Chapter no 3-The Lycan King

Amara's POV

I ran towards the forest to race against time. It was my only chance to protect Erica.

I walked up to my father's rigid body and looked into his sunken eyes. He had desired a peaceful death, but he didn't get it. The least I can do is avenge him.

With one last glance upon his face, I stood straight and did what I hadn't done for the past three years. I felt my skin grow, and my body turn and twist.

Although it wasn't allowed by Jacob, my sister and I turned into wolves almost three days a week, where our father trained us, in our living room. He believed we should know how to fight.

I ran straight towards the vines, opening my mouth, chopping off the thorny vines, and my mouth got bruised. Tasting blood, I continued, until there was enough path for me to cross. With one quick jump. I was out. Tears strung in my eyes. I was in my freedom.

I hated it!

I needed to find the white fox. They were rare, but if you knew where to look, you could find a couple. Searching for almost two hours, of running forward towards the end of the forest to reach the Enigma pack. My legs were cramping like they never had before. The pain and the cold was too much, but it didn't stop me, not even once. I had sworn to only stop when I reach the gates to the Enigma pack.

It was cold, and I had started to see traces of snow on the land I crossed.

My throat was as dry as the bark of a tree. My head had started to spin when I finally eyed a white fox. I wanted to howl loudly with joy, but instead I leaped at the poor animal. The animal was as wild as they claimed, razor-sharp nails and teeth that were used against me in a good fight. I was cut and injured by the wild animal before I snapped at its neck with one final attack. I saw its blood oozing out and flowing over the white snow.

I shifted to human.

I held the warm dead animal in my hands, drinking the blood from its wounds. My throat soaking in the liquid. I used my hands to remove the skin off of the poor animal, and ate a few pieces. It was then I realized I hadn't eaten anything the entire day.

Holding onto the fur, I wrapped it securely around my neck and shifted again. Then I took off.

It was a distance of five hours that I had completed in three. Tired, weak, and covered in blood, I reached the giant gates of black metal. Unlike the Seraphic pack, whose territories were defined by thorn vines, Enigma had metal walls. It was the biggest land both in population and in area. The men surrounding the gates saw me, a rogue wolf approaching. In front of the gates, I shifted to human form and fell to my knees. My breath was short, as I panted for more air. The cold air of the north had restricted my windpipe.

"What do you want?" A roar hit her ears, deep and strict. I whimpered. The accent they had was very different from mine.

"I present...a gift...to the alpha," I spoke in a loud voice, using up my leftover strength with pauses for breath. The cold air fills my lungs making me shiver. My heart is slamming against my rib cage.

"And why?" The roar comes again.

"I need...help...to save my sister...else she would be killed in the morning," I said loudly. I did not want to appear weak and frail in front of them.

"who are you?"

"I am Amara ...of the Seraphic pack! I need help, in return...I bring peace and prosperity," I lifted up the fox's skin, the white fur glistening in the moonlight.

The man walked in front of me and stood there, looking down at me.

"You think The Alpha is so idle that he would lend you a hand for your trivial matters? He has things to do, a land to run!"

"But I heard The Alpha was Righteous and Impartial. My sister...she did nothing wrong. The men. They want to rape her! and then kill her. I implore to the justice of your Pack to let me meet the Alpha and plead the Alpha for her life and honor! Let him decide if he wants to be just,"

They looked taken aback by my strong words. A guard walked to me and held his hand out for the fur. I hesitantly passed it to him. The man held the skin in his hand and gave it a whiff. He nodded his head once.

"Let me escort you," The man said. I stood up onto my weak legs, blood dried over several wounds on my body. My mouth stained red, from my own blood and the blood of the fox. My clothes torn in some places. I looked wild.

The guard led the way, while I walked behind him. A wolf followed behind us, big and grey. They said that the men in the Enigma pack were larger than those of the other packs, more vigilant, more strong, and had more muscle mass than others. It was their strong genes. I could now see how true it was.

Soon enough, we reached a car. I had only seen such vehicles in the hands of the rich of the Seraphic pack. Four were owned by Alpha Jacob, and seven more were owned by the three rich families of the pack. The man opened the door for me and ushered me to sit inside. I did. And I was thankful for how soft it was. A bliss for my sore body. The vehicle roared and moved forward, and we entered the city.

The road we traveled on was sandwiched between the city and the forest. The road was very big, almost five lanes drawn with paint.

The city was highly modernized. Tall, glass buildings that peeked above the clouds on one side, followed by smaller ones as we reached towards the big road we were traveling on.

The right of the road accompanied a grove which followed a denser forest to its right. A river flowed in the grove, following the path of the road.

