The Lycan's Contract Mate

Arielyn

I look out through the window as the car I was in sped along towards the place of my birth, the place I had left eight years ago right after my eighteenth birthday, the place where I was never welcomed, but still, here I am, eight years ago, I left this country because of the most heartbreaking thing that could have happened to an eighteen years old woman who had prayed every day for that day, nothing prepared me for the heartache I felt the day I turned eighteen, of course, Ae, my wolf took the bigger hit because she had been more invested than I was but still, I suffered.

"Not now, Ariel,"

I scolded myself as I tried to forget the pain of the past, my wolf who was usually very chatty was noticeably quiet, I understood without asking because I knew she was remembering why we had to leave, and the kind of pain we had been in while they drove us to the airport, I can still remember the look of disappointment in my father's face when he had learned that I couldn't do just one thing right, not like it was my fault, I didn't ask to be rejected, heck I never knew I could be rejected by my mate, the one the moon goddess had destined for me, my dad hadn't even waited for the day to be over before he shipped me off, far away from home alone.

After I left Owhen, I spent the first year in self-pity, wondering what I did wrong to deserve so much misfortune. My mom dying during my birth was one but getting rejected in front of thousands of people?? That was a huge blow, it took a while to get back on my feet, and when I finally did, I decided to do something instead, I poured all my heart into my studies and was able to graduate medical school at twenty-four, looking out of the window again, I could tell that not much has changed in the last eight years, Owhen was still just as beautiful with tall buildings and companies everywhere, the place where almost everyone was rich.

My only friend in Owhen, Winrose was supposed to come to pick me up at the airport but that bitch ditched me for a date with her fiancé, I couldn't blame her though, I am happy she is happy, at least one of us gets our mate.

My whole life has been one hell of a heartbreak, I don't think I have many happy memories, not when I was born as the cursed child, growing up in Owhen, I was isolated from the other kids, even my brothers didn't have much contact with me, once I passed the preschool stage, I was homeschooled, I couldn't play with the other kids, wasn't allowed to go out, worst of all? My dad hated my presence because I reminded him of all he lost, I reminded him of the reason his mate was no longer with him, he went out of his way to make sure I wasn't in his presence, I never ate with them, never sat in front of the TV with them, heck I wasn't even allowed to attend any function, not even my brothers birthday parties, and yes, I never had a birthday party either, the only ones I could remember were the ones the nannies threw for me which I told them to stop doing once I turned ten.

My thoughts were caught short when the driver suddenly came to a stop, I looked ahead to see a crowd gathering in the front, the driver was out of the car before I knew it. I was much too tired to even think of getting out of the car with him so I just waited.

"What's going on?"

I asked the driver when he came back, I didn't want to step out of the car but with the commotion, there was no stopping it.

"There has been an accident and someone is lying on the ground almost lifeless,"

The driver responded, that got me out of the car, why would people just stand and watch when someone is dying? What's the logic? Those were the thoughts that were running through my head as I took the few steps to where the crowd had gathered and sure enough, there lay a child of around thirteen to fifteen years, he looked lifeless and was drained of any color.

"What happened to him?"

I asked, already, going into doctor's mode, I checked his purse and though it was there, it was too slow to be normal.

"What happened to him?"

I yelled again and finally got the attention of someone.

"I don't know but he was running and suddenly stopped, he collapsed before anyone got to him,"

A lady who looked scared explained,

That wasn't much but I put my hands over his nose and he was breathing but really slowly, I removed the button on his shirt and make sure his body was below the level of the heart to encourage blood flow to his brain, while checking to find a reason for his predicament, I didn't need to look long because someone suddenly came and pushed me out of the way, I landed on the ground and turned around in shock.

"Who the fuck are you and what are you doing to him?"

He yelled as he lifted the almost lifeless lad and turned to leave, I couldn't just let him leave like that.

"Stop, what do you think you are doing mister? Don't you see he needs help?"

I yelled at him which made him stop for a moment, his deep brown eyes burning intensely into my soul.

"If you wanna help, then get in the car,"

He said in a commanding voice, I panicked but I didn't want to leave the young lad with a stranger, I turned back at my driver who wasn't even looking at me, I was torn between calling for him and just getting into the car, well, in the end, I got in, and before long the car zoned off.

"Where are you taking him? He needs help,"

I said, checking his pulse again, it was getting weaker, but he was still breathing.

