Reborn To Save The Lycan King

CHAPTER 4

LARA'S POV

“What is she doing?” A scream rose up from the crowd.

I don’t know! I screamed within myself. I have no idea, okay?

Ciaran? How could it be Ciaran? It made absolutely no sense! He was the Lycan King after all, he couldn’t die! These thoughts and more flooded into my head and suddenly the crowd turned into an angry mob, screaming curses at me. I was overwhelmed by the abrupt turn of events. Where was everyone when Ciaran himself had said that I would be guided by the so-called ancestors of the pack? I didn’t choose him, they did! So, why were the curses directed at me?

“Blasphemy! That’s blasphemy! She should be beheaded!” Another cry from the crowd, this time more desperate and frightful.

“Yeah!” A hundred more voices concurred and suddenly, I saw objects in the sky.

They were throwing things at me now, as though I had just displayed a horrible circus act. Ciaran was rooted to the spot, his eyes had become blank and his mouth hung slightly open, he was still riddled in a state of shock.

“Protect the King’s mate!” Someone screamed, and a dozen guards rushed towards me.

They formed a semicircle in front of me, using their shields to fend off the objects being thrown at me. I felt a pull on my hand and I turned my head to find someone pulling me away from the courtyard. I only had a back view of his short, blonde hair and broad shoulders. I was so shaken by the crowd’s reaction that I didn’t even object to being pulled away by this stranger. He led me towards the pack house, my lips were quivering, my fingers shook and the pang of my thumping heart against my chest made me breathless.

The hefty guards at the door gave way, and we walked into a lighted hallway. He didn’t stop or let go until we arrived at a vast sitting room that reeked of wealth. He released his grip around my wrist and ran his fingers through his hair, prancing up and down the room restlessly. He suddenly looked at me with bloodshot, washed-out blue eyes and gestured towards an expensive sofa. I took a deep breath and sat down, just watching him lose his calm. My outer appearance might have seemed nervous, but it was nothing compared to the commotion going on in my body, it took an effort to sit still.

“I’m Karlos, Ciaran’s Beta,” He said finally. “They are just angry because they do not understand what is going on but frankly, I don’t think any soul in this pack does right now.” He regarded me curiously and took a step closer to me, leaning towards my terrified, sweaty face, “Do you hate Ciaran?”

“What?” I exclaimed, shocked that he would even use this method of approach to make me the villain. “I’ve only met him once!” The murder scene at the courtyard, then the cave flashed in my mind and my voice dropped into a thin whisper, “Or maybe twice.”

“So, you were purely under the influence of the blue potion,” He said more to himself than me, backing away.

“Of course!” I said and sighed. “I wasn’t in control of my body, my finger fell on King Ciaran and remained that way, there was nothing I could do about it, you have to believe me.”

“I do.” Ciaran said flatly as he walked in, accompanied by the three witches and a few old men who frowned at me with disgust written all over their faces. “The ancestors have made their decision; the blue potion has never been wrong up to this point.”

“Ciaran, it’s crazy, it’s impossible!” Karlos protested, seeking the support of others in the room with his eyes. “A king has never been the chosen one, so why now? We can’t accept that!”

A dozen nervous glances were exchanged in the room as Ciaran walked up to Karlos and placed a hand on his shoulder. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me at that point. I didn’t want Ciaran to even look at me. I felt like he would murder me at that spot, but it wasn’t exactly my fault, was it?

“Shut the f**k up, Karlos.” Ciaran said in a harsh voice that felt like a whiplash, to everyone’s surprise, and Karlos bowed his head with a frown. Ciaran turned away and addressed everyone in the room. I saw confusion in his eyes, but he spoke with a steady voice. “As we know, the day after the sacrifice is chosen, he or she dies. I want to die alone, in my room. Anyone that dares to step into my wing will be killed on the spot. I have accepted my fate.” He stared at me impassively. “And you all should too.”

“There is a way out, my king!” One of the witches cried and glared at me. “She will have to die with you and go back to appease the Goddess! We have done our research, on account that any member of the royal family is chosen as the sacrifice, the King’s mate can go back and alter the Goddess’ will via a quest.”

