The Lycan's Forsaken Mate

Hailey 

My eyes fluttered open, and I was met with the sight of a room that was unfamiliar to me. The bed beneath me was soft and plush, far more comfortable than anything I had ever slept on. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and walls adorned with tapestries and paintings that seemed to be from a bygone era.

I sat up slowly, my head spinning as I tried to remember how I had ended up here. The last thing I remembered was…what was it? Levi and Elara, me attacking Elara and making a run for it. The rogues and the man with the bloodshot red eyes.

I trailed off. "The rogues!" I gasped, touching my body and checking myself to see if they succeeded in having their way with me, but I was glad to see that I was just fine. This could only mean one thing; the man saved me.

But wait, I had no idea where I was or how I got here. This place seemed different from the Nightshade pack. Where could this be?

I flinched when the room door opened and a petite lady walked in. She was dressed in a maid's uniform, her brunette hair rolled into a bun.

"Miss, you're awake," she dropped the tray of food she was holding on the bedside table, her brown and friendly eyes gazing into mine. "Here."

"Where am I?" I asked, my eyes darting everywhere. 

The girl smiled. "You are in the Great Lycan Kingdom, My lady," she bowed her head and my eyes widened as I tried to think. "Our Alpha brought you in last night. You were unconscious, and he asked us to take good care of you after you were brought into the palace from the clinic."

"The Great Lycan Kingdom?" I asked to be certain I heard her well the first time. Maybe my ears were playing tricks on me, but she bobbed her head, proving me wrong. "You mean the one with the powerful and ruthless Lycan King? The famous Lycan Kingdom?"

She nodded with a bow.

My heart dropped to my stomach as fear gripped me. I shouldn't be here — heck, I was not supposed to be here. I've heard rumors about this place. This Kingdom was the most powerful and most ruthless in all of werewolf history, ruled by the ruthless Lycan King. They were known for their riches and dominance; a stark contrast to the Nightshade Pack.

They wielded immense power and did not tolerate traitors or trespassers. And me? I could pass off as a trespasser because the Alpha brought me here himself. Who knows what he brought me for and what he plans to do to me?

"I'm doomed," I whispered, sinking back into the luxurious bed. "The Lycan King is not known for his mercy, and I am nothing but a lowly Omega from a pack that is barely surviving."

The maid tried to reassure me. "My lady, I know it must be frightening, but the King is not as heartless as the rumors suggest. Perhaps if you explain to him what happened, he will understand. He was the one who saved you after all."

I shook my head, my voice trembling. "He won't listen to me. I'm just a nobody, a mistake that was never supposed to be born," I suddenly rose to my feet. "I have to leave this place. I'm not safe here!"

I made a run for the door, but the maid tried to stop me.

"My lady, please don't leave. The Alpha kept me in charge of you. If you leave, he'll have my head." she pleaded, but my mind was made up.

I couldn't wait here and watch my life crumble before my eyes again. I can't face the same thing I faced in the Nightshade pack here. I can't start afresh.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. "No! I'm leaving!" I pushed her out of the way and opened the door only to collide with a hard, muscled chest. I looked up, and my breath caught in my throat.

The man I'd crashed into was tall and broad-shouldered, his face chiseled and handsome, with enchanting hazel eyes that drew me in. He radiated power and dominance, his very presence commanding respect and fear.

He was none other than the Lycan King himself.

My wolf whimpered, her instincts recognizing him immediately. 

Mate. 

The word echoed in my mind, and I knew that she was right.

I stumbled backwards in fear, my heart pounding in my chest. Was this some kind of joke? I was dead meat! Dead.Meat!

The maid scrambled to her feet. "I'm so sorry, Alpha. I tried to stop her but-"

"Get out!" he ordered, his voice firm and authoritative.

It didn't take her a second to flee from the room. His gaze softened as he looked at me, but I wasn't going to fall for that. I saw him yesterday; he was terrifying, and now his aura was killing me.

I lowered my head and clasped my hands above my head, trembling as I spoke. "T… t…thanks for… saving me," I stuttered, my heart hammering in my chest at the fear of what this man might do to me. "P…please, let me go! Please!" I begged. 

"Hey, calm down," he spoke, his baritone voice tingling my senses as I looked up. He tried to touch me, but I moved backwards, afraid he might grab my neck and choke me to death. "I won't hurt you. You're safe with me." he reassured me, but I shook my head frantically.

I didn't believe him. I couldn't.

"Please, just let me go! I am ready to do anything to secure my freedom!"

"I didn't save you for you to be scared of me, little girl. What's your name?" he asked.

"Ha… Hailey … Hailey Reed," I shuddered as he reached out to touch me. "Please, let me go. I'm ready to do anything for you to set me free. Just don't harm me, please." tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Anything, huh?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

I looked up to meet his gaze and a shiver ran down my spine when I noticed that his eyes had darkened. He approached me, his gaze fixed on me like a predator advancing towards its prey. 

I moved backwards, but the door opened and guards rushed in.

"Alpha, a small squad of soldiers from the Nightshade pack are here, and it seems they want to attack. Our men spotted a few of them by the borders."

I gasped. They were here for me! I just know it!

"Corner them. I'll be with you shortly, I need to take care of something first," he replied, his dark gaze fixed on me. "Now where were we?" he began walking towards me again.

I backed away from him, my heart pounding as he stalked towards me. "Please, you said you wouldn't hurt me," I pleaded, my voice shaking with fear.

But he didn't stop, his eyes blazing with a hunger that I couldn't quite place. "You said you would do anything to secure your freedom," he said, his voice a low growl. "Prove it."

I stumbled backward, trying to escape, but my foot caught on a rug and I fell backwards onto the bed. He moved swiftly, his strong hands coming down on either side of my head as he towered over me.

"You can't escape me," he growled, his breath hot on my face. "And now, you will prove to me that you will do anything to be free,"

I stared up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. I could smell his musky scent, and despite my fear, my wolf was responding to him in ways I didn't understand.

"So tell me, little mouse, are you ready?" 

I bit my lower lip. I felt like I was signing a deal with the devil, but my freedom meant everything to me right now. I had to be free.

I felt determination course through me and nodded. "Yes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I am ready to do anything."