Capturing the Devilish Lycan's heart

When Fiona had informed me that we would be heading to the palace because the Alpha King finally requested my presence, I was momentarily over the moon.

Ever since the mating festival a week back, where I had been declared Alpha Kane's mate, and his blunt refusal to have me as one because I was 'crippled' , and I wasn't a favorable choice of mate to any and every male werewolf in the entire Crestwood Pack because of my weakness as an omega-technically, no one wanted a burden of an omega who couldn't use her legs, and certainly not the Alpha King himself who had a lot to look out for than someone who'd rather be much of a burden than a mate-I had broken down into all shades of agony. I turned the laughing stock of the town, and pretty much considered killing myself on several occasions if only Fiona wasn't always there to prevent that.

Bile rose to my throat. Now, I couldn't be too excited as I was petrified, wheeling through the narrow hallway of the Christian Castle of Royalty where people dressed in maid clothes looked at me with respite in their eyes, muttering hushed nonsense to themselves as we passed, which all I could do was ignore. Why did Alpha Kane suddenly want to see me after he'd rejected me and tore my heart to shreds?

Did he want to maybe pull off a final rejection that could sever the mating bond between us?

The more I pondered on it, the more terrifying the imaginations invading the sphere of my thoughts, the more icy shrill ran down my veins.

"The King is in his study," A man-probably one of the magistrates because of the court robe he was wearing-said when he approached us. He only passed me a monotonous look before addressing further. "Follow me."

The ride to the study seemed like a forever journey to an endless pit of agitation. Once we finally arrived, Fiona tapped me on my shoulder, a sign that she was here for me if I needed her, and she passed me her signature reassuring smile that I could only return with my feeble one.

"Make sure to do everything the King wants, however absurd," The magistrate said, his brows pulled together at me. I would almost think he was staring condescendingly. "and don't take luxury in meeting his eyes however you please. He hates defying challenges."

"Okay," My reply was a dry mutter. I could almost even scoff. Why would a crippled, rejected omega like me dare to even front a challenge to an Alpha like Kane.

I'd be asking for another death wish; which maybe death would be most likely to grant this time around.

I was left to wheel into the study myself, and the mere sight of shelves stacked with books to the top part of the ceiling stole my breath. A small gasp of awe escaped me as I twirled the chair, taking in the magnificent sight of a study, and the wafting smell of misty cedar that permeated the room, and I couldn't help the part of me that suddenly felt attracted to Alpha Kane at the sight.

Of course I was attracted to him, but knowing he fancied book reading? Double swoon!

I allowed my fingers to trail along one of the shelves, my eyes scanning through the line of old thick covered books neatly stacked. Out of sheer curiosity, I plucked out one of the books that read "Shakespeare's poems", only for a deep, velvety rumble to mutter beside me,

"Did they not warn you pre-hand never to touch my stuff?"

I jolted, the book flying from my grip to the ground as I held a hand against my chest to keep my heart steady from the shock. Turning my gaze, I lost all sense of will when I locked sights with his blue, electrifying eyes. They were as sharp as ice, glazing at me with an irritation that ran through me, and even though I'd seen him at the festival and many other occasions looking as breathtakingly normal under the priming of royalty, I don't think I'd ever seen this man look so swoon worthy with a disheveled red hair and a casual white button shirt that he'd made no effort to button, and black pants as he leaned his side onto one of the shelves, towering above me.

This man was a walking barrel of gorgeousness.

"Lower your eyes," he commanded, low and stern, and I realized that I was shamelessly ogling.

No meeting his eyes however you please, Leona. How could you forget that simple warning?

"I'm sorry...I..." I stuttered, unable to find my words. I'd lost myself to admiring his study that I barely recalled he was in here. "I...I just...I lose myself when I see books..."

Or really handsome men.

"I detest stammers," he spat, like I was a debacle. "Isn't it punishment enough that you're already crippled?"

The way he mentioned my condition brought a sour feeling down in my chest as I grated a hole in the ground with my eyes. It wasn't my fault I was the way I am, like I'd asked for it, yet everyone -him included-made me feel like I'd done a terrible thing losing my legs.

