The Lycan Slave Princess

CHAPTER 8: Danger In the Forest

Freya didn’t look up; she continued chopping the vegetables that the head maid had asked her to cut.

Neriah’s brow furrowed. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Freya… I’m asking you. Where did you spend the night?”

Still, Freya said nothing. Neriah’s lips pressed into a thin line, frustration flickering in her eyes. She had hoped to pry a scrap of information from her. “You’re ignoring me on purpose, aren’t you?” Neriah muttered.

Freya’s hands paused for a moment, then returned to their work.

Neriah let out a soft, irritated sigh and walked out of the kitchen.

Later, Elira spotted Freya moving through the courtyard. “Freya, are you busy with anything?”

Freya shook her head lightly. “I’ve finished my morning duties.”

Elira smiled. “Good. Then escort me to the market; I need some things for the kitchen.”

As they walked through the busy palace, they came across Alpha Valrik. They both bowed.

“Greetings, Alpha,” Freya and Elira greeted at the same time.

“Greetings.” The Alpha’s eyes lingered on Freya as she walked past. He couldn’t shake the memory of the night they had shared until Beta Bane tapped him, bringing him back to the present. Begrudgingly, he averted his gaze as they continued walking.

Elira and Freya were nearing the market when Elira suddenly remembered something she had meant to ask the day before. Exhaustion had forced her to sleep, and she hadn’t had the chance. She glanced around quickly, noticing passersby and worrying that someone might overhear them.

Pulling Freya gently aside, she led her to a quiet corner. Freya seemed to understand immediately what her friend was thinking.

“You didn’t sleep in the maid quarters the last two nights,” Elira asked quietly, her eyes studying Freya’s. “Where did you sleep?”

Freya paused before recounting everything that had happened after the harvest feast, how she had ended up in Alpha Valrik’s chamber. Shock flickered across Elira’s face as she listened.

Freya slowly unbuttoned the top of her dress, revealing a necklace with delicate symbols of rain and wind intertwined in silver and gold within its pendant. “The Alpha gave me this,” she said softly.

Elira’s eyes widened. “You must hide it very carefully. Never let anyone see it around your neck.”

“That’s why I keep it beneath my dress,” Freya replied. But then her face grew worried. Elira noticed immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

Freya hesitated, her fingers brushing the necklace nervously. “I’ve been looking for my hairpin,” she confessed. “It’s the only thing that belonged to my mother. I might have left it in Alpha Valrik’s chamber… I was in such a hurry to leave.”

Elira’s expression softened. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you check. I’m cleaning his chamber today anyway.”

Freya’s eyes shone, and she wrapped Elira in a quick, tight hug. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Elira held her at arm’s length, her expression turning serious. “But promise me you will always tell me before you embark on a suicide mission.”

Freya laughed softly and gave a playful bow. “Okay, Your Royal Majesty.”

They both laughed as they continued walking towards the market, the morning sun warming the bustling streets.

***

Three travellers had been journeying for days, moving from cave to cave in search of hidden treasure. Their boots were caked in mud, and their packs were heavy, but the thrill of discovery kept them moving. As the afternoon sun filtered through the trees, they entered the Crystalmoon forest. “Finally,” one said, stretching his arms. “If we don’t find gold soon, I’m taking up knitting instead.”

The second laughed. “Knitting? You? With those sausage fingers? You’d poke an eye out before a stitch is done!”

The third rolled his eyes. “At least you’d make a scarf before the wolves eat us alive.”

Their laughter echoed through the forest until the tall, wiry one suddenly stopped. “Wait… look at that.”

The others turned. A section of the forest floor had been marked off with wooden demarcations.

“Why is there a demarcation?” the shortest one asked, frowning.

“Maybe there’s treasure,” the tall one replied, eyes gleaming. “Why don’t we check and find out?”

The shortest traveller hesitated. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

The other two laughed, clapping him on the back. “You’re always scared! Let’s go!”

Grumbling, he followed as they crossed the boundary. An unsettling silence enveloped them. The usual chirping of birds and rustling of leaves was not there. Only the crunch of their boots.

The demarcation led them to a cave entrance. They stepped inside cautiously, turning on their torches. At the centre of the cave lay a blue lake, its surface sparkling. Their reflections glimmered across the water.

They moved carefully along the edges until they reached a chamber piled high with gold, gemstones, and relics scattered about.

“This is unbelievable!” the tall one exclaimed, scooping up a handful of coins while laughing. One of them danced excitedly, baring his head in joy.

“We’ll come back for more tomorrow,” the second said, already filling his bag.

They packed their gold carefully and began to leave. As they emerged outside the cave, one paused. “Did you hear that?”

The others nodded, unease flickering across their faces, but when they looked around, nothing was there.

Suddenly, the roots of the surrounding trees began to stir, coiling and twisting like serpents. As they tried to run, the roots shot out, wrapping around their legs and lifting them into the air.

“No! Let me go! Somebody help!” the tall one screamed, his voice breaking with terror.

“Ah-ahhh! Please! I didn’t mean it!” the second cried, thrashing violently.

The shortest one’s shriek turned into a high-pitched wail. “Mercy! Somebody-anyone!”

They thrashed wildly as the roots held them fast. A figure appeared before them, her long white hair floating. Her form was partially transparent, yet human, and her glowing eyes fixed on them. “Who dares enter my territory and steal from me?” her voice boomed like thunder.

Paralysed with fear, the shortest traveller among them lost control and peed on his trousers, his body trembling as he stammered. “P-Please... forgive us! We didn't know this is your territory. We swear we meant no disrespect. Please... spare our lives!”

