A Throne of Lies

My knees buckled from under me as the rough terrain caught my foot, tripping me as I fell into a thorn patch made of golden heart-shaped leaves, thorns protruded from the vines and tore into my palms with blood trickling from the punctures. “s**t,” I spat as a noise carried through the woods. I glanced behind me nervously as figures emerged from my peripheral vision; men prowled the dense forests, their eyes golden as they stalked the grounds like ravaged beasts. I stumbled as my revealing skirt caught between my thighs, the thigh-high skirt left little to the imagination as the bright golden thread reflected the sun. I pressed my hand into my pelvic bone as I rose to my feet, the dense golden brush shielded me from view as I backed away, my feet pressing into my previous footpath and retraced my path as I avoided leaving any trace of my existence. Excited screams carried through the chilled wind as women ran past, their presence distracted me as I distanced myself from the others. I sniffed the air curiously as a familiar scent hit my nose, my pupils dilated as I ran in the direction of my sister. My feet brushed along fallen leaves as I closed the distance between us. Her presence was strong with a sweet aura surrounding her, her golden hair was the first to catch my attention as she appeared like a beacon within the dark greenery. “How has no one noticed her yet?” I thought curiously as I gritted my teeth at her similar revealing outfit. She glided through the long grass with a layered golden skirt tied to her hips and a similarly golden crop top clinging to her chest. Her long thick golden hair was tied back into a ponytail to reveal her scent to the others and make her presence more visible to those who were on the hunt. “It’s a clearing!” her excited voice rung out as her friends surrounded her. “Maybe they will capture us faster if we dance around like Fae!” a cute redhead said as the sun kissed her freckled face. “We all know the men will be vying for Deya!” a voice chided amongst the crowd. “No man is good enough for me,” Deya stated as she chucked flatteringly. Deya pulled a black ribbon from her hair and allowed her long blonde to tumble over her shoulders as she glanced at the girls. She was a picture of beauty with a long, lean body and shapely features, she was daring as she pulled on the strings of her crop top, revealing her naked shoulders as if the image would entice those around her to fall for her image. The redhead nodded knowingly as she answered with a smile, she was small in stature, seemingly hidden behind Deya’s shadow as beads made of Wolf canines and ivory swung from her tiny hips. The girl’s hair appeared unkempt as red curls grazed her cheeks as she attempted to tame them in two puffy twin buns. “No man is good enough for our Deya!” she sang happily. “Shh Aurora, you’re too loud!” a timid girl snapped nervously as she glanced around the shrouded forestry. “You’re too timid, Veyka!” Deya chided as she pushed past the girl. She traced her golden fingertips over the girl’s pale forehead, brushing the ebony hair away from Veyka’s eyes and traced the sign of Venus upon her flesh. A smile crept to Deya’s lips as she kissed the mark, a sign of good faith. “You forgot to get marked,” Deya chided before turning her back on the girl and leading Aurora away. “D-Deya!” Veyka proclaimed nervously as a blush crept upon her cheeks. “That sly little-“ I started to mutter before biting back my words. She’s lusting over my sister, I thought as I glared at Veyka from behind a dense shrub. A twig snapped from under my feet as I shifted my weight, the sound was sharp as it forced the women to turn their heads sharply as their eyes narrowed on my hiding spot. Deya’s eyes briefly shifted to a deep golden with the pupil narrowing as she examined the hidden space. She tossed her head back and sighed pitifully. “It looks like my big sister has been stalking us!” She called out as she turned her head to look away. “Eursa?” Aurora asked gleefully as she glanced towards my hiding spot. “What?” Veyka asked, her face paled as she realized she may have been caught staring at my sister. “Come out!” Deya playfully ordered. She’s keen, I thought admiringly before climbing to my feet and pressed through the gold inlaid brush. “Eyrsa!” Aurora called out excitedly as she bounced towards me with the red ringlets weaving against her cheeks. “You’re always stalking in the shadows,” Deya chided as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Someone has to protect you,” I muttered as Aurora wrapped her arms around my waist. Her head pressed into my bosom with her cheeks rubbing against the silken crop top that struggled to support my breasts. I glanced down shyly at Aurora as she admired the size of my breasts with a coy and mischievous smile on her