"Can you please remove his shirt completely and make sure he can get blood to his brain, that was what I was trying to do before you rushed in,"

I added when he refused to answer my first question, I didn't know where we were going but I guessed the hospital even though I was beginning to question my reasons for getting into a car with a complete stranger, but I took an oath and there was a patient in need.

"How to do that? We are going to the hospital,"

He responded in a low voice while taking off the lad's clothes, I explained what he needed to do, and before long, the lad was in a relaxed position, he wasn't awake yet but since he said we were headed to the hospital, I tried to calm down, it didn't take long before we landed at the hospital.

As soon as we got there, the lad was taken from us and the commanding man left me on my own, I just stood there wondering what I was supposed to do, what was the point of coming down here anyway? I looked around the unfamiliar hospital, even though I was born here and spent eighteen years of my life in this country, I didn't know anywhere here and I could easily get lost because I wasn't allowed to leave the mansion, the only place I ever went to was the mall with Winrose, now here I am in a hospital, my phone wasn't even with me, my wolf was so quiet and I felt lost, I looked around wondering what I should do.

"Oh my gosh, he is hot,"

My wolf said, so expected of her, the first thing she says since we landed has to be about a man, and I rolled my eyes, I may not be a simp but Ae is definitely a simp for hot men, I couldn't blame her this time because he was really hot, and he was looking at me, I felt my face heat up as he walked towards me, I was drawn between staying still and running away, which was a shocker because I don't run away from men, except that one time, eight years ago when I left my home because of a damn man.

Well this man interrupted my job, okay technically it isn't a job but still, what he did would have led to a major disaster. I frowned at the thought of what would have happened if the young lad had been left there without any medical aid.

"Hello, I am sorry for how I reacted earlier,"

He said as he got close to me, his deep euphonic voice resonating into my soul, I could hear my wolf whisper in admiration, and I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

"You could have at least allowed me to do my job and give basic care,"

I fired at him.

"Your job?"

He asked in a voice that suggested he didn't believe me.

"Yes, my job, I am a doctor, treating people is my job,"

I informed.

"I am sorry, I just really wanted Raul to get help quickly and I didn't know you had the qualifications, you didn't seem like a doctor,"

He said and every word that came out of his mouth made me wanna scream at his face, what? I didn't look like a doctor? What is a doctor supposed to look like?

"Don't be mad at him, he is hot,"

My wolf implored. I took a deep breath.

"No, it's fine, you did what you thought was best, although we had different opinions and methods, at the end of the day, what matters is the patient is fine,"

I said even though I had more to say, it was in times like this that I am glad that I actually listen to my wolf, if it was just me. Heck, I won't have kept shut because I am the professional and he is just a buff guy who thinks he can do anything, plus he is hot too.

"Yeah, so hot,"

Ae whispered, oh she was a goner and I would have been too if I wasn't mad at him.

"Good, Raul is under my care,"

He informed and I wanted to know why he let the boy out of his sight but kept quiet.

"Okay,"

I answered, I didn't know what else to say.

"Thank you for what you did but I will take it from here,"

He said and I opened my mouth to respond to his rude words but stopped when someone called out my name.

Ariel?"

Winrose called out, yup I knew that voice by heart, only one person sounded like a nightingale in the whole of Owhen and that's my best friend and only true love Winrose, the reason I even thought of returning to Owhen.

"Winrose, what are you doing here? How did you know I was here? I thought you were out on a date with Jayden?"

I asked as I hugged my best friend, the last time we saw each other was two years ago when she had visited me in Dilgem, I hugged her tight.

"I came to get a test done and saw you, I am sorry I ditched you, oh hello,"

She greeted the arrogant hot man who was staring at the two of us, I forgot he was there for a moment.

"Hi, like I said lady, thank you for trying to help, I am sorry for how I reacted but you can leave now,"

He said as if he was telling me to fuck off, well I was going anyway, now that I know he knew the lad, there was no point in staying here.

"Alright,"

I said as I pulled my best friend with me, I resisted the urge to turn back and give him a piece of my mind.

"So annoying,"

I whispered under my breath, Winrose turned to me.

"What happened with you two? How did you end up here?"

She asked and I explained what happened.

"Oh, you goody goody doc,"

Winrose said and I rolled my eyes, not like I was able to do anything.

"Who is he anyway?"

I asked Winrose, she turned to look at me as if I had lost my mind, well maybe I have because if I was supposed to know him then why couldn't I remember him?

"Really? You don't know Kendrix?"

"Well, at least I know his name now, who the heck is he anyway?"

