Violet: The Lycan King

Somewhere in Ashket city, on the fifth floor of an eleven floor apartment, in room 58, sat a girl of about nineteen years.

Her long black hair cascaded down her back to her waist in light shiny waves and contrasted with her pale flawless skin.

She had on a blue denim dress that fit her slim figure and a pair of Nike converse that covered her slender feet.

Her thin eyebrows furrowed together in displeasure as her pink cupid lips pouted, showing her disapproval, all the while complementing her heart shaped face and small nose.

She bit her lips in anxiety as she read through articles. She had a small frown that deepened more as her eyes moved through the write ups on her laptop.

The wind that blew from the window brushed her hair out of her eyes as she watched a YouTube video of life in the dorm.

A while later, she removed the video and with a depressing sigh, shut down her laptop.

She leaned back on her chair and closed her eyes, trying to process the information jumbled up in her head. Was she really going to transfer to another college because of her move?

Just as she was trying to comprehend her situation, a knock on the door sounded.

"Come in" she replied in her soft as cotton voice, while still closing her eyes.

"Hey sweetie, how are you doing?" A woman around 42 came in. She had ginger hair that stopped at her shoulders, big brown eyes and freckles scattered on her cheeks. She had on an off-shoulder chiffon blouse, dark blue jeans and a pair of multi-colored crocs. She was very attractive.

"I came in to check on you. Are you doing okay?"

She looked around the room, "you haven't started packing?".

She got no reply from the girl on the chair. Sighing, she went over to her and crouched beside her.

"Vee?". No answer.

"Vee?". No answer.

She sighed again and said "Violet, look at me...please?"

Finally, she opened her eyes, shiny and wet with tears that threatened to fall. She peeked through her wet lashes and looked at her aunt.

Those sad violet eyes met a pair of comforting brown ones.

"Hey, come here", the lady opened her arms for Violet to get a hug. She could feel her body trembling, and all she could do was run her back soothingly.

After a few minutes, Violet released herself and wiped her wet face.

"Don't cry anymore, okay? I know it's not easy to adjust to a new environment, but you have to. I really don't like it as much as you don't but I don't have any more options. Just bear with me sweetheart" the lady said, touching Violet's cheek.

"I know, it's just... I'll miss a lot of people here, Aunt Ree, all my friends..."

"Tyler too?" Aunt Ree raised her brows. Violet looked at her aunt "mm, him too". Aunt Ree scrunched her nose in disapproval.

Tyler was a good guy, but she always thought that he was not good enough for violet.

"Why would you miss him?"

Violet chuckled and softly elbowed her. "He's my boyfriend, aunt Ree".

"Well I think he's not worth missing Vee. You'll meet new people where we're going. You'll forget him sooner or later. He's not even worth a space in your memory, that Tyler '' aunt Ree replied, flipping her hair.

Violet folded her arms with a frown but amusement danced in her eyes. Aunt Ree could be like that sometimes with Tyler and some other guys she's dated.

"I will not let you talk like that about my boyfriend Aunt Ree".

"O please, spare me. You and I both know that this relationship won't work. Have you seen the way he eats when he comes for dinner, like a pig! Eats my special gravy, gets on my nerves, and don't get me started on his parents..."

Aunt Ree stopped talking when she noticed Violet laughing really hard. She smiled and was comforted that at least she's a bit happier.

"After knowing all these, you still keep him?" Aunt Ree asked, smiling but her voice was left with disbelief.

Violet didn't answer, instead rolled her eyes at her with a smile. She knew her aunt wouldn't really tell her to break up with her boyfriend but she never held back her feelings too.

She respected her decisions and gave her advice, otherwise, she trusted Violet enough to allow her make her own decisions as she was an adult too and that's why she loved her.

"Alright Vee, start packing so you can sleep. We leave early tomorrow morning and hopefully, we can get to Fona city before nightfall". Aunt Ree smiled at her before and kissed her forehead.

When the door shut, Violet got up from the floor and began to pack her things, all the while reminiscing on her good memories in Ashket city. She would miss college and all the activities.

She would go to the movies and restaurants she sometimes visited when her aunt wanted her to go out more. Her two friends and all the fun they had together.

