The Lycan King's Forbidden Mate

26

Every training with the court council of the kingdom, I considered one thing to keep me believing that I would somehow still find hope that I would really shift into my wolf form one of these days.

Even training with the imposibly annoying Lucas, but right now, I wasn't feeling too happy, I wasn't sad either I'm just...

Frustrated.

I inhaled sharply, took me a few minutes to exhale.

The morning sun casted golden rays over the lush forest that surrounded the kingdom, it brightened the training grounds where the kingdom's warriors and the others honed their skills.

The air was also thick this morning, it carried the scent of damp earth and pine, but all I could focus on was the powerful figure standing before me.

King Marcus, my trainer, my distraction, and the one reason why my heart just seemed to refuse to beat at a normal pace since last night.

Marcus's golden eyes glowed with amusement as he crossed his arms, watching me fidget.

His strong, muscular frame was clad in nothing but training leathers, his bare chest on display, and I much to my dissapointment, not to Marcus nor to anyone but myself when my gaze kept betraying me more than once as it wandered.

"You're staring again, Foxy."

He said, his voice was like a dark melody, teasing me.

I snapped my head up, I felt my cheeks burning.

"I-I wasn't staring!"

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest, and he took a step closer, invading my space.

"Oh? Then why do you look as if you want to run?"

I did!

I whispered to myself.

I trully and deeply wanted to run, go as far as my legs could take me, but not because I was afraid, but because everywhere I turn, whatever I do, my own thoughts was practically whining in my head, its urging me to lean into him.

Last night had been too much. Marcus had confessed and, against all reason, had kissed me.

For countless of times since breakfast, I once again flinched at the memory of his lips on mine, it happened last night but the feelings just sent shivers down my spine.

"Can we just- j-just focus on the training?"

I said, trying to inject authority into my own voice.

Marcus tilted his head, his smirk deepened making me look away.

"That's what we're doing, Foxy. But it seems you're the one struggling to focus."

A burst of laughter came from the side, and I turned sharply to see Lucas, he's now again grinning like a fox.

Behind him, a few members of the court council and other wolves whispered amongst themselves, some with knowing smiles.

The sight only made my heart pound even louder against my chest.

"This is a training session, not a courting ritual, King Marcus!"

Lucas teased, folding his arms. I tried so hard not to shot him a deadly glare.

"Though I must say, watching you make our Foxy blush is far more entertaining than fighting drills."

I groaned, since I could no longer help it, this time, I finally shot Lucas a glare.

"You're not helping."

"Oh, but I live to help."

Lucas's grin widened.

"Especially when my King is looking at you as if he'd rather ravish you than train you."

Marcus growled lowly, though amusement still shone in his eyes.

"Lucas, unless you want to be the next one shifting against your will, I'd suggest you shut up."

Marcus warned.

Lucas merely shrugged, unbothered, and leaned against a nearby tree.

"Oh, please. You wouldn't dare. That would mean less time spent flirting with your lovely student."

I groaned louder and turned back to Marcus.

"Can we actually train now?"

Marcus's smirk softened into something else, something that seemed far more dangerous to my already weakened and confused heart.

He reached out and tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear making me freeze, his fingers lingering a second too long.

"I seemed to forget to tell you last night, Foxy."

He murmured, his voice dropping.

"You are mine to guide. Mine to train. And mine to protect."

He said, his expression full of seriousness.

My breath hitched, and I seemed to forget how to function for a moment.

Lucas clapped his hands together.

"That's it! I'm calling it! This isn't training, people, this is seduction."

A few wolves and the kingdom's court council around us howled in laughter, making me wish for the ground to swallow me whole.

Marcus, on the other hand, looked rather pleased with himself.

"Enough..."

I snapped, hoping that it would someone hide my embarrassments, trying to regain control.

"I need to shift, and if you keep… d-distracting me, I'll never be able to do it!"

Marcus once again studied me for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

"Very well."

He took a step back, though his gaze remained fixed on mine.

"Clear your mind. Feel the power of your wolf. Let it rise, and don't fight it."

I tried...

I truly did...

But every time I reach into myself, I feel nothing...

Just emptiness.

I'd love to think that it's only because of the pressened of the very powerful, ever so brooding and distracting Lycan King, especially that I seemed to find his scent so overwhelming, or his voice felt like a constant pull. I'd love to think that it's all because of that.