The others begged and pleaded, their voices weak and hollow against her overwhelming presence.

With a sweep of her hands, fire erupted from her palms, spiralling towards them. The flames engulfed the three men instantly. They screamed, their pleas turning into ragged gasps, their bodies writhing under the scorching blaze as the roots held them still.

***

Some of the Crystalmoon Pack warriors had gone out hunting in the forest. As they moved through the trees, one of them spotted an antelope grazing near a thicket. “Hold your aim,” one whispered, raising his bow.

Another warrior prepared his own shot. The first warrior released his arrow, but it missed, grazing the grass beside the antelope. Before the animal could bolt, the second warrior’s arrow struck through it. The antelope collapsed.

“Got it!” the second warrior said, moving quickly to where the animal lay. He bent down and lifted it onto his shoulders.

“Good shot,” the first warrior said with a grin. “I almost had it; next time, I swear.”

As they were preparing to return, a sudden scream pierced the forest.

“What was that?!” one of them shouted, drawing his weapon.

“Stay alert,” the leader ordered. “Let’s check it out.”

***

When the fire finally died, she exhaled a gust of wind. The roots lifted the charred remains and carried them outside the territory. There, the roots twisted the skeletons into grotesque poses and hung them from a forest tree.

The forest grew silent once more, save for the faint rustle of leaves.

The warriors moved cautiously towards the source of the scream. Soon, they came upon a sight that froze them in place. Three charred skeletons hung grotesquely from a tree, twisted by what looked like roots.

The leader’s face hardened as he surveyed the scene. “Looks like some greedy travellers tried to trespass into Arkroot forbidden territory,” he muttered. “We need to report this to the Alpha immediately.”

They walked to where their horses were, mounted them, and rode off. The gates of the pack swung open until they reached the palace gate.

They dismounted. The leader gestured to the others. “Take the antelope straight to the kitchen. I’ll inform the Alpha.”

The warriors carried the antelope. The leader strode towards the throne hall. The guards opened the massive doors for him as he entered.

Inside, the Alpha was engrossed in reviewing several scrolls, while Prince Darius sat nearby. Beta Bane stood at the Alpha’s right-hand side.

The leader bowed. “Greetings, Alpha. While hunting in the forest, we came upon a horrifying sight. Three skeletons… charred and hanging from a tree. It appears some trespassers ventured too far into the Arkroot territory.”

The Alpha’s eyes widened slightly. “Arkroot… there is clearly a demarcation separating it from the rest of the forest. How could they ignore it?”

The leader inclined his head once more. “We thought it necessary to report immediately, Alpha. I will take my leave now.”

The Alpha gave a nod. The leader bowed again and turned to leave, exiting the hall.

***

That afternoon, Elira made her way to Alpha Valrik’s chamber, carrying her cleaning supplies. She began dusting, polishing, and tidying the chamber. Yet, all the while, her mind was focused on finding Freya’s hairpin.

She searched through drawers, behind cushions, beneath the bed, and even among the folds of the Alpha’s robes, but the hairpin was nowhere to be found. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, and Elira’s heart sank with each failed attempt. She was wasting time, and the longer she searched, the more anxious she became.

The sound of the chamber doors opening interrupted her thoughts. Two guards stationed outside appeared, their expressions patient but slightly irritated. “Are you not done yet?” one asked. “You’ve taken quite some time, girl.”

Elira quickly gathered the items she had used for cleaning, tucking them under her arm. “I’m through,” she said briskly, trying to sound composed despite her inner frustration.

As she exited the chamber, her mind raced. She didn’t know how she could tell Freya the hairpin was missing without breaking her friend’s heart. A frown crossed her face as she walked through the corridors, thinking desperately.

Then a thought struck her; she picked up her pace, dropped the cleaning items in the maid quarters, and left the palace, heading straight to meet an old man.

***

In the evening, Luna Seraphine sat in her chamber, her eyes fixed on the hairpin before her. Its silver surface gleamed faintly in the fading light as she tried to recall where she had seen it before. After a moment, she summoned one of the guards. He walked inside. “My Luna.”

“Go and bring all the maids to me,” she commanded.

The guard bowed and departed. A short while later, the maids were lined up outside the chamber, a little distance from the doors: Freya, Neriah, Elira, the new maid among them, and the rest of the maids. Curious and anxious, they exchanged glances. No one knew why they had been summoned. Freya’s heart raced, and a wave of panic rose in her chest, making her fidget and glance around nervously.

The chamber doors opened, and Luna Seraphine stepped out, her shoes clicking softly against the ground. Her red gown flowed behind her, the soft rustle of silk echoing faintly in the corridor. Some of the maids stiffened, their nerves tightening. Freya’s panic made her knees wobble slightly, and she clasped her hands together to steady herself.

As Luna Seraphine approached, the maids bowed deeply. “My Luna,” they murmured in unison. She did not respond. Her gaze swept slowly over each maid, lingering on their faces one by one. When her eyes finally landed on Freya, they remained on her longer than the others as she assessed her.

Finally, she spoke, her voice reverberating through the corridor. “I will ask only once, and I demand an answer.”

She lifted the hairpin, letting it catch the light in the corridor. “Whose hairpin does this belong to?”

All eyes turned towards it. Some maids shook their heads nervously. Freya’s heart pounded violently, and Elira’s hands clenched at her sides, panic clear on both their faces, though they quickly tried to hide it.

Neriah, however, furrowed her brow in thought. The hairpin’s design was familiar; she had seen it before. Slowly, realisation dawned on her. She turned her gaze towards Freya as she smiled and raised her hand. “I know who it belongs to.”