Ruined By The Forbidden Lycan

"you shall take her place."

Eryndra's fingers clutched around the Palace's summon, eyes widening in disbelief.

"You can't be serious," she whispered.

Alpha Reavion's cold gaze didn't soften. It never did when it came to her. "The pack still needs to produce a bride for the Lycan crown prince. You will be the one to give it to him."

"Father, I cannot," her voice trembled. "I can't smile prettily at balls or play the obedient wife. I loathe the Lycans. They are bloodthirsty, arrogant-"

"This is not a request!" His voice rose sharply, echoing off the stone walls. "The court will not wait, nor will they forgive an insult dressed as mourning. Either you marry the prince, or this pack burns."

His words sank into her stomach like a death sentence.

Only a week ago, they had buried Ishara. The Prince's Chosen.

She hadn't even had time to properly process her sister's death before her father had decided that she would take her sister's place.

To marry the very Lycan Prince rumored to be ruthless.

That night, the suffocating walls of the packhouse became too much.

Eryndra fled into the woods.

Shifting into her wolf, Gia, she sprinted through the woods until her lungs burned and tears blurred her vision.

Then the scent hit her. A smoky, earthy scent that sent goosebumps all over her skin.

*Mate.* Gia purred with traitorous excitement.

Eryndra skidded to a stop, her heart hammering against her ribs.

She... Has a mate?

Shifting back to her human form, she slowly pushed through the tall wet grasses.

There he stood, bathing beneath the waterfall.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with long, wet hair clinging to his neck. The moonlight caught the sharp lines of his bronze back, tracing a physique that looked almost divine.

Heat flooded Eryndra's cheeks.

The male stiffened, his head snapping slightly to the side as if sensing her.

Eryndra ducked back into the shadows, her chest heaving.

"No," she whispered, clenching her fists. "Father will kill me."

She should leave. She should turn away and never look back. But the mate bond tugged her chest like a silent anchor.

*Just tonight,* a desperate voice whispered in her mind. *One last moment of freedom.*

Desperate to protect her identity, she tore a long strip from the hem of her dress and tied it securely over her nose and mouth, leaving only her wide blue eyes visible.

When she stepped out, the male was already approaching. A cloth draped around his lower torso that did little to hide how large he was.

His eyes were the most beautiful she had ever seen. Ice-gray with flecks of silver, framed by thick brows.

He closed the distance between them in two steps, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. The contact sparked a shockwave through her veins, stealing the air from her lungs. But as his fingers moved toward the knot of her mask, she shot her hand out, gripping his wrist.

His brows furrowed, a deep, resonant rumble vibrating in his chest.

"A shy mate, huh?"

His lips twitched with amusement, and he tried again.

Eryndra held his wrist tighter. She shook her head.

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but seeing the desperation in her gaze, his eyes softened into something intense and consuming.

"Alright," he murmured, his breath uneven as he pressed his nose against her neck. "We can do the kissing and introductions in the morning."

Eryndra whimpered, dizziness washing over her as she breathed in his intoxicating scent.

For a male this massive, his scent signature was surprisingly low and muted, wrapping around her like a calm fog.

Sensing her surrender, he lifted her effortlessly, his arm locking firmly around her hips.

He carried her into the darkness of the nearby cave, and Eryndra let the rest of the world fade away.

Ishara. The summons. The rumored cruel prince waiting at the end of her future.

There was only him.

All that followed was a blur.