She thought of her boyfriend but didn't even know if she would miss him. He'd been acting strange lately and Violet began to have doubts about him but she didn't want to admit it.

She shook her head and glared at no one in particular. She didn't want those thoughts in her head, courtesy of aunt Ree.

When Violet was done packing, the room was bare except for her bed, desk and a few boxes of her belongings. She and aunt Ree didn't have much and they couldn't afford to stay in their apartment anymore. Violet had only gotten into college on scholarship and she was hoping she could retain it for her new college.

After taking her shower and putting on her pjs, she returned to her laptop.

It's not that bad...maybe I'll be able to adjust. It's not populated either so maybe I'll be able to make friends?

She was thinking when her phone rang showing Tyler's number. She glanced at the screen, accepted the call and looked back at her laptop.

Somehow, she knew that the call would come sooner or later.

"Hello Tyler". Silence.

It was so long that she thought he ended the call.

"Tyler?" A sigh came from the other line.

"I'm breaking up with you Violet. This relationship can't work anymore. I'm... I'm seeing someone else now. I'm sorry".

Violet glanced at her phone and back to her laptop.

"It's not you Violet, it's me. I just can't continue this anymore. I enjoyed our time together but I just...can't". No reply.

"Look Violet, don't be sad about..."

"I'm not sad"

"...You're not?" He asked in surprise.

"No, I'm not".

"Violet, I didn't mean to hurt..."

"It's okay. You didn't hurt me Tyler''. There was silence on the other line. Violet didn't know what to feel in this situation. She's had weird break ups before and even troubling ones but this time, she couldn't place a tab on the particular feeling she had right now.

"Oh" Tyler responded awkwardly. "So I heard you're moving?".

"Yes" she glanced at the screen.

"Okay then...safe journey", and he ended the call.

Violet was still looking at her phone. What was she expecting, an ' I'll miss you ' or ' I wish you wouldn't go ' or ' don't leave me '.

She rolled her eyes at those options; they were words that Tyler definitely wouldn't say.

An hour later, Violet shut down her laptop and stretched her back exhausted. She walked to the window and looked down to the illuminated streets. It was alive with traffic and people brushing past each other. Then she gazed up at the black sky. The stars were numerous tonight unlike most nights in Ashket city. They glowed and twinkled as she watched them; she thought that they had come out to bid her farewell before tomorrow.

She stretched her hand and moved it slowly as if touching the stars as she whispered, "goodbye Ashket city".

A heavy metal door opened as its creaking sounds pierced the silence of the poorly illuminated narrow corridor. The sounds of heavy footsteps approaching, echoed on the walls. They were in no hurry and were heavy and deliberate.

Three men that looked to be in their early twenties approached the other end of the corridor. One in the middle and the other two behind.

One of them moved forward and pushed open the heavy metal door clad in big chains effortlessly to reveal yet another corridor.

He had messy black hair and blue eyes. His jawline was shaven and his face narrow. He had a strong build and his muscles pushed tight against the black button up shirt and black pants.

They walked on till they approached another door guarded by two warriors. They immediately opened the door and stood on either sides. The man in the middle turned to one of the men that had followed him.

"Call the witch, Zain."

"Yes alpha," Zain replied and turned back. He had messy light brown hair and blue eyes, a strong and shaven jawline. He had a strong build but less than the other men.

When Zain left the two men entered the room. It was brighter than the corridors and had only one wooden chair. The man who had sent Zain out sat down on the chair while the other man stood close behind him, his arms crossed.

He nodded quietly to the man behind who got the message.

"Bring them in," he ordered the two guards beside the door.

"Yes beta Ezekiel."

They bowed and left the room.

While they were gone, Zain came in and said, "I have called her, Alpha Xavier."

Xavier nodded and delved back into his thoughts. At that moment, he looked deadly and scary.

His strong jawline moved as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. He was the biggest of the three as his muscles bulged out of his black shirt. His green eyes stared straight at the door and his frown deepened, followed by the slight scrunching of his nose.

Then the guards returned with a tattered looking man. His hair was scattered and dirty. His hands were bloody and he had various wounds on his body. He was breathing really hard showing that he had put up a fight with the guards against being taken. His golden eyes glared at the undisturbed alpha with so much hatred and less fear.

