The Cursed Lycan - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

I was dumbfounded. My eyes narrowed as I stared at her, wondering if my eyes had just deceived me.
When I heard her sniff and wipe her arm across her face, it became clear that the almighty Laura was actually in tears.
I didn't even know where I got the strength to leap out of bed and rush to her. It was unbelievable to see Laura shed tears, and whatever had put her in such sadness as to bring out tears in her eyes must have been extremely hurting.
Whatever that man she was talking about had done must have been really brutal and had turned Laura into the demon she had become.
"Laura..." I called from behind her, and just as I placed my hand on her shoulder, she shuddered as if my hand had done something to her.
"How old are you now?"
The question surprised me, and I could notice her breathing slightly faster than usual without turning to me yet.
"18… years, why do you ask?" I stuttered with my eyebrows furrowed as her question sounded odd to my ears, but she quickly exclaimed, turning to me with her eyes widening in panic and confusion, forcing my feet to stumble back in fright at her sudden reaction.
"You are 18 already?" She gasped as her breath went faster and anxiety sparkled in her eyes while staring intently at me.
"Yes, what...
I was unable to complete my question before she turned abruptly and walked away. I tried holding her back, but a hot slap from her reset my brain in a snap.
"Don't you dare touch me with those filthy hands!" She warned, her eyes cold and brimming with a wicked glint, before walking away and slamming the door shut with a bang, while I stood there wincing in pain from her slap and taken aback by each of her reactions.
I wished I had lied about my age, but it was too late. I had to face whatever danger was coming. That whole day, I was entirely confused and couldn't concentrate on whatever I was doing. My head was filled with different thoughts, and every time I came across Laura, she would look away and wouldn't even spare a glance at me, let alone say anything.
It went on for a few days before I began to notice she was getting more agitated by the day. She would always do everything to stay away from me. Even if we find ourselves in one room, she would look everywhere else except where I was, and talking to me kept becoming things of the past.
The most surprising part was that they all stopped tormenting me and rarely had time to hit me for any mistake. Everyone began to give me space as if I were some kind of monster that would kill them soon.
Each morning when I wake up to clean the house and do other chores, the maid and servant all avoid me. The bodyguards won't even say a word to me.
The beating ended, and every torture inside the royal packhouse never went on again. As the day went by, I noticed the omegas and servants returning to their duties. One day I woke, turned off the alarm, and went back to sleep. When I woke up again, it was very late in the morning, and I was scared that they would punish me.
But when I rushed out of my room with the broom and dustpan, I realized everything was tidy. The food had also been cooked, and I ate the one left over in the pot, thinking I would be beaten for it, but nothing happened. It was actually my share that I took.
Things went peacefully so suddenly that I was perplexed and frightened. There was no one to explain what was going on, not even Scarlett would tell me. My father and the Luna didn't even spare me a single second, and I couldn't dare step in their way just to ask why I wasn't receiving the daily dose of maltreatment.
It was actually a good thing, but my mind wasn't at rest, especially after what Laura had said to me the other day. She was still the demon agent, and she had to have hidden plans and schemes to unleash. I felt she was talking about my father as the man who had done her so much wrong, but each time I saw them together, there was nothing to make me believe that.
She was so lovely and loyal, treating him as her beloved mate.
Laura so badly wanted me dead that she was ready to do anything, but suddenly she doesn't even care about my existence. No one cared anymore, and so I learned to be alone, to stay indoors and cuddle myself all day and night.
It was a new way of life that I never knew I really wanted. The peace of mind was what my heart craved. There was no yelling, insults, or bullying in the royal pack house, and I got my food kept aside for me three times a day.
I began to get used to it, and what made it sweeter was that I was also allowed to roam around the beautiful mansion. I could leave my room and move around, even in the garden, without those guards dragging me back or touching me. They even looked away whenever they set their eyes on me.
I became invisible and entirely unnoticed by everyone, although I was still afraid to leave the packhouse, so I couldn't tell if it was the same for other members of the pack.
It didn't take me two weeks to notice the visible difference in my appearance. I began to add flesh to my bony appearance as the stripes and wounds faded faster, and my body was all freshening up.