An act she knew her father would end her for.

~~~~~~

Dawn crept over the horizon, and dread settled in Eryndra's bones.

She would give anything to stay in the arms of her male, but she still had to leave.

"Stay here," he whispered. "I'll be right back."

He pressed one last, lingering kiss to her bare shoulder, before rising and stepping out of the cave.

As soon as he left, she scrambled for her clothing, wincing at the ache in her muscles. A fierce reminder of how they had burned together in the dark.

Quickly, she headed to her pack and easily slipped over the wall into her chamber.

But her mother was already pacing in the room.

"Where have you been?!" Maren snapped, rushing forward. "By the gods, Eryndra, I thought you had run away! What happened to your promise to stop sneaking out?"

Words refused to leave Eryndra's mouth. She stood frozen as her mother closed the distance.

Suddenly, Maren stopped. She sniffed the air once. Twice. Her eyes slowly widened into circles of pure horror.

"Is that..." Maren stuttered, backing away. "Is that a male's scent on you?"

Eryndra swallowed hard, her hands trembling.

"Mother... I can explain."

"Who was he?"

"He..." Eryndra closed her eyes. "He is my mate."

Silence followed, heavy like the quiet before a great storm.

"Did you reject him?"

"I could not."

"Have you gone insane?!" Her mother whispered harshly. "Oh, please tell me, by the moon, he didn't know who you were."

"He doesn't know," Eryndra rushed out. "I kept my face covered the entire time. He never saw me."

A small relief flashed across Maren's face.

"Do you realize what you've done? If your father discovers this, he will send hunters to bring that male's head to your feet. And the Crown prince? He would slaughter our entire pack for delivering a compromised bride."

A shiver ran down Eryndra's spine. Gia stirred possessively at the threat to their mate.

"I won't go back to him," Eryndra promised, the weight of her reality crashing down. "I will marry the prince. For the sake of the Silverion pack, I'll do it."

Maren drew in a deep breath, her eyes hardening with resolve.

"We have to fix this. We need to bury this secret. First, we wash every trace of him off your skin. Then, the mate bond must be hidden."

Eryndra frowned. "Mother. That is too much..."

"It is the only way you can survive," Maren cut her off. "What rank was he? Did you get anything from his aura?"

"I don't know," Eryndra admitted, thinking back to the strange, quiet nature of his energy. "His scent was incredibly low."

"How low?"

"Very low."

"An Omega, perhaps?" Maren's face twisted in distaste. "Good. I shall cast the Veil Spell over your presence. Even if he is the strongest Alpha rank, he will not recognize the mate bond."

A month had passed.

A month since Eryndra had fled from her mate. Now, it was time to marry that Lycan beast.

As her tired gaze met the mirror, her chest tightened.

Staring back at her was a female she hardly recognized. Clad in accessories that made her feel like goods being wrapped for delivery.

This wasn't her fate, but she had to bear it.

She had to bear this awful responsibility that made her heart ache beyond measure.

The maid pin her auburn hair up, styling it with rhinestones, and as they worked, her mother's stern advice lingered in her mind.

'Be kind and presentable to the prince. Do not question him and do whatever he says, no matter the circumstances.'

Last month, her mother had cast the Veil Spell.

After that, Eryndra had spent many nights recalling her mate.

She imagined the disappointment on his face after seeing her gone. Imagined him searching restlessly for her.

The guilt ate her up, and she wished she hadn't left him the way she did.

Maren had warned her that if fate ever brought their paths together again, she had to stay away, or the Veil Spell wouldn't hold for long.

Then again, what were the chances of that?

A male with a scent as low as his had no place in the Citadel. Unless he was a servant, their paths were unlikely to ever cross again.

That thought gave her a little comfort.

Eryndra's mind wasn't the only thing in turmoil that morning. The entire pack was as well.

Servants and guards bustled through the packhouse, while whispers echoed from every corner.

"Is there a reason the pack is so chaotic, Mother?" Eryndra asked as soon as her mother stepped in.

Luna Maren paused at the sight of her dressed, a quiet admiration flashing in her eyes, though it didn't quite cover the hint of nervousness beneath it.

She dismissed the maids with a wave of her hand and approached.

"The Crown Prince sent the Grand Marshal to escort you."