"Kneel before the alpha," one of the guards bellowed and struck the man, making him kneel. He growled at the guard in retaliation.

Xavier watched the rogue pathetically for a while before asking in a deep and quiet voice, "why did you trespass my territory and attack my pack member?"

"None of it's your territory you bloody bastard...."

Gbam!

Bones cracking were heard as the rogue fell to the floor and spat out blood severally. He groaned painfully and the guard that punched him lifted him up only to punch him severally on the face till it was a bloody mess. He made him kneel again and the alpha repeated, "why did you trespass my territory and attack my pack members?"

This time the rogue glared at him and spat blood on his shoes. Xavier's eyes flashed red before he raised his hand, stopping the guard from beating the rogue to death.

Xavier bent low and took off his shoes and examined them. Then with superhuman speed he slapped the rogue with the shoes.

More bone cracking sounds were heard and the rogue fell to the floor, curling his body in pain. More blood covered his face and it would be extremely difficult to find the cut.

"You are either foolish or brazen to drop your filthy blood on my shoes. Your life isn't worth this pair of shoes, you useless rogue".

With that Xavier crouched down and turned his body up. He watched the rogue's bloody face for some moments, before he dug his claws slowly into the rogues heart.

The rogue screamed in pure pain, his veins bulged out of his neck and his bloody skin turned pale. He thrashed around as the pain became unbearable.

Xavier withdrew his claws slowly, watching the agonizing look that covered the rogue's face.

"It hurts doesn't it? That's how I felt when you messed up my shoes".

Then he slowly dug his claws back into his chest, and the rogue screamed in agony and began to shake violently. He spilled blood everywhere from his mouth and his scream became hoarse.

He took out his claws again and watched the rogue with a blank look. Xavier had blood dripping down his arm. It stained his shirt and pants, but he didn't care.

The rogue began to cry and beg for mercy as he thrashed around in agony.

"Please, please. Don't k...kill me. I...lost my mate a few m...months ago. The pain...too...much," he cried, despair and agony in every word as he fought to stay alive...for her.

Xavier bent low and whispered, "You're weak and pathetic, so there's no use of letting you live. I'll send you back to your beloved...mate."

Then he plunged his claws into his chest and crushed his heart from within, silencing the pleading man.

Xavier stood up, looked at his hands and grimaced in disgust.

"Bring the others," he ordered the guards as he flung the blood away from his hands. "Where is that damn witch?" He asked in annoyance as he took his seat and stared at the door.

Voices demanding for freedom and angry hisses were drifted into the room. There were no windows so the air was replaced by the metallic smell of blood.

The guards pushed four men bound by chains on the hands to the floor before the alpha. They were pale looking but their eyes were red and their fangs bare.

"I don't have time to waste so I will ask you once. What were you doing at my borders?" Xavier asked the first vampire but instead of answering he threw himself at his feet and began to beg for mercy, much to the dismay of his brothers.

"You cowardly man. You beg before this overgrown dog?", The third vampire spat out.

Gbam!

His head flew to the side as it collided with the fist of the guard behind him. He spat out blood and viscously hissed at him.

"Please have mercy alpha, please pity me, please" he continued to beg until Xavier lost his patience.

He nodded to the guard behind the vampire, and on cue, he clawed off his head, and the vampire's limp body fell to the floor. The guard immediately set it on fire and it burned to an unrecognizable black heap.

"What were you doing at my borders?" Xavier addressed the second vampire. The vampire shook and stammered as he spoke, "nothing. We...we were just p...p... passing b...by. We didn't d...do a.. anything".

Xavier frowned in displeasure and nodded to the guard.

"No, no please..." But he was cut off as his head rolled off and his body fell with a dull thud. His body was burnt immediately.

Xavier turned to the third vampire that was glaring fiercely at him. He raised an eyebrow and ordered, "kill him".

The vampire's eyes widened in surprise and turned into fear. His head was cut off and burnt immediately.

Xavier looked at the last vampire who was shaking with fear.

"I will not kill you if you tell me what you were doing at my borders," Xavier said quietly.

