The Lycan Prince's Fallen Mate

Chapter 4- To see without my eyes

Zenith



Yet another win, as they said another feather added to my hat. I have already broken all the record anyone ever held in school including my dad’s, and I still had a year left of high school. I should be celebrating with my team, accepting congratulations from my friends, planning for an awesome post-party, or listening to appreciation from our coach. Still, my mind couldn’t comprehend anyone other than the brown-eyed girl sitting alone on the bleachers.

Zeke, my beast, is restless. I know what this means but he isn’t exactly pushing me towards Calista, rather he is looking for someone else. According to him, she is nearby but couldn’t place her. An image keeps on playing in my head but I have never seen such a beauty anywhere. Who is she? Why is Calista triggering this?

“Congratulations, Sterling.” The bold voice of Kevin broke my trance. I looked down and jumped up from my friend’s shoulder. We shared a bro hug, glad that he was here to see this important match. After all, it was his work that made this team.

“It’s all because of you, otherwise this team,” I rolled my eyes jokingly.

“Well, I know but I don’t think anyone could have taken them forward like you did. So, this is your win.”

“Thanks, bud, so what’s your plan for tonight? Guys were planning to raid Richards and then meet by the lake. Come on, it will be fun.” I invited him to our party, now I am ready to have some fun.

“I would love to but I have plans with Cal and have to leave tonight. Have to be back by tomorrow morning.” Kevin patted my shoulder, ready to leave.

“Ah, fine, next time then.”

“You got it, go celebrate your win captain.”

“See you!”

We shook hands and Kevin made his way to Calista. I observed them for a while. Calista only seemed to open up for her brother else than that she is so closed off, to the point I didn’t even know she went to the same school. To others, she might seem like a bland boring girl but I knew for sure, Calista, that girl is a mystery.

The cheerleaders and the team were already planning for the night. With today’s win, everyone had already forgotten that in a week we have our finals. I shook my head and joined them.

“Cap, everything set for the night, you in?”

“Of course, I will meet you guys there directly. I have some things to take care of.” We started to walk towards our locker room.

“I will see you tonight, Zenith.” Maya winked at me with a smile. I gave a small smile of my own and walked away.

The guys started to shower and change out their sweaty jerseys. Zeke was struggling inside me, I had to go for a run to ease him. Today was the new moon so there won’t be many werewolves in the woods so it was for the best. On the New Moon, without the moon or the sky, the wolves are at their weakest and avoid turning into their beast whereas on the full moon, they are the strongest. On the other hand, for lycan it’s different. We are connected to the moon but various cosmic powers tether us to Earth so the position of the moon has very little to zero effect on us.

“Maya is pretty excited for tonight,” Greg commented beside me. I was drying my hair listening to guys gossip like little girls. I swear to god, I don’t how these guys are supposed to be the best of their pack and tribes. “We all know, why?” Greg elbowed me in my ribs. I stepped back, putting on my T-shirt.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, come on Zenith, don’t act. It’s not like you are a virgin.”

I am not but that doesn’t mean I get together with every girl that smiles my way or sees me as a trophy to brag about in school. I have had some relations here and there but each was respectful, a medium to release tension and mutual. It really helped that the girls were from other schools and some were even older which avoided the drama.

Even if I have to get together with someone from school, Maya and her group will be the last on my list. The list wasn’t long but an unknown face with unique eyes has gotten on it. I don’t even know if she exists I packed my bag and got ready to leave.

“See you guys, tonight.” I ignored their fuss and went to the parking lot.

As I drove to the woods, the town lights gradually faded, giving way to the darkness of the forest. I parked my car at a familiar spot hidden from the main road. The anticipation of the transformation pulsed through me, a primal energy that surged with the setting sun. Zeke was craving this run but now even I am pumped for this release.

Exiting the car, I took a deep breath of the crisp night air, my senses sharpening as the dark sky provided me with dark peace. With a deliberate focus, I began the transformation ritual, feeling the ancient power coursing through my veins. Muscles rippled and bones shifted as I embraced my lycan nature and let Zeke free.

In moments, I stood before the dark sky covered with stars, my senses heightened and Zeke’s instincts guiding me. With a primal howl, Zeke signaled his readiness and bounded off into the depths of the forest, the earth beneath his paws vibrating with every stride. I took a step back and let Zeke take full control, easing him up from the restlessness that had taken over him since this morning.