face. “I love Eursa!” Aurora stated as I patted her head. “I-I didn’t know you were there,” Veyka murmured under her breath as she glanced away nervously. “I bet you wish I weren’t,” I stated coldly. I grasped Aurora’s freckled shoulders and gently pushed her aside, so I didn’t hurt her, her vibrant green eyes pleaded pitifully as I approached Veyka. “You can’t get rid of me that easily, Veyka,” I stated as I took her quivering chin within my grasp and pressed my face close to hers. “E-Eursa!” Veyka stammered nervously as Deya glanced at us curiously. “Veyka, stop hogging her!” Aurora whined annoyed as she balled up her fists. “She’s mine, Veyka,” I stated harshly as I leaned into her and bit her bottom lip. “Eursa, stop teasing her!” Deya snapped. “Fine,” I murmured as I withdrew my hand and pulled away. “You won’t find a mate if you continue to lust after my sister like this,” I chided before turning to face Deya. “You’re not trying to avoid the men, are you?” Deya questioned as her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said as I clicked my tongue nervously. “Both you and Veyka failed to get the sign of the goddess!” Deya sighed as she closed the distance between us before getting a closer look at me. “It’s just a stupid symbol!” I pleaded as she licked her fingertips to moisten the golden powder painted on them. “Stay still!” she ordered as she pressed her finger into my forehead and traced the same symbol on my forehead as she had placed on Veyka’s just moments before. “This is pointless!” I stated as Deya pressed my black hair away from my face. “Then why did you join The Hunt?” Deya asked as she drew the final line in the symbol. I can’t tell her the reason, I thought as I bit down on my tongue. “I will not be captured by some man!” I sneered disgustedly as I pulled away from her. The hunt was a ruse, a game for those who remained single to be captured by a mate, once a woman was caught by her pursuer the new couple would then spend the night coupling. The thought repulsed me, men sickened me, they ruled over those lesser than them, getting their d***s wet and succumbing to their instincts like the wild beasts they were. Entering the hunt was a chance to escape the confines of our upbringing. I yearned to press my feet through the ground, to feel the pulse of the soil within me as I manipulated the earth and tore through the treetops at impeccable speed. “Did you guys hear something?” Veyka asked as she tilted her head towards a faint sound. No! I wanted to cry out as I gripped Deya’s forearms, my fingers gripping into her pale flesh as I pivoted her away from the source of the sound. Feet dug through the ground as large figures tore through the vegetation that separated us from our pursuers. My face paled as the musk from the approaching men hit my nose before my eyes caught sight of them. “Eeek!” Aurora squealed excitedly as she pushed past us and ran in the opposite direction. “Run!” Deya shouted towards Veyka who stood still, shocked as a group of men ran towards us. Their eyes were a shimmering golden as their instincts took over, their minds were consumed by the hunt, and we were their prey. Shit, I thought as a lump formed in my throat. “Don’t lure them here, Deya!” I snapped as I pushed her forward. The blood rushed to her face as a glint of gold shifted amongst her gray eyes, her appearance appeared lively as she smirked at me slyly. She isn’t gonna give up easily, I thought dreadfully. “Fine,” I nodded as I gathered my long black hair and pulled it back into a high bun. “I’ll make sure all of you eat oatmeal for a week if a single male lays a finger on you!” I shouted as I glanced at Veyka. Veyka nodded in agreement, her once meek demeanour vanished as she focused on the situation, the wind blew through her pixie cut as she glanced at Deya before taking her by the arm and pulling her away from me. Her ears tinted red as a faint blush caressed her cheeks, I nodded before she turned and ran from the clearing with Deya at her heels. She would never allow someone else to have Deya, I thought. “They’re running!” a voice called out. Over my dead body, I distastefully thought as I leapt forward through the trees. The girls were paces in front of me as I swiftly followed their trail within the waist-high grass. Deya’s scent clung to the sweet blades as she tempted the men to chase her, she was here for the thrill of the hunt with the possibility of obtaining a mate as an afterthought. She was reckless and careless of those around her, she sought what she wanted and would throw those away who were no longer of any use to her. She can truly be terrifying, I thought to myself as I moved through the grass with ease. A howl erupted from behind me, the tone was deep and commanding as he signalled for his friends. I reached above me and grasped an