Harper’s POV
I can’t breathe…
I can’t breathe!
I’ve never been kissed before… Is it meant to be this terrifying? Surely not.
My eyes grow wide in disbelief, and when he finally pulls away, I have a moment to look at our surroundings, noticing how the crowd around us are mirroring my alarmed expression.
As if our kiss is a catalyst, enacting bad voodoo on the surrounding crowd, one catastrophe after another occurs before us.
One of the virgins swoons, gasping like a damsel in distress as she collapses, she collides into a servant carrying a tray of wine glasses that surges forward and into the face of a butler. Soaked in the liquid he stumbles backwards bumping into one of the guards who can’t help but drop his weapon, the sword clattering loudly against the marble flooring.
If this isn’t a sign. I don’t know what is…
The bunch of them flail about in embarrassment, but everyone else is too shocked to care. All eyes remain on me. Some of the girls even glare at me with beady eyes, like a horde of seagulls desperate for a meal, fanning themselves in outrage that I have been chosen over them.
Why on earth are they jealous! Being chosen means death! I’d give anything right now to be stood amongst them, rather than beneath the King’s devilish gaze.
It’s apparent that I have now become the center of attention. No longer am I just the weak and frail alpha who has a terrible sense of smell. I am now also the virgin that has been kissed by the masked King!
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I’m picked up bridal style, which is much more curtly than what I expected. His touch behind my back and beneath my knees vibrates through me instantly, and it’s as if the testosterone that seeps from his body awakens the woman in me. Should being kidnapped feel this enchanting?
I don’t have time to process the various hallways we walk through, because the next minute we are in a master bedroom, and he’s slamming the door shut!
He’s dangerous. I try to remind myself. But when he puts me down and presses my back against the wall, I’m all but lost in some strange fantasy novel.
My lips tingle in bizarre desire as he kisses me. His hands roam my body like a former lover, caressing all my most sensitive spots that send sparks flying within me. It’s like a war between my brain and body, as my physical form somehow relishes in submitting to such dominance.
But I have no experience. Zilch sexual understanding. To say I’m a virgin is an understatement. I’m probably the virgin of all virgins. The scum de la scum when it comes to any sort of sexual endeavors.
And yet, my body somehow knows what to do, knows to raise my chest as his fingers gently caress my waist, to expose my neck as he presses his nose and mouth into my skin, nipping and licking with feral longing.
What on earth is happening?
Before I can answer my thoughts, the King suddenly recoils, hands snapping upwards to grasp his head with such fierceness that it seems like he’s in pain, while a snarl wrestles past his teeth.
I flinch at first, worrying that I have done something to anger him. But my thoughts divulge as I finally notice his mask.
I gasp.
The mask is an eerie matt black sheet of armor like metal that covers half of his skull. It appears modeled to fit his perfectly symmetrical face and pressed artfully across the bridge of his nose. But what stands out the most are two golden ram horns that protrude from the top corners. They curve backwards to sit where I assume to be just below his ears.
What a dreadful reminder of the fact I still stand in the company of the devil. A man that has a distorted face, who has killed his parents, his brother and four of his future wives!
And I am number five…
Knowing I have just been fiercely kissed by such a tyrant, has my heart surging with infinite fear.
And yet, despite recalling who I stand in the presence of, my arm reaches out. As if acting on its own accord it slips underneath the layer of his shirt and my body shivers at the touch. ‘What, what, what's happening!’, I wonder. To which is when I hear Sara succumb to her sexual cravings.
‘Goodness… he has such a gorgeous body, doesn't he?’ she purrs.
I remain slightly mortified: ‘What are you doing? Sara, we're kissing and touching the devil!’
‘But his skin is really tight and bouncy, you should feel it!’
‘Urm… alright, I admit, his abs are sexy….-’ I blink, ‘Wait a minute, what am I thinking! He’s a ruthless, bloodthirsty Lycan King!’
I’m appalled by my lust. Just then his head snaps back up to me, staring at me as my hand remains planted against his lower chest, still relishing the heat of his skin. And despite the menacing mask that frames his eyes, there is something perceptive and intelligent about them as he stares at me stoically.
Is he just as fascinated with me as I am with him?
