Bound To The Lycan King

Octavia POV

The howling winds cut through the night air, colder than usual, sending shivers down my spine. I gripped the edge of the wooden table, my knuckles white, as my father paced the small living room. His face was grim, his usually kind eyes now hard as steel. The village had been in fear for days, there have been rumors of strange wolves lurking in the woods, watching. But nothing prepared us for the nightmare that descended upon us. We all had no idea why there were wolves watching us or why they were so interested in our territory.

A loud crash echoed from outside, followed by the screams of our pack members. My father froze, his ears twitching as he listened.

"Octavia," he called out gently, his voice low but firm, "go to the cellar. Hide, and don't come out. No matter what you hear. No matter what happens." He instructed me with so much worry laced on his voice.

"But-" I began, the words stuck in my throat, fear clawing at my chest.

"Now!" His voice thundered, more urgent than ever. He grabbed my shoulders, his grip firm, but the look in his eyes was full of something worse than anger-it was despair. "I won't lose you. Not tonight." He let out.

I stumbled backward, my legs feeling as heavy as lead. I didn't want to leave him. Didn't want to leave them. But his expression left no room for argument. My feet moved before my mind could process it, and I sprinted for the trapdoor beneath the kitchen table. The cellar was cold and damp, but it was supposed to be safe.

The door shut behind me with a soft thud, plunging me into darkness. I crouched low, my hands shaking as I pressed them against my mouth to stifle the sound of my ragged breathing. Above me, the sounds of battle grew louder. Howls of pain. Snarls of wolves in combat. And then, I heard my mother's scream-a piercing sound that sliced through the whole chaos.

I clamped my hands tighter against my mouth, tears spilling down my cheeks. I couldn't move. My legs felt frozen, as if anchored to the ground by the weight of my fear. "Please, please, let them be okay." I prayed to the moon goddess.

But the sounds only grew worse. The door above creaked open, and I saw the flash of bloody paws. I wanted to scream, to fight, to do something. But I stayed silent, just as my father had told me.

Then, silence. A deadly, total silence.

I held my breath, praying it was over, that somehow our pack had won. But the footsteps that followed weren't familiar. They were slow. Then came the voices.

"Search the house," a cold voice commanded. "Make sure no one's hiding." I recognized the voice but I couldn't place the owner of the voice.

I pressed myself further into the shadows, my heart racing so fast I thought it might give me away. The sounds of boots crunching on broken wood and glass grew closer. A chair scraped above me, and I heard the sickening thud of something-someone-being dragged across the floor. I had to fight the urge to scream when I realized it was my father.

"Please, don't let them find me. Please," I whispered under my breath, my eyes squeezed shut.

But luck was not on my side. The trap door creaked open, and a pair of cruel, amber eyes peered down at me. I tried to scramble back, but strong hands grabbed me, dragging me out into the dim light of the ruined house.

My body felt weightless, like I wasn't even there. All I could focus on was the scene around me-my father's lifeless body, my mother's crumpled body not far away. My heart shattered into a million pieces.

"Kill her," one of the men said, his voice indifferent, as if he were ordering a meal. His claws gleamed in the faint light.

But another voice, deep and authoritative, echoed through the room. "No."

The man who spoke stepped forward. He was tall, towering over the others, his presence suffocating. His hair was dark as night, and his eyes were an icy blue that sent a shiver through me. The others immediately stepped back, lowering their heads in deference. This was the leader. I instantly realized why I recognized the voice from earlier. He is the supposed Alpha of the Darwood Pack, known to be ruthless and nothing like his late father.

"Cypress, she's just a survivor from the pack. Weak," one of his men argued, clearly confused by his command.

Cypress ignored him, his gaze piercing mine. "She comes with us."

My throat tightened as he stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. I was too scared to speak, too shattered to even comprehend what was happening. At that moment, I realized the gravity of it all. My pack was gone. My parents... gone.

"Clean her up. Give her a room," Cypress ordered. His voice was calm, but there was a darkness that made my stomach twist. "She stays with us until I decide what to do with her."

Without another word, I was yanked away, my legs stumbling beneath me as I was dragged toward the waiting caravan of Darwood wolves. They were the most feared pack in the North, their reputation one of ruthless dominance. My fate was sealed. I was now their captive.