The woods welcomed me, the rustle of leaves and the whisper of wind becoming my companions in the night. I ran, Zeke’s form blending seamlessly with the shadows, a creature of the wild unleashed under the watchful gaze of the stars and all the cosmic bodies.

As I disappeared into the darkness, all my worries and troubles melted away, replaced by the freedom and exhilaration of the hunt. For tonight, I was no longer a man burdened by the complexities of life but a lycan, wild and untamed, running under the canopy of stars embracing my true nature.

As I reached the tranquil lake nestled within the heart of the woods, I paused to take in the serene beauty of the surroundings. The stars’ shimmering reflections upon the still water, created a mesmerizing spectacle that seemed to captivate me.

Stepping closer to the lake's edge, I caught sight of my reflection rippling on the surface. What stared back at me was not the face of a man but the visage of a majestic beast—a lycan born of ancient lineage and primal power. The lycan prince of the Black Walker tribe, born to rule and carry forward the great history of my ancestors.

My fur, a deep shade of midnight black, glistened in the water, each strand seemingly woven with threads of silver. Powerful muscles rippled beneath my sleek coat, and my eyes, pools of molten gold, held a fierce intelligence tempered by centuries of survival instincts. They glowed with an inner fire, mirroring the untamed spirit that dwelled within me.

Long, pointed ears twitched at the slightest sound, attuned to the symphony of the night. And my snout, lined with razor-sharp teeth, bore testament to the primal instincts that drove me—a predator in the cosmic domain. As I gazed at Zeke, a sense of pride and belonging washed over me. In this state, I was not bound by the limitations of humanity. I was Zenith, the embodiment of the wild, a creature of the night guided by the moon's luminous guidance.

“This is good, we need to run more often.” Zeke voiced his thoughts in my head.

“We could but remember who we are, we can’t just prat around like wolves and have to maintain our privacy.”

It was bad enough I had to move to this school as my father wanted me to understand the town better moving my sister and I to the public school. We are the royalties and with the size of our beast, we have to think twice before transformation as with transformation the release of energy is enormous and nature can’t balance that.

Zeke understood and stayed silent. Instead, he started to bring the image of the mystery girl again and this time I could clearly make out all of her features.

“What are you doing, Zeke? Who is she?”

“I don’t know, I have a feeling that she is out mate. Zenith, we have a mate.” I stayed silent as Zeke did a happy dance.

‘Mate’, it’s a weird word. I should be ecstatic but this concept didn’t hold the same charm for me as it did to other supernatural beings. Knowing that there is someone out there for you, having the pull of the red string that makes you feel things out of your control. I don’t like things when they are out of control. I would rather meet someone and let the course run to understand if she and I were compatible.

After my 18th birthday, I will be more sensitive toward finding my mate but why would I want to be tied down to something that serious and sacred at the age of 18? I love who I am but this one thing makes me despise our species. I have seen mates stay together, tolerating torture, toxicity, and why; just because that’s meant to be.

Zeke scoffed at my thoughts and started to flash her image repeatedly. This was his way of showing what I would miss and how absurd my thoughts were. Running out of the woods, my head throbbed with a relentless ache, the aftermath of Zeke's persistent intrusion into my thoughts. Despite the physical pain, the turmoil within me was far worse. I wasn’t ready to deal with these thoughts.

As I emerged into the clearing, I staggered to a halt, leaning against a nearby tree for support. Breathing heavily, I closed my eyes, attempting to block out the cacophony of emotions raging within me. Zeke's mocking laughter echoed in my mind, a reminder of his douchebaggery. I transformed quickly and put on my clothes.

The image of a mate flashed before my eyes, a tantalizing glimpse of what could be. But instead of invoking desire, it stirred a sense of dread within me. Opening my eyes, I reached for the sketchbook tucked into my bag inside the card. With trembling hands, I flipped through its pages, seeking solace in the familiar strokes of pencil on paper.

Drawing had always been my sanctuary, a way to calm my beast and chaotic thoughts that home inside my mind. The images took shape beneath my fingers— a pair of eyes, unlike any I had ever seen before today. They were mesmerizing, a swirling blend of deep purple and shimmering gold, paired with shapely eyebrows. I was about to sketch her face when texts from my friends started to pour in for the party.

I took a last look at my sketch and those captivating eyes. Till next time, mystery girl…