BRIDE OF THE BEAST LYCAN KING

The room was filled with guests of different calibers. Everyone had rushed at the chance to finally get a good look at the beast lycan. The thought of it humored me.

I stood in a corner with a champagne glass observing it all. I started to grow weary so I decided to leave the main party for a while.

I made my way out of the sprawling mansion and into the gardens. I'd barely moved when I felt a hand grab onto me. I turned around, startled and my eyes locked on his.

The man who had caused me so much pain.

"Iris, it's you..." His voice voice softer, more tender than I remembered. It my chest ache for some reason.

It had been months since I last saw Jacob, the last time I'd set my eyes on him, he'd humiliated me and rejected me as his mate. Seeing him again brought back a rush of old feelings which I thought I'd buried.

"Jacob... W-what are you doing here?"

"I had to come see you, after I found out your father married you off and to such a beast of a man, I couldn't stop thinking about you... this was my only chance to see you again"

His words surprised me, the ingenuity and the way he looked into my eyes. I wished he'd looked at me that way months ago; then, perhaps I wouldn't be here.

"I... I don't understand what you mean Jacob, why would you care about me because you made it crystal clear that you don't actually"

He let go of me as he ran his hands through his hair, seemingly exasperated.

"I know Iris, I know, I messed up. What I did to you was awful... but rejecting you as my mate was the worst decision I've ever made"

I felt a tug in my chest, my heartbeat quickened as he spoke.

"I want you back Iris, please come back with me"

"It's too late for that, Jacob. You rejected me and humiliated me in front of everyone... I can't go back to a pack that related me so cruelly" I tried to sound firm but my heart was breaking.

The man I'd loved finally felt the same way about me but I couldn't... I just couldn't... not anymore.

"And how does he treat you?" Jacob questioned as I turned to leave, stopping me in my tracks.

I knew he was referring to the beast Lycan. He was the man my father had married me off to and he had an awful reputation.

"That doesn't matter... he's my husband. I'm a married woman, Jacob, so leave me alone"

"Does he hurt you?" Jacob held me again as he stared into my eyes, searching for something... an answer... the truth but he didn't deserve to know.

"Jacob, leave me alone," I said with a tone of finality as I shook him off and walked back into the party.

The bright lights made my vision feel hazy and weak as I stumbled through the guests.

I could hear Jacob calling after me but I chose to ignore him.

He couldn't just change his mind as he pleased and expect that I'd be willing to jump into his open arms.

Jacob soon grabbed onto me and I froze... No, not in front of everyone, not when he'd be able to see me.

"Jacob... l-let go of me. Everyone's here"

"I don't care, all I care about is you. Just hear me out, Iris"

I tried to rip his hand off me but it didn't work. He pulled me in closer to me, and he whispered in my ear; his warm breath on my neck sent involuntary chills throughout my body. For a moment, I forgot where we were.

"I know I hurt you, Iris, and for that, I am so very sorry. But since you left, you have no idea how I've pined for you each and every single minute of every day. I couldn't stop thinking about you... Come back with me, give me a chance to make things right"

Jacob was the stable beautiful life I'd always dreamed of... but that was all it was. Dreams... I'd come to face the real world and it was the opposite.

"I'm married"

"Do you love him?"

I looked up at Jacob, his question catching me off guard.

"If you tell me right now that you love him and you're happy with him, I'll leave. I promise you"

Did I love my husband?

I didn't have an answer to that question yet.

I was about to speak again when I heard everyone in the crowd go silent. I didn't even have to look to know he had entered the room.

His aura was so powerful and intense, I felt it in every breath I took. I couldn't let him see me with Jacob.

"Jacob, Jacob... you have to let me go now" I whispered sharply.

"Answer me first"

I looked towards him as he approached us, his cold blue eyes had already locked on me the moment he entered. I let out a sigh, anticipating what was to come.

"Unhand my wife" His voice came out like a low growl as he came up behind me and wrapped his hand around my waist.

Jacob looked up at him, an unreadable expression on his face.

"We were just talking"

"And I'm here now, so leave"

Jacob stared at me longingly for a second longer and I felt my husband pulling me on even closer. He was jealous, I knew that for a fact. And I also knew he would do something crazy because of it.

He guided me through the crowd to the staircase which served as a podium. I stood beside him as he addressed the crowd, all the while, Jacobs's words replayed in my head.

