STEFANIA

Chapter Two

Loneliness is dangerous. It's addicting. Once you see how peaceful it is, you don't wanna deal with people.

You only regret some decision when it comes back as a thorn, then you begin to question why, when, and what made you make such a ridiculous decision. A disastrous idea.

It only takes a few minutes to regret the decision you made, but for Manya it only took a second, the second the words were out of her mouth. Words that could not be unsaid.

The thorn was already too deep in her flesh to pull it out."Just go in, deliver the boxes and we're out." She whispers lowly to herself, moving the large sealed cardboard box from the back seat of the delivery van.

Hugging the box close, she made her way toward the pack house, noting the splendor all around her. In front of her stood an enormous castle, and a fountain that looked like it had shimmering crystals in it.

She stops, and tilts her head, casting a probing gaze on the fountain. In the middle stood a statue of two lycans twined together, one had its teeth locked on the other's neck whose head was bowed. This place is a wonder, a place of majesty.

Such a sight dampened the grumpy mood she was in. Some of the tension had left her shoulders, replaced with curiosity, a need to explore. She had never seen or dreamt of a place as grand as this place.

Following the direction given to her by the sentries guarding the entrance gate, she made her way toward the female Beta's office. She delivers a soft knock on the oak door once, before walking in.

"I'm here to drop this." She announces placing the box on the ground.

Lifting her gaze, she was greeted by the sight of a lady seating a few feet away. Sensing Manya's gaze she lifts her gaze from the laptop on her table.

She is the most beautiful lycan Manya has ever seen. She had features that calls for attention, big blue-green eyes, and rose gold hair framing her well-defined slim chin.

Of course, she is royalty. Even before this moment, Manya heard stories about her, she was known as the seductress of danger. She is beautiful but dangerous, a cold beauty. She has caused so many pack wars and destruction, even before she found her mate.

"Take this." She held out a white small envelope. Checking the content of the envelope, Manya stops herself from smiling. She didn't expect the pay to be this huge." I will need you for another delivery tomorrow, same time." she suddenly utters halting Manya's strides towards the door.

Manya didn't reply immediately, taking a few seconds to think over the pros and cons of the situation."Okay." If she can't, someone else could. But with a pay like this. . .

MITZI WOULD Always tell her 'if you don't know what you like, then just do anything. Maybe you'll find something you like'. But nothing truly interests her, because doing whenever and whatever you like only comes easy for the ones who have money. Moving all the time is difficult enough to leave her with nothing.

She wants a comfortable life, living comfortably could take all her fears away, she could buy a home for herself and Mitzi. And to accomplish this she has to put in the hard work and time, even though it meant going against her own rules.

She would go there, and do the delivery quickly, just as she had done today. She had plans of moving in two months anyway, but after tomorrow's delivery, she would leave in two weeks.

Satisfied with the decision she walks back into reality. With her head resting on Mitzi's chest as they lay in silence on her bed."The pack house looked spectacular, I actually thought about tracing you there so you could get the view of everything," Manys says, breaking the silence.

"Mitzi, when we leave here we should live close to the beach, I could buy a beautiful beach house and we could just seat under the sun or go for a dive in the water." Maybe it could be their home or another house.

She moves to rest her chin on Mitzi's chest, Mitzi was already gazing down at her." won't you love that, even if it's just for a moment before moving again?" Mitzi's lips curve into a smile, making her also smile at the excitement in Mitzi's eyes. Lifting her face, she plants a tender kiss on Mitzi's eyebrow.

AS REQUESTED By the female Beta, Manya arrived at the packhouse as scheduled, and was currently in the mansion waiting for the Beta to bless her with her presence. When she arrived thirty minutes ago, she was directed to wait in this room which looks to be a living room but much bigger and furnished.

She had this uneasy feeling resting deeply in her belly. Strangely, from the moment she walked in, something felt off. She couldn't point out what made her feel this way.

She runs her tongue over her fangs patiently waiting hoping the female beta would walk in before another thirty minutes would pass.

"Sorry for the delay." Hearing her voice, Manya immediately rose to her feet."Borya, take her to the king's office." she orders the sentry standing beside her.

"The king?" Manya couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Yes, the king, he is the one in need of your services." After delivering her reply, she turns to leave.

This proves the reason behind the uneasy feeling she felt. The lycan king is a king who caves fear in the heart of everyone. The one on top of the chain. Being alone in his presence was dangerous. She had also read and heard the stories that surrounds his rule.

"Get in." the sentry says snapping Manya into reality. Putting on a false confidence she walks in." I advise you don't meet his eyes, keep your head down." he whispers before shutting the door behind her.

"Your Highness." She bows, keeping her gaze down as advised.

"Come closer." His says, voice deep and muscular. Hypnotized by his voice, she close the distance, stopping in front of his table."Look at me."

She didn't react immediately, still hypnotized by his voice, and the forbidden sensation that raced through her made it difficult to focus on anything. Finally understanding his words she lifts her gaze.

If just hearing his voice hypnotized her, his eyes did worse. She remained frozen, gaping at his beautiful golden eyes. Focusing closely she could see a hint of red in his eyes.

The stories didn't prepare her for a sight like this. Perfectly toned, broad-shoulder, a tower of raw animal energy. His lean, toned build screamed raw power, he had a perfectly sculpted mouth that she would bet curved into a wicked smile. Looking at his red full lips enhancing the well-sculpted features of his face, his sharp noticeable cheekbone.