It had fresh blue waters. I had read about it. The river was named Niamon. We crossed a large beautiful bridge that connected the city and the jungle, over Niamon.

The car stopped in front of gates bigger than those of the city gates, which slowly opened, and we traveled in. The atmosphere had changed the moment the car moved from the city to the palace gates. Vast lands stretched inside the cemented walls. Gloomy big trees, and long stretched paths on both sides.

My door opened again, and I hurried out, whimpering as my swollen feet touched the ground again.

Big steps lead to a wooden door almost triple my height. They took me inside. It was as dark and gloomy as the outside. Cemented and stone walls, wooden floors, and Grey roofs.

They led me down the hall, and the man knocked on a door. He then went in and came out after five minutes. Meanwhile, I was of the verge of collapse. Would I be able to talk to a man like him? The Alpha Damien of Enigma pack! Just a wall away from me. He could kill me right now, and no one would know or move a muscle. No one would save Erica. Would I be able to plead my case to the most cruel man on earth?

"Alpha is waiting for you," My heart shrank, fluttering like a bird about to die while still entrapped in a small cage. I slide my wet hands on the doorknob and turn it, while my other hand clutches the fur tightly.

I enter the room and immediately feel the tension rising on my shoulders. I take a deep breath, mixed in the scent of cigars and cider.

Slowly, I lifted my eyes and looked straight at him. He stood there. Taller than any man I had ever seen, he a built strong and muscular. A face beautiful and Eerie. Haunting but enchanting at the same time. Something stirred inside me, almost as if my entire world had changed without my permission. My skin burned. My fingers itched, and my mind numbed.

Mate!

The lycan king Damien, of the Enigma pack, was my mate!

My breath got stuck in my throat. My skin burned to touch him.

A loud growl echoed through the entire room.

"Who are you?" A voice hit her ears, loud and rough.

Your mate!

I took a step back at his tone. He was angry, I could tell by his clasped hands and furrowed brows.

Please help me!

"I...I am A...Amara of Seraphic pack," I breathed, gulping in saliva.

Please save my sister!

"Seraphic!" He sneered, looking unimpressed. His whiskey colored eyes glowed in the dark.

"Why do you come...here?" He said, voice deep and rough.

"I bring peace-peace and p-prosperity to you, Alpha," My voice cracking even though I had worked hard not to appear weak. I raised my hands for him to see the fur.

"I ask for your help... My sister, She...They would kill her,"

Alpha Damien raises his brows in question.

"Alpha Jacob, our alpha...of the Seraphic pack. He picks women, and uses them...before killing them. Please save her! I be-beg you!" Tears run down my face. My head spins, but I steady myself.

He showed no emotions. He does not care, nor does he want me! He does not want to be associated with someone from the Seraphic pack. He looks disgusted. Does he not realize how much it will pain me!

"Please, Jacob would kill her tomorrow, he has her now!"

I could not bear the death of the only family left to me. I would die this instant. I fell to my knees, as my head kept spinning and my vision became blurry.

"How can I recognize her?" He said, his eyes reflecting a strange emotion. His hands balled by his side, gripping onto the table till his knuckles turned white.

She raises her head, "She has black hair...and blue eyes. A birthmark on her right arm. She is the only... woman there, he...he killed the rest. He always does that," I whispered the last line.

"Save her," My breathing slowed. I think I fell, because my head was on the floor now. A warm hand on my cheek is all I felt, and darkness consumed me, "Save me, Damien."

Chapter no 4- A horror of the void

'My patience was unparalleled, my courage extraordinary,

But your words, they took time to sink in,'

My eyes flutter open. Sharp light burned at my retinas, making me turn my head. I tried to gain full consciousness. Tried to open my eyes fully. I blinked several times and came across a white ceiling.

The Ceiling led down to white walls. The room was dimly lit. The only light source was the sharp light above my head, and the surroundings were dull.

Faint whispers!

Dull and low voices grab my attention, making me look to my right. A cupboard sat in one corner of the wall, and reached across the wall, leaving a small portion of the wall on the other side empty and dark.

The empty corner blinked at me.

A void.

A void captivating me, capturing my mind, burning my eyes.

The room was spinning. I felt my insides scream, and chills erupted all over my body.

I cried out in pain.

There was so much pain!

There were faint whispers. Barely audible. I could not make up the words. My body began to shake.

I felt hot.

The whispers grow and grow until they are screaming at me, pulling me to the void. I screamed in pain.

"Damien, save me!" The voices yelled at me.

