The Lycan King's Proposal

Alex walked in his room and sat on the bed, tired. He finished his hunt not quite long and he panted for breath. His eyes beheld the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.

The thought of her silky long hair racing down her freshly, soft back still lingered in his head. He shook the thoughts off as Camen strode inside his room.

"My king, what should we do to the animals we hunted today?" Camen asked, placing his bow by his side.

Alex cleared his throat and instructed his beta to distribute it to the people and organize a feast tonight. Alex's focus was shifted to the unknown beauty he met.

He craved her touch and body, he felt the feast he organized was a chance to meet the unknown beauty.

Alex asked for a bath and smirked as he strode towards his bath. He slipped into the cooling water, calming his senses and shutting off every distraction. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

"NOOOO! ALEX" A lady screamed out.

Alex's eyes shut open, he scrutinized his bath, panting for breath. Alex pondered why he had a dream like that.

It was strange for the unknown beauty to appear in his dream, all he wanted was to see her and get her to be his. He has never felt a deep attraction to a lady before.

"What if she is my mate?" Alex asked himself, coming out of his bath and tied a robe to his body.

He shook his head in disbelief,

''she doesn't seem to be my mate. I never felt that link between us. But what's wrong" Alex muttered to himself.

Alex became curious on why he had felt an irresistible attraction to the unknown beauty.

"I guess, I will find out tonight" he said with a smirk.

Alex walked to his room, a tray of food was placed on his table, he sat on his bed and ate his meal slowly while fantasizing about the beauty. He pushed his meal aside and wore his clothes.

Alex was impatient to meet the lady, so wore his mask on and walked to the horse ranch. Camen was curious as to why the Lycan king was in a hurry to attend the feast so early.

He hoped to find the answers soon. Alex and his men took off and rode to the venue of the feast, there were noise and music playing as he rode his horse into the field.

Everyone's gazes fell on him, ladies stared at him lustfully knowing fully well who the strange man was. The music and their movements halted.

Alex halted his horse and hopped down, his eyes fixated on the crowd, looking aimlessly for the beauty but couldn't find her.

Camen noticed Alex's tactics and moved closer to him,

"What is it, my king? say the word and it will be carried out" Camen said, looking into the crowd out of curiosity.

Alex smiled and whispered some words in his beta ears. Camen nodded and left Alex.

Alex was accompanied to sit, the people composed themselves and the ladies were gawking at him lustfully.

He tapped his feet to the ground continuously, waiting patiently for Camen. He had instructed Camen to search for the unknown beauty. Alex face shone in excitement as Camen strode towards him.

"I am sorry, I couldn't find her" Camen voiced out, nervous.

Alex clenched his fist, he has never been so nervous to anticipate a lady's arrival. He moved closer to Camen and said,

"You should find her, I don't care how! Just do it" Alex whispered into Camen's ears.

"Yes sir, I will find her at all cost"

Camen wondered why his king was so adamant in finding a mysterious lady. Alex walked past Camen and cleared his throat, averting his people attention to him.

"Today's feast is cancelled. BUT! It shall be held tomorrow's night. Get ready for the sumptuous feast" Alex said all in one breath and headed out of the field.

Camen followed his steps and walked alongside Alex. The people screamed happily anticipating for the sumptuous feast.

"Just wait and see... I will find you, my unknown beauty" Alex smirked as he mounted his horse and rode it.

**

The next day,

Nova groaned as the machete grazed her legs while cutting the grass. She tossed the machete to the ground frustratingly, feeling exhausted after a few hours of work. She sat on the clean grass blaming her existence in this world. She was not wolfless... she could feel her wolf, her emotions, her strength but the only thing that brought her into this hell was because she couldn't shift. Despite having a wolf, she is wolfless.

Her pack of people detested and shoved her like a filthy person.

"What the hell are you doing? Get back to work," Maia yelled out, shoving the machete to Nova.

Nova clenched her fists and stared at Maia wearily. She took the machete and resumed her work, Maia moved closer to her and held her hair tightly,

"Ahh" Nova screamed out loud, groaning in pain.

"Don't you dare stare at me, you dimwit? Blame yourself for this pain,"

"Please stop," Nova cried out in agony.

Maia chuckled, pushed Nova to the ground, and left. Nova clustered her knees together and broke Into tears. If only she could shift, these sufferings wouldn't occur. She desired for this pain and suffering to end. The grass moved, and she jolted up and resumed her work, afraid to get caught by someone.

Hours passed, and Nova finished cutting the grass and headed to her cottage to rest. Bids of sweat ran down her face as she walked to her cottage. Her lips formed a smile, Ember was seated at the entrance of Nova's cottage, and Nova rushed to her and hugged her tightly.