Amber brown hair is packed into a low bun. It looks so thick, smooth, and a bit red under the shade of light from the bulb. The cold-blooded vicious lycan king known to be brutal should not be this handsome.

He should be anything but handsome. He should not look so flawless, they should be scars running over his face, he should have cold eyes and not these golden eyes staring at her with sure muscular intensity. How can someone as dangerous as him have beautiful eyes, how can he be blessed with sure a dominant power to suck everything out of a person's self-will.

He was something to lean against. Something violent, fierce, and unmoving.

He made her pride dash into pieces right in front of his feet, all taught lost. She was alone, standing unprotected and vulnerable.

Oozing dominance and a quiet, supreme conference, he fluidly stalked toward her, every step he took was predatory and self-assured. She'd grown up around perfection so she was pretty much used to it, I mean just yesterday she praised the Beta female for being so gorgeous but she has nothing compared to this eye-paralyzing hot specimen closing the distance between them.

To her surprise, he pulled her into him, he buried his face between her neck and shoulder blades breathing her in. Without shame she did the same, taking him in. He smelled just like the forest, the sweet scent of earth and pine needles, the raw fragrance of tree barks, and freshly baked cinnamon rolls with a mix of mint flavor plants.

It felt like breathing after so long, for the first time she beats herself for her terrible outfit choice because she wants nothing more than to feel the touch of his hand on her shoulder and to feel his red lips touching her skin.

As it would be her last, she savors the feel of his breath dancing on her skin.

He moved his hot mouth to her ear. And just like that, at the feel of his breath against her ear and the sound of that soft voice, lust slammed into her. The reaction was instant and unwanted.

"Mine." he breathes.

It took a few minutes before his words landed on her like a bucket of cold reality. She was quick to push herself away but he didn't let her go too far before he tightened his hold around her waist and his eyes remained pinned on her.

Looking into his eyes felt like staring into her reflection.

She unconsciously flinched away when he raised his hands. Unfazed by her reaction he chuckled, it lacked humor, sounding taunting to her ear.

He pulled back."Why so many covers? Are you hiding from someone?" He points running his eyes over her outfit before stopping on her face."What's your name, little mate."

She didn't reply or gave any reaction to his claim. The level of shock couldn't be expressed by words or reaction, just a stare.

This must be a misconception or a result of mistaken identity. What was she even doing here? She was still yet to grasp why she was in the middle of such madden situation."He must be mentally retarded." She unintentionally voiced her thought."Sorry, it just slipped out."

She is a vampire and he is a lycan, it's genetically impossible to be mates. Lycans are supposed to mate with another lycan or a werewolf. Just not her. She just can't be his mate, he must be mistaken or something.

As if hearing her taught, he spoke."You are my mate." Sounding sure."Why do I see doubts in your eyes? Can't you feel the bond between us?" He looked genuinely confused by her reaction towards him.

Everything was going in the wrong direction. Accepting him would put her and Mitzi in danger than good but then again in the history of lycans, there are not known to reject the blessing of the moon goddess.

As the thought crossed her mind, it plummets her deep into despair.

Manya's lips move, but no sound emerges. And her eyes scanned the room as if looking for an exit, though her feet remained firmly planted. She was doing everything to stop herself from visibly shaking in front of him.

"I need to leave." Words finally stumbled out of her mouth."Can we talk about this?" She gestured."When I return, because I'm currently on a tight working schedule."

She points to the closed door behind her."That doesn't matter." He deadpanned. He brushes his hand over his hair, so bright and soft looking."Look, I know this is unexpected." He started.

"I can't. I need to leave." She cut him off shakily. Giving him no time to reply she ran out like her legs were on fire. She was surprised by her assertiveness but that didn't stop her from running from a Lycan. The lycan king.

YES. As soon as she got home, the unbearable feeling of trepidation began.

She rushes across the small space of her room packing important things like clothes, books, and other necessities into a small bag. She was leaving, mate or not.

I'll never be that me again. The little girl who was afraid of lonely mornings, afraid of restless nights, afraid of lonely walks, and loneliness. She refuses to be that girl.

She was leaving. She had been living the same mundane life, and no one would ever be interested in her. She felt safe living that way, she didn't need anyone to be it for her or need herself to be it. . .

She rather dwells in her loneliness.

Satisfied that she's gotten everything from hers and Mitzi's room, she returned to the living room where she left Mitzi."Mitzi, we leaving now."

"Why?" Mitzi signed, glancing around as if searching for answers.

"We spent so much time here already." She says simply, leaving out the truth because Mitzi won't agree to leave if she knows the truth.

"I'm not leaving until you give me an honest reply." She signed, determined to drive Manya more insane.

"Mitzi, my life would be over if we stay here longer." She snapped at Mitzi because she was making things worst. The war going on in her head was hard enough on her already.

The voices were suffocating her. She felt hot and her body was shaking under the pressure, she even finds it annoying that she has hair."Stop." She croaks, hitting her palm repeatedly and painfully over her forehead, trying to keep the voices at bail."Stop it, please stop, just leave me alone. I am tired."

Feeling a warm touch, Manya stops her assault."Mitzi, I just need the voices to stop. I don't want to feel them anymore." Manya's gaze seemed intent on Mitzi's face, but her eyes were vacant. She goes down on her knees."Mitzi let's leave before he finds me and destroy all my set-out plans." She says absently.

He was a storm and storms devastate.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be a reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

Lao Tzu.