But I know too well that it's not.

"Nothing's happening..."

I muttered in frustration.

"I-I don't feel anything..."

Marcus hummed and stepped closer once more, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear.

"Because you're thinking of me."

I stiffened, my entire body flushing.

"Am I wrong?"

He whispered.

I didn't answer, but I think that was answer enough.

Again, I heard Lucas let out an exaggerated sigh.

"For the love of the Moon, just kiss her and get it over with so she can focus."

A chorus of amused chuckles followed, but I was barely paying attention anymore, especially when Marcus tilted my chin up, his golden eyes searching mine.

"Would that help?"

He asked, voice low and tempting.

I felt my heart thundered in my chest, and I knew, if he kiss me again, I'd be even more lost.

And yet, I wasn't so sure I cared.

Not when someone like King Marcus was looking at me like I was his entire world.

I catch my breath when Marcus's gaze lingered for a moment before he stepped even closer, his expression soft.

And without warning, he reached out and cupped the back of my head, tilting it slightly before pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

I froze.

Every thought seemed to vanished, every worry melted away.

And all I could do was close my eyes and revel in the warmth of his touch.

"You can do this, Foxy."

He murmured against my skin.

"You can focus. You can shift. Your wolf is there, you just have to trust yourself."

My heart pounded.

But still, I managed to push him away gently, and without any words, I stood at the center, my bare feet sinking into the damp earth.

My breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps as I clenched my fists at my sides.

I had to do this....

I had to shift...

Focus, Foxy... focus...

"Again!"

Marcus commanded, his voice calm but firm.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and shut my eyes. I reached deep within myself, searching for the presence of the wolf I was supposed to become.

I tried to feel the energy, the spark, the telltale pull of transformation.

But all I found was emptiness.

A void where something was supposed to be.

Nothing...

My fingers twitched, my muscles trembled, but still, nothing.

"Damn it!"

Her fingers twitched, her muscles trembled—but still, no shift.

"Damn it!"

I growled as I felt the weight of frustration boiling over me. I bent forward, pressing my hands to my knees as I gasped for air.

"Why isn't it working?"

Marcus stepped closer.

"You're forcing it."

He said.

"Your wolf won't respond to desperation. You have to let it come to you."

I shot him a glare, my eyes flashing.

"Let it come to me?"

I repeated bitterly.

"What if it never does?"

Silence hung between us. Even the other wolves who just a few minutes ago was laughing at us, teasing now silent like the night.

In the background I saw how Lucas and Ayane exchanged uncertain glances but said nothing.

I straightened, my voice quieter now, but no less intense.

"What if my old pack was right? What if Alaric was right?"

Marcus's brow furrowed.

"Right about what?"

"That I don't belong!"

I whispered.

"That I never have. That I never will. That I will never be anything more than just Alpha Walden Fox's daughter, or that I was only being tolerated because of my bloodline, my heritage."

A muscle ticked in Marcus's jaw, now even Lucas who did nothing all day shifted uncomfprtably.

"Who told you that?"

Ayane, who reamained quite the whole time finally spoke.

My throath trightened.

"I-it's not important, I'm just saying what if they are right?"

Marcus's eyes darkened.

"Well they were wrong."

"Were they?"

I challenged.

"I've tried a thousand times. I've trained. I've meditated. I've done everything I was told to do, and still. Nothing."

I took a step back, shaking my head.

"Ma-maybe I really was never meant to be a wolf."

I said, frustration grew even bigger, and the next thing I knew, Marcus closed the distance between us in an instant.

His hand reached out, resting lightly on my shoulder.

"Listen to me."

He said, his voice low but full of command.

"Your wolf is there, Foxy. I know it. I can feel it."

I hesitated, my throat burning.

"Then why can't I?"

Marcus's fingers tightened just slightly, grouding me.

"I don't know, my little Fox."

I flinched.

A tear slipped down my cheek, but I wiped it away quickly.

"What if I never shift?"

Marcus tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Then we'll keep trying. And I'll be right here. Every step of the way."

I swallowed hard.

The night I left shadow walker pack, I thought I've already accepted the fact that I really don't belong to my own kind.

Until I was here.

I wanted to believe him. More than anything, I wanted to believe I wasn't broken.

That I belong.

So, for now, I nodded.

"Okay."

Marcus offered a small and warm smile.

"Good. Now, take a breath. We try again."