Well, maybe actually, it had been part my fault, but they had no right to ride me over for it.

"Are you about to cry?" he asked above me. Lifting my gaze sharply but careful not to lock gazes, I shook my head, willing back my unshed tears and unclenching my fists I had tightened against the arms of my chair.

"I'm not crying," I croaked, wincing at the end of my statement for how I sounded. Then I cleared my throat. "Why, if I may ask, did you send for me? Clearly, your words that night were that you wanted nothing to do with me, nor did you want me in your line of sight because of my...disability, and that it irked you."

At least I can show him I could speak a complete sentence without stuttering. "Yes, I remember my words, Leona... is that right?"

Something bubbled down in my stomach. He remembered my name? Alphas like him were known to forget the names of people who meant nothing to them. Did that mean I had a chance at being desired by him?

Or was it just the fact that we were still bonded? "Yes," I nodded. "It's Leona."

"And they are not going to change, because in fact, seeing you here grates my nerves. Especially meeting you unravel my stuff." He stated. And by his stuff, he probably meant his book. "But I decided that you would be of good use, and I won't have to fully reject you to severe this mate bond if you give your full cooperation to what I want."

I gulped. "And, what do you want?"

The blueness in his eyes dimmed, a darker reflection overshadowing that ran sizzles down my body. He raked me over with his eyes before pushing away from the shelf.

"Let's not look towards what I want right now, but on what you want ," He walked over, bending to pick up the book I'd thrown to the ground, and I couldn't have been more undone by his scent than I had been right then. "I happened to stumble on the knowing that your disability is something you hope to gain revenge for, upon a certain someone who we happen to share same dislike for,"

Blood rushed to my ears. What was he talking about? And what did he know about me wanting revenge?

"And I know a little of your backstory, and how you were the creedsmen's finest assassin before you lost your glory...and your legs."

I heaved in a tight breath. How did he know that? Yet, of course, the disgraceful crumble of Haven Lee-which was my pseudonym as a former feared assassin- had been a sparking sensation to the ears of the entire Crestwood, but no one knew what I looked like to spread a rumor about me when I was just a helpless woman with only a sister to care for her, or relate me to being Haven Lee, which I wasn't.

Not anymore.

"I think you have it wrong-"

"On the contrary," His sharp tone interrupted my attempt to deflect his inconspicuous interrogation. "I know that underneath this...feeble getup, there's a hardened woman on the inside who shouldn't be deterred by her disability."

"W...what has my past got to do with anything?" I mused, my tone almost a whisper. I couldn't understand where he was driving at with this, and if he wanted to reject me already, then he should without all these beat-up info's about myself I'd rather keep buried.

Satisfaction flooded his face as he pushed the book into the space I'd plucked it from, so smooth and meticulous.

"There's only one way I'll accept you as my mate and save you the horror of a rejection from your King and the entire Crestwood, which will happen if you don't do my bidding," he said.

Anxiety tightened its reins in my chest. Whatever he wanted to ask of me, however, didn't look so promising.

"Alpha Zane," The mention of that name was enough to run fearful shudders through my spine as I shot my gaze up at him. He had a cocky smirk on his face. "The Alpha who took your legs. I want you to invade his territory and kill him without raising suspicions. After which, we both can live our lives as mated couples with a happy ever after. A win-win."

My entire body froze with shock, the weight of his request descending on me like a boulder that I could barely wedge. But gradually as I stared, it morphed into a sickening nausea in the pit of my stomach.

He wanted me, a despised plain Jane, to infiltrate Alpha Zane Karvill and kill him just to have his acceptance of me?

Maybe I was wrong, and I didn't have to come knocking to death to give a reply, because it was standing right in front of me, offering itself to me on a gold platter. And all it took for it to wrench its hold was one reply.

As a part of the Creed's men, we were always warned to steer clear of that Alpha and his territory during our multiple raid missions, especially ones conducted within his domination. Alpha Zane. A ruthless, murdering Lycan rumored to have singlehandedly slaughtered ten of the most hardened Alpha Lords that had formed a coup against to end his brutal existence, cutting them limb by limb. Some also said he was possessed by many demons that aided his terrorism, and he was greatly feared across the seven seas.