Eryndra's heart skipped. "The Grand Marshal?! Why would the Crown Prince send someone of such rank as an envoy?"

"Because, dear, the road is dangerous. Many packs fought for this position. There are envious eyes swimming in the realm, but do not worry. I heard the Grand Marshal is a great protector. He and the Crown Prince are as tight as a drum. Leave a good impression with him, but be extra careful." Maren's voice dropped discreetly. "He is well known as the Dark Knight. Many have died by his blade."

A shiver ran up Eryndra's spine, and for a moment, she considered stopping this. It was too overwhelming. But it was too late now.

A knock echoed through the chamber.

Eryndra stiffened as the guard called for her.

"Mother. Do you think they'll find out?" She shivered. "I hold too many secrets. What if they find out what I am?"

A shadow crossed Maren's face knowing what she meant, but it quickly disappeared.

"No one will," her voice was sharp and firm. "As long as you remember who you are, you will be safe. May the moon above guide you."

Eryndra could feel the heavy weight on her mother's shoulders. It was never an easy thing to lose one daughter a month ago and send the other into royal hands.

A knock sounded again.

"They're waiting," the guard called from outside.

Maren gave her one last look before leading her into the hallway.

Eryndra followed, her palms damp as they approached the Alpha's chamber.

Several maids stood outside, openly gawking at the door.

They scrambled away the moment Maren's glare landed on them, some suddenly becoming interested in cleaning the walls while others hurried off.

Eryndra drew in one last breath.

Then, with her head held high, she entered her father's chamber.

Her gaze immediately caught on her father.

Alpha Reavion appeared visibly stiff, a smile so awkwardly wide on his face that he was doing a terrible job of trying to impress the male before him.

This male.

Now she knew the reason the pack was all in a frenzy, especially the females.

Eryndra had heard talk of Grand Lord Theron Ashrendel. He was known by many names.

A paragon of Dionysus. The Dark Lord. The highest of the military ranks, his loyalty to the crown knew no bounds.

His aura was undeniably overwhelming and regal, as though he commanded the room without even trying.

If he drew this much attention, she wondered how much more the Crown Prince would have drawn had he come here himself.

Her view of him was obstructed by another male who seemed to have come with him. A sorcerer with white hair. He spotted her first, then shifted aside, giving her a clearer view of the Grand Lord, who suddenly stopped tapping his finger the moment he seemed to sense her presence too.

Wait.

Eryndra's brows creased.

Why does he look so familiar?

"There she is!" Alpha Reavion announced. "Come here, Eryndra. Lord Theron has been waiting."

Ever so slowly, Lord Theron turned his head.

First his jaw. Then the line of his nose. Then--

Grey-silver eyes.

Eryndra's stomach dropped. The room suddenly turned too hot.

By the full moon. Please. No.

Those eyes. Those sharp features and soft lips-all that had claimed her that night was unmistakably him.

Grand Lord Theron Ashrendel...

Was the stranger who claimed her in that cave...

The Crown Prince's best friend.

Her mate.

LORD THERON

Searching for his mate wasn't enough. Now, he was stuck waiting for another's chosen one.

How ironic.

He shouldn't be here. He hadn't been assigned to pick the designated female for the Crown Prince, yet he'd sent Lord Beren away, taking the task himself.

All because of that female who had slipped away before dawn like a ghost a month ago.

Thinking of her made his jaw clench because it was his own damn fault.

He had made the mistake of never seeing her face, allowing her to conceal her identity behind that veil. He should have torn it away when he had the chance. Should have put his fang to better use and mark her.

He shouldn't have sent men to track her in his stead because he couldn't leave his critical mission.

Now, he was left with nothing but regret, sleepless nights, and memories of her haunting his mind.

Lycans hardly find their fated mate.

Most don't, only holding onto chosen mates instead.

So when such a rarity occurs, they become overly possessive.

Theron never counted himself as one of those Lycans. In fact, he never yearned for a bond.

As grand marshal, he was unreservedly occupied with many tasks.

But that night never stopped replaying. It never stopped haunting his sleep like a battle he could never win, returning each night with the same cruel persistence.