overhung tree limb and swung my weight upwards as I planted my bare feet into the rough bark. The ground leered below me as I focused my attention on the approaching figures. “Don’t come this way!” I hissed as I bit my tongue just as a man collide with his desired prey. The figure moved fast as he pulled a girl out from the hollow of a tree, her presence had been unknown to me, she was frail looking and seemingly blended in with her surroundings and yet the man before her picked her out with ease. She squealed from excitement as he pressed her into the trunk before immediately burying his canines within her neck, the transition was quick as her eyes grew dull for a moment before her dark eyes shifted to a delicate gold, indicating the successful marking. His lips were bloodied as he pulled away from her, her hands were shaken as she pressed them into his chest. Her petite frame held comfortable within his arms as he held her to him, the two figures seemed familiar to me as I hung on the limb of the tree. My toes ached as they clung to the bark, my weight was even as I balanced on the rough branch before turning my attention away from the new lovers. Disgusting, I thought as I pressed forward and leapt towards another tree. I’ll kill any man that touches my sister, I thought distastefully.         Leafs made from a deep olive-toned colour clouded my vision as twigs bruised my face leaving shallow scratches against my cheeks and neck. Thoughts of my sister being captured by a man lingered in my mind with my chest growing hot from anger, she was my responsibility and yet her stubbornness forced me into this situation. My feet landed on a quivering branch; the moss crept between my toes before I realized the branch was hollow. A loud crack shook through the air as I fell from the spot I had once been standing. My hair pulled from the loose bun and blinded my vision as I fell to my knees. A crack echoed through my body as I landed on my ankle, the bone was twisted at an odd angle from below me. The dull pain was an afterthought as I gritted my teeth with my surroundings swaying around me momentarily. Mud dug into my scrapped knees as I tore my fingers through the damp soil as I grew frustrated from my lack of attention to detail. “f**k!” I cried out as my chest grew hot from anger. “Such strong words for a small girl,” a deep voice chided from above me. What? I thought as I squinted my eyes and attempted to see through the haze. “I thought you would have known better, considering how careful you’ve been up to this point,” the voice stated as the dark-haired figure caught my attention. “You’ve been following me?” I spat disbelieving. There’s no way, I never sensed another presence, I thought as I steadily began to doubt myself. “It looks like a branch finally got you,” he stated with a chuckle. “Fucker!” I spat, frustrated and helpless as he hopped down from the tree and landed before me. He towered over me with ease as I glared at him with the heat within my chest spreading to my face. His dark hair hung over his eye as it curled against his forehead and tangled in loose curls atop his head. His eyes were hidden behind a sheer golden sash that covered half of his face; his lips grew my attention as he smirked appealingly as he held my gaze. “Daring,” he stated with a coy smirk. What? I thought bemused, I could knock you off your ass if my ankle wasn’t swollen, I thought irritated as I absentmindedly reached for my wounded ankle. I sneered in annoyance at the broken branch. He knelt before me; his black eyes showed a glint of gold as he met my gaze. The scent of the forest engulfed me as it radiated from his pores. I reached out and traced the sheer fabric that hid his identity. How curious, I thought as I licked my lips. “Eursa,” he murmured as he leaned his head against my outstretched hand. How, how does he know of my name? I thought as I pressed my hand against the side of his head and made him look at me. What if I just removed the mask, I wondered. His face was chiselled with high cheekbones and the hint of a shadow where a beard was meant to be, his eyes were dark and striking as he held my gaze. The man before me was undoubtedly beautiful as if he were crafted by the gods and left to roam the earth and enchant those who set their eyes upon him. My mouth was dry as I swallowed nervously only for my tongue to stick to the roof of my mouth. My senses lulled with the irrefutable screams at the back of my mind being silenced. “Who are you?” I finally asked as I found my words. “You’ve caught on fast,” he murmured as he grasped my hand and pulled me into his arms. his exposed chest pressed into mine as he pulled on the hem of the crop top that held my breasts in place. I squirmed in defiance as he scooped his hand under my hips and pulled me into him with no room to