No one in his right mind would dare stand against him, except they wished for the most terrifying death ever known to man.

Once, I'd been so stupid to go against the warnings after what he'd done.

Alpha Zane was the one who had crushed me when I was on the beacon of success to finally pull through with my plan to end him.

It had taken him nothing, but it had cost me everything. My pride, my position, my honor...unfortunately the only part of my body that bore the scar as a tell-tale-my legs, and now Alpha Kane wanted me to go again a second time and have myself murdered by that man?

It would be better if he just rejected me instead.

"I can't do it," I said, lowering my gaze. "What you're asking of me, it's a death sentence. You don't have to go through the trouble of pretending you would accept me if you hated me this much."

"I don't hate you, Leona," If he hadn't dropped the bombshell that was a request on me, maybe there would be butterflies coming alive in my stomach at the sound of my name on his lips. "I just want what's best for us, and the kingdom."

"I beg to differ," I tried my best to sound polite amid rising disgust. "No one who cares for the good of someone sends them back to something that had almost killed them. Again, I'll say, you don't have to-"

"Leona!" His tone edged, and I'd assumed he'd bang on a table if there was one. I didn't make the effort to look at him, but his deep breaths were enough to let on that he was pissed.

And some ridiculous, self concocted one-line attempt of poem chose them as the right moment to pop up in my head.

Oh death, lovest me thou so much to grace even the littlest of turns?

Pissing the Alpha King off was a mighty death wish, but what the heck, when it was the only option surrounding me at the moment.

He exhaled one large, deep breath before continuing, his voice softer. "Zane might have killed you as an assassin he despised but he's as easy as it goes when he sees a beautiful, helpless woman, especially one with a disability."

Heh! I would doubt that with my life. Everyone that came near that monster never lived to see another day's light. Maybe unless you were his court advisor or guards, which, again, I doubt wouldn't fear him as much as everyone.

And I tried to shake off the warming feeling in my chest at the thought that Alpha Kane found me beautiful.

"He'll recognize me," I said, matter of fact.

He'd seen my face that night, unshielded from my mask before he did the deed, and even though it had been within the flickers of torch flames and chaos, and he'd taken delight to watch the horror on my face as I bled, I doubt I was a face he would ever forget.

"He won't," he declared, and I couldn't help the puzzled stare that ripped from me to him. As if sensing my unasked question, he added, "Zane Karvill, even in his infamous pride and injustice, doesn't have the ability to retain the faces of people he assumed he murdered overtime."

The first thing I wanted to ask was how he knew all of this. But then again, he was an Alpha, and a part of the Alpha Kings Amalgamation that brought almost every pack in the seven seas together. Getting information like these about a prime enemy would be piece of cake.

But still...

"I'm sorry, Alpha King," I mumbled, hoping to sound as remorseful as possible, which would certainly do me no good given the other option he'd left me to choose. "I can't go on any infiltration against Alpha Zane for your acceptance." Whether or not he would recognize me, and that it was the right opportunity to get revenge if I were greedy, I wouldn't put myself at such a risk again. I wouldn't dare to break Fiona's already frail heart by jumping headfirst into danger. I wouldn't be able to escape. "I'm not any assassin, and I won't be able to do the job for you if I wanted."

There was a stretch of silence that beat on my anxiety as I waited. The tension hounded, and I wondered.

How different would this be from being an outcast in a pack you grew up to call home?

By a longshot. Because at least I'd have the head to take on the insults, and Fiona wouldn't have to scale through life with the sorrow of losing me to a doom I'd blindly agreed to, even if the guilt would occasionally hit me. I'll survive, with or without Crestwood.

"Very well," he huffed, then he took long strides towards his desk that sat right in the center of the surrounding shelves, taking a seat behind it and surveying me with his blue eyes as his chin gently rested on his upheld knuckles. "You have chosen rejection?"

He asked like he wanted me to review my choices. But I'd already made up my mind.

"I will accept whatever you give me, Alpha King," I bowed my head. "Just be merciful to my sister, Fiona. Don't make her an outcast with me."

