The Cursed Lycan - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Dracula's POV
My heart was racing and hitting hard inside my chest as I made my way to the proprietor's office. I was almost running through the corridors, breathing shakily as I narrowed my eyes and racked my brain to figure out what could be in the letter.
It could have been good news, bad news, or just a goodwill message to check in on me and wish me happiness, but my instinct wasn't on the good side. The more I tried forcing myself to believe it wouldn't be anything heartbreaking, the more I felt fear twisting up inside me.
I was almost sweating while trying to maintain a calm breath, which was almost impossible.
"What could be wrong?" I mused and shivered while my wolf cuddled up inside me with his tail covering his face as he also trembled over the foreboding sensation spreading all over us.
I couldn't tell where the problem would arise from or what it was, but I knew deep within me that this letter wasn't a good one.
Finally, after what seemed like a hundred years, I was able to reach the office. It wasn't a long distance, but my anxiety made every step seem like a thousand.
I took a deep breath and was about to open the door when I smelled it, right from the office. The mate smell wafted out of the proprietor's office, which I was about to enter.
It was a feminine scent of strawberries and vanilla mixed with the same heartwarming scent of a mate.
My feet stuck to the ground, and every part of my body was frozen as I sniffed and stared at the door with my eyes wide open in disbelief and shock. My heart sank to the ground as it became clearer to me.
"Mate!" My wolf shrieked, yanking me forward to open the door fast, as he desired to get hold of our mate, but I couldn't move an inch.
I watched frozen in place, wondering what was going on. I just left Ella right now to meet the proprietor for the letter, and right inside his office, I just smelled the intoxicating scent of my beloved mate.
"Is Ella inside here? How and when did she get in there before me?" I asked myself in a low tone, still confused and staring at the door and the hallway that led back to the restaurant where Ella was.
"She is not the one in there. We had been fooled!" My wolf howled, anger boiling in him as he paced around, sniffing and puffing.
"What do you mean?" I fired back, gritting my teeth as I shook my head, refusing to believe that what my wolf was insinuating was the truth.
"The girl in there is our true mate! Laura was right about Ella. The mate bond isn't real! She had been using tricks on us all this time!" My wolf retorted, and I instantly became weak, shutting my eyes and taking a deep breath to calm my nerves.
His words just rang like an alarm bell in my head, causing my heart to flutter as I leaned on the wall, breathing shakily while the intoxicating smell battered my nostrils, tugging at my heartstrings and pulling a stronger bond between me and my real mate, who was behind the closed door.
"Is he coming?" I overheard her voice from inside, and the soft tone gave me goosebumps. There was no doubt I was feeling every connection and bond to clear all doubt that she was my mate, and even when the connection wasn't as strong as that of Ella, I needed no soothsayer to know Ella had fooled me with her charm all this time.
What I don't understand is why she would do such a despicable thing without fear that I would find out one day and deal with her without mercy. Laura warned me. Scarlett warned me, and even the Alpha did the same to prevent me from being used like an idiot by Ella, but I allowed myself to be toyed around.
What if, after all, Ella is actually a demon? What if she was really waiting for the appointed time to attack me?
All these questions echoed inside my head, building up rage and fury within me. For the first time, I felt so embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I felt like a puppy who couldn't feed himself.
Fuck!
I cursed, gnashing my teeth, as the scene of all I just did with Ella replayed in my head. All the confessions of love and affection I was pouring out to her would have seemed ridiculous to her.
Who knows how she must have mocked me inside her heart? I even left my card with her.
Sweat formed  on my forehead as I found myself hibernating and panting silently as I placed my hand on the door knob, different emotions bubbling inside me.
I was so disappointed in Ella and myself. I was disappointed and ashamed of everything that had happened earlier. It hurts so much that they were all illusions. Ella wasn't my mate all this time.
Without knocking, I pushed the door open and walked in, keeping a straight face as my eyes first met her, sitting innocently on the couch in the office.