She missed Ember's warmth, guidance, and support, the only guardian who cares about her. Tears trailed down her cheeks and she began to sniffle. Ember pushed her slightly, wiping her tears, she stared at Nova and questioned the reason for her tear-filled eyes.

Nova kept mute still sobbing, Ember stood up and guided Nova to her cottage, they sat on a crooked wooden chair facing each other, she held Nova's hands and said,

"What's wrong, Nova?"

"After you left for a few days, my life has been tossed like a rag, I am tired of this suffering. I want it to end,"

"it will end, Nova, you need to be patient,"

Nova got annoyed and yanked Ember's hand off,

"patience, patience, patience. I am sick and tired of hearing those words over again,"

Ember breathed out and hugged Nova tightly, assuring her that she would be fine in no time, Nova smiled bitterly, wishing all Ember said would be factual. Ember talked about her journey, Nova knew Ember wanted her well-being. Nova eyes were drowsy, she yawned out loud and told Ember how weary she was.

Ember chuckled, Nova stood up, walked to Ember's mattress and lay down, drifting off to sleep.

A few minutes later,

Nova felt a tap on her shoulder, she jolted up instantly, Ember stared at her shockingly,

"I thought it was one of the people," Nova muttered, breathing out in relief.

Ember smiled and patted Nova's hair, Nova smiled back and left Ember's cottage. Nova took a long stride to her cottage, jumping gaily. She entered her cottage but stopped in her tracks as she saw Maia and other ladies sitting on her tiny-sized bed. They stood up and walked to her, Nova looked down afraid of their next move.

Maia caressed Nova's face steadily, Nova trembled in fear, she knew Maia was up to no good,

"Don't be afraid, but this is a warning for you; tonight is the feast event. The Lycan king designated it and I don't want to see you in that event," Maia warned Nova, held her chin tightly, and said, "You can't have a mate because you couldn't transform on your first transformation night so don't bother yourself, you piece of crap"

Maia pushed her slightly and left, Nova shuddered in fear, her first transformation night was the worst night ever, she didn't want to reminisce about that night, Nova stood up and sat on her bed trembling continuously. She held her face and began to wail, Nova want this hell to stop. How will she live in this hell for the rest of her life?

Nova felt her wolf urging her to be at the event, but Nova screamed, trying to shut her wolf because she was always reminded of the transformation night whenever she feel her inner wolf emotions. Nova wiped her tears and lay on her mattress forcing the sleep out of her eyes. Nova pondered whether her mate would truly be in the event. She sat up,

"My mate will bring me out of this hell, I should probably head to the event, he may be there waiting for me," She muttered to herself, assuring herself about her unrealistic mate. Nova shook her head in fear contemplating what Maia would do if she sees her at the event.

Nova bit her lips pondering what to do. She decided to head to the event, Nova was a little excited, hoping to meet her mate. She strode out of her cottage, heading towards the town hall. Her heart thudded as she stepped into the hall. Everyone halted and glared at her with contempt, she gulped hard, heading to a corner.

The village head caught their attention and said,

"Don't bother about anyone and let the feast begin," he shouted out loud, everyone screamed happily and clapped. Nova held her chest feeling uncomfortable in their midst.

A handsome-looking figure caught her eye. He talked with the village head. He seemed to be a special guest, she felt a domineering aura oozing from the man.

The village head called him Mr. Camen, but she shrugged off the thought of him being her mate. Maia stood at Nova's back, questioning her presence in this event, Nova became terrified, but Nova knew Maia could do nothing because of the presence of the guests.

Nova heart thudded against her chest as she saw Mr. Camen promenade towards her, and then her cheeks formed a blush when he stopped in front of her.

"Be my mate," he blurted out, smiling

"I accept you as my mate" Nova blurted out with a smile.

Camen glared at Nova and turned back to see who Nova was talking to. Then he glanced back at Nova and said

"I wasn't talking to you but the lady behind you."

Maia pushed Nova, "Nova, do you still believe you would see a mate", she scoffed. "No man will choose a girl that is wolfless"

"I am not wolfless, I can feel my wolf, please believe me. I promise to transform in the next transformation night".

Mr. Camen raised his eyebrows, he became surprised as he heard Maia's words. Mr. Camen moved closer to Nova and whispered some words into her ears but loud enough for Maia to hear his words.

He challenged Nova to transform at the next transformation night and he would choose her if she transformed. Nova became determined that if she transformed, no one would deride her.

Maia shoved Nova to the wall and smacked her face, Nova held her face in dismay, and she whispered in Nova's ear, "Don't you dare seduce my mate. You will regret messing with me"

Maia left with Mr. Camen, Nova held back her tears. The hall was filled with waves of laughter, she dashed out of the hall feeling like an outcast amongst them. It baffles her how they all treat her like trash and they seemed fine about it. Ember's cottage was the only comfort zone Nova needed to shield herself from their glares and insults.