Fiona's love for the pack ran deeper than I could have ever imagined, and I wasn't about to upend her because of my choices when she'd recently started to bloom her relationship with Beta Gilbert, the man she'd had a crush on for years and was starting to find a settling peace here.

Maybe I was the only one that never belonged.

"I have no intentions to do so," he said. "and since you have made up your mind, rendering yourself useless to me and to the service of the kingdom as a future Luna, I hereby reject you, Leona Elia Kazan of the Crestwood pack, as my mate,"

I felt the slithering pain that swiped through my insides, like I'd just been split apart by the sharpest of swords, but only a groan left me. There wasn't any pain I hadn't gone through before, and the pain of rejection wasn't any more special.

Glancing up at him was a fatal mistake, because my insides were wrenched and my wolf, fetal as she was, mewled with shared pain when we saw the deadening stare laced from him to me.

He didn't regret this.

"I also banish you to a life of derision and spectacle for as long as you remain in this pack. If it is in your best interests to leave, fine. But never would you be able to raise your pride as a once favored omega."

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as he paused to let his words settle, the pain so unsettling that I chewed against my mouth to subside it. My face hid behind the cascade of my dark hair, and I'd never felt so agonized my entire life.

"I, Leona Elia Kazan," I felt a tear drop as I brushed my hair apart to look at him, my breathing shallow as the sound of my heart's thudding echoed in my ears. "accept the Alpha King's rejection."

*****

Fiona was a perfect distress dictator. Not that it was less conspicuous anyway because I had practically wheeled out of the Alpha's study in tears and hadn't stopped crying until dusk, but in her own way, she tried to make things better with her usual cheer up attempts like baking me my favorite blueberry muffins, or tapping to the beat of my favorite song, which I did with her when I was in a down mood. None, unfortunately, did zilch to lift my spirit. Somehow, I felt like a hollow shadow, with everything that had made me, me, stripped off from inside me and leaving me high and dry.

But Fiona didn't stop her pestering.

Talk to me, she signed when I finally let her into my room where I'd been holed up in for who knows how long. She was seated beside me on the bed, an air of deeper concern encompassing her. In no sooner than later, she would figure out how much of a liability I would be to her. Did he reject you?

"Yeah," I muttered, slow enough for her to catch my words. My throat felt dry, courtesy of the many hours I'd spent bawling my eyes out and clenching down my sobs after telling myself I wasn't going to breakdown.

It wasn't any special pain. It wasn't any special punishment. All lies.

Does it..., her hands stopped signing midway, and her eyes peered at me with some sort of pity that made me nauseous. Does it hurt so bad?

Like hell, I wanted to reply. Not so ironic how I'd left here this morning with the subconscious preparation to officially getting rejected, only to return utterly devastated and overridden with multiple regrets.

I wouldn't have been this helpless if I had just stuck to a simple warning, instead of overreacting on my emotions.

"It hurts just like they say it would," I said, avoiding her eyes. Well, she's too busy reading my lips to see the pain in my eyes, but I still deemed it worthy not to meet her gaze. "sharp pain and all, but it's not like we didn't expect it. The King thinks I'm useless as a woman on a wheelchair."

And that it'd be best for me to die with honor than live with shame. Obviously.

If I'd agreed, would I have probably gone down in history as the mate-or Luna- who'd risked her worthless life for a kingdom that didn't even as much as care for her, over her thirst to regain honor.

One which I may never even get.

Do you want blueberry muffins? She signed, a nudging hope filling her eyes at me. At least, this second time, I couldn't see myself declining. It was blueberry muffins anyway.

Sure, I signed back, forcing a small smile on my lips.

Even though the distress hovered around me like a thick, foggy plague, I did my best to indulge in Fiona's fun antics, which she pulled to make me break out a smile. I pulled it off quite perfectly, smiling like nothing hurt because I hated the gloominess and worry in her eyes when she looked at me.

I deserved to be pitied, but it was to a limit.

Morning only felt like an invitation to a much greater turmoil than I had been put in the previous day.

The birds chirping, the smell of Fiona's cooking wafting from downstairs; it wasn't new anymore, but all it made me feel as I laid still in my bed was nausea. The memories of the previous day had left me sore, and I wondered how I was to live my life from now on.