I gasped, staring at everyone, whose stares had suddenly turned towards me eagerly. “Die? Me? No, no, no…” I mumbled and took a step backwards, shaking my head frantically.

“No!” Ciaran stated with a thundering finality and walked to the witch. His hand suddenly shot up and grabbed her by the neck viciously. “Do I look like a f*****g coward? King Ciaran is no coward! She doesn’t die, and she will alter nothing!” He roared and let go of the fast-reddening neck of the frightened witch. “This is my farewell to everyone. When I die, throw a feast and party all night, eat until you are fat. My father died protecting the three gems that hold this pack in place and if my blood has to be what would seal the blood potion that secures it this time, then so be it. I will die bravely and honorably, for the same because my father did.” He paused and pointed a finger at me, making my heart skip a beat. “But no man should lay hands on her. She will not get married to another.”

He paused for a moment, then looked at Karlos again, “I am entrusting her training to you,” He pointed at me, “Only the king or the king’s mate can protect the three gems. Train her until she is fit to protect the gems, then she will be crowned ruler of the pack.”

Karlos frowned, but he only bowed to Ciaran.

We all watched silently as he walked out of the room. That was the last time we were to see Ciaran alive. Although I had questioned why the mate bond had led me to a murderous king for a mate, I questioned it even more now. Why did my fate have to be so cruel? The others stared at me speechlessly, even Karlos couldn’t utter a word.

I dropped on the couch and covered my arms over my head. I just wanted it all to end, I didn’t want this burden or the hate from everyone else. What would happen to me after Ciaran was gone? Hold up. I looked up to meet everyone still in the living room and my heart really did start to hammer now. What would these people do to me when Ciaran was gone? What would be my purpose without my mate anyway? They would probably kill me. I could see it in their eyes…

“He dies at first crow in the morning.” The witch who had healed me said grimly, hours later into the night. “King Ciaran was a great conqueror.”

Another witch looked at me and I saw intent gleaming in her eyes, “He doesn’t have to die, and he will not!” She said, and they all started walking towards me, like a wake of vultures gathering around a worm. “You are not capable of protecting those gems, only King Ciaran is.”

“What…w-what are you doing?” I stammered, feeling a cold chill creeping up my spine. They kept on coming. “No! No! Stay away from me!”

“Seize her!” One of the witches commanded, and the Beta scooped me off my feet effortlessly. “To the King’s chambers, the ritual must be performed before the first crow!”

“No! Stop! Please…don’t kill me!” I cried as Karlos carried me on his shoulders out of the room. I cried until my throat became parched, but no one listened to me. “No…no…”

An hour later, I was locked up in Ciaran’s chambers, chained like an animal next to his limp body. I was shaking from head to toe, cold sweat formed a beeline down my spine and my heavy breathing made the only noise in the room. The three witches stood over me, muttering prayers to the Moon Goddess, appealing on Ciaran’s behalf and mine.

The last thing I heard before a terrifying darkness hovered all over me was, “Do not let her pure heart get contaminated by what she might find on the other side, do not let her die, for she is just a naïve little girl. Guide her, dear Goddess of the Moon.”

I screamed out “Help!”, but the darkness had already submerged me into an endless abyss.

__________________________________________________________________

Was I dead?

I heard footsteps all around me all of a sudden, after I had been trapped in a silent bubble for what seemed to be an eternity. I opened my eyes slowly and squinted at the brightness of the white, vast room. Different ladies hovered around me like a hive of bees, I was so confused by the scene before me. Where was I?

I groaned as I felt an ache in my head and suddenly, the room went silent. The strange ladies, dressed in the same maid's attire, paused and looked at me eagerly. Then one screamed,

“She is awake! The princess is awake! Go alert the King and Queen!” Her hysterical cry rang through the room. “Princess Lysandra is awake again!”

What? Who did they refer to as princess? I blinked severally and tried to sit up, but the same maid placed a warm hand on my forehead.

“Rest now, my princess.” She said with a soothing smile.

My eyes widened with shock, it was me…I was the princess!