escape. I stared wide-eyed in audacity at the man as he boldly held me to him. “Release me!” I silently demanded as I squirmed. He’s too close, I thought nervously as I bit down on my lower lip until I drew blood. “What a nasty habit,” he chided as he held me to him with one hand supporting my buttocks. His free hand brushed against my bruised lip as he forced my mouth open and inspected the damage I’d done to my lower lip, I quivered uneasily as I stared at the bold man before me. His hands were steady as he leaned into me and pressed his lips against mine, my eyes widened from shock. I pulled away and swung my wrist into his face, curving my fist and contacting his cheekbone. There was an audible crack as his head snapped to the side from the impact of the punch. “Heh,” he chuckled as he tilted his gaze and glanced back at me with a newfound sense of admiration. “What?” I asked confused. Who is this man? I began to wonder. “Eursa!” A voice called out; her tone was shrill as she pushed through the thick vegetation. “s**t,” I murmured as I pulled away from him, he released me as I climbed unsteadily to my feet. “It’s not smart to leave with the others nearby,” he stated as he supported the small of my back as he watched my weight waver. “I’m only here to keep those rats away from my sister!” I spat as uneasiness swept through me. “Deya?” he asked amused. “How did you-?” I started to ask before she emerged before me. “Eursa!” she shouted as a hint of annoyance appeared on her otherwise flawless face. “Deya, what are you-“ I began to ask before her tone cut me off. “Why are you fooling around when I’m the one who is supposed to be finding a mate?!” Deya demanded as her as she frowned unhappily. I turned my head back as if to turn to the man behind me and yet the space he had once been standing in was now void of all signs of life. My back felt warm from where his hand had once been, his lack of presence stirred an uncomfortable familiarity within me as my full and bruised lips formed into a delicate frown. Where did he go? I wondered absentmindedly as I ignored Deya’s tantrum. “Eursa!” Deya shouted exasperated as she stepped forward and gripped my forearm uncomfortably. “No one here wants to mate with me!” she whined, her gray eyes grew pitifully wide as she summoned a stream of tears at will, it was the one thing that made her father give in to her demands. “Everyone knows that you have a fiancé,” I murmured as I took my arm back and massaged the sore flesh. “I wish daddy hadn’t announced that stupid thing!” Deya cried pitifully as she mockingly covered her face with her hands. Stupid thing? I wondered as I recalled the Alpha her father had arranged for her to marry. The man requested the hand of my mother’s daughter, there was no name attached as all eyes immediately turned to Deya. She was of an age with a destiny foretold for greatness, she was my mother’s true heir and was worshipped as the coming Moon goddess, a position inherited from our mother who was a god reincarnated into the flesh of a werewolf. I smiled sadly at her words as I glanced at Deya’s beautiful appearance, her golden hair seemed to shimmer amongst the looming moonlight with her skin appeared milky and clear. The roots of her hair held a tint of brown, like that of her father. She was a striking creature who had barely hit the age of twenty and yet her mannerisms were still like that of a child. “They say that Ezra is fearsome and rough with women!” Deya pleaded as she crumbled to her knees. “I’m sure they are just baseless rumours, Deya,” I soothed as I leaned into the ground before her, grateful to relieve the weight off my injured ankle. I licked my thumb and rubbed it against the sign of Venus, the gold spread to my fingertips as it smeared from her forehead with ease, a smudged sign means that a woman was claimed and no longer available to other males. “Tomorrow will be a better day,” I said as my hand fell to my side. “Are you sure?” Deya asked through pitiful whimpers. “I’m sure,” I confirmed as I climbed to my feet and held out my hand to help her up. “By the way, who were you with?” Deya asked curiously as she took my hand and stood before me. She glanced around curiously as if her presence alone would summon the mysterious man who kept his identity a secret. I glanced off into the distance where I dully felt his presence, watching us from the shadows of the trees. His scent clung to me, seemingly claiming me as his own and yet I never even got the man’s name, only the faint memory of his black-golden specked eyes. “Don’t worry about it,” I stated as I shifted my attention from the pouting girl to our surroundings. The terrain quivered from beneath us, Deya was seemingly naïve of the connection I held with the earth below me as I shifted my weight and repositioned myself before the