"Yes, yes, I will speak lord, I will speak" the vampire cried immediately as he felt the guard's clawed hand around his throat.

Leaning back, Xavier raised a brow signalling him to talk.

The vampire was breathing quickly as he helplessly eyed the clawed hand around his neck.

"Our king, lord Antonio, sent us here, to spy on your security measures and the distance of your land."

"Why?" Xavier asked with a blank look.

The vampire swallowed painfully and looked at the claws that were scraping his flesh. "I don't know my lord".

Xavier raised his brows and the guard's claw dug in deeper, drawing black blood. He started wheezing and said desperately, "it is the truth my lord. I don't... know what he is... planning but I do know that we were guaranteed blood to...feed on. I swear my lord, I know nothing more."

Xavier asked, "nothing else to say?"

The vampire nodded painfully as he coughed out blood.

"As you wish" Xavier said and nodded at the guard.

The vampire screamed, "noo. We had a deal.."

But he was killed and burnt. Xavier watched as his body burnt and said "I don't make deals with leeches."

Immediately, the witch appeared with a grand smile. Her presence brought a gentle breeze and the smell of potions. She looked around confusedly at the dim room. Then she looked at the floor and screamed in horror as she jumped away from the bloody mess and burnt bodies.

"What is this?" She screamed again as she raised her long, white dress as if the blood would soak it. Her back length fiery red hair flew up in the air as if it was also avoiding the blood. She was a beauty with her oval face, high cheekbones and small pink lips.

"You're late!" Xavier said sharply.

"I want you to deliver a message to the vampire...leader".

Huffing, the witch Larissa walked towards Xavier with an annoyed look as she carefully avoided blood puddles.

A parchment paper and a feather pen that glowed appeared in the air and floated before the witch.

"To the leech king from the ruthless alpha of the blood moon pack. Keep your filthy blood suckers away from my territory. This is my last warning!"

The pen vanished when Xavier stopped talking and the paper rolled itself and disappeared with a small popping sound.

Larissa looked at the floor and held her stomach tightly. "I think I'm going to fall ill". She disappeared into thin air.

Xavier got up and looked at the floor.

"Clean up this mess."

"Yes alpha," the guards replied.

"Also get me another pair of shoes".

In the vampire kingdom, inside a room decorated in velvety red furniture and white walls, were the vampire king and a few half naked female vampires. They touched the king's chest and whispered things into his ears, as he lay on his king sized bed with a satisfied smile.

A knock came from the door, and a man in tight black clothes and a long black cape walked in. He bowed low before the king, who was playing with his women. The man remained undisturbed at the sight, as it was a common thing in their kingdom.

"Speak Diego," the vampire king spoke. The man bowed low again before saying, "lord Antonio, the spies you sent, have not returned yet. There is no word from any of them, my lord."

"No word..." Antonio said absent mindedly as he held down the vampress that sat on his stomach. She kissed him deeply and he rubbed her back.

On the other side, the man silently rolled his eyes. He frowned in displeasure before saying, "I'll come back later, my lord." Then he left.

Immediately, a letter on fire appeared before Antonio's eyes. The fire was so hot that all the females crawled away and hissed viscously at it. The vampire king had an angry and pained look on his face that was illuminated by the fire.

After a moment, the fire burned down and the paper fell on his hand.

He opened it up and read the words written on it. Then he scrunched it up with a growl and threw it to the other side of the room near the curtains.

"What does it say my lord Antonio?" A vampress asked, looking as the scrunched up paper with hatred.

He did not answer her but glared at her till she lowered her head.

"Xavier you disgusting mutt. You have crossed the line."

The vampresses started crawling closer to their king. They sought to tame his anger with their bodies.

"Any of you come any closer, I will burn you" he hissed in anger.

Immediately, the ball of paper exploded and the curtains caught on fire. The females immediately fled for their lives while Antonio watched with rage, his expensive curtain burn.

An old station wagon drove slowly on the smooth road that went only one way. The road was surrounded by lush green forest trees that stood tall and shielded the road from most of the sun rays. The warm evening breeze blew the fallen leaves from the dense forest to the road.

Violet watched with a solemn face and her hand under her chin, the endless stretch of forest. Green and brown contrasted with the violet of her eyes as she asked quietly, "I thought we were going to live in another city".

