The Cursed Lycan King

The Lycan King sat on his throne gazing into nothingness with a crown that had the carving of a beast on his head. Silence prevailed as his eyes wandered the entire chamber. “Oscar, I shall give you land in exchange for your daughter, she will be my slave and bear me a son.” King Orion’s voice thundered, sending goosebumps to the people present. “Yes, my Lord!” Oscar affirmed, still bowing. To Oscar, this was the beginning of a manifestation of his plans. This was the greatest progress so far. Thought of the offer clouded his mind as he walked back home to break the news to Aurora, his stepdaughter. “Aurora, we need to talk,” Oscar said to Aurora, who was watering the bloom, ignoring her greeting. Aurora wondered what it was this time around. Her mind was instantly restless. “Aurora, you will marry the Lycan King on your eighteenth birthday. I am coming from the castle and we have reached an agreement already.” Oscar said indifferently. For a while, Aurora felt her heartbeat pause. Her countenance changed. She tried to gain composure and understand the meaning of her father’s words. Gradually the words sank into her brain. “Father, I cannot marry the King,” Aurora uttered after some minutes of silence and her heart racing at its highest. “It has already been sealed. You don't have an option.” Oscar replied sternly this time around. Aurora looked at her stepfather, she knew that look on his face. Tears were already flowing down her cheeks. She runs out to the gardens to inform her friend, Eleanor, about what her stepfather has just told her. “Anor! Aurora fondly called out to Eleanor. My father said the Lycan King wants to marry me on my eighteenth birthday,” Aurora announced to Eleanor, who was gazing at the flowers. “If this is a joke, you had better stop it. Won't work on me tonight girl.” Eleanor responded nonchalantly with a smile. “I am serious, Anor. It's no joke.” Aurora’s eyes were already wet with tears as she said this. Eleanor paused for a second, not knowing what to believe or how to react. “How!?” Eleanor said in awe. “I cannot explain, I don't know how it happened and when it happened, but he is leaving me with no option, Anor. My stepfather said it was a must.” Aurora sobbed, tears finally defeating her as they flowed down her cheeks. “So sorry my baby, could you please stop crying at least?” Eleanor sympathized. Aurora’s tears were clear evidence that she was not joking. Eleanor battled with this piece of information given to her. She has met the Lycan King once and she knows he is not a match for a petty werewolf like Aurora. “Does your father even know the Lycan King?” Eleanor asked rhetorically. “I met the King once and heard a lot of stories about him and they are not stories to smile at Aurora. The kind of stories I heard about him are the total opposite of good,” Eleanor emphasized. For a while, Eleanor stood looking at Aurora, who was sobbing. She pondered on how she could get her friend out of gloominess. “Hey, let's go to the pool,” Eleanor said as she held Aurora’s hand, taking a step forward. “Alright Anor,” Aurora murmured. Aurora dips her head into the water like she wants to get rid of something. For a while, she wished her problems could vanish and she would wake up from this nightmare. “Hey Babes, I knew I was going to find you here.” Pete, Eleanor’s fated mate, said while approaching her. “Hello baby,” Eleanor said as she turned to hug Pete. Narrating the set of circumstances on board like she needed to let it out of her chest. “What!” Pete exclaimed, words failing to escape his mouth. “Aurora, we will get back to you in no time, we want to take a walk around the woods,” Pete called out to Aurora, whose head was buried in the water as he beckoned Eleanor to move with him. Aurora raised her head in search of air. She had been in the water for a long time and was running out of oxygen. Her gaze met a man staring at her with so much desire. For a while, she was mesmerized. This man was charming, gigantic, muscular, with blazing eyes like a consuming fire. “Who is he?” Aurora thought to herself. Before she could break her gaze, the man had already moved away like he was never there. His movement was so swift you'd know he was a strong werewolf. Aurora stepped out of the pool and dressed up. She had lost interest in swimming. Once again, she began sobbing. Reality had called back. She was going to marry the Lycan King whom everyone feared. “Young Lady, why are you crying?” The young man who left her aghast asked firmly as Aurora shyly tried to wipe her tears. “Erm….” Aurora stammered, contemplating if it was a good idea to open up to a stranger. “What would you do if you're caught between choosing your happiness and fulfilling the wish of someone who seldom cares about you? Aurora finally asked For a while the young man was silent. “I believe in fighting; you fight for your freedom.” The man replied in a few words. “Alright, thanks.” Aurora thanked him, still crying. “You have to stop crying. Fight for whatever makes you happy and fulfilled. I have to go.” The young man concluded and left almost immediately. Aurora waited for her friends but they didn't seem to be in sight. Her body was beginning to feel lifeless. She needed to clear her head some more. Maybe go into the deeper part of the water this time around. “We have been out for almost an hour, we need to head back to the pool,” Eleanor said in amazement as she checked her wristwatch. “That's so true,” Pete affirmed. They walked hastily to the pool. Eleanor was so anxious she couldn't wait to get back to the Aurora. “I'm sorry we left for so long,” Eleanor said as she hurried towards the pool. Her eyes wandered the pool and the surroundings, searching for Aurora. “Hey, see this,” Pete called out to Eleanor, heading to the other side of the pool. It was Aurora's body floating. She was lifeless.