Chapter 4 THE LYCAN PRINCE

My hatred had never tasted so bitter on my tongue.

It frothed, bubbled, and overflowed until it drowned every shred of restraint I had left.

So when his filthy hand reached for me again-arrogant, possessive, reeking of entitlement-I didn't think. I spat.

Right into his palm.

The spit slid down his wrist like venom, and the flicker of surprise in his eyes quickly curdled into rage. He reeled back as though I'd struck him with a dagger, and then-

Crack!

His palm collided with my face. My head whipped sideways from the force, and pain bloomed red-hot in my cheek.

"You bloody bitch!" he snarled. "Shit!"

My lip throbbed, warm blood gathering and trailing a line down my chin. I staggered, but didn't fall. I would not fall for him.

I didn't know what disgusted me more-his hand, or the guilt he tried to mask with fury. He knew he'd gone too far. But monsters rarely admit it when they wound something fragile.

The world around me blurred, the dim lantern in the room flickering like it pitied me.

The next morning was colder. Quieter. Final.

I walked through my pack's gates like a shadow. My parents' funeral was underway, their bodies wrapped in linen, their faces peaceful in death.

They allowed me to see them once before I'd be sent away-to become a rogue. Stripped of name, of status. Of family.

I sat under the tree in our garden-the one my mother used to braid my hair under-numb, hollow.

And then Merlin's voice echoed in my skull.

"If you dare breach my words, Helena, I'll set your pack on fire... and feast on the screams of every soul that ever loved you. Remember my words."

I should've gone straight to the alpha. Told him what happened.

But I didn't.

Because I believed the lie that monsters always win.

Until now.

A heavy shadow cast over me. I looked up slowly.

Torin.

"You've finally been elected as interim alpha now, however you are still too young so I would be taking over," he said gently. His eyes searched mine, maybe hoping to find the girl I used to be. "I have duties as beta of this prestigious pack, sweetheart. I'm sorry for the loss... and the haste from last night. Do you still wish to leave the pack, Helena-?"

"No." My voice cut like a blade.

"I want to break off my engagement with Merlin."

Louder. Stronger.

The elders behind Torin gasped-but I didn't care.

Let them hear.

Let everyone hear.

Because I was done being quiet.

Just then, I hear Merlin chuckling from a distance.

Just great.

"She wouldn't do that, Torin. The poor girl is distraught. I'll take care of her. Also, please look over her childish decision to leave the pack. You and I both know it was a hasty decision, right, Helena?" My lip shuddered in anger at his words.

Suddenly...there was a presence.

While the elders were lamenting my decision and how immature I was, the situation quickly took an unexpected turn. Even if I wasn't having a wolf, I sensed the presence.

Silence befell heavily in the garden.

The strong presence made everyone question, stand up and look around.

He walked over the grass as if he owned the damn place, and he walked elegantly. I didn't notice he made a beeline towards me. Until he stopped midway and just stared at me.

Isn't he the guy from somewhere?

Who is he?

Why does he have such a strong presence that made even Merlin bow at his appearance?

With each step he takes towards my parent's tombstone, I felt my heart quake. Suddenly, I felt the presence of the person I loathe behind me. He placed his left hand on my shoulder, and I couldn't help but stare at the ring on his finger.

"Do not disgrace me neither yourself now, Helena. Come with me." I took a deep breath in.

"He's the Lycan Prince. Be respectful and do not speak in between. A lot of people are angered by your presence already."

"I know better about that, Merlin. You've put me in such a state. What should I do? Pushing me by the small of my waist." Merlin chuckles and announces his arrival.

Oh Goddess...

What is this pressure I feel? It's as if every muscle in my body feels the incredible pushing pressure, thrice of the gravity on my skin as we go closer and closer to the Lycan Prince.

The Lycan prince is the Alpha of the Bright moon pack. Due to the alliance that had been formed overtime, he built the Lycan kingdom.

Every other Alpha feared him and bowed whenever they saw him.

His kingdom protects the weak packs and most wolves go there to take shelter.

Yes, that is all I know about the Lycan Prince but why do I feel there is more to it!

He's a tall, black haired man who looks like he's jumped out of a fiction. His body which hides behind the suit is fit and healthy. I noticed the bumps in his arms as he put the wreath around my parents' tombstone.

I respect him well from now, for taking time out from his probably busy schedule as the prince to attend the funeral.

"Ahem. Prince of Lycan's." the man standing beside me spoke. I looked down at how Merlin intertwined our hands. His ring was hurting my palm, because he squeezed my hand as he talked to the man who was leagues above in power and prestige.

Until now, I was only observing the Prince's side profile. When he turned to look at us, I almost gasped.

His irises, they're a ghostly grey. His pupils looked like a whole iris. The deep grey was soon changing to a soft hazel under the sunlight, as the clouds moved away.

"Call me Bernard, Merlin. I prefer to be humble today." The last words were uttered whilst looking at me. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Are you feeling alright?" He mouthed Softly to me, and I nodded. I blinked at him, figuring out why he who has such a strong status would join the funeral of my parents. I don't remember my parents having legal nor power connections with the Lycan Prince.

"Very well, Prince of Lycans. As you wish, Bernard. Well, I'd like to let you know, in fact everyone here today, that I'll never leave Helena's side. Sure, she was disheartened last night and said many, terrible things to all of us. Especially the elders. I've heard it all, sweetheart."

Disgust bubbles within me. I couldn't control my facial expressions. However, upon seeing Merlin's jaw clench threateningly, I looked down at my feet.

The man named Bernard, a very important person in our society of Werewolves and Lycan alike, stood calmly and observed Merlin's drama.

"You are a wonderful woman, Helena. I'd like to let you all know that I won't be breaking our marriage any time soon. I worry about Crest moon packs. This is my second home!

With papa and mama gone now, it does feel empty, in here." Merlin pats his chest loudly.

Oh Goddess, please save me from his drama. I can't take this anymore.

"You're being a bitch now, Merlin." I whispered to him. However, I had forgotten that the Lycan Prince has abilities far beyond my comprehension. He must've heard my whisper. But it doesn't matter to him.

For someone who handles affairs internationally, a small dispute like mine right here wouldn't affect him even a bit. I'm all on my own in Merlin's scripted shit.

Someone claps in appreciation to Merlin's words. Our heads turn to Beta Torin. Forgive me, he's an alpha now.

Interim Alpha Torin.

Just as Merlin's grip tightened around my wrist, dragging me toward the elder like some prize to be claimed, a force yanked me backward-sharp, firm, deliberate.

My body jolted, and for a heartbeat, the world stood still.

I turned around slowly... breath caught in my throat.

Bernard.

His eyes burned like steel in the fading light, jaw clenched, his fingers wrapped protectively around mine. His presence, so sudden, so fierce, felt like a wall rising between me and the abyss Merlin had been pulling me toward.

Then, in a voice that echoed across the garden like a battle cry, Bernard spoke.

"She is not going to marry you, Alpha Merlin Lupus!"

His words crashed through the air, shattering whatever illusion Merlin had tried to build. The elders gasped. A few took a step back.

My heart thundered in my chest-half with terror, half with hope. I felt Merlin's fury before he even moved.

But before he could say a word, Bernard leaned forward, his voice lower now, more dangerous, meant for Merlin's ears alone:

"And if you touch her again, I'll break more than your pride."

The tension cracked like lightning, and for the first time... Merlin faltered.

But this wasn't over. I could feel it.

Something ancient stirred in the air. The mark beneath my skin-it burned. Like something inside me had just awakened.

And as I stared at Bernard-I realized...

Everything was about to change.