The Lycan King’s Tribute

Nurtured

All my life, I’ve been a runt, a virgin with no wings to fly. I’ve always wondered what it’s like, giving myself to someone.” - Enoma Pearl

…

"Dear Elena,

They say, hope is dangerous. Especially, knowing that what you have is short lived. But right now, I don’t want to think. I want to go for it, anyway, whether it works or not. This is how I finally messaged you.

At first, I was sceptical about the Lycan King’s deal, but then I told myself I had nothing to lose. Even if he wants my hunting abilities, I have something he thinks of value anyway. Thus, as you taught me, I want to use it to my advantage.

Elena, I’m sorry for disappearing. The elders did unscrupulous things to me and made me participate in the choosing. And, no matter my pleas, they didn’t listen. Please do not worry so much, KOTA is treating me well so far. Although I have to watch for my life every moment, we’ve always been watching for our lives, haven’t we?

I wasn’t aware that some nightmares, become reality if it keeps replaying in your head. If I did, I would never have thought of the shadowy man from my dreams. Maybe he wouldn’t have ended up taking me, or made me participate in the mating Games. I’d have pushed us to escape more, and run off with mom, to escape such a dreary fate.

But you do not have to worry, he was only doing his job and delivered me to the train in one piece. Dear sister, please don’t worry about me. I’ll try my best to survive but please take care of mom and yourself. You are both the reason, I have hope, that I’ll get out. It might be tough, but do not give up. You have to make it through the winter.

Please ask Debby for a raise, so that it goes a bit somewhere, I’ll try on my path to make it home as soon as I can. I love you both.”

- Enoma.

As I finished those words, tears formed in my eyes. But I blinked continuously, so he didn’t know I was crying. I didn’t like my weakness being seen by anyone.

Thus, I folded the paper acting like it was okay, even if it wasn’t.

He did his part, fulfilled the deal, it’d be too much to ask for more. These were my thoughts as I folded the letter into three parts, placing it into the envelope.

Just as I did, the King came forward with the seal in his hands directed to his back. “Ready?" he muttered, asking me and I let out,

"Yeah," I nodded and as I did, he placed the seal in the middle of the envelope and the crimson loop turned solid.

My eyebrows knitted in worry, wondering if I should send it or perhaps, change the contents of the letter. But then, I had to send it so she knew my current state. That I wasn’t the cause of my disappearance, but the Elders. “A-Are you sure it’ll get to them?” I asked, to know my chances of reaching her.

“No,” he said, and my eyes narrowed towards him, wondering what games he was playing. “Just kidding, of course it will,”

“Okay then,” I let out, puffing out a sigh before adding, “Nice,”

“Or is there something I don’t know of? Do let me know if you have changed your mind,”

“W-What no, please send it out,” I stated, not realizing I just stammered. I had to keep my emotions in check, and they had to know my whereabouts at least.

“Very well then,” he said, moving to a section of his room to a purple flame, covered with ash stones, and put the letter in it, muttering,

“Evanesco,” the flames suddenly ignited, flaring up a bit before the letter went out of sight.

“Hopefully, he delivers early this time. He is always loaded with deliveries and has to do so according to order,” he said to me.

“Hun, who?” I asked, flustered by the letter’s disappearance.

“The Reaper,”

“Okay, but he delivers at the end, right?” I questioned, once more.

“Yep,”

“Okay,” I sighed, fidgeting my fingers and weighing my chances, only to realize he just made something disappear in front of me. And thus, I stared at the spot the letter had been in only for him to lean in, smirking in amusement.

“Ah, you’re wondering how I made that disappear, right?”

“I-“

“This is the Kingdom of magic, and everything we do, depends on it. Now, let’s head back there,” he said, moving to the spot where I wrote the letter. I stared at him shyly, clearing my voice and trying to look as unbothered as possible.

Yet, I couldn’t help it when a reaction came out of my throat, “Maddening,” he chuckled a bit, circling my frame halfway with his scent filling my nostrils.

I was finding this weird, because I had no wolf and had never smelled anyone so deeply. I was starting to get more traces of his scent, the chocolate musk and earth scent. And, it became stronger as time passed. They did something to me, I wasn’t yet sure what.

“KOTA’s letters usually pass through formalities before it’s sent out, but I made it confidential because it involves your family,” he said.

“Oh, I see,” I said, settling his words in before realizing he just mentioned my family. “How did you know of my family?” I let out, with my stomach dropping.

“I have been keeping my tabs on you, Enoma. Right from when you made your first kill as a hunter, and when you… You know what, it doesn’t matter. But I know you care about your family, and won’t do anything that would compromise their safety,”

“You’ve been watching me?” I asked, with furrowed brows, feeling on guard. “How much do you know about me?”

“Just enough,” he said.

“And I’m supposed to accept it, because you just helped keep my family safe?”

“I didn’t situate any of that, you’re welcome,” he said, which made my brows furrow.

“Then what did you mean?” I let out, asking, “How much of me did you see and witness?” I said, with a suspicious glance.

“I’d love to answer your questions, but I have somewhere to be right now,” he suddenly said. “I’ll see to it that your questions are answered tonight, and send out guards at your room’s entrances, be safe, Enoma,”

“And-“ I paused, controlling myself before saying, “Okay,”

“Just trust me, I’m not the enemy,” he repeated, touching my shoulders, only for some familiar feeling to course through me.

Electricity reverberated through my skin, and I couldn’t help but think that this had happened before. Or maybe not.

I was surely imagining things, from the way he made the conversation. I told myself.

“Tonight?” I let out, to confirm his words.

“Yes, Enoma,” he answered again, which made me decide to wait.

“Okay, then. I’ll um… head out now,” I suddenly said, feeling weird as I stood up, hurrying to his door only to realize I didn’t curtsy. I stopped in my steps, saying, “My King,”

“Hmm,” he said with a stern expression, waving me off as I adjusted my clothes, exhaling, and with one last glance at his frame and dark violet suit, I exited his room, closing the door behind me.

Pacing my footsteps along the corridors, I tried to make my way back to my room with thoughts of King Daxon watching me a bit impatient at the fact that I had to wait till tonight at the requirement dinner, for answers.

Just as I thought of these, I saw Destiny at a distance and noticed she was talking to Angela, who timidly gave her a copy of a published newspaper.

I smiled at both of them, recalling my bond with Elena only to widen my eyes at the realization, that this was today’s edition, and she didn’t know about King Daxon selecting me.