As a spectacle...living as one who is despised by many.

I wasn't entirely prepared to take on what this life would bring me, but at least I knew a half of it. And Fiona would always be there to keep me from breaking over my hedge from it all. I could only hope she wouldn't be affected in the crossfire.

A soft knock rapped against my wooden doorframe before it creaked open and Fiona sauntered in, meticulously holding a tray of food in her hands and a warn smile on her face as she gingerly approached me.

This sister of mine was always a beacon of sunshine and warmth, and never was I not proud of having her by my side.

Sleep well? She made the sign with her hands as she dropped the tray on the bedside table and came to help me sit up, and I passed her my own shallow attempt of a warm smile.

"I managed," I said, leaning into her support as she lifted me to rest my back against the headboard and turned to look at me with an expectant gaze.

She probably hadn't been able to read my lips.

"I said I did. It helped to the very least," I signed to her. Another whisper of a smile touched her lips, making me desire the moment where she wouldn't have to sorrow again because of me.

Like she had when Gina died.

Eat up. She signed. I'll be going to the market. I need to return somethings to

Gilbert.

I didn't miss the blush that crept up her cheeks when she signed the name. She was clearly whipped by him, and I couldn't help but wish them both the best of luck, since, evidently, they were attracted to each other, and even had a ring to show for it. They deserved each other.

She deserved all the love I could never give her.

Sure. I signed to her. "I'll finish breakfast and come help you at the market."

No, you won't! Her brows dipped with a stern reflection. Stay home and recuperate.

I didn't argue with her as I hesitantly dug into the meal of bacon and eggs. No, I didn't want to, because I realized how stupid wanting to go out to her in the market and witness the downplay of the King's rejection was. I couldn't have her tearing herself apart thinking she hadn't protected me enough - which was all she'd done after Gina died and I lost my legs. And even though she was soon to find out because news spread like wildfire in Crestwood, I needed to assure her that I was fine.

That I would be fine.

That it was the best punishment in comparison to one of death. She would understand.

My life could have been totally upended, but I wouldn't let hers be when the decree spreads.

"Thank you very much, Fiona," I grasped her hand in mine, allowing the warmth from it to seep into the skin of my palm. "For everything you are. For everything you've done... I just want you to know that you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. And that no matter what happens..." Her eyes had begun to water, emotions cascading in the brown orbs. "I'll love and be by your side. Even when it's us against the world."

A single tear slid down her cheeks as a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. One of her hands detached from mine and came to rest on my face, caressing it with a gentle ease that made me lean into the warmth it generated. Then, I allowed one of my hands to find her face and wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks.

I love you too. She mouthed without any volume. And for a while, silence clouded us with a heap of emotions. Moments after I'd eaten and showered, Fiona was off to the market, leaving me in the space of tranquility that I could bury myself in my thoughts.

Sitting beside the window, I peered down into the view of the street; cluttered with a handful of ecstatic children playing about, and a few passersby. Some of which were lovebirds who worshiped excessive PDA.

Irked by the sight, I wheeled away, a pang rising in my chest all over again. I'd never been a relationship kind of person because I barely even had the time to date a guy-or a werewolf-while I was yet to discover my mate, but it hadn't stopped me from dreaming about being in one and finally finding my mate. Occasionally, Gina would tease me about never at least trying to put myself out there, or to maybe give Rutherford-a guy who'd had a very notable crush on me back then and very much hates me now-a chance for a date.

Above all, she'd wanted to see my wishes for a mate come true. It's not your fault, I could very much imagine her say if she knew I'd been rejected, if she were here. The Alpha King just doesn't know what he'd lost. He's as stupid as it goes by, flanking aside a radiating glory as yourself.

She'll give me too much credit, if she were here. And maybe I wouldn't even be in a wheelchair to begin with.

The pain hit, and I bit back the memories of that night; the sheer horror, bloodshed, her terrifying screech that had buried itself in my mind, tucking them back into the deeper shadows where they belong.

The sooner I rid myself of those terrible memories, the more bearable my entire miserable existence would be.