Her Locked Fate To The Lycan Beast

PROLOGUE THE WOLVERINE PACK "Two pretty little ones, your majesty," the healer said softly. Her voice was gentle, but her words hit the Alpha King, Hareth, like a stone. He stopped moving, his hands still resting on his wife, Elara. She shivered, her body still weak and drenched in sweat from the long labor. Hareth turned his head slowly, his eyes fixed on the healer. "Two?" he asked, his voice rough. "Two what?" "Two girls, my king," the healer repeated, her gaze dropping to the floor. A wave of something, not quite anger, but close, washed over Gareth. Elara had struggled for years to have a child. His own health had made it difficult to bear a child and when little hope blossomed this happened. This was a cruel twist of fate. Finally, after all this time, the Moon Goddess had blessed them. But... with two girls? He loved Elara deeply, and he would love any child of hers even if they were crippled, blind, or worse. But the pack needed a male heir. Someone strong, someone to lead. He had hoped, prayed, for a son. "Girls," he said again, the word heavy. "Are you sure?” The healer nodded, her face pale. "Yes, your majesty. I have checked." Hareth's brow furrowed. "Check again," he ordered, his voice rising. "Look closely. Maybe... maybe one of them is a boy. You might have missed something." The moon goddess wouldn't be so cruel. He couldn't believe it. After all the waiting, after all the hope, it couldn't just be two girls. He needed a son. It wasn't about wanting a boy over a girl, he loved all children, but about the pack. The pack needed a strong male leader, and only his own blood could be that leader. "Oh, please, Moon Goddess," Hareth whispered, his heart pounding. "Please, let this be wrong." He looked at the old healer's face, but she just looked so sad. He knew that look. It wasn't good at all. The healer, her hands gentle but firm, held up the two tiny babies. "I'm so sorry," she said softly. "Both of them... they're both girls." Elara, still weak from giving birth, tried to sit up. Her eyes went wide with fear as she looked at her babies, her precious pups. "No!" she cried, shaking her head. "No, this can't be!” Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice trembled. "What are we going to do, Hareth? What are we going to do?" She looked at him, her face full of panic. "Two girls? How... how can this be?" Hareth didn't know what to say. He knew what this meant. In their pack, only a male heir could lead. Two girls... It was a disaster. "Oh, no...moon goddess." The healer's voice was soft, like a whisper. Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked so sad. "I'm so, so sorry, Your Highness." Elara's breath caught in her throat. "No!" she cried. "No, this can't be happening!" She felt a wave of pain, a sharp, terrible ache. "I... I failed you, Hareth. I failed you so badly." She couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down her face, hot and fast. She buried her face in Hareth's arms, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, her voice muffled against his chest. Each sob felt like it was tearing her apart. Hareth just held her. He didn't say anything. He couldn't. He felt... nothing. Just a cold, empty space inside. It was like his heart had stopped beating. He held his wife close, feeling her tears soak into his shirt. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her it was alright, but the words wouldn't come. Life had never been easy for Hareth. He was the younger son of Alpha King Author. When the old king died, everyone thought his older son, Orion, would become the new leader. But, surprisingly, King Author chose Hareth. He saw something special in his younger son, something that made him a better choice for the throne. Now, Hareth and his mate have ruled for twenty years. They've been good leaders, but they have one problem: they don't have any children. This lack of an heir has given Orion, Hareth's older brother, an opportunity. Orion has two sons, and he wants the throne for himself. He believes he should have been king all along. Orion is plotting to take the throne from Hareth claiming he has an heir to the throne. Hareth knows his brother's plan, and he's worried. He knows that Orion would be a terrible leader. He believes Orion would only cause suffering for the wolves under their care. Hareth is determined to protect his people and keep his brother from taking over. He will not let Orion destroy everything he and his mate have worked for. He knew he was in a really tough spot. His brother was strong and wanted to take everything from him. Hareth felt like he had no chance. His only hope? They ended up being two little girls, his daughters. He looked at them, tiny babies, laughing in the healer's arms. Usually, babies cry when they're born. But not his. He thought, "Even they're laughing at me.” Hareth knew life was hard for girls, especially in their world, a world of werewolves. It wasn't safe. He was scared for his daughters. "What if I lose everything?" he thought. "They'll suffer." Tears filled his eyes. "Wait," Elara said, her voice cutting through the quiet. "I have an idea." The healer, a kind woman named Anya, looked up, her brow furrowed. "Yes, your highness?" "We'll raise one of them... like a boy," Elara explained. Anya's eyes went wide, like she'd just seen a ghost. "Your highness! Are you saying... we hide who she really is?" "Exactly," Elara said, nodding firmly. "No one will know she's a girl. Not ever.” Anya's hands fluttered nervously. "But... but that's impossible! Secrets always come out. And if the elders find out about this act... they'll be angry. Very angry they were deceived. They might... they would kill everyone involved." "Then we keep the secret forever," Elara said, her voice strong. "We take it to our graves. I'll teach one of my children to protect the other. She will be strong, both of them will not suffer. The Moon Goddess gave us these children for a reason. Not even Orion can stop what's meant to be.” Anya looked down at the two tiny babies, her face full of worry. "But, your highness, a life lived as a lie... is that truly fair to the people?" "Fair?" Elara repeated, her eyes filled with a fierce determination. "Fair is keeping them alive. Fair is giving them a chance to grow strong and safe in our world where women are belittled. This is what I must do. This is what I will do.” Hareth stood beside his wife, he knew this was too dangerous but this was their best option to protect his daughters, and he would follow through with the plan and protect them as well.