girl. My anxiety heightened my senses as I eyed the thicket of trees, foreign men were scouring the grounds as they peered at us with eyes filled with lust and determination. They were the animals I warned her of, they joined the hunt to simply capture and defile the women who participated to gain a faithful mate. I’ll kill them! I thought as our fathers’ warnings echoed throughout my mind. I was my mother’s eldest child and yet her mate Grae was completely smitten with his daughter, Deya, from the moment she was born. He was a truly devoted father who sought the safety and happiness of his offspring even if it meant utilizing me to protect her and ensure her wellbeing. Nothing matters so long as Deya is safe, I repeated to myself as I spun on my heels, taking her wrist and guiding her through the dense forestry, using my body to tear through poisonous golden vegetation and guide her away from the approaching perpetrators. I cannot leave her here where outnumber us, I thought bitterly as a thorn tore into my cheek. “Eursa!” Deya cried out pitifully as she used her free hand to protect her beautiful face from the swinging vines. “It will be fine!” I shouted back at her, “just don’t look back!” I confirmed as I breezed past the trees with ease. All men are useless, I chided as I recalled the man who had once stood before me. His presence lured me to him, there was an undeniable pull that made my heart race with my mind growing hazy, they were the signs of one’s mate and yet such a thing was unheard of. I hated the thought of a man claiming me as his own, to be made as his plaything and not his equal. I existed solely to protect my sister who was meant to be the next goddess, her blood was that of a true Ansian, our ancestors bred their offspring to ensure the line of reincarnated gods and goddesses continued and yet my mother refused to reveal how the practice was performed. “Wait!” Deya cried out as she stumbled to her feet. “There’s no time!” I shouted at Deya as her pace began to slow. “Run!”  “Eursa!” She pleaded. “Stop being a brat, Deya!” I spat as I grew annoyed. Dad coddles her far too much! I seethed as I headed in the direction of safety. The approaching men would back off once they realized they were no match for the sponsors, those who protected those who participated and ensured rogue men didn’t violate any unsuspecting women. We must have gone too deep, I thought nervously as the trees began to break with an open field appearing before us. “Two are emerging!” a voice shouted as the forms of our sponsors ran to us. “Help her!” I demanded as I handed Deya off to one of the men dressed all in white, indicating his role. “Of course!” he assured as he held his hand out for Deya to take and led her away to safety. They will regret ever setting their sight upon my sister! I thought as I ground my teeth before turning on my heels and ran into the forest where we had just emerged. My raven hair wove around me as I sprinted forward, the pain in my ankle was gone as I focused on the ground before me. I instinctively sucked the energy from the core of the earth with my soles growing warm, the ground was rough and uneven with barbed weeds cutting into my feet as I forced my weight forward until I emerged from behind a tree and forced my fist into the face of an unsuspecting victim. “Agh!” he cried out as my knuckles contacted his eye socket. His cheekbone crunched from the impact with blood sprouting from the gaping wound beneath his eye. I rocked back on my heels and pulled my leg back before kneeing him in the groin. His body quivered from the unsuspecting pain as he hunched over, his face growing pale, and fell to his knees as he released an anguished scream. “Remeron!” I sneered, disgusted as I glanced at the boy before me. “You f*****g b***h!” Remeron breathlessly sputtered. “You’re pathetic,” I sneered as I remained a calm demeanour before kneeing him in the stomach. I wailed into his hunched-over frame as the once stoic and brave man began to cry as I broke his bones one by one. Mud clung to his once-perfect blonde hair as he cried pitifully into the ground. The others who had followed him turned on their heels the moment they witnessed their friend getting beat to a pulp, I refused to stop until his legs and ribs were broken and his blood-soaked my once golden outfit. “f*****g die!” I shouted, my calm demeanour breaking. Arms wrapped around my armpits as someone pulled me away from the unconscious boy before me. His face was a pitiful mess with tears running down his cheeks, his blood stained the soil and yet he was not dead. I spat at his dirtied appearance as the figure violently pulled me away and turned me into them where a familiar scent swarmed through my senses and lulled my anger until it was a shadow. He deserves this, I thought as my vision blackened.