"And now... I introduce to you all, my mate" I heard him say as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I looked around at all the people staring at me and I began to feel uncomfortable. In the midst of the crowd, my eyes locked on Jacobs.

My husband pulled me closer with a strange look in his eyes

"W-what are you doing?"

"I'm marking what is mine"

Before I could say another word, he sunk his teeth on my neck as a loud moan escaped my throat.

The suddenness of his action weakened me and he held onto me like I was but a doll. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Jacob walking out and I couldn't help but think about the moments which had led up to this...

"I am now Alpha of Moonstone and you shall submit to me" Those were the words my father had dreaded the most when the war began, losing and having to bow to another Alpha.

His fear had been manifest. I just prayed my father's pride would not get him killed.

He looked around at his pack and at me and my mother, his family before he closed his eyes in resignation and bowed to Alpha Jacob, our new Alpha.

"Good. From today henceforth, I relinquish you of your duties as Alpha and I shall take over this pack, uniting it with mine"

The members of Alpha Jacob's pack and even some of ours cheered. It was hard to watch the ty I'd grown up in being invaded like that. I couldn't watch anymore, so I left. It was going to be my 18th birthday the next day, and I was still very excited about it.

I prayed to the moon goddess day and night that I would finally get my wolf and nobody would tease me or pick on me ever again. And also, I'd be meeting my mate soon. I hoped he would be a wonderful man and he'd love me as much as I wanted to be loved.

After everyone had dispersed from the gathering at the square, my father returned home and he wasn't happy. I didn't expect him to be, obviously, but my father had always been unkind to me, and I just knew he'd be even worse since he'd just lost his position as Alpha to a much younger Alpha.

"I should have had a son" he began as he sat down. My mother gave me an apologetic look, we both knew what he was about to say. "Instead I had a weakling daughter like you. At least my son would be able to reclaim the Moonstone pack. But the only thing you're good for is to be married off to someone. Seeing you around here fuels my anger"

"But father... I'm about to turn 18, I'll meet my mate soon."

My father scoffed. "You don't even have a wolf, what makes you think you'll find a mate"

His words stung, I never expected anything good from my father but him cursing me to not have a mate was very hurtful.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I spoke up

"What did you say?" His tone was threatening, I knew he'd definitely heard me the first time.

"It's not my fault I was born this way. You're my father, perhaps my weakness is a sign of your own. After all, you lost the pack and-"

Before I could continue, he slapped me in the face, and he didn't hold back. He sent me tumbling back and I fell to the ground.

"Don't you dare insult me like that ever again? Maybe you should ask your mother where she got you from. She couldn't even have another baby"

"Don't speak about mother like that!" I yelled on the ground, lunging for him, but of course, I was practically powerless against him. He pushed me back to the floor, sending a kick in my gut.

"Raynar please stop it! She's your daughter" My mother begged as she rushed to stand between me and my father.

"Pathetic" He spoke as he spat on the ground next to me.

I was just as weak as he said. And I hated it. Maybe I should have been born had a man so I'd strike back whenever he laid a hand on me or my mother"

"Iris, you know how he is... don't instigate him further" " my mother spoke as she caressed my bruised cheek. I was nubs to the pain. It wasn't the first time he'd hit me.

"If you'd stood up to him years ago, we wouldn't be here right now", I said to my mother before I got up and left. I knew my words were harsh, but it was the cold hard truth.

It was nearly midnight as I roamed the pack estate and stopped at a small bridge over the river near the woods.

I took in a deep breath as I stared at the running water. If only I could be so free to choose my current and my own path.

"Mind if I join you?" I suddenly heard a voice which startled me.

"A-alpha Jacob" I stuttered, sewing the man who'd been strong enough to overthrow my father. "What are you doing here?"

"Just taking a leisurely stroll and I don't think it would be fair to leave you out here all alone"

He was everything my father wasn't. Deep down, I knew he'd make a better ruler.

"I come out here a lot. So it's fine"

He leaned on the bridge, staring up at the sky for a moment before he looked at me.

"You're Ragnar's daughter"

"Don't hold that against me"

He chuckled "I won't. I'm sorry you had to watch your father bow to Me today"

I shrugged, "Wasn't anything he didn't deserve"

Surprisingly, Alpha Jacob was fun to talk to; we ended up speaking at length about every topic that came to mind; I didn't realize how much time had gone by till I heard the chimes of the large clock at the square.

It was midnight.

"Well... happy birthday to me" I muttered

"It's your birthday?"