The voices shout. They continue to shout at me, making my body burn. I cover my ears, but the voices don't stop.

I cry out in pain.

The door swung open, and several lights were turned on. The room was filled with warm lights. I was shaking furiously.

I hurried off the bed, sensing comfort from the person who entered and ran to him.

Tears sting my eyes.

"What happened?" The voice was warm, but urgent.

"....Th-They were pulling me,"

I choked.

Warm hands push me away gently from himself.

"Who were?" He asked.

I looked up from teary eyes. Damien stood in front of me, in all his glory. His sharp cheekbones cast a shadow underneath. A tight jaw. His hair was disheveled. His shirt creased. He was angry.

I looked down at the wet spot on his shirt. It was my tears.

I turn to look at the void.

There was nothing.

The room was clean and....empty.

A single bed that inhabited me a few minutes ago. Two chairs and a lot of medical equipment. A small window I didn't notice earlier.

"There were...people," My eyes widen.

"I heard them...,"

"The only person screaming here was you, I heard only you," He said.

I turn to look at him. My breathing still fast, my head still hurting.

"It must be a bad dream, or a hallucination," He said. "You blacked out last night,"

Last night!

Enigma pack!

Erica!

I turn to the window. It was daylight peeking lightly through the gloomy clouds. Birds chirping at a distance.

"Where is Erica?" I whispered, "You let her die,"

"She-"

I hit his chest before he can continue.

"Where is she?" I cried. I had officially lost my mind. Sanity had left me.

"I told you," I hit him again. He just looked straight ahead. His jaw tensing further.

"I told you, He would kill her. I plead to you. I never begged anyone, anything. I begged you,"

I continue to hit him like a mad woman. He not even flinch at my attempts to push him back. He stood there like a stupid stone wall.

"You are a monster!"

His hands fish out of his side, grab my arms and push me towards the nearest wall. He shoved me to the wall and caged me between him and the walls.

My hands were clasped above my head, in his grip. He pressed my arms further into the wall, tightening his grip. My wrists hurt.

His eyes darkened, seething in anger. Pure red anger. The vein on his forehead pumped, and his face reddened.

"I am not a monster,"

He was so close to me, I felt his warm breath on my face.

He looked like he could twist my head off, if I moved even an inch.

"If I were a monster," He snarled, "You wouldn't be standing here in one piece."

As I buck underneath him, he presses his hand harder against my wrist. My bones are threatening to snap.

His eyes glared into mine. I wanted to look away but I couldn't.

He just threatened to kill me. Any sane person would be scared to death. Any sane person would lower their head. Any sane person would beg for mercy.

Scared, I was. Hell! I was shivering in fear.

But a coward, I wasn't. My father was killed, and Erica was killed. I could too. So let him be done with it.

"Amara?" A soft, afraid voice was heard by my ears.

I whip my head in the direction. Erica stood there. Unhurt.

My throat constricted at the sight of her, and I released a soft breath.

My arms were released, and the shadow that was hanging over me, towering over me, was now standing a few feet away.

I crash into Erica, wrapping my arms around her, breathing into her hair. Her body was warm. A soft wool coat hung over her small frame.

Tears flew down my cheek as I held her close.

"...I thought I-I lost you," I choked out.

"There, there," She chirps, "I thought you never cried," Her hands running up and down my back, soothing me.

We stayed like this for a while before a throat clearing made us aware of another presence in the room.

I whip away from Erica and turn to face him. "You could have told me before...,"

I let my words trail off between us when he began to glare at me.

"Your sister is a maniac," He tells Erica. I shift between my feet and eye him warily. So, he did help me. He is not that bad, I guess.

Did he do it because we were mates? A chill erupts through me at the thought.

I was mated to the Lycan king.

"And I would like this maniac to be removed from my lands as soon as possible,"

As if all the water of Niamon was poured down on me.

What? He wanted me to leave without even acknowledging the fact that we are mates?

My thoughts were worded by Erica.

"Alpha, she is my sister. Isn't she to stay with me?" She asks mirroring my discomfort.

I glance with Erica and him, confused.

Why is Erica to stay here?

"Who said you are staying here?" His voice a snarl, pointed at my sister. I heard her intake a sharp breath.

"But-but my mate-,"

"Knows his duties better than anyone in this pack. I do not allow this, so he wouldn't push it,"

What?

I was too dumbfounded to be a part of this conversation.

Both Erica and I found our mates In the span of a day? That too an Enigma man?

Well, If I can be mates with the king, she can sure have better luck.

"Alpha you cannot do-," Her voice wobbled, making my hands clasp beside me.