Then, last week, he finally caught a hint of her trace. The she-devil who had cruelly stolen his peace was in this pack.

He wasn't sure whether to punish or cage her for triggering him like this.

He'd searched the entire pack and still come up empty-handed.

The Alpha's domain was the last place he'd search, and the only way to get in without suspicion was to act as an envoy from the Crown Prince.

When the door finally opened to the designated female, his body stiffened.

That sudden scent. That presence. It made him tilt his head up, his curiosity immediately sharpening.

The air went still.

That auburn hair. That clever, almond-shaped sapphire-blue eyes. Those skin so soft and radiant... All familiar.

His brows knitted at her, especially at the way she stiffened when their eyes locked.

Her heart was pounding so fast it filled his ears. A heavy thump of fear and shock.

Something was not right.

He couldn't pinpoint it, but this female was making his blood boil oddly, like something was being restricted from reaching him.

She can't be the one he had been looking for, could she?

"My Lord. The Alpha awaits your response."

Theron snapped out of the trance at the voice of Zarin, only then did he realize Alpha Reavion had been calling him.

"Pardon me, my lord." Something about Theron's gaze made the Alpha more nervous. "May I know your counsel regarding my daughter?"

Theron glanced back at the female, now avoiding his gaze, her hand subtly clutching her dress.

"Leave." Theron's voice cut through the room.

She shot him a look.

"I want to speak with her alone," he said, holding her gaze.

They did, and in the next breath, Theron could barely hear the chairs scraping and the door shutting.

Silence struck the room.

Theron said nothing for a long while. His gaze never left her, while hers remained fixed on the floor, head bowed, the unsettled expression he'd caught before now carefully masked.

"You wish to speak with me, my lord?"

Theron squinted, trying to compare her voice with the one that had moaned under him that night, but still couldn't, because the female that night was too careful enough not to utter a word.

And he was too naive to let her.

He rose, steps slow and deliberate as he stalked toward the designated female.

"Look at me," he demanded as his frame towered over her.

Her eyes slowly lifted to his.

"Have we met?"

Her scent was close now, and his wolf greedily wanted to tear free from an invisible restraint.

"I've heard great tales about you, my lord. I've always wanted to know the man behind such bravery, but I hadn't met that man until now."

He scoffed. Her words were too careful.

Then, with one tug, he loosened the strap of her dress.

A coarse hiss tore from her throat, eyes wide.

"What are you doing?!" She tried to move, only for him to loosen another strap.

"My Lord!" she yelped, catching her dress before it fell.

She tried to get away, but his frame pinned her against the wall, and with another tug, her auburn hair spilled free, cascading down her shoulder like a waterfall of burning dark flame set loose.

When she tried to stop him, he grabbed both her hands and pinned them above her head, then hovered his other hand over her nose and lips.

His eyes assessed her, searching for familiarity.

"Do you assault every woman under your charge?!" Her voice was sharp as a blade. "Even the Crown Prince's chosen? I had hoped the rumors about Lycans were nothing but a farce. Perhaps I was the credulous one."

He squinted, but no anger pierced his chest. Instead, he lowered his hand, pinning her with a rather deferential gaze as he stepped away.

"Forgive me, Lady... Tarianne," his voice lacking sincerity. "I must had mistaken you for someone else. The travel is long. I'll wait for you outside."

As he stepped out, Theron felt almost crazy for scaring her like that.

That was unlike him.

He joined his squire, who had just finished preparing the carriage for travel.

"Are we really to leave, my lord?" his squire asked.

"What else are we waiting for, Zarin?"

Zarin ignored the irritation in his voice and whispered, "And your mate? Shall we abandon the search?"

Theron shot him a glare.

"We leave," he bit out, and Zarin stifled the urge to press further.

Theron glanced back at the path he'd come from

Perhaps he was wrong.

There's no way the Prince's Chosen could have been the female in that cave. There was no bond. However, he couldn't deny the odd, feral twist in his chest.

"Send an order to the scouts and have them make a deep investigation into The Prince's Chosen." He paused, jaw tightening. "Something about her doesn't sit right. And I intend to find out what."