Choosing Her Lycan Mate

Chapter 5

Izzy’s POV

Secretly, I was sort of flattered and excited that so many high ranking Lycans were wanting to be my mate. But I was also kind of freaked out!

My sister Amelia warned me not to engage with any of my potential mates until we had a chance to come up with a strategy. Otherwise emotions might run high, and cause fighting amongst the highly competitive Lycan males. Nobody wants to deal with the fall out if one or more of my potential mates gets killed, the ones that are already heads of state in particular. So a balance must be found.

However, despite seeing no one around when Amelia dropped me off, I knew that they had all come to call on me. I could hear them discussing things out in the hallway.

“We should talk to her directly and make her choose one of us,” I can hear Prince Theodor telling the others. “It can’t possibly be such a difficult thing to do!”

“Or we could just fight each other to the death,” king Douglas says. “I would enjoy removing all of you permanently from the gene pool, in order to gain the affection of my wee fair lady!”

It sounds like he’s just bragging, as they are all large and formidable lycans. I believe Douglas is probably the largest and fiercest of the four, but one cannot always discount a smaller and possibly faster opponent. And though the thought of having them fight for my hand is appealing in some respects, I don’t necessarily wish for the most deadly or brutal of the four to be my mate, either. I won’t be considering that as a solution to this problem if I have any say in the matter.

“I believe Princess Isabelle ought to get to know all of us before she decides whom she ought to choose,” Lycan King Stephan says, and I secretly applaud his sensible solution.

“You’re just planning to charm the lovely Princess Isabelle into your bed, you mean!” Prince Elias of Greece replies disdainfully. Which is also likely true. “I hope she is more sensible than to be charmed so easily.”

I hope so as well!

“You’ll be showcasing your vast wealth, I suppose,” Stephan spat back. “If she is so shallow as to be dazzled by your money, then you are welcome to her! I need a Queen Luna to help rule the Quebec wolves by my side, not just a pretty face that spends all of my money!”

Stephan’s words make me wonder, what do I actually want in my mate? I hadn’t thought a lot about it before, since I figured Moon Goddess would select the wolf best suited to me, and the mate bond would strike me over the head at the perfect time and I’d be like, “aha! This is the right wolf for me!” Then we’d live happily ever after, like in a fairytale.

Unfortunately it sounds like I need to figure out what my own fairytale ending is going to be. And I must hope that I’m able to somehow pick the right Lycan for me. But how?

They are all very fine looking, all strong and muscular with no visible disfigurement. Nothing that sets one of them apart as superior to the rest.

None of them appear to be poor. So while there might be one that is apparently far richer than the others, I doubt very much that I would need to worry about money no matter whom I choose.

Do I want someone intelligent and witty? Someone charming who makes me laugh? Someone who will show me a good time? Or perhaps someone romantic who likes long walks on the beach and champagne by candlelight?

You sound just like the lyrics to a song, “do you like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain!” But what you really need is someone good in bed to make lots of strong and healthy pups!

Well, I make the mistake of replying to Laurels thoughts in my head. Which one will be best for that in your opinion?

Oh, honey, we are going to have to try them all out to know the answer to that question!

I was afraid that would be Laurels answer!

Suddenly I’m hearing a commotion out in the hallway. I put my ear directly against the door and try to figure out what’s going on.

“Seriously, guys?” I hear Prince David addressing all of my Lycan suitors. “Izzy’s not going to come out, nor is she going to let any of you inside. If she finds out that you’re all stalking her, you’re going to creep her out! She might decide to reject all of you if you make her uncomfortable.”

“Yeah!” I can’t help but exclaim out loud. Then I giggle, when I hear the conversation pause out in the corridor.

“She can’t remain in there forever!” I hear Theodor insist stubbornly.

“Yes I can!” I reply loud enough that they most definitely heard me. I hear a few sounds of disgust or dismay, I’m not sure which or from whom. I have half a mind to go out there and give them a piece of my mind while Prince David is there as back up, but I don’t want harm to come to Lucy’s mate, or their pup Allie whom is apparently with him. Lucy would absolutely murder me!

Then I distinctly hear Prince David threatening them with informing Queen Luna Tara. They scoff, which in my opinion is rather stupid of them. She is probably the single most powerful Lycan on the planet! And that’s basically what Prince David is telling them. Then I hear Tara’s mate Alpha Devon has joined the conversation.

I was so engrossed to hear everything going on out there, that I didn’t have any clue that I had been joined by Tara herself until she tapped me on the shoulder. I nearly peed myself in fright!

“Let’s get you out of here for a bit!” She tells me before pulling me through one of her portals to anywhere that she draws in mid air. The next thing I know, we are in the palace kitchens enjoying a cup of chamomile tea.

“This will help us to relax and get a good nights sleep once Devon tells me your room is clear,” she explains. “He is letting them in now to see that you are no longer in there. The palace is pretty full tonight, or I’d find you a new room. Unless you’d like to bunk in with Amelia and Leo?”

I make a face at that, and she laughs.

“Yes, they obviously have great difficulty in keeping their hands off each other, don’t they?” Tara says dreamily. “I hope Devon and I are still so in love with each other when we’ve been together as long as they have!”

“I dont really like to think about that!” I reply, although I realize I sound like a prude. But really, I’m also kind of envious. Will I be like that with my own mate?

Oh, honey, let’s hope so!

Once we’ve finished our tea, Tara takes me back to my guest room, which has been clear of wolves for some time now. I even peek out in the hallway to make sure they’ve all left.

“Make sure you lock that door properly,” Tara warns me. “And dont answer it until the morning when I’m sure someone trustworthy is sent to collect you. Those Lycans are all pretty desperate for you, and may not want to wait for anything official. They might gladly take you by whatever means they can use.”

That worries me a bit, and I don’t know how I will possibly get any sleep tonight worrying about everything.

“Here, get into bed,” Tara tells me, pulling back the covers and giving it a pat. Almost like a mom, although she does have several pups. Maybe she has some trick to help me sleep? I’m about to ask once I’m all tucked in, but before I can think how to phrase it, she kisses my forehead.

I am asleep instantly, and I have very pleasant dreams.