"I can, little girl. And I will. My men are not to take mates. That to, a woman of Seraphic," He was disgusted.

My heart felt as if it was carved up by a rusted knife.

Woman of Seraphic

"You cannot talk to my sister like that," I gritted through my teeth. Here I was trying to fish for words to thank him for saving her. Hell, I had the speech ready before he decided to open his mouth and call me a maniac.

His attention shifts towards me, as if I was a mere fly that buzzed and caught his attention.

"You cannot come to my lands," He took a step forward.

"Beg me to help you,"

Another step. His eyes raging with darkness.

"And when I do,"

Another step, this time I took a step back because he was too close. Close enough for my heart to jump out of my chest and into his hands. He towered over me.

"Neither of you can demand to stay here,"

Another step forward, another step back.

"And neither of you,"

My back was touching the wall now.

"Can tell me what I can and cannot do," He snarled. Again, caging me between him and the wall. Only this time, my sore wrists weren't being punished.

My hands get clammy. He was so close.

His eyes held mine like a charm. For a flicker of a moment, they travel down.

Down to my lips, follow a path to my neck and down to my chest.

I realized my clothes were almost about to fall because of how tattered they were.

My breathing grows heavy as dirty thoughts, that have no place to wander my mind right now, flow in.

Get a grip Amara !

"Both of you will leave before noon. Alex will hear none of this. It might not be his decision, but I rule this pack and also him,"

He backed away and started walking towards the door. With one last long gaze at me, he left.

I pulled myself off the wall.

Not only did he deny me, but he is also denying my sister of her newly found mate. I count to ten and take a deep breath.

Snap out of it, .

I turn to Erica when I hear a sob. With her head held down, her mouth had formed a thin line. She was trying no to cry.

I always told her crying is for the weak. Yet, I myself had spend a whole day bawling my eyes out. I hated how pathetic I was. A hypocrite.

"There, there," I repeat the same words she told me before and take her into a big hug.

"Tell me what was all this about,"

Chapter no 5-To the mates

'The essence of life is nothing but regret, neither did this, nor that happened, neither this attained, nor that remained,'

Damian

Standing outside the room, I wanted to laugh. I wanted to laugh at the games the fates are playing with me.

Of course, she was inside there.

Of course, she was my mate.

But this time it will be different.

She will leave. She cannot stay here; I cannot let her stay here. This is the least I can do for her.

It was then that I heard screaming.

She was calling out my name, screaming and asking for help.

"Damien, save me,"

She repeated it like a mantra. I held my hand beside me, clamping it tight.

It was happening.

I barge inside, ready to see a horrific accident in front of me Instead I see her sitting on the bed.

I turn on the lights, and she runs to me. She wraps herself around me, and I knew in that moment, I had to ask her to leave.

The little woman had went crazy for a while before I left the room, stating the final verdict.

She cannot stay here. It was for her own good.

.

.

.

.

She was tied to a chair. Her clothes torn, and lip busted.

It was a dimly lit room, in the basement of his house. He had left her there in order to attend a meeting that came up urgently. He sounded worried, scared even when he was informed that 'Alex Namoon' was here to meet him.

Erica hoped this man killed Jacob. This was all she hoped being tied up for more than an hour, before the door burst open.

A deep sense of recognition and familiarity picked at her, followed by a tingling sensation around her head and spine.

The shadow appeared in the light, perhaps feeling, if not more, the same pull towards her.

'Mate,' He hummed.

Alex had met his mate after six years of searching, and there she was, bloodied and tied to a chair, whimpering in pain. He freed her, covered her up with his coat and shirt.

Erica told Alex what Jacob did. He took her, killed her father, and her sister.

Alex was out of the room with her in his arms. Jacob tried to stop them, but Alex was quick to slap him across his face. He threatened Jacob to a war with the Enigma pack.

Thus, Alex took Erica with him. He told her he had no idea she was here. It was as if fates had aligned for them.

He also informed her, to her surprise, that Alex was Beta to the Lycan king of Enigma pack. He was, in fact, the second most important man in the world, and now she was, too, the most important woman.

Erica had arrived at Enigma pack earlier than Amara did, as they traveled using luxury cars and high speed roads.

When Alex informed Damien of what happened, he approved of everything.

But it was before Damien knew the sister of Erica. It was before he knew that his mate is related to her.

Now, he cannot have his mate or her sister in this place.

Amara

Erica told me what happened in the night while I was in the dreamy land.

How Jacob, the bitch, tortured her, and how she was saved by Alex.

If it weren't for the Lycan king's orders to get the hell out of his lands, I would have thanked Alex with my left kidney.

