The Lycan King Slave Princess

Chapter 5

Lyra Pov

I woke up several hours later, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Their feet and hands were bound together—something often done with slaves. My body ached, and as I tried to sit up, my head spiraled. The last thing I remembered was escaping Alpha Augustine’s clutches and passing out in the forest.

My new environment was different, and before I could process what was going on, a strong hand grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet.

“Is she the one you’re looking for?” He asked, his voice sharp and harsh, sending a wave of fear through me.

I blinked, confused, looking at the man and woman standing before us. They both stared at me with wide, desperate eyes. The intensity of their gaze unsettled me.

The woman stepped forward, her hand trembling slightly as she reached for me. "Impossible. She... she looks exactly like our daughter," she said, her voice cracking. "She had gone missing a few days ago after being betrothed to the king.”

My brows furrowed. She obviously had me confused with someone else.

“When I heard the news,” she continued, her voice steadying, “that someone who looked exactly like my missing daughter had been found, I knew I had to come see for myself.”

“You’re one lucky woman, Lady Evelyn. You got here just in time,” the man replied, a sinister grin lining his lips. “We were about to sell her off with the others.”

Sell? The others?

What was he talking about? Nothing was making any sense to me yet.

“That’s just our luck,” she chuckled, her expression brighter now.

Her eyes sized me up—a flicker of something dark, sinister hidden in her gaze. I couldn’t quite understand it.

“Then it’s settled.” The man whom I assumed was her husband finally spoke, his loud voice booming in the air. “We’ll take her.”

“Yes,” the woman squealed, her eyes lighting up with excitement—one that made my skin crawl.

“How much is she worth?” the man asked.

“Fifty gold pieces.”

My jaw dropped. Fifty gold pieces was a lot of money. Only the rich could afford such a huge sum.

“Deal.” the man said, throwing a bag containing the money at the trader.

The trader’s grin widened as he counted his fee. Pleased with the transaction, he handed me over to the couple and went on his way.

The woman’s expression shifted into a serious look. “We’re your masters now, and you must do as you’re told. No questions asked.” her eyes bore holes in my skin.

My heart sank.

I needed no soothsayer to tell me what I had just witnessed. The man who had sold me to them was a slave trader. And as a replacement for their missing daughter, the couple decided to buy me.

What a cruel fate I’ve been dealt.

Without resisting, I followed my new masters back to their home. As soon as we arrived, Lady Evelyn turned to me with keen eyes. “You will appear before the Lycan king as our daughter, Katrina.” she said firmly.

Before I could respond, her husband cut in. “The king must not know that you’re not her. You’ll be dead if he finds out.” his voice was stern, it sent cold shivers up my spine.

Fear gripped me. I had little time to process what was happening as two women suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Have her bathed and clothed in the finest raiment.” the woman commanded. “She is to appear before the king.”

Everything was happening so fast. Just like before, I was being forced to do something against my will.

Following Lady Evelyn’s orders, I was bathed and adorned in a beautiful dress. I looked like a true noble, a clear contrast from my slave status.

Lady Evelyn’s eyes lit up with excitement as I appeared before her. “Perfect.” she murmured, reaching out to me. “The king will never be able to tell.”

As soon as Evelyn approved of me, I was immediately escorted to the palace by two girls slightly older than me. They were supposed to serve as my maids—or rather, Katrina’s.

I knew little about the man I was about to meet. All I knew was that I had to pretend to be Katrina, betrothed to the Lycan king.

Upon our arrival at the palace, an announcement was made, and I was taken to see the king. When I finally stood before him, I felt a strange sensation. My wolf stirred inside me.

“Mate.” she howled within me.

The moment our eyes met, I saw his expression shift with something unrecognizable. He appeared to be unsettled. It almost felt like his wolf recognized me too—just like I did.

That was when I heard it, “Wolf,” a guttural growl.

Panic clawed at my throat, but I forced myself to stay composed. I could not afford to blow my cover. His wolf calling out to me was unexpected.

He was betrothed to Katrina. Didn’t that make her his mate?

I was distraught, but I had an image to maintain.

In my moment of conflict, I noticed a shift in his gaze. His expression hardened, dark with suspicion as his eyes narrowed like he was studying me.

“Katrina, welcome.” he finally broke the silence.

I exhaled slowly, relief washed over me. With the way his eyes narrowed my body, I feared briefly that I had been caught. But I was safe—for now.

“Thank you, your majesty.” I bowed slightly.

“I heard you had gone missing a few days ago.” his eyes narrowed.

I swallowed hard, as my muscles tensed. For gaze wavered for a brief moment, threatening to betray me.

A soft chuckle left my lips, though it felt forced. “That was only a rumor. I suffered a brief illness that confined me to my home.

My parents didn’t want anyone to worry.”

He nodded, his nostrils flaring slightly as if catching an unfamiliar scent.

"You are not Katrina," he declared, his voice laced with certainty.

My breath hitched. “I—I don’t understand what you mean, your majesty.” I was desperate to keep up the act.

He shouldn’t find out. No!

His jaw tightened, a low growl slipping from his throat. “Don’t you dare lie to me.” His voice was intimidating. I recoiled, terror gripping me.

“Katrina is of age and has already found her mate—a young man who went missing days ago.” He stood up from his seat and began walking towards me.

I took a step back, my fingers instinctively gripping the fabric of my dress. “Your scent is different,” he scowled, cold, piercing eyes sinking into my skin. “And the way you speak… you’re not her.”

My blood ran cold. I’ve been caught in my own lie even before it began. My lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

“If you truly are Katrina,” he continued, his voice low and steady, making my heart race. “Then prove it.”

How was I supposed to prove I was someone whom I barely even knew?

I was still battling with my thoughts when his next words caught me off guard.

“Strip.”

I froze. "W-What?" My voice came as a whisper.

"Katrina was marked when she was betrothed to me," he said, eyes glinting with challenge. "If you are truly her, then you bear my mark."

I hesitated. A voice in my head screamed to run, but my body refused to move.

There was no way out of this. Slowly, I reached for the side of my dress, my fingers trembling as I pulled it down to reveal my bare skin.

His scrutinizing gaze roamed over me, searching for the mark that was never there.

His nostrils flared with rage. His jaw clenched tight as his nails curled into a fist.

“Who are you? How dare you try to deceive me?” he growled.

Before I could speak, a knock came on the door. “My king, your attention is needed for urgent pack matters.” the voice was brisk, and urgent.

I quickly put my dress back on, waiting for whatever fate I would be dealt with.

He released a sharp breath, his warning gaze not leaving me. “Throw her in the dungeon.” he commanded, and before I could protest, rough hands seized me, taking me away.