Glancing with a happy smile at Violet, aunt Ree chuckled and answered "of course we are. We're already in the city".

"The woods?" Violet asked, looking at her aunt.

Aunt Ree shook her head and smiled, "sort of. It's Fona city, so a lot of forest but don't worry, we'll see some residential areas eventually".

"Eventually?" Violet asked in mild surprise. "You'll love it Vee" she replied with enthusiasm. Violet smiled and looked back at the window, admiring the forest through the transparent barrier.

A while later, Violet could see small residential buildings and a few shopping marts too, but not many people.

"You'll love it" aunt Ree said again as she held Violet's hand and squeezed it, her eyes still on the road. Violet squeezed back and returned to her silent observation.

She felt drawn to the forest, like her home was deep within it.

The station wagon finally came to a stop in front of a small cottage, much like the ones she'd seen around minutes ago.

Aunt Ree stopped the engine and quickly got out of the car. She shut the door and took in a deep breath of air with her eyes closed. Sighing she said "the scent of fresh forest. Don't you love the smell of damp soil trees? Now this is the real air, right Vee?"

Vee slowly got out of the car and looked confusedly at her aunt. "Real air?".

"Yes. None of that carbon(IV)oxide air we breathe everyday in the city. C'mon, take a deep breath with me and tell me what you smell"

Aunt Ree inhaled deeply again and announced, "I smell a long life of health for us in this air. What about you?"

Violet looked at the stretch of forest beside her new home. She shut her eyes and inhaled, just the way her aunt did. The smell that hit her nose made her think of home. Not the city, not her two room apartment in the eleven floors building. No. It's a home her heart and soul belonged to. Her home, somewhere beyond the forest.

"Well, what do you smell?" Aunt Ree asked, smiling at Violet. But Violet still had her eyes closed and her nose tilted up in the air.

"Vee?".

"I smell home" Violet whispered as she gazed dreamily at the forest.

"What did you say?" Aunt Ree asked. Snapping out of it, Violet looked at aunt Ree and smiled, "I smell forest after rain". "Forest after rain. Nice one" she gave Violet a thumbs up.

Violet looked up at the sky and said, "let's carry our stuff in. The sun is setting soon". "Oh right, right. Let's take them in" aunt Ree agreed, opening the trunk.

"Hey there ladies" a man jogged towards the women.

"Hi"

"Hi"

"I haven't seen you ladies around here before." The man had brown hair and yellow eyes and looked around his late thirties. He was lean but fit and had a disarming smile on his face. "We just moved in today." Aunt Ree answered.

"Ah you're new, I should've figured" he said smoothly, "well, my name is Razi. What are the names of the beautiful ladies I have the good luck to meet?"

"My name is Ree" aunt Ree said, fluttering her lashes. Violet raised her brows in amusement but remained silent. "And this is Violet, my niece" she gestured towards her as she gave a small.

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance ladies" Razi said as he took Violet's hand and kissed it.

Violet gave a strained smile as snatched her hand away. His hands and lips were ice cold. He took Aunt Ree's hand and kissed it. His lips lingered longer on hers. Aunt Ree seemed not to notice how cold his hands were as she blushed furiously.

"You have very beautiful and youthful hands dear Ree" Razi whispered, staring at her as she blushed even more. "Thank you" she replied with a giggle.

"I have to go now as it is getting late. I live just nearby and will visit soon. Pleased to meet you ladies, and have a wonderful evening" he said and jogged off.

"Such a gentleman" aunt Ree said dreamily.

The two women fell to the couch exhausted and dirty from unpacking all evening.

A nice fire in the hearth was burning which added to the lighting of the room.

"We're finally done with unpacking, we can rest now" Aunt Ree sighed, exhaustion laced in her voice.

Violet hummed in agreement as she snuggled closer to the soft couch.

"It's nightfall. We should eat dinner. I brought some of my leftover meatloaf for dinner" aunt Ree said getting up. She kicked Violet's foot lightly and asked "you coming?"

Violet's eyes flew open at that and it took everything in her to not run out of the house in panic. "Um, no aunt Ree. I don't really feel hungry..."

