The Lycan Prince's Fallen Mate

Chapter 2- Zenith

Zenith

“Zenith! Zenith!” “Zenith! Zenith!” “Come on champ!” “Wohooo!” “Zenith! Zenith!”

As I sprinted across the field, the roar of the crowd filled my ears like the sound of thunder. The cheers of my teammates and supporters spurred me on, driving me to push myself harder with each step.

With every pass, every tackle, every goal, I could feel the tension mounting in the air. Tomorrow was the final football game of the season, and the stakes had never been higher. But as the chants of my name echoed around me, I started to feel inevitable.

As I glanced around at the faces of my teammates, I saw the same fire burning in their eyes – a burning desire to win, to prove ourselves on the grandest stage of them all. As the final whistle blew and the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the field, I knew that tomorrow would be our day to shine.

With one last burst of energy, I charged forward, the cheers of the crowd spurring me on like a gust of wind at my back. As the captain, we were going to win yet another game with a blaze. The school year was about to come to an end, I will start my senior year and last year of high school.

After high school, I will have a completely different set of responsibilities. That’s why I want to enjoy my last years of high school to the fullest. As the Lycan Prince of the Black Walker Pack, I still have many responsibilities but my parents have given my sister and me, enough freedom to enjoy our high school years.

My Mom and Dad deserve to get their vacation so after high school I will happily step up and take over my role. Lake Springs is a supernatural town, where lycans, werewolves, vampires, witches, and humans live together. Well, the number of Lycans is the least as we don’t live in huge packs like werewolves but our pack is the biggest one in North America. Our pack is responsible for every other pack in America, Canada, Mexico, and some parts of Latin America.

There are 5 Lycan royal packs all over the world looking and ruling over their own geography. I am not exactly fond of werewolves because of their close pack structure but I respect them, mostly keeping a distance from them. Except for Kevin, who has been my best friend since primary school, I find other werewolves tolerable.

In the hierarchy of power, Lycans are higher than werewolves but this is the 21st century, and we live in harmony like any other species in this town. Most humans in the town are unaware of supernatural species residing among them but there are some humans who are our allies in Lake Springs.

As I caught my breath and wiped the sweat from my brow, a familiar voice cut through the din of the crowd interrupting my train of thought. I turned to see the head of the cheerleading team approaching me with a bright smile on her face.

"Hey, Zenith!" Maya called out, her voice tinged with excitement. "The girls and I were wondering if you and the team would like to join us for pizza tonight. We thought it would be a great way to unwind before the big game tomorrow."

Her words sent a thrill of excitement through my team and any other day it would excite me as well, the prospect of spending time with the cheerleaders and my teammates, I mean what’s better than that? But tonight wasn’t one of these days, I knew that now was not the time for distractions.

"Thanks, but need to take some rest for tomorrow," I replied, my tone apologetic but firm.

“Oh! Daniel, what about you guys?” I saw my teammates’ exciting reaction and shook my head.

"We appreciate the invitation, but our priority right now is bringing home the win tomorrow. Maybe another time."

Maya's smile faltered for a moment, disappointment flickering in her eyes before she nodded understandingly. "Of course, I understand," she said with a forced smile. "Good luck tomorrow, Zenith. We'll be cheering for you."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me to rejoin my teammates as we prepared to head back to the locker room.

“Come on Captain, it’s just pizza.” Daniel insisted.

“You know it’s never just pizza. Tomorrow we have a big game, keep your energy intact boys, and after that, we are partying like crazy.” Listening to my words, they howled like a beast and started to leave the ground gradually. I too made my way to the locker room, took a shower, changed, and got in my car.

As I pulled into the driveway of our family home, a sense of calm washed over me. I made my way inside and headed straight to my room, the weight of tomorrow's game heavy on my mind. Dropping my bag on the floor, I settled in front of my computer and pulled up the videos of past games. Usually, I am not worried about these games but tomorrow we are against the team from Mystic Falls and most of them are werewolves like my team.

For hours, I poured over the footage, analyzing every play, and every move, searching for any advantage we could gain against our opponents. It was a ritual I had performed countless times before, a way to prepare myself mentally for the challenges that lay ahead.

As the evening wore on, the smell of dinner wafted up from the kitchen below, signaling that it was time to join my family for our routine dinner. With a sigh, I tore myself away from the screen and made my way downstairs.

My parents and sister were already gathered around the table, their faces lit up with smiles as I took my seat among them. Conversation flowed easily as we talked about our day,

“All set for tomorrow’s game?”

“Yea Dad, the coach has high hopes and the team is looking good too.”

“Good, Good.”

“Best of luck, Zen.” Zivah, my sister showed two of her raised thumbs. I smiled and ruffled her hair, earning a groan from her. Next year she will be a freshman in the same high school.

“Okay enough you too, have your dinner.” Mom brought a halt to our sibling truffle. As we finished our meal, I helped Mom clear the table and went back to my room.

As I arrived at school the next day, the familiar buzz of excitement filled the air. The courtyard was alive with the chatter of students, the anticipation of the upcoming game palpable. Surrounded by my friends, the usual banter continued. Some were excited about the game while some were worried to meet the credit of their classes. I simply listened to them waiting for the bell to ring.

Just as I was about to make my way inside, a familiar figure caught my eye. Standing near the entrance was Kevin. It had been months since we last saw each other, he went to some camp or school to get his Alpha training. My Dad even offered to let Kevin train with me but Kevin’s dad, a tool of a guy, I never liked him, didn’t budge at all. Excusing myself from my friends, I made my way over to where Kevin stood, a smile spreading across my face as I approached him.

"Petros!" I called out, my voice filled with genuine warmth. "Long time no see, buddy."

Kevin turned to greet me, a grin spreading across his face at the sight of me. "Zenith! It's great to see you, man. How've you been?"

“Good, when did you get back?”

“Oh, I am not back. I was just here to see my baby sister.” He wrapped his hands around a girl’s shoulder beside him.

As Kevin gestured towards the girl beside him, I followed his gaze and felt a jolt of surprise run through me. There stood a girl with big brown eyes, unruly hair, and a shy expression. Wait, she wasn’t shy, she was anxious, she was attached to her brother’s side and didn’t meet my eye once.

I don’t know what took over me, I really wanted those eyes on me. Beneath the surface, a storm of conflicting emotions raged within me. Seeing her stirred something deep within me, a primal instinct that I struggled to understand. I didn’t even remember Kevin had a sister, I think I would have seen her around and yet there was something about her that set my heart racing and my senses on edge.

“Cal, this Zenith. He and I have been in class together since 5th grade and played together. Now, that I am not here, he finally made captain.” He teased me earning a scoff from me.

“Zen, this is Calista. She is sophomore year.” ‘Calista’, such a unique name.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” I smiled and greeted her. She shyly waved at me.

For a moment, I allowed myself to be swept away by the tide of emotions, the connection between us stronger than ever. But as the bell rang, signaling the start of classes, I controlled myself.

“Kev, I will see you in the evening. Bye!” She hugged her brother and threw half a glance towards me.

As I watched Calista disappear into the throng of students, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was stirring deep within me, my beast wild and untamed that threatened to break free…