh, did your father not tell you, dear?"

"Tell me what?"

"My husband is the Gamma", she said proudly. "Which means we live here in the castle."

The Castle..... Would I be living here?

My eyes widened as I let her lead me through the different floors.

She began to explain the different levels of the castle. There were three, not including the library, which had an observatory on the fourth floor. The main floor had the kitchen, living area and housed the omegas who worked in the castle. The second floor housed the Gammas and Betas families and the third floor was the Royal quarters, which was strictly off limits.

After our tour, which had lasted nearly an hour, she finally showed me to my room. I opened the door to find what seemed like a small apartment. There was a living area with couches and love seats to the right, and a small dining table to the left. A large four-post bed stood in the middle of the room.

"The farthest door on the left will be the bathroom and the first door is the closet." She mentioned. "Let me know if there's anything you are missing and we can go shopping this afternoon."

"Thank you, Aunt Josephine." I thanked her, pulling her in for a hug.

She hugged me back. "Oh please just call me Josie dear. Josephine makes me sound like an old woman" she chuckled "I'll come grab you in a few hours, give you a chance to rest up and then I will bring you before the king."

"The King? What do I wear? I should shower!" I panicked before digging through my belongings I had just realized were in my room.

She let out a laugh at the sight of me as I ran around gathering my toiletries.

I didn't pack a dress!

Oh no, I haven't showered in nearly two days. I probably stink.

"Arya!" She shouted.

I jumped, dropping the items in my arms.

"Sorry dear, I had been calling your name and you weren't listening." She apologized. "I've got you a dress hanging in the closet already, it should fit you well enough."

I gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Josie."

"Of course dear, now go relax. I'll see you in a few"

She walked out the door, leaving me to gather my thoughts. Me. A rogue would be living in a castle.

"Thank you" I whispered to the moon goddess, believing she must have taken pity on me for my misfortune.

I walked into the bathroom ready to take a shower after my long day. I set my belongings on the counter before turning around and seeing a massive tub with jets.

"Oh I am most definitely using you", I smiled.