The ride back to their territory was a blur. My mind replayed the gruesome scene from the village over and over, the haunting echoes of violence and loss. By the time we arrived at the Darwood Pack House, my entire body felt numb.

I was led to a room in their fortress-like compound, larger than any house I'd ever seen. A maid came in without a word, helping me wash off the blood and dirt. I didn't speak. I didn't ask questions. I just let her dress me in a simple gown. My body was moving, but my mind felt detached, as if it were floating somewhere far away. Shock had gripped me with its icy claws.

As evening descended, the maid returned and beckoned me to follow her. I walked in silence, led through grand halls that felt suffocating despite their size. She guided me into a large hall, where a gathering of Darwood wolves had already begun. The room was filled with murmurs, their eyes all trained on a grand stage at the far end. I stood awkwardly, unsure of what was happening.

Then, Cypress appeared. His presence commanded immediate attention, and the room fell silent as he took his place at the center of the hall.

"The reading will now begin," an elder announced, stepping forward with an ancient-looking scroll in hand. My heart pounded as I tried to understand what was going on. The reading of what?

The elder began to speak in a low, melodic voice, reciting words that sounded like they were pulled from centuries of tradition. "Tonight, we reveal the name of Cypress's mate, the one destined to rule by his side."

My stomach churned. I had never witnessed such a tradition before, I only heard of them but the tension in the room was thick.

The elder's voice grew louder, more reverent as he continued, "The name of Cypress's mate is..."

Time seemed to slow. My breath hitched as the elder's eyes flickered to the scroll, and then to me. "Octavia."

The air was sucked from the room. For a moment, I couldn't believe what I had just heard. My name? How could it be me?

He turned and his gaze fell on me, how did he know my name? He never asked me for my name. None of this made sense. The crowd followed his gaze and their eyes landed on me.

But before I could fully grasp the meaning of it, Cypress's face twisted into a scowl. "No!"

His rejection was swift, cold, and absolute. "I reject her," he growled, his voice filled with disdain, his words sharp enough to cut through the air like a knife.

A ripple of shock spread through the crowd, and my heart shattered anew. Humiliation washed over me in hot, scalding waves. My feet moved before I could think, carrying me out of the hall, away from the stares and whispers, away from Cypress and his cruel rejection.

I ran, not knowing where I was going, just needing to escape. To hide. To disappe

Octavia POV

After running for a while, I arrived at a small lake. I fell to the ground and cried my eyes out until I was startled by what seemed like footsteps.

"Who's there?" I asked fearlessly.

"I'm Finn, Cypress beta." He responded.

He looked so gentle and kind, a direct opposite of Cypress and he wasn't among those who manhandled me after the raid on my village. Infact, he had a disapproving look on his face when he watched them brutalize everyone.

"What do you want? Go away." I replied without thinking. I just desperately needed to be alone and drown in my sorrow.

"Octavia, hey, it's alright," Finn's voice came gently as he sat next to me on the cold stone floor. He must have followed me after I ran off. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him. The warmth of his body was a temporary comfort, but I couldn't shake the unease inside of me.

Finn is Cypress has been the only one interested in my welfare. No one seemed to care. It actually came as a surprise when I noticed the gentle look on his face when I was being manhandled on the way back to cypress pack.

He encouraged me not to feel bad, "If it's any consolation, that's how he is." Finn said as some sort of encouragement.

I smiled and after a while, he escorted me back to the pack house. He advised me to keep my head down and avoid attention to avoid the abuse of Cypress.

Each day passed and I was able to scale through each.

It had been weeks since Cypress had rejected me in front of the entire Darwood pack. Weeks since I had been stripped of my home, my family, and everything I'd ever known. And though Finn had tried his best to be there for me, I could sense the weight of something hanging over him. He was keeping something from me-I knew it.

On this particular night, I and Finn decided to meet by the lake. Just talk and get to know if I had any problem in the pack house. He also wanted to provide some sort of comfort that I have been lacking since the gruesome murder of my parents.

"Do you ever think... I mean, do you wonder why Cypress didn't just kill me that night?". I had replayed that moment in my head over and over again, and still, nothing made sense.

