The Lycan King & His Hybrid

Panting, I dropped the woodpile onto the ground. The thump resounded in the dark and silent night and I quickly rang the bell. Chilled winter air swept my hair past my face and a chill crept down my spine. Fortunately, Charlie, the woodcutter had an extra one in store for me today. A while later, the door parted to reveal my mother peeking through it. “Vivian? You’re back already!” She said, as her eyes widened. “Yeah Charlie, had an extra one left from the earlier batches,” I explained and placed my hand on the door to open it wider, my other hand beginning to drag the woodpile off the floor. “Open up,” I said and pushed on the door but was met with resistance. “What is it, Mom?” I asked and waited. It was already damn cold outside, and this worn-out jacket was doing little to protect me from it. I was ready to rush inside and get the fireplace burning. “Uh-” She stuttered, as Sylvie’s voice resounded from inside our old cottage. “Who is it, Mom?” “Oh dear.” Sighing, Mom stepped aside giving up the hold on the door. “It's Viv. She’s back.” “What?! Already? She wasn’t supposed to be back for another half an hour.” Sylvie, my younger sister whined. My brows furrowed as I took in their exchange. Something was off. Mom would be worried every time I would leave to get wood in the dark hour of the night, fearing that I was underage and had not come of age to transform. She had reasons to believe that we weren’t safe in our pack ever since my father’s death and that left us vulnerable to threats until I turned 18th and transformed into my wolf. “Goddess, what are you two up to?” I said and pushed the door open wider. My eyes widened as they landed on the small area of our lounge. Several balloons hung from the wall and some were pasted on the small table in the centre along with multi-colored ribbons in the shape of a flower dangling between them. Our bland and worn-out cottage was decorated for a birthday. My birthday. “Well…surprise.” My sister’s pale face fell into a frown as I realized what was going on here. A smile spread across my face and I hurriedly pulled the woodpile inside before, rushing over to her. Without wasting another minute I enveloped her into a hug. “Why did you come back earlier? There’s still half an hour left till 12.” I pulled away to find her 14-year-old face contorted in a pout. “That’s still a surprise and an amazing one at that!” “It's spoiled, isn’t it? I wanted to make your 18th special.” She frowned, as her shoulders dropped. I shook my head, “You don’t know how much I love it. Did you make these yourself?” I asked motioning towards the flows made out of ribbon. She nodded and a grin appeared on my face. It had been ages since we last celebrated a birthday or any occasion this well. Ever since Dad passed away, we could barely meet ends and afford anything more than necessary. We weren’t rich but we used to enjoy a few luxuries during Dad’s life as he used to work for the Beta of our pack. But it all went away the moment we received the tragic news and nothing remained the same. “And Mom baked a cake for you.” She said as the gleam on her face returned. I turned to find Mom smiling at me as she made her way over to me. “I can’t believe my Viv is going to be 18. You’ll finally be able to transform and become stronger.” Her eyes shone with tears as she tucked a strand of my brown hair behind my ear. “We have been waiting for this day for years. Did you talk to Aunt Maya? I want to begin my training from tomorrow.” I said to her, my tone turning serious. “It's your birthday tomorrow. I will talk to her tomorrow and you can begin from the next day.” Mom nodded at me and then began to make her way to the kitchen. “I cannot waste another day. I will have to learn to transform as soon as possible if I want a job in the pack house.” Sylvie sighed. “Can you two not talk about work and our miserable life for at least tonight?” Mom and I exchanged a look before we both dropped the topic. Minutes passed and I watched as Sylvie completed blowing the rest of the balloons when there were only a few minutes left till 12, Mom brought the chocolate cake she had made and placed it on the table. “Wait. Smile Viv!” I heard Sylvie say, as she clicked my picture with the cake. I have waited for this day for years. From the day Dad left us, I wanted nothing more than to protect and provide my family with the best. I had taken all the responsibilities of my father on my shoulders since Mom would go out to find work and earn what little she could manage. I had learned to manage a household at the age of 13 and now whenever I looked at Sylvie, I wished for her to have a better life than me even if that meant sacrificing my own for the sake of it. A part of me was excited to discover my wolf and unlock my abilities but another resented the thought of having a mate. The last thing I wanted now was a mate to deal with. The mate bond was considered sacred in our werewolf world but I found it nothing more than a distraction for myself from my goals to provide for my family. I didn’t want to waste my time or energy on anything other than the two people in my life. I watched as the clock struck 12. On cue, Mom and Sylvie began to sing the birthday song as I cut the cut. For a moment, I paused and made a wish before cutting a small piece. I fed the cake to both and just as Mom began to feed me back, Sylvie took some of the cream off the cake and smudged it on my face. “Happy 18th Viv!” I gasped, horrified at the mess she had made. Immediately, I swept it off my face and began to run after her as her screams filled the place and I could hear Mom laughing behind us. I had taken only a step or more when I felt it. The thundering feeling settled deep within me. Like a storm swirling its way to the surface and taking me down with it. “Mom-” I paused, my heart skipping a beat as I stumbled. The chills crept up my spine as I felt the surreal surge of energy pulsing through my veins. One moment, I looked up to find Sylvie rushing back to me and another, my legs gave out as I dropped to the floor. The last thing I could make out was the concerned face of my family before darkness enveloped me as I gave in to the flow. -------------------------------------------------------