I asked looking back to see that he was still standing there watching Winrose and me leave. I turned back immediately as our eyes met, I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, why was he still standing there anyway?

"Kendrix is Jordan's older brother, not much older though, I think about six months? But yeah,"

Winrose rambled on but I was stuck at the name she mentioned, I didn't want it to be true but which other Jordan do I know anyway? There is only one Jordan I have known and he is no other than the reason I left, the man who broke my heart even before he had it, my mate, who rejected me...

Kendrix

"She is beautiful, she should be ours,"

My wolf kept singing as the most beautiful woman I have ever seen since I came to this country more than twelve years ago walked away holding onto her friend. I do agree she was beautiful but she wasn't ours, far from it, the only woman that was meant to be ours laid six feet beneath the earth, I couldn't protect her and lost her forever.

"She should be ours,"

My wolf said again, this time a little too loud.

"Cut it out, she is not for us, every pretty woman is ours? You werewhore,"

I scolded silently, chances are we might never see each other again, my other half must be so lonely since it's been eight years since our mate left us, the thought of the woman I couldn't protect burned through me, I shook the thoughts off as I made my way towards where the lad who had been under my care for the past two weeks was, Raul who still struggling with losing his whole family has been having different session for the past two weeks since he came to live with me, I understood the lad because I went through the same shit even though I didn't lose my family, it was hell coming to live in Owhen at eighteen and learning about myself and identity without my mom, prior to moving here, my mom had been my best friend and everything but when I came to live here, I couldn't be with her and didn't hear from her for two whole years, worst of all, the only other person I could really on died, Veronica was like a light in my dark world, she came to me, smiled brightly and that was it, everything was okay because I had her but little did I know that she would be taken away from me, in the most brutal way, her only offense? She was a vampire, I couldn't protect her and it still kills me inside every day knowing that it would have been two of us doing great things in this country if her life hadn't been cut short, the thought of her always leaves a sad bitter taste in my mouth and no matter the years that have passed, I couldn't forget her, I tried but it didn't work.

"Doc? How is he?"

I asked the doctor who smiled at me as I walked in.

"He is good, nothing to worry about, he just needs to rest, and eat properly,"

The doctor said and I let out a sigh of relief, I was worried that he might have gone too far this time, the boy has been trying to harm himself ever since he woke up from his coma and I couldn't and would not let that happen, not on my watch, I will keep him with me and show the world that vampires are not the problem, they never were, it just that most are evil just like how every other breed in the world have evil.

I walked to where he lay when the doctor left and sat with him, he looked better than he did when he had arrived and the doctor said it was thanks to how he was positioned when he arrived at the clinic, it was all thanks to the beautiful female if I had known she was a doctor, I would have let her do her job more but I didn't until we were almost here, in my defense, she didn't look like a doctor, far from it, she looked like the spoilt daughter of a rich family, I looked up to see Raul staring at me.

"You are awake? Good,"

I said but he ignored me for a while before turning back to me.

"When do I leave this place?"

He asked in a dejected voice.

"The driver will take you back home and Rachael is waiting for you,"

I said to him

"Stop trying to save me, I just want to die, I don't want to live, what's the point of being alive when no one I love is here anymore? I want to be dead too,"

He cried.

"You will not die, it doesn't work like that, plus, I told you before that I will be a substitute family, I can't bring your family back but I can help make it better,"

I tried but nothing I said or said made any difference and I couldn't blame him, losing his whole family in one day broke him. Before his death, his dad had been one of my loyal workers, once again the reason the whole family was murdered? They were vampires, I couldn't figure out why innocent people had to pay for the sins of others, I just couldn't get the concept of massive hate against innocent beings just because of what they are, werewolves and vampires can't coexist. Just why? One of the many reasons I want to become king so badly is to stop the madness, stop the unnecessary murder and isolation of families when they are found to be different, Owhen despite being at the top of its game development wise failed to protect its people and my father the ruler who could make things better was doing nothing, the rich get richer while the minorities who are poor get poorer, it is even worst if anyone is poor and also food to be a different breed but these same wolves whine and dine with humans at will, not like I had anything against humans, my mom was one so I have no problem with them but if werewolves could eat and be friends with humans, why couldn't they do the same with vampires?

I sent the lad home with my housekeeper Rachael and made sure they will watch him while I round up what I had to do at the company, I knew he would be fine as I have a lot of people working for me at my home, and I trust them to take care of him while I work, I was almost done when my phone rang, it was a shock to see who was calling, he hasn't called my number for at least six months and counting.

