Lycan Castiel’s Vengeful Mistress

Chapter 12

Castiel

The beautiful thought of my Sophie had been imprinted upon my mind, and I could not get her out.

I had waited for years, I had lost hope, I had stopped believing—but she had finally arrived.

My mate.

She was perfect.

So beautiful.

As I recalled the union with Sophie, a warmth spread through my chest. I could still feel the intensity of our connection. The passion and love I felt at that moment were unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

I didn’t want to leave my Sophie’s side this morning, but I had so many questions which were still unanswered, and only one person knew the answer to those.

The soothsayer.

A wise and ancient wizard, who possessed the power to see the future. He had been around for centuries and lived deep within the caves.

My loyal friend, Landon, and I were riding on our horses, making our way through the woods as we headed to the cave.

I had to know if finding Sophie truly meant that the curse had been broken. I had to know I was free, so I could finally lead my kingdom without any worries.

"Landon, speed up," I playfully urged him. “Or have you lost your skills?”

“That’s not it.” Landon sped up his horse, catching up with me. "You seem to be in quite a hurry, Castiel," he remarked.

"It's because I want to get back to my Sophie soon.”

Landon chortled. "I haven't seen you like this in ages."

He was right, neither had I.

I didn’t even know it was possible for someone like me to feel such a sense of warmth towards a person.

My heart belonged to Sophie, and so did the beast’s. I felt it within.

"Bringing Sophie to the palace had to be a sign of truce from the Moon Goddess." Landon listened attentively as I continued. "She wasn't afraid of my scar, and I was able to control the beast around her…I will make her my queen."

“But you can’t!” Landon opposed this time, his tone serious. “Queen Meria is the queen. Queen Meria is your queen, regardless of her not being your mate.”

"Why would I keep someone on the throne who isn't my mate?"

Any excuse to kick her out of the palace would do. With this newly found power, called courage, I didn’t need her or her father anymore. I could start building the kingdom with a humble queen like Sophie by my side.

"It has to do with keeping the kingdom together and avoiding a war," Landon argued. "Besides, I think the extra seat beside you and the queen is enough for now."

“Hmm.” I chuckled, choosing not to respond. Then I urged my horse to ride harder, so I wouldn’t have to listen to any more of his nonsense.

~

After some time, we arrived at the soothsayer’s cave.

The cave was on top of a mountain, its stones shrouded in darkness and mystery. When I was younger, Father often used to take me to the cage, to seek guidance, and I have not stopped going ever since.

The soothsayer had once told him I was either destined for greatness or doomed to misery. After Father, the one who meant the most to me had passed—I accepted the latter.

I looked back at Landon, who shrugged his shoulders. “With all due respect.” He smiled. “I’m not entering that cave before you.”

“So be it.” I led the way.

Many called the soothsayer a devil, but in my eyes, he was just as important as the Moon Goddess. After all, he was the one who had been alive for centuries.

The insides were covered in ancient runes and year-old symbols. A bright glow poured from the depths of the cave, revealing the usual spot of the sayer.

As we walked closer, I could see him in a corner. He wore his usual dark robe, with a hood covering his eyes.

“The cursed Lycan king.” He called out to me. "I have been waiting for you,"

"Then you've already heard the good news?" I asked, sitting down beside him.

“I can hear and see everything, Lycan Castiel." The sayer answered. “I know more about you than you think, including your friend—the great knight Landon.” He said. “I know your desires, your fears—“

“I am aware.” I got straight to the point. “I’ve come to ask if Sophia is truly my mate.”

The soothsayer groaned. "You don't need me to answer that, Castiel. You already know."

"Is she my light?" I pressed further.

“Your light?” The sayer lifted his hood slightly, revealing his narrowed eyes. "Sophia is both your light and your darkness."

“What is that supposed to mean?” His words managed to frighten me a little.

How could Sophie be my darkness, when she had only brought me light?

“The curse?” I questioned. “Has the curse been broken?” Since yesterday, I had not felt any pain.

"It has." The sayer confirmed. "But your story has only just begun."

“Sophie’s darkness…” I spoke softly. “Does it have anything to do with greed and jealousy, and should I make her my queen to prevent this from happening?” The thought of my mate thinking she wasn’t good enough pained me.

The soothsayer laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the cave. “Are you speaking of your own greed and jealousy, Castiel?” He spoke in between laughter.

My eyes slightly rolled at his words. Those were the words Sayer had often used to describe me. Accusing my greed for the reason why the curse happened in the first place.

"Sophia, the strong and powerful Sophie, should never be crowned queen until you learn to respect her position." The sayer said.

I furrowed my brows, confused. "What position are you talking about?"

Sophie was kind, gorgeous, and well-mannered, but I could also sense her lack of strength. For starters, she wasn’t a Lycan, but I wasn’t born one either—so I was not one to judge. Although her wolf was present, somewhere deep within—it wasn’t that powerful.

Perhaps I had sensed wrong, and there was more to her than met the eye.

“I’m afraid that’s it, Lycan Castiel.” The soothsayer carried a doubtful smirk across his lips. “Your visit has been…enlightening.”

Pissed, I let out a growl and raised myself from the ground. The sayer always said a lot, yet so little.

I had come for answers, but many were still unanswered.

What did he mean when he said that Sophia was my light and my darkness? And what position would she hold that I had to respect?

“Landon, we’re going,” I announced, irritated.

As I prepared to leave the soothsayer’s cave, the ancient one coughed loudly, making me stop on my steps.

"King Castiel…”

I turned my head. “Yes?”

"Sophia is your last petal, for she has the ability to turn everything red." The sayer used his cryptic words.

“What?”

"Sophia is your last petal, for she has the ability to turn everything red." He had once again repeated.

My eyes glowed with fury. “Be more precise!” I ordered him, my voice thundering through the cave.

Meanwhile, the soothsayer remained calm, unfazed by my anger, as I was no match for him.

“As you wish, Lycan Castiel.” A smirk grew on his dry lips.

"Sophia is your purpose in life, yet she will be your death. You won't be able to live with her, yet, you won't be able to live without her. She will give you many heirs, yet she will give you nothing. She will make you stronger, yet with each heartbeat, she will make you weaker. You will love her, yet, you will despise her. That's how she will be your light, yet, your darkness, and your downfall."

The sayer paused, his eyes locked on mine. “She shall never succeed as your queen as long as you refuse to learn to respect her position.”

I stared at him, struggling to make sense of his words. How was the one I was supposed to love, the one I was supposed to despise?

None of it made sense.

He had to be mistaken.

“Castiel.” The soothsayer let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "I cannot say more. The answers you seek will reveal themselves in time, and only then will you truly grasp the meaning behind my words."