Finn stiffened beside me but didn't answer right away. He sighed deeply, resting his chin on top of my head. "Don't think about it too much, Octavia. Sometimes it's better not to know the reasons behind people's cruelty."

I pulled back slightly, enough to look at him. His expression was tight, strained. "But why does he hate me? He already destroyed my pack... my family. What more does he want from me?" I whispered.

He met my gaze, his green eyes conflicted. "You don't need to worry about that. I've got you. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, okay?"

I nodded, though his words felt hollow. There was something in his tone that made my stomach twist. He was holding back, and I knew it. But what could I do? Finn was the only one who had been kind to me, the only one who had treated me like I was still human, even if I felt like I was drowning every single day.

Later that evening, the truth came crashing down.

We sat by the small fire in the corner of the room, the light flickering shadows across Finn's face. He had been unusually quiet, staring into the flames, lost in thought. I watched him, he was obviously nervous.

"Octavia..." he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I straightened up, my heart pounding. "What is it?"

He swallowed hard, running a hand through his hair. "Cypress... he gave me orders today."

I stared at him, waiting for him to continue, but the pause stretched too long. "What kind of orders?"

His jaw clenched. "He... he wants me to sell you."

The words felt like a punch to the gut. I blinked, stunned. "Sell me? To whom?"

Finn closed his eyes briefly, as if ashamed. "To a slave master." He let out. "Any slave master, he just wants to get rid of you." He added.

A cold shock ran through my body, and I stood up, my legs trembling. "What? Why? I haven't done anything!"

"I know." He stood too, reaching for me, but I took a step back. "I know, Octavia. But he's the Alpha. As his Beta, I have to follow his command. I don't have a choice."

I shook my head, the panic rising in my chest. "Why? Why does Cypress hate me so much? What did I ever do to him? He's taken everything from me, and now this?" My voice cracked, my breath coming in short gasps.

Finn grabbed my arms, trying to calm me down. "Stop. Don't think about it like that. I'm not going to sell you out. I swear. I'll get you out of here."

I searched his face, desperate for any hint of hope. "But... how?"

He squeezed my arms gently, his eyes pleading. "Just trust me, okay? In two days, we're leaving. I'll get you far away from here. Somewhere safe. You just have to trust me."

I nodded, though the panic still gnawed at the edges of my mind. I wanted to believe him, but there was no denying the power Cypress had over all of us.

Two nights later, under the cover of darkness, Finn woke me quietly, his hand firm on my shoulder. "Octavia. It's time." He said quietly.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, my heart racing as I realized what was happening. It was now or never. Finn had packed a small bag with essentials, and we moved silently through the compound, avoiding the guards.

The boat ride was long and cold, the water lapping quietly against the sides of the small vessel. Neither of us spoke much, the tension between us was thick, but Finn's presence beside me was enough to keep my fear at bay.

We arrived at a small, remote town at dawn, and the scent of another pack filled the air. It was nothing like Darwood-this pack was small, barely more than a village. Finn led me to a house at the edge of the town, where an old couple greeted us with kind, weary, smiles.

"This is where you'll stay," Finn said softly as we stood outside the house. "You'll be their grandchild now. No one will know you're here."

I glanced up at him, my chest tightened. "What about you?"

Finn smiled sadly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I can't stay, Octavia. Cypress will be looking for me, too. This... this might be the last time we see each other."

My heart dropped. "But-"

"You need to change everything about yourself," he interrupted gently. "Your name, your look, everything. Start over. This is your chance." He placed a hand on my cheek, his eyes soft. "Be safe."

I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, I nodded, blinking back the tears threatening to spill over. Finn pulled me into a tight hug before stepping away, leaving me with the couple who would now be my only family.

***

It didn't last.

Two weeks passed and it was quiet. The couple were kind but distant. I tried to make myself useful, helping with chores and keeping a low profile. But one evening, everything vanished.

The house was raided. Armed men stormed in, demanding taxes the couple couldn't pay. Their pleas for more time fell on deaf ears, and before I knew what was happening, they were cut down in front of me. The shock hit me, freezing me in place.