Which got me thinking Damien never saved her. It was Alex all along. And the fates, whom Erica is so obsessed with believing in.

I believe in fates as well, but I think they don't like me very much; thus, the feelings are mutual.

My mother died because she got chicken pox from me when I was young.

My father was to bring home my birthday cake the day his legs gave away, and he had an early retirement.

It was my idea that killed my father.

And the moment I left Seraphic pack, Erica was saved, met her mate, and was finally happy.

And now when she met me, her mate was being snatched away from her.

And My mate...he does not want to do anything with me.

Because I am cursed.

I am the bad luck.

And the least I cannot for my only living family is to give Erica her happy life back.

Damien did not want me around. Erica told me he was happy when they got here.

And now that he knows Erica is related to me, he wants her gone as well. Maybe I am overthinking. But I need to talk to him. To let her stay.

I will leave alone. But let her be happy. I will beg him again if needed to.

"Erica, will you be a peach and stay here for a while. I will come get you and we will leave," I ask her.

She slowly nods her head, and both of us walk outside this creepy room.

She settles on one of the benches in the park next to the room. I ask her the route to the pack house since only one of us walked here with their eyes open and conscious, connected, she roughly explains, and I walk off.

I reached the lawn that opened double glass doors to the pack house. It was located at the side. I needed to find Damien. I didn't know which direction to go, but I just let my intuition lead me before I found someone and asked where to go.

A lady in a black and white dress, resembling of house help, appeared holding a cup of tea.

"Hey, I...I am looking for the king. He...asked for me earlier,"

She looks me up and down before nodding. She had a smooth, polite voice. She was in her late thirties or early forties.

"You were the one who passed out last night. The king was very upset,"

Of course, he was, such an inconvenience I was for him. I didn't say that to her, though.

"He threatened the doctor to make sure you were okay, or it would cost her her life. He was really worried about you," She smiled lightly. Her eyes were twinkling.

Umm...what?

Worried about me? I think he hates me.

I frowned, but didn't ask her to clarify. I was to leave, Damien had made it clear earlier.

"Do you know where he is right now?" I asked.

"Oh yes, yes. I am to take this tea for him, follow me," She said.

We walked down the long aisle, and then there were a couple of turns. There was a large spiral staircase that we climbed up.

I don't remember his office being up here. I was in there yesterday.

She stopped outside a large wooden door in the dimly lit end of the hallway.

If one were to ask me what way I came from, I wouldn't know. This is a puzzle.

The house help, who introduced herself as Emily earlier when we were climbing up the stairs, looked at me and smiled.

She hesitated to knock.

"How about you take it in?" She asked, shoving the tray with a cup of tea in my face. I instinctively grabbed it, looking down at it. White hot steam oozed out beautifully.

"...I...I don't think-" I was about to hand it back when the door swung open and both of us were rattled by the sudden movement. Thankfully, I did not shake the cup so much for it to fall on my face, or else I would be crawling on the floor with a burnt face.

A sharp scent of earth wafted at me. We both look up to see the man himself.

Emily quickly bent her head like she was bowing to the almighty king, which technically she was.

She side eyed me and urged me to do the same. If I were a better woman, I would have bowed too but I was too pissed and stubborn to do that. I was not a good person.

"We need to talk," I lock eyes with the man. The room behind him was dark as well. He appeared big and tall standing in the door frame.

I wanted to step back. I wanted anything else to be the center of his attention. But the overwhelming feeling of belonging and lazy lust overcome me. The lust told me to hold the contact. To further to contact.

"You can leave Emily," He said, his voice smooth and low. I was hyper aware of the way the syllables drawled between us.

No! Emily, don't go!

Emily looked between him and me, before quickly bending again and walking away.

I wanted to run down the hallway, shoving her to the side on my way, but I knew deep down he would catch me.

"Talk," He said. I averted my longing gaze from Emily to a stoned one at him.

"I am here to talk about what you said."

"And?" The way he appeared so calm and composed made my stomach tense up and raise goosebumps all over me.

"And...I would leave, as you had asked. But let Emily stay," I almost whispered.

He lazily moved his eyes down from my eyes, down my face, my neck, and to my chest. His features shift.

"It is rude to stare." Before I could stop it, the desire to one-up him made the words leave my mouth.

He raised his hand, and I flinched. Something was pulled from my hand, and I looked down.

The tray with the tea cup. He was looking at his tea, not at my chest. Who the hell drinks tea now a days. It was spilled along the sides of the cup and on the tray when he first jolted us with the door opening.

Well, deal with it.

I looked up at him again. Oh! He is so beautiful.