"Nonsense! You didn't even eat this morning before we left and you only had a pack of cheese crackers on the way here", accused Aunt Ree as she folded her arms and frowned.

"But I'm not really hungry. I've lost my appetite since today and I know how much you love your meatloaf. I wouldn't want you to share it" Violet hoped between hope that she would let her be.

"Yes I love meatloaf but you share the things you love with the people you love. Never forget that my dear Violet." Her eyes glinted with care and mischief as she rubbed Violet's cheek and turned to leave.

Violet smiled and gazed outside.

She watched the night sky, stars scattered all over it and the almost full moon hanging on the horizon.

She got up and left through the back door into the night. She walked into the dense forest, her sneakers crushing dead leaves on the ground.

She stopped for a moment and looked around.

Her house was now a small figure away from where she stood and ahead of her was more forest. The cool breeze blew her hair up as she closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of crickets.

She sniffed the air and sighed as the smell of fresh water and home filled her nostrils.

"Where are you?" She whispered, opening her eyes. "Why do I feel drawn to you? Are you a place...or a person?" She asked no one in particular.

Crack!

She whipped her head to the dark trees where she heard the sound of a stick breaking. She breathed quickly but quietly as she strained her eyes to see into the forest.

"Am I hearing things?" She asked herself quietly.

An owl flew past her head and she covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming.

Crack! Crack!

She wasn't imagining things and the sound was getting closer and she did the only reasonable thing anyone would do.

She turned and ran. She ran and didn't look back. When she got back home, she ran inside and shut the door with a loud bang.

"What, what? What is it?" Aunt Ree asked with her mouth full of meatloaf. She swallowed quickly and asked again "what happened? Why did you run in like that?"

Calming her breathing, Violet whispered nervously, "I, I got scared". She looked at her aunt and said, "I'm sorry I startled you aunt Ree. I got scared by a night critter going about its business".

Raising her brows, aunt Ree asked, "you went into the forest at night?"

Violet laughed nervously, racking her head for an explanation.

"I wanted to get a whiff of that forest air you were talking about."

Aunt Ree walked up to her and touched her head. "Promise me Violet. Promise me that you won't go back to that forest, especially at night." Violet sighed and said, "I promise aunt Ree".

"Dangerous things are in these forests and I don't want you getting hurt okay?". "Okay" she sighed sadly. She took to the stairs quietly.

"Why so sad? Already in love with the forest?" Aunt Ree joked as she stuffed her face with meatloaf.

"Oh Maybe" Violet replied, giggling.

Half an hour later, Violet sat on her bed, hair damp, fresh pjs and her laptop balanced on her lap. She read through her favourite werewolf novel of all time. She had read it only a couple of hundred times but couldn't get enough of it.

Her favourite character was the alpha in the story. He was so caring, loving and supportive to his mate that she wished she was in her place. It was her escape from the real world and into the one she wished was real.

"I wish I had a mate that would love me so much like in my story" she whispered quietly as she hugged the book to her chest. "Werewolves or vampires, which one is better?" She asked herself as she walked towards the window.

She hummed and looked at the night sky. "Werewolves are better."

Awoooooooo

Violet moved back from the window startled. "Was that a howl? From a werewolf?"

She frowned and creeped back to her window looking around cautiously. The forest had become darker and felt more dangerous. She squinted at the tall trees and bushes and almost fell on her butt in surprise.

Something black and lean moved between the trees so fast that Violet wouldn't have noticed it if she didn't have keen eyes.

The figure looked like a human.

"It looks like a human being's body, but it moved really fast, and that's not normal," she said quietly.

They moved again but this time it was very large. Violet stared at the window with her mouth open. She shook her head and put the shutters down.

"Maybe those cheese crackers weren't the best options. I'm beginning to see things that aren't...no, that couldn't be there." She put on the covers as she lay on her bed.

"Werewolves and vampires aren't real. They're just from a book...but I'd be really cool if they existed. The nice ones though", she chuckled but quickly stopped when she heard another howl, louder this time.

"Just regular wolves Violet," she smiled.

Awoooooo

Violet buried herself under the covers and whispered nervously, "just regular wolves"