A Lycan of Her Own

Forbidden Flames

My eyes widened, but I found myself unable to move. His gaze held mine in place, his eyes thinning progressively. I couldn't even bring myself to meet his eyes.

"Who is she?" He asked, then slowly turned to my father.

Father cleared his throat, but said nothing, his hands fidgeting. It hurt a bit, that he would rather stammer than acknowledge me as his daughtwr.

"It is my younger sister, Leilyn. She has caught the wolf flu, and that is why we asked her to wait upstairs, so she does not infect you. I hope it does not bother you."

I swallowed as Reed finished with another one of her graceful smiles. He turned again, scanning me up and down.

Without another word, he walked away towards the ready seats. I felt tears bubble at the back of my throat as mother looked up to me, then made a subtle gesture with her hand, telling me to go back in. I turned away, noiselessly closing the door and then leaned on it, feeling gloom settle in my chest.

"As you know, His Highness needs to take a wife. According to the constellation and the will of the Moon Goddess, his fated wife who will bring him fortune shall come forth this household." It was the pack's seer, and I could hear the slight c***k in his voice.

I swallowed as I leaned back. That wasn't me. It can never be me.

"As I can see, you have a maiden ready."

"Yes, Seer," Father said. "My eldest daughter Reed is now twenty five years of age, and she shifted into a brilliant white lycan on her eighteenth. I believe she will be the perfect match for His Highness."

"You flatter me, father. No maiden can match His Highness. Even with advancement brought by the humans, I do not think anyone can measure up."

I closed my eyes, letting the fatigue from a day long of working in the dress take over. It wasn't my business what was happening downstairs, and if anything, I wasn't invited to it.

"Your Highness? Do you have something to say?"

There was a bit of silence for a while, and I hate myself for the anticipation that shot through my chest.

"If you think she is okay, Seer, you can go ahead and tell them the date and time."

"Yes. Five days from now by exactly fifteen minutes after three, the bonding will happen. It is the only auspicious hour I could find in the constellations for the next six years, and you need to be conscious of time."

"I am extemely impatient," Prince Zidane added, and I could hear the small growl in his voice. "It is either that particular time or never."

I could only imagine how Reed looked right now. "Sure, Your Highness. I am just as eager."

I heard the seer continue to talk, telling Reed everything she needed to know and do. I closed my eyes, and wished sleep would over take me.

"I appreciate your hospitality, Samson. And we will be back in five days. The entirety of the preparations will be done within the royal family, so you have nothing to worry about."

"You are generous, Your Highness. Thank you. We will have Reed take a few minutes to..."

"That will not be necessary," Prince Zidane said, cutting father off. "I have important political issues to attend to, and we can always get to know each other after the bonding."

"Of course, Your Highness. We will be honored to escort you."

I could hear as the shuffling of feet came, the guards opening the door. Suddenly, silence fell, and I heard my father's voice again.

"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"

"Will your younger daughter not see me off?"

My eyes widened, my heart suddenly racing with anticipation.

"But your Highness. She is sick. We fear that she might infect you and..."

"No," Father cut Reed off, obviously scared of failing in his duties as a host. "We will have her pay due respects."

I opened the door slowly, poking my head. They were right beneath the stairs, Prince Zidane standing in front, his eyes cold.

I swallowed hard, my feet rooted to the spot.

"Leilyn. Come bid His Highness a farewell."

I felt my heart pick up speed again, my chest almost hurting from the rapid beating of my heart. I slowly came out, my fists clenched beside me.

His eyes were fixed on my every step, leading me to be especially cautious, my stomach feeling like I was breeding a zoo of butterflies in it.

I walked forward, my feet feeling like they could bail out on me.

I got to the last five stairs, my eyes looking up to meet his.

His eyes were a deep swirling light blue, so light in fact that it looked almost green. I swallowed hard, my chest clenching. He blinked only once, his face stoic and expressionless.

"Youbare wasting time, Leilyn!" Reed suddenlt said, causing me to snap up to her.

She probably didn't mean to be so sharp, as she immediately sucked in her lips, her eyes falling away from me.

I tried to speed up, my feet bringing me down faster, but it was probably not the best decision.

The dress I was wearing was one of Reed's hand me downs, and it was a little too long for me. I was on the shorter side, while she had the elegant height.

I gave a yelp as my foot caught in the dress and twisted, then fell off the edge of the stairs. It pulled me along with it, and I gave an ungraceful yelp, my body falling freely down.

My eyes closed as I anticipated the impact. I could hear mother's slight gasp, and father's rather disappointed groan. I heard Reed too, but not Prince Zidane.

Suddenly, a pair of arms were around me, breaking my fall.

I felt the warmth flood me, the strong scent messing with my brain. I opened my eyes. Prince Zidane was looking down to me, his eyes thinned to slits.

He seemed rather curious about me, his eyes watching me. I felt my breath stop, my chest heaving. He was so close, only hovering above me, his hands wrapped around me.

I could feel electricity run down my spine, my body suddenly ablaze with the flames of his proximity.

"Are you alright?" He asked, raising one brow slightly.

I swallowed, just realizing that my hand was on his shoulder too. I immediately scrambled away, my heart doing multiple flips.

"I...I apologize, it was...a mistake."

He did not reply, and I swallowed, then turned to him and gave a small bow. "It is an honor."

Slowly, he turned away from me, and headed down the stairs. Without another word to Reed nor my parents, he was out the door.