I screamed as the blood pooled around their bodies, my feet refusing to move. It was only when one of the men turned towards me that I found the strength to run.

But I didn't get far.

They caught me just outside the village, dragging me back in chains. My heart raced as they hauled me before the town council, my protests ignored.

"She's the witch!" someone shouted from the crowd. "The one we've been hunting!"

I shook my head frantically. "No, no! You've got the wrong person! I'm not-"

"Enough," one of the councilmen said, his voice stern. "We don't need your lies. We'll deal with you as we deal with all witches."

Panic surged through me as they announced my sentence. "Wolfsbane at midnight. Her body will be thrown in the river afterwards."

They would inject it into my bloodstream, and my body would be dumped in the river like I was nothing.

They tied me to a post as hours slowly passed, the townsfolk watching, waiting. The chains cut into my wrists, the cold air biting my skin. My heart pounded, my breath coming in ragged gasps. This can't be how it ends.

The clock finally struck midnight and I could feel my heart sink. A man approached with a syringe filled with wolfsbane. My entire body trembled as he came closer, my vision swimming with fear. He was going to inject it into my vein and only a miracle will make me survive it.

"Please," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Moon Goddess... if you can hear me, take me out of this misery. I can't take it anymore." At that moment, all I wanted was death. I couldn't imagine myself living again.

The needle pierced my skin, and the burning spread through my veins like fire. My vision blurred, my body collapsing under the pain. Darkness crept in from everywhere, wholly consuming me.

With my last breath, I whispered my final prayer to the Moon Goddess, and the world faded to black.

Ria POV

The sunlight filtered through the grand windows, casting soft beams across the lavish room. I blinked, the brightness stinging my eyes as they fluttered open. The smell of rose filled the air, and for a moment, I was confused by my surroundings-everything felt unfamiliar. I tried to push myself up from the soft bed, but my body felt strangely weak, like it hadn't been used in days.

"Ria? Ria, you're awake!" A woman's voice broke the silence, her voice was undoubtedly filled with relief.

I turned my head, frowning at the unfamiliar woman rushing toward me. Her long, golden hair glowed in the light, and her face was etched with worry. She looked so familiar, yet I had no memory of her.

Before I could respond, she wrapped me in a tight embrace. "We were so worried, my sweet girl. You've been unconscious for weeks. We feared... we feared you wouldn't wake in time for the mating rite."

I blinked, my head spinning. Mating rite? The words felt heavy. Nothing about this place made sense. "I-"

She pulled back slightly, cupping my face in her hands, her eyes scanning mine. "Are you alright? Can you speak? Thorin, come quickly! She's awake!"

In less than a minute, a tall man with broad shoulders and a face etched with authority walked into the room. His expression which was stern softened as his gaze landed on me. He hurried to my side, kneeling by the bed.

"Ria... you've finally woken up." His voice was deep, filled with both concern and relief. "We thought we had lost you."

I stared at him, my pulse quickening. His scent was strong, earthy, like the woods after rain, but I didn't know him. I didn't know any of these people. "Where...?" The words caught in my throat.

"Shh," the woman soothed, brushing the hair from my face. "You're safe now. We've been so worried, not knowing if you would wake in time. The mating rite is only days away."

The man-Thorin, I guessed from what she had called him earlier-nodded gravely. "You must be prepared. The full moon is approaching fast, and we cannot afford to delay. You know the consequences..."

My mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening. None of this felt real. My last memory was... Finn. The pain, the betrayal, the wolfsbane coursing through my veins. But now-this? My body was foreign to me, and I felt disconnected, like I didn't belong here.

"Ria," the woman said softly, as if sensing my confusion. "You were unconscious for so long... We don't know what happened. One day, you were fine, and the next, you collapsed. Jason found you outside by the lake."

Jason? I didn't know who that was either. The names swirled around in my head, none of them connecting. I tried to sit up fully but my body protested with every movement, but I had to know more. "What... happened to me?" I asked, my voice hoarse, foreign to my own ears.

Thorin exchanged a glance with the woman. "We don't know," he said, his brow furrowing. "One minute you were fine, the next... you were unconscious. We feared it was an attack, but there were no signs of foul play. We tried everything to wake you, but nothing worked. We were afraid you wouldn't be ready for the mating rite."