I nodded yes as I started to walk towards him. I stumbled over my own feet and crashed into him. He caught me and held me in his big, strong arms.

I felt a strong pull towards him as his hand came in contact with my skin. And he smelt different too, good different.

"Happy birthday Iris," He said softly as he stared into my eyes.

He suddenly buried his face in my neck as he took a big whiff of me. His eyes glowed a warm golden hue when he came up to stare at me again.

I felt the tugging feeling grow stronger.

"Mate" Jacob growled as he pulled me in closer to him.

Jacob was my mate?

I could feel something crying out for him in my head. It was a very weak voice so I wasn't sure if I'd gotten my wolf yet.

My eyes narrowed in on Jacob's.

"It's you... y-you're my mate" I said as relief washed over me. Jacob was perfect and in the short time we'd spoken, I'd felt myself falling for him already. Not to mention he was handsome.

I smiled up at him. At first, he seemed... pleased, but then his expression changed as he let go of me and put some distance between us.

"What's wrong Jacob?"

"Iris... I can't"

"I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"I can't do this. You can't be my mate.

"But why not?"

"You don't even have a wolf yet Iris. I'm now in control of not one but two packs, I can't do anything that would make me seem... weak"

"You're saying I'd make you seek weak? B-because I don't have a wolf is that it?"

"And your father just submitted to me in front of everyone... I can't go ahead and accept his wolfless daughter as my mate"

"Jacob what are you saying... this doesn't sound like you. We're mates, you and I, we complete each other"

"Iris, you're not even complete yourself" His words took me aback.

"You can't seriously mean that" I whispered.

"I mean it, Iris. Tonight was great but in the real world, we don't work. We can't"

"Jacob, please... I've dreamed of finding my mate since I was a little girl and now, I've found you. Don't do this to me, please" I felt every last bit of hope within me slowly disintegrating.

All my life I'd been bullied and looked down upon. Even though I was the Alpha's daughter, I was weak and wolfless. It broke my heart to know that my mate thought the same of me.

"I'm sorry. But I have to put the pack first"

"We can... together we can Jacob. This bond isn't a mistake, it can't be"

Jacob looked away from me, "Maybe it is"

"Jacob..."

When he looked at me again, his eyes were cold and unloving. He didn't want me.

"By the Moon Goddess, I reject you, Iris Greywell as my fated mate"

As soon as he spoke those words, I felt something snap within me, it felt like my head was squeezed and drained of every last drop of blood.

"Accept it, and the pain will go away", He spoke coldly.

"No... ugh Jacob please"

"Don't be stubborn Iris" I saw his cold facade break for a split second.

"I won't accept it" I replied weakly.

"Fine suit yourself"

With that, Jacob walked away, ignoring my pleas for him to stay. As I saw him leaving, I remembered every harsh word that had ever been said against me.

And I finally accepted that they were true.

I cried myself to sleep on that bridge. It wasn't until morning came that I got up and made my way back home. As I passed, I stopped by the Alpha's office. I knew I should've kept going. He didn't want me, and there was nothing I could do to change that, but I felt like I had to try at least one more time.

The office door was already opened and I entered. What I saw made my chest boil. Jacob was seated on his chair and there was a girl there straddling him, with her hands locked in his hair. She was the daughter of our old Beta.

But why did she have her hands on my mate?!

"Jacob!"

He saw me in the doorway, and his expression changed.

"You know what? I was wrong about you. I shouldn't even have bothered" My voice was weak and cracked from all my crying. I stormed out of the office, and Jacob followed me.

"Iris, Iris wait"

"No! Because I had this image in my head of who I thought you were but you're the exact opposite. You reject me and you have another woman in your hands a few hours later"

A crowd had begun to form around us, and Selene, the beta's daughter, also came out. She had a devious smile on her face.

"Oh... she's your mate that you rejected?" She spoke deliberately loud, for everyone to hear. I looked around me as people murmured.

"She really thought she could be the Alpha's mate?" I heard someone remark.

I felt completely humiliated. Now the whole pack knew I'd been rejected by the Alpha. Once again I was just a pathetic little girl.

A part of me still hoped that, deep down, Jacob cared enough to stand up for me, but I was mistaken. He just stood there, looking down at me like he didn't even know me.

"I hate you, Jacob. So very much"

I turned around to run but some held me back.

"Hey, I heard you've turned 18 now, are you still a wolfless runt?" One person asked.