Nova went to Ember's cottage, Ember was seated on a crooked wooden chair next to her mattress, reading a book. She was so engrossed in the book that she had no idea Nova was present, her expression was bereaved. Nova got curious to know what Ember was drowning herself in.

Nova sneaked up to her and bent her head to check what was written in the book. Ember shut the book immediately, startling Nova. Ember breathed out when she noticed Nova was the sneaky one.

"Why did you do that?" Nova asked, sitting on the chair opposite Ember. Ember placed the book on her mattress, looked at Nova, and smiled,

"I had no idea you were the one intruding on my privacy"

"What! Do you have some hidden secrets that are kept from me?" Nova sniffled hard and asked, "If you weren't an outcast, would you bring me up?"

Ember smiled and said, ''Of course my child, you were placed in my care. I would never leave you to those whoremongers,"

Nova giggled as Ember called the people whoremongers, Ember cleared her throat and asked the reason for Nova's presence. She knew Nova wouldn't be here unless there was trouble. Nova breathed out, playing with her fingers to decide if Ember should know or not. Nova stood up and sat beside Ember,

"Ember, am I capable of transforming in the next transformation night?" Nova asked, looking down to display her emotions.

Ember held Nova's chin and raised her head, Nova stared into Ember's eyes as Ember drew Nova closer to hug her. Nova felt comforted. Ember pushed Nova slightly and said,

"I don't know, but your time will eventually come, patience is a good thing for people like us,"

Nova felt delighted by her words. The word patience seemed to be used at the right time. Nova snuggled into Ember's arms and muffled out sobs, Ember patted Nova's back to comfort her. Nova moved away from Ember and wiped her teary eyes.

"Thanks, Ember, I am attending the next transformation night. Wish me good luck," Nova blurted out and left Ember's cottage, waving her hands to Ember.

Nova chuckled as she saw Ember's shocked expression before leaving Ember's cottage. Nova went to her cottage, and Mr. Camen called out Nova's name, averting her attention to him. Nova stopped in her tracks, her hands trembling, afraid to know the reason for his approach. She blinked her eyes profusely, fidgeting. Mr. Camen noticed her actions, he moved closer and said,

"I am not here to harm you but I came to inform you that the transformation night is tomorrow. Good luck on that,"

Nova was dumbstruck, she had no idea the transformation night would be here so soon. Mr. Camen snapped his fingers, bringing Nova out of her train of thought. He scrutinized Nova, smiled, and left. Nova breathed out, delighted that his presence wasn't a dangerous one. She turned to enter her cottage, she heard some footsteps and turned back to see who it was.

Nova felt a sting on her face, she looked up and saw Maia fuming with anger. Maia grabbed her hair firmly, and Nova winced in pain.

"Don't you dare seduce my mate, he can't love you," Maia spat out, still holding onto Nova's hair firmly.

Tears trickled down Nova's face,

"Please, let me go. It's hurting," Nova pleaded to her.

"Disgusting slut,"

Maia shoved Nova away and left angrily. Nova held her face in tears. She wondered why Maia felt insecure when she meant nothing to any of them. Nova stood up and entered her cottage, laid on the bed to get the thoughts out of her mind. Nova assured herself to be patient till the transformation night, only then will she have the courage to bring herself out of this hell.

*******

The rays of the sun emanate through the room. Alex groaned, standing up from his king-sized bed,

"Today is a sunny day, it doesn't look like a day for the full moon. But the sorceress's words were always true," Alex muttered to himself, getting prepared for the transformation night.

Today will be a hectic day for Alex because the rites for the transformation night are to be performed before the gathering of the people. Alex heard a knock on his door, he cleared his throat and said,

"Come in,"

"My king, it's time to head out but...," Camen paused, bowing his head as a respectful gesture.

Alex raised his eyebrows, gesturing Camen to speak out. Camen breathed out and said,

"I might have found the unknown beauty but she is wolfless... I don't think she is the one, I challenged her to attend the transformation, night so we would see if she is truly the beauty"

Alex held Camen's hand happily,

"We will see about that in the transformation night, let's go" Alex spat out, excited.

Alex removed his hands from Camen's hand, wore his mask, and headed out of his room. They walked down to the horse ranch, hopped on their horses, and rode it fast to the venue. They got to the venue, the village head and some appointed chief advisors welcomed Alex presence.

They headed into the field, Alex sat on the Alpha seat, and the sorceress performed some rites in preparation for the transformation night. A few hours pass and the full moon rises high in the sky.

"Let the transformation begin,'' Alex voiced out in a commanding tone.