That phrase again-mating rite. My heart raced, and I felt a chill creep down my spine. "Mating rite?" I echoed, trying to make sense of it all.

The woman-who I assumed must be my supposed mother-nodded. "Yes, the mating rite is sacred in our family. It is how you find your fated mate. You cannot miss it, Ria. If you do..." Her voice faltered, and her eyes filled with fear. "If you miss it, the curse..."

Curse? My pulse quickened as her words sank in. "What curse?"

Thorin cleared his throat, his voice grave. "It's a curse that has followed our bloodline for generations. Any female in the family who fails to complete the mating rite dies a slow, painful death. They... bleed from the ears, eyes, nose, and mouth. There's no way to stop it."

A cold wave of terror swept over me. This wasn't just about finding a mate-this was life or death. And the worst part? I wasn't Ria. I was Octavia. Trapped in this body, in this life I didn't understand, with people who expected me to know things I didn't.

"I..." I began, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on me. "I don't remember..."

Thorin's brow creased further, concern etched into every line of his face. "You've been through a lot. Perhaps the weeks of being unconscious have clouded your memory."

Jason appeared at the door, his face was just like that of Thorin. Who I assume is Ria's father. His dark hair framed a sharp, serious expression, and his eyes locked onto mine with a mix of relief and wariness. "You're awake," he said, his voice a deep rumble. "Thank the Moon Goddess." he exclaimed with relief.

I nodded slightly, not knowing how to respond. How could I? This was all so overwhelming, and I didn't even know how to begin piecing it together.

Jason approached the bed, standing next to Thorin. "We need to start preparing immediately. The full moon is only five days away."

The woman-my supposed mother-gently brushed her fingers across my cheek again. "Don't worry, my darling. We will help you prepare. Everything will be fine."

I tried to force a smile, but the fear inside me made it impossible. How could I tell them the truth? That I wasn't their daughter, that the real Ria was gone, and I didn't even know how I ended up here?

The woman stood up, taking my hand in hers. "Come, let's get you dressed. You need to regain your strength. There's much to do."

I followed her lead, rising shakily from the bed. My legs, and she held me steady, guiding me toward a large dressing screen at the far end of the room. Behind it, several maids bustled around, already preparing garments for me to wear.

One of them, a young girl with dark braids, glanced at me with wide eyes. "It's so good to see you awake, Princess Ria," she said, her voice filled with awe. "We were all so worried."

I managed a nod, my throat felt tight. I couldn't let anyone suspect anything. Not yet. I had to play along, had to pretend to be someone I wasn't. But how long could I keep up this charade?

As the maids helped me into a flowing silver gown, I instantly felt overwhelmed. The upcoming rite, the curse, these people who believed I was Ria... It was all too much.

The maids stepped back, admiring their work, and the woman-Thesa, I finally realized her name-smiled warmly at me. "You look beautiful, my dear. Just like the day we presented you to the pack for the first time."

Presented to the pack? I had no memory of such a thing. But I forced myself to smile. "Thank you."

Thorin and Jason re-entered the room, their eyes scanning me with approval. Jason's expression softened for the first time, a small smile forming at the corners of his mouth. "You look like yourself again," he said.

I didn't feel like myself. Not at all. But I nodded, pretending to be the person they thought I was.

"Let's go to the hall," Thorin said, gesturing toward the door. "The elders want to see you. They've been praying for your recovery, Ria. They believe the Moon Goddess has blessed you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, following them out of the room. My mind raced with questions. How was I going to get through this? How long would I have to pretend to be Ria?

As we walked down the grand corridors of the palace, Thesa spoke again, her tone soft but probing. "Ria... do you remember anything about the day you collapsed? What were you doing by the lake?"

My breath caught in my throat. The lake? I had no idea what she was talking about. I searched my mind, trying to come up with an answer, but my mind was blank.

"I-" I stammered, my heart pounding. I looked into Thesa's expectant eyes, but nothing came to me. I didn't know the answer. How could I? I wasn't Ria.

Thesa's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile fading. "Ria? What were you doing at the lake?" she asked again, more firmly this time.

I began panicking as I realized I had no idea how to respond.