"Hey,"

I said as I picked up the phone, it was so rare to get a call from any of my brothers and I didn't know what to expect.

"Father wants us to come home,"

He said not even bothering to say hi, well, I couldn't blame him, we grew up hating each other, more like Jordan hated me and made sure I knew it, he also made sure I knew where I stood in the family, not like I was in need of what they could give, far from it, I got a small inheritance from my maternal grandmother and once I landed in Owhen all those years ago, I decided to invest and now, I owned one of the biggest companies in Owhen, the only reason my father could finally see me as someone worthy of being in his presence was when my business blew up, and my business did not just blow up, no, I spent years working on it, my first three years were nothing to write about, I even got scammed, the only person that believed in me despite how young we both were was Veronica but the year things got better, when I could finally start to see the light, she died and I went back to zero and spent the next two years being a shadow of myself, my mom, she saved me again and made me see reasons to live and now all I want is to be at the very top and change things, nope, I am not trying to be an avenger, far from it, I have flaws, too many flaws but I wanted the world I live in to be a better place for everyone and that's the biggest goal of my life, even knowing I might not stand a chance at being king even though I am my father's first son, Jordan was his first born by marital rights, and I know my father favours him, my hope is my father would do the right thing for once because I am sure he knows I am the right person to do the job and I have proven it a lot of times.

"I have heard,"

I said and just like that, he ended the call, I dropped my phone and looked out through the window of my office.

My goal is to be king and I have worked hard to earn a name, to be worthy of the title, I just needed something big to happen to influence my father's decision and I am currently working on it. One thing about me, if I wanted something so bad, I would definitely get it.

"Let's get her too,"

My wolf chipped in.

"No, we won't,"

I scolded and could hear his scowl. I couldn't give him what he wanted, at least not right now. A woman is the last thing on my mind now. My goals are big and I need all the focus in the world to achieve them, with no distractions, also ok what are the chances that we would meet again? Zero.

Going back to my father's house wasn't in my schedule this week and I honestly don't want to listen to him talk about himself over and over again but I had to, if I want my plans to go well, it was even better that he requested to see me and I couldn't pass down on that, well, that can wait till tomorrow, today I needed to go home, fix myself and have myself a nice evening outing later, it's been a while I visited the clubhouse even though I owned it.

Arielyn

"You really didn't know the king had another son?"

Winrose asked as the car which had come to pick us up from the place we went to get lunch sped along the way, surprisingly, my driver came to find me but I told him to drive ahead with my bags while I catch a ride with my friend, Winrose refuses to believe that I didn't know about this Kendrix guy but I truly had no idea, all this while I thought our king had just three sons, never once have I heard of Kendrix.

"Rose, I won't lie, I didn't, if I did I surely won't have gotten into the car with him,"

I responded, and it was the truth, he may not have wronged me but knowing he is the brother of the man that hurt me? I would have felt uncomfortable in his presence, but thankfully, I won't have to see his face ever again, once Rose's wedding is done, I will leave, and might not return here again, I already know I won't be well come, I am sure my father knows I am in town already, he has people for those things but he still didn't call me or ask why I am back in Owhen, he just didn't give a flying fuck about me and he doesn't hide it.

"Kendrix is not like his brother though, he is nice but also dangerous,"

She informed.

"What do you mean? How can a nice person be dangerous?"

I asked.

"Well, he is known to wine and dine with vampires, plus his mom is human, he doesn't believe in a lot of the ways of the old and believes vampires are not a threat to us,"

She revealed.

"I don't even know what to say to that, I mean I have faced more rejection and humiliation from my own people, and not once in my whole twenty-six of living have a vampire been mean or bad to me so I can't argue, for me, werewolves have done worse to me,"

I lamented and those were true, I haven't met a lot of vampires but the ones I have met either ignore me or play nice, I couldn't say the same for my own people, not even my family, so this Kendrix guy might have a point, that doesn't make him dangerous.

"Yeah, I am sorry I dragged you back here, I know what you went through but I am selfish, I want my best friend here when I marry,"

Rose said, reaching for my hand.

"Rose, I won't miss your wedding for the world, and who knows? Maybe my father would accept me now, eight years can do a lot of magic,"

I said the lie out loud, I knew my father still didn't care about me, if he did, he would have reached out to me.