"Your father will definitely disown you now," another said as I struggled against their hold

"Hey! If your father kicks you out, you can come to stay with me and keep me company"

I turned around to stare at Jacob with tears in my eyes, but he seemed unaffected.

"Let me go!" I yelled, pulling myself away from the crowd as I continued to run.

My head was in disarray by the time I reached home. I was sore, sweaty and heartbroken. I curled up on my bed as my body was shaken with my tears.

How could Jacob have stood there and watched some be humiliated and ridiculed like that? I'd told him I hated him, but I didn't think I could muster the strength to do that. While I was still shedding tears, my mother came into my room.

"Iris? What's wrong?" She came to sit beside me on the bed. I wrapped my hands around her as I began to sob more and more.

"I found my mate, and he... he... he rejected me, mum. He didn't want me," I cried my heart out to her as Jacobs's words continued to replay in my head. How could I complete him if I wasn't even complete myself?

"Oh, honey... I'm so sorry" She caressed my hair as I let out all my tears and my pain.

"Who was it? Your mate?"

"It was Alpha Jacob"

My mother pulled away, looking alarmed. Before she could speak, my father walked in with a stern expression.

"So you went and let yourself be mated to my enemy and what worse is he rejected you? You pathetic girl!"

My father grabbed me, dragging me out of the room by my hair.

I screamed and struggled but it wasn't enough. My mother's pleas were becoming lost to me as I felt myself begin to fade away. My father let go of me finally before he slapped me again.

"You're useless. That man must feel so proud of himself after completely humiliating this family..." My father hit me again. He was unleashing his own rage on me.

"Ragnar, stop it!" my mother screamed, holding him back, but he pushed her away, and she fell back.

My father kicked me again and again.

"No son of mine would've been so completely useless. All you have brought us is shame and embarrassment. Enough. I've arranged your marriage with the Lycan King. He'll come for you tomorrow and I'll finally be rid of you"

"W-what? The Beast Lycan?" I stuttered; my father's words hit me like a block of ice.

"Precisely. He could kill you like his other wives for all I care. Good riddance"

My father looked at me one last time, his eyes filled with disgusted contempt before he walked out of the house.

My mother rushed to my side with tears in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Iris... your father told me last night, there was nothing I could do"

I was frozen in place as my life flashed before my eyes. The Lycan king was termed the beast Lycan because of his infamous reputation. He'd been married five times and all his wives had gone missing within months. The rumors were that he was cursed and he'd killed them, or worse, eaten them.

I couldn't believe my father hated me enough to practically sell me to the beast. Was this how my life would end prematurely?

"I'm not going to get married," I said in a low voice, and I meant it. I'd been weak for too long, let people walk over me and insult me. Enough.

I wasn't going to sit back and allow my father to sign me the death penalty. I'd rather elope than wait for that to happen.

"There's nothing we can do dear... The man will arrive to take you by noon tomorrow."

"I won't be here by then"

"What do you mean?" I didn't say anything more to my mother as I rose off the ground, holding back the grunt of pain from my father's beating.

I locked myself in my room all day. Didn't eat, didn't leave. I busied myself with packing some essential items. Some money, a few clothes and some other important items. I had to travel light so I wouldn't get caught easily.

I waited for my father to come back and go to bed then I left the house. I ran through the estate, making sure no one would see me. By the time I made it out of the gates, I felt relieved, saved. I didn't know where I would go, but anywhere was better than my pack, where I was unappreciated.

I walked through the forest, wishing my father had been kind enough to get me a car for easier transportation. I just hoped it wouldn't take me too long to reach the nearest pack.

My pack was a bit more Conservative. We'd chosen to live away from most packs and we still followed a lot of old customs and traditions. It was expected, considering the old Alpha is someone who beats his wife and daughter and is still depressed because he didn't have a son, considering that it was his genes that decided that.

I'd traveled for what felt like a few hours, and I sat back against a tree to rest for a bit. My body was still sore. I opened a bottle of water and drank it. I closed my eyes for a bit; soon, I started to hear some rustling. I ignored it at first but it got louder and closer.

I stood up with my bag, looking around me. Then I saw a group of people coming out from the bushes. There were three men and one woman. Immediately, I knew they were rouges.

"Well, what do we have here?" The woman said as they approached me slowly.

"Are you lost little birdie?"

I was greatly outnumbered. There was only one thing I could do.

Run.