She whipped her gaze directly at me, and I saw how her brown eyes brightened at the sight of me, I saw how she sniffed and smiled sweetly at the realization of our mate bond, rising to her feet while staring dreamily at me with excitement brimming in her eyes.
She looked so elegant and stunningly beautiful, and the perfectly sewn school uniform that she wore really graced her sexy figure. Her curly, dark brown hair that stopped right at her back really matched her skin, and with a simple glance at her face, I could confirm she was a beauty to behold. The way she smiled was really magical, and the way her eyes shimmered was enough to make my heart skip a beat.
"Good morning, m..a..te..." She greeted in a stuttering voice as she added "mate" at the end, which brought a huge frown on my face as I felt a wave of irritation and anger swarm through me.
"And you are aware I can reject you now? I hate hearing that word, "mate!" Don't make this mistake again!" I retorted sternly, and she bowed and apologized in a meek voice.
"I am so sorry, my prince. I was carried away by..."
"Whatever." I waved dismissively.
"Can you recognize me?" She chimed, and I sneered at her, wondering what rubbish she was spilling.
"How will I recognize you? You aren't a Lycan."
"My name is Selene, from the Crystal Moon Pack. I am the daughter of the Alpha. The woman who treats and deals with poisons and infections in your kingdom is my mother, and I once came with her and we only shared eye contact. I wasn't 18 at the time, so I believe that's why...."She paused and smiled sheepishly before winking at me.
"I can't remember." I responded bluntly even when I knew exactly what she was talking about. I remembered her coming in with her mother and already acting crazy in admiration at everything, including me. I hated her instantly, irritated by her attitude. I never imagined being her mate.
"I am sorry for my attitude then. I was just crazy over your handsome and perfect embodiment. You are so sexy and irresistible that I...."
"Shut up, please." I cut in, sharply.
"I am so sorry for..."
"No need to apologize." I interrupted her again, hoping not to hear her voice.
I turned to the proprietor, who was standing across the office table, watching us.
"Where is the letter from my father?" I demanded, swallowing the huge lump that formed inside my throat. Her smell was all over the place, and my wolf wouldn't stop howling in desire to pull her in our arms and mark her.
That was how much Ella had changed me in a short period of time. I was the man who swore he would never fall in love or accept any more mates. I was that dreadful beast that everyone was scared of because my heart was icy and void of any pity or affection.
I was ruthless and dangerous, but Ella had succeeded in melting my heart. She had softened my heart so much that all the emotions I thought didn't exist were back again.
If it had been before, I would not have spared this girl for calling me her mate. Just as I pounced on Ella, I would have done the same for her, but that cruelty had been washed away. Even my mate now wanted to accept our mate with open arms.
"Here it is." The pretty girl who turned out to be my mate replied with an outstretched arm, handing an envelope to me.
"Why are you having it? Have you read the content?" I shot harshly, and she shook her head negatively, smiling brightly as she gazed admiringly at my face.
"You shouldn't be happy to be my mate because it won't end well. Honestly, I think you don't know what you are into." I shrugged, taking the letter from her.
I don't know why, but there was a rush of joy I suddenly felt as it struck my mind that Ella was safe from being killed by me. She was safe from my cursed beast, which would no longer hunt her on full moon nights because she wasn't my true mate.
"I am happy because your father approved our marriage. He knew of your curse, but assured me that we would be together forever. There must be some good news he is yet to tell you." She crooned, grinning from ear to ear, as i turned sharply at her with arched brows, getting more stunned as I saw her bring out the royal Lycan token.
An identity for every Lycan royal blood.
"My father gave you that?" I exclaimed, perplexed, while she winked and nodded, her eyes wet with emotion.
"I think your curse can't stop us from being together anymore. Maybe the answer to this mystery is in the letter." She squeaked, and I quickly tore off the envelope and brought out the letter.
I sat down on the couch and began to read everything slowly and carefully.
"What!!!"