"I hope so, but if you feel you are not comfortable in the mansion, you can always stay with me, in fact, I think it is best that you stay at my place, I need my chief bridesmaid with me,"

She said but I shook my head in refusal, Rose still lives at her parent's house and they didn't show that they dislike me but I know they do, everyone in the pack except Winrose had a hate boner for me, they just love their daughter so much and can't say no to her which is why I can still be her friend when we had been eleven, one time, I had overheard Rose's mom telling her to mind the way she plays with me and Rose had defended me, that was the day I fell in love with Rose and knew she was and is my soulmate, my one true friend and she never stopped being my friend, when Jordan had rejected me, she had been by my side and cried so hard when my dad had practically dragged me to the airport, the pain I felt that day was still fresh in my memory.

"Rose, don't worry, I am an adult woman, I can take care of myself, plus, I lived alone for so long, Dad ignoring me won't affect me at all,"

I responded to Rose who didn't seem convinced.

"I am not about to argue with you but I don't want you feeling unhappy here, I dragged you back down here so I should be responsible for you,"

She insisted.

"I will be fine,"

I said and we rode the rest of the way to my family mansion in a comfortable silence, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be back in the home I grew up in, a place where I wasn't welcomed. When we got to the mansion, I waved Rose goodbye as I walked up into the house, I met the driver who had brought my things, I thanked him and also tipped him before making my way into the main house, I met a few employees I knew and they greeted out of respect, most of them were shocked to see me, I asked for where my dad is and someone pointed out that he was in his home office and I headed towards his office, my heart beat increasing, the last time I was face to face with my father in his home office was when I came to boost to him that my mate was our alpha king older son and that I will be the wife of the future king, well jokes on me because that didn't go well.

I shook off the thoughts and knocked gently before opening the door, my dad was seated on his usual chair, nothing much changed in the office in the last eight years and my father's seating position was exactly the way it had been on that day I had walked in to tell him I found my mate.

"Dad? I am home,"

I said in greeting, my dad looked up at me and I saw his face turn to one of distaste, he didn't say a word or acknowledge my presence.

"Dad, I am home,"

I said out loud when my dad remained silent. He looked up from his papers and went right back to it as if he didn't see me, it hurt but I was used to it, he never acknowledged my presence so it should not be new to me but the fact that I have been away for eight whole years and not once did he come to visit me or allow me to visit made it hurt even more, the little I saw of my dad in the last eight years was when he or my brothers showed up in the papers, no calls or contacts, why did I expect to be treated better? I should have taken Rose's offer and just spend the next month with her until I can return to where I will not feel unwanted, I turned around to leave, until I got to the door opened it, and stepped out, I was expecting my father to say a word to me, anything, but he just kept quiet, the hated he had for me heavy in the air, I swallowed hard trying to dissolve the nut that formed in my throat, I hated this feeling of being unwanted, of never being appreciated, I wish there was something I can do to change him, I wish he didn't hate me so much, even my brothers.

My brothers, I should not even call them my brothers, because they were all strangers to me, none of them reached out to me, none of them tried to be nice to me, they did not care and I have seen more strangers I don't know than my family.

"That's why you should have gone with Rose, I don't like it here,"

My wolf said in a sad voice.

"I am sorry,"

I whispered, I walked down the hallway, through the numerous room before I arrived at my old room, it was just the way it was when I left eight years ago, the picture of my favorite boy band then still where I left it, my books, photos, and piano were all still in the room and what more, the room was clean, which can either mean my dad was aware that I was in town or they have always just kept the room clean, either way, I lay on my bed as tears welled up in my eyes.

I closed my eyes trying not to let my dad's silent treatment get to me but there is only a little I could do, I have feelings, and getting hurt all over again would break anyone, I never asked to be born, I wasn't there when my mom died, I was an innocent child who knew nothing yet I face the hate, I face the discrimination. I lay in my bed wallowing in self-pity for the next couple of hours. I finally had the courage to go take a bath and lay back on my bed right after still feeling sorry for myself. My phone beeped and I picked it up thankful for the distraction, it was a text from Winrose.

"Hey, I am hitting the club tonight since Jayden wants to have a boys' night, do you wanna tag along?"

The test read, I was tired and had a jet leg but anything to be out of this place that felt like a prison that I walked back into myself, what's the point of being in my father's house if I am not welcomed?

"Sure, pick me up in thirty minutes,"

I texted back and hurriedly walked to where my bags was kept and brought some of the clothes inside, found a dress I was comfortable in and quickly did a light make up, before brushing my hair, I was at the gate of our big mansion twenty minutes later and Winrose showed up a little over two minutes after I got there, without a word, I hopped into the car ready to party and forget all thoughts of being unwanted and feeling less of myself.