I might never know, because he suddenly moves. And like a cornered lamb, I shrink back into the shadow of the demonic man that stands before me. He cages me in with his muscular frame, and his dragon-like breath etches fire across my skin as he brands me with his mark. Teeth sink down into my neck and I moan as the demon whispers.
“Mate.”
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Hours later I am left in a room within the palace, unable to do anything but stare blankly at a wall in complete disbelief, mulling over the fact that I had been sent here by the Beta and told to wait for the decision of the King.
“I’m going to die!” I wail, sobbing loudly as I pace the room, unable to sit still any longer.
The sleeves of my dress are drenched with my salty tears as I use them to wipe at my eyes. “I can’t believe the Lycan King is my fifth mate!” I say in astonishment.
‘We’re going to be his bride!’ Sara squeals giddily.
My hands grab the roots of my hair as I shake my head. “But I don’t want to marry a monster!”
I can’t help but imagine our wedding night, when the King finally takes off his mask. “What if he has three eyes! Or maybe he has tentacles on his face like a weird octopus!”
Sara’s face scrunches up in confusion at my strange fears: ‘I don’t think tentacles would fit so neatly under his mask,’
I huff in exasperation, “You never know! Maybe half of his face is purple!”
‘Ooooo purple is a pretty color!’
Nothing seems to be changing her mind on the situation, and in defeat I collapse on the floor, sobbing hysterically at the possibility that I could be marrying a three-eyed, half purple, octopus Lycan King! How can it be any worse?
Just as I’m tangling with my predicament, I suddenly receive a mind link from my father.
‘Father?’ I whimper.
‘I’ve heard the news that the King has kissed you in the palace square and taken you to his room.’
The news about what happened has spread already? ‘Father I-’
‘Do not return. You must do whatever is necessary to stay in the palace and become his bride. If you return I will have you expelled from my pack.’
‘But Father!’
‘Is. That. Clear?’
‘Yes.’
Dean’s POV"You were born with a curse, you were born without the ability to understand human feelings. You are not my child, you are an emotionless devil!" The woman pushes the little child to the ground and storms off."Mummy, mummy..." the child whimpers, desperately trying to catch up with his departing mother at his still unsteady pace, but how can a child catch up with an adult? The child runs faster and faster before eventually tripping over toddler legs and tumbling to the ground. But his mother never turns back, she doesn't even pause for a moment."Ugh…!" my eyes blink open in slight discomfort, as I’m left to stare at the ceiling.Another nightmare.I stroke my black hair habitually and wipe away the sweat droplets from my forehead nonchalantly.With a little straightening of my clothes, I head for the main hall, where all the guards bow their heads in respect, while my black robe sweeps over them in a tumble, following me to the throne.Beside the throne, Tyler, my Beta, a
Dean’s POVI’m somewhat dumbfounded by the coincidence. More so when the old wizard’s prophetic orb flashes and swirls with smoke tinged in black and gold. I watch the old man rest his hands against the ball, and as I’ve seen many times before, his eyes go completely white, as he starts to speak with a voice weighed down by gloom.“The curse has not left you Dean Tullus, it has only been subdued,” my brows narrow in displeasure, but I don’t speak just yet as Leonard continues, “It is only when you declare your love to her with full honesty, that your curse shall be cured. This is salvation, as well as punishment.”Leonardo shakes himself awake and out of his trance, wide eyes blinking at me. I only glare at the ball with growing distaste, as victory once again slips out of my grasp.It seems absurd that someone as strong and powerful as me is expected to fall in love with someone so weak. It makes little sense, and there is nothing logical about it. Power breeds with power.Moreover,
Harper’s POVI’ve never seen someone so undeniably handsome. Sure, there are pretty people in the world. But this man is utterly gorgeous!His dark raven hair flows down to his shoulders. Every muscle in his back is prominent through his shirt as he defensively stands in the way. Toned legs, strong arms… and when he turns to look at me, sharp bone structure matches his piercing gray eyes.Am I drooling? I hurry to wipe away my presumed saliva from my lips in utter embarrassment, but the man has little time to focus on me. Although the rogues were startled at first by my savior’s surprise entrance, they’ve now adjusted themselves, and continue to press forward towards us.“How come it’s you again?” the man finally turns to me and sneers, acknowledging my presence.I look at him in confusion, I’ve never met this stranger, I would have remembered meeting someone so handsome. But he does not question my puzzled look, instead he turns back to the rogues that taunt him and me.I do wonder