My wolf was dazzled, too, but we decided to enjoy the moment. It was all suspicious and queer for everyone to suddenly leave me alone, but I just decided to enjoy the moment and keep my mouth shut. If they had forgotten what I did to the luna that turned my life into hell, I shouldn't bother reminding them.
Life went on, with no friends, or enemies, and I was all right. Nature was there for me. The wind, flowers, cool breeze, and stars and moon in the night. They were all amazing and gave me the serenity that made Tommy smile again.
But why didn't it go on like that? Why don't good things last any longer? I was getting used to that peaceful life and was really looking forward to the full moon festival coming up in less than a month.
Since no one cared about where I went or what I did anymore, it was time to attend that great festival where the single wolves meet their mates and soulmates. It was the best day of every werewolf's life. On this day, we all sprint and howl freely in the woods like family.
Everyone becomes equal that day, and love is shared among all. It was a ceremony that no one would ever dream of missing. Well, it's been three years since that tragedy struck in my life, and I was never allowed to attend.
My presence would be a sour note in everyone's happiness because I was a black sheep among wolves, or rather, an astrayed demon among wolves.
I thought it was my year to finally attend it, and being an 18-year-old girl ripe with sharp and mesmerizing pheromones, I believed I would find my fated mate. The union with that Lycan was all fake. Yes, that was what I made myself believe, because there was no way a mate could treat his other half like this.
He should love me for who I am, but instead he wanted to kill me because of what someone else had told him, with no regard for hearing my side of the story.
I hated him already. I already pushed him out of my head and treated those brief memories of us as a dream that didn't happen in reality. Lycan and werewolves aren't a good match, and the moon goddess doesn't make such mistakes.
My mother even made me realize how bad they were with her horrific stories about their kingdom. Dracula makes no difference.
Well, that day never came. Oh yes, I never got to attend the full moon festival. My life didn't went on great as it was. It became worse instead.
I didn't know my father had ordered for me to have a little taste of freedom and peace for a week before I would be finally put to death by the Lycan prince, who they were going to beckon with the flute.
That fateful morning, I woke up as usual and cleaned up before going to get my food, which I ate in the room as always. It was after I was done eating and had rested for five minutes that it all began. My door was busted open, and five bodyguards barged in and took me away roughly.
I didn't struggle but only asked where I was being taken, which they didn't answer. We got into the palace, and I was dropped on the bare floor facing my father, who was sitting with Laura and Scarlet on both sides. The elders were all gathered that day too, showing it was a serious matter.
"What is going on, please?" I asked, puzzled, as I stood up from the ground. It was only my father that had an expressionless face, others were smirking, grinning, and flashing mischievous smiles at me.
"Nothing much. Just that you're about to die." Scarlett broke the brief silence and followed it with laughter, to which others joined in.
I couldn't grasp her statement well till I saw Laura bring out the flute the Lycan gave them and place it in between her lips, smiling wryly.
My jaw dropped and both of my eyes widened as I froze in terror, my blood running cold as I finally understood the reality.
Death.
Two guards swooped my feet off the ground so hard that I landed heavily on my buttocks, causing a throbbing pain that caused me to screech uncontrollably.
The next thing was that they chained my hands together and gagged me.
"We need to make it easier for him. I am sorry, but it is very dangerous to keep you alive. It might be my turn to be killed like my mate, so I have to take caution. The Lycan is the last opportunity to end your life, so it has to be done!" My father's voice rang in my ears on the ground where I lay, and my heart tore apart as if it had been slashed with a double sword.
Tears poured down my eyes, and I felt so sorry for him. He has eyes but is blind, and before he knows it, he'll be the one gurgling blood and fighting for his life while his entire pack transforms into a coven of demons, with all werewolves becoming slaves.
Laura and my demon possessed mother had told me clearly that I was the reason the demons didn't rule over us, and now my father was killing me off, tearing away the shield that had kept them alive.
"Dad, you cannot allow...this." I muffled, shaking my head as I knelt and stared into his eyes, not sure if he heard me.
"Blow it!" He ordered Laura, and in panic, I shut my teary eyes. He would be here soon. The Lycan prince. My mate will return to kill me.