Harper’s POV‘Although he looks very handsome and is our savior, he doesn't seem quite right in the head…’ I internally say to Sara.When faced with the stranger’s unexpected and strange declaration of which is a “marriage proposal”, I stare at him with immense confusion and disbelief. I must shake myself out of my daze before finally responding to him.“I’m very grateful to you for saving my life, but…but I don’t believe it’s very appropriate to make such a request when we’ve just met.” I state.I try to simply and politely decline his request, however with the look that sprouts upon his face, you’d think I have chastised him to the highest degree. He scoffs, appearing astounded through a smug half grin, and raised brow.“Darling… do you know who I am?” he states pridefully. “I’m the Lycan King!”I stare at him blankly as he reiterates, thinking I don’t understand. “You know, the most powerful Lycan that ever lived? Come on girl, how can you refuse Lycan King Dean.”‘Oh, he definitel
Dean’s POVHarper is nothing like her family. And although I maintain a blank expression, my wolf and I both mentally frown at the contrast. Harper’s bubbly nature and broad beaming smile are nothing like the drab, ugly frowns that her stepmother and half-sister have on.Her father lacks all her softness as he storms up the path towards us, seething in fury. “You good for nothing idiot! I told you to do whatever it took to stay within those castle walls!”I see Harper succumb to her father’s rage, as if she has dealt with it many times before. “Just this once child, just this once could you have listened to me? I asked you one simple thing! To stay in that goddamn castle.”“But… but I do listen to you father-”“Shush girl, do not speak when your father is speaking,” her mother interjects, allowing her father to continue his malicious brigade.“You never do as I say! And now you will deal with the consequences by being expelled from my pack!”I watch the fear line her eyes with fresh t
Dean’s POV“Why did you suddenly mind link me to change the instruction I was meant to announce? There's no such thing as a maid selection competition. I came here to find you and announce the punishment placed on the Mystic Grey Pack,” Tyler says, perplexed.“Well, just organize one now.” I say with a casual air.But Tyler clearly isn’t comfortable about the change of plans, and sighs, “So what about you? I’ve found you now, come back with me, the old wizard is worried.”I shake my head sharply, already having decided what would be my plan of action. “No. I’m going back to Harper’s pack for a little while.”I witness both surprise and skepticism ignite in Tyler’s eyes as he questions me further. “You don’t really have a crush on her, do you?”I try to interrupt his absurd train of thought, but my Beta continues, “You altered the order, deciding to suddenly come up with this maid competition that doesn't even exist, and now you want to stay with her?”I scoff at his clear line of ques
Harper’s POVWith the little boy’s words, the people around me awaken from their trance, coming to their senses with words of praise, complimenting me on how pretty I look. I’m puzzled about how to feel about all of this, the attention is overwhelming, my fingers play with the material of my dress in hopes of quelling my anxiety.All my life I have been made fun of for my bland appearance, and suddenly, I’m being celebrated… Butterflies flutter around inside me, and I shyly smile in response to their kind words. I’m sure that my face is probably red as well, but I can’t help it. This is all new to me.Trying to avoid the hundreds of eyes upon me, I go to reach for the one thing that encompasses a sense of normality, my glasses. I pick them up, about to put them on in hopes that once I can see my surroundings again, things will return to normal.Just then, my hand is halted in its pursuit of calming my unease, a strong masculine hand rests upon it, slowly untwisting the glasses out of
Harper’s POVWith a quick click of the button, I blackout the torch in fright, and grab Dylan’s hand unconsciously. My eyes scan our surroundings, desperate for a place to hide. Even in darkness, the moon shines a soft light that I’m thankful for, and it illuminates a small pit near where we’re standing.“This way.” I whisper, pulling him towards the descending ground. It's damp, muddy and overwhelmed with weeds, but it will do. However, I make it but an inch till I’m lugging what feels like a boulder, unmoving. I turn back to Dylan, confused by his lack of haste.He frowns. “A King does not cower,” he grumbles quietly, clearly talking to himself.“Dylan, we must hurry!” I stress in a hushed voice.But the man seems caught up in his own thoughts, “What the hell. This is madness.” I watch him expel a defiant huff, running a hand through his hair trying to contain his frustration as he continues muttering. “I do not live in a shabby cabin. She shouldn’t be living in a shabby cabin. No o