Chapter 3 - The Lycan King's Long Lost Princess

2 DAYS BEFORE THE FESTIVAL

Genevieves POV

Today is the day the king and his men arrive. I’ve cleaned and prepared their rooms. I’m nervous, but I have no idea why. Maybe it’s just because of all the people? Or maybe it’s the Lycans. I’m not sure.

Hunters POV:

We arrive at Blackstone Pack in a couple of hours. I had some inside intel that Alpha Jaden is the one who orchestrated the murders of the Allaires. They had pack warriors act as servants for months watching the king and queen, preparing for their deaths.

There were many of them. All drugged and murdered by about a dozen warriors dressed as servants. One of those servants was the one who watched their daughter in private. But they ended up dead when trying to take the child, and no one who knew would give up what the princess looked like.

The rest of the warriors killed the remaining Lycans and wolves in the kingdom, but not the children. The children were taken.

We looked everywhere for King Gerrick & Queen Aprils’ daughter. She was 8 at the time. We looked for them all but never found a single child.

“What are you thinking about my King?” Asks my Beta, my second in command, Mark. He’s sitting beside me driving. He’s always been my best friend, and one of the best Betas a Lycan could ever ask for.

“Just the intel we were given about Gerrick and April's murder. And my parents.” With Gerrick and April gone, there are only 2 royal kingdoms left of the Lycans. Which makes the Lycans a dying breed.

“I’m sure we will find something. I’ve never trusted him. Anytime we go to these festivals, it feels like he’s hiding something.”

We usually go around the packs, a different pack doing the festival every year. This time, it falls on Alpha Jaden to host the event.

“I hope so. Maybe we can have some closure on them. April practically raised me with my parents. And I’m hoping they have information about the lost princess.” I said rubbing my face. I dread this festival. I’ve never liked it.

The Alphas are always putting on a good show trying to impress us. Hoping one of use would be the mates of their daughters. It’s really rare, but it’s not impossible. The other Lycan King Henry’s mate is a werewolf. But now she’s a Lycan.

“Hopefully, we can find out what happened,” Mark said.

“Maybe we’ll find a mate.” Purred by Lycan. Lycans are like wolves In a few ways. We can talk with our other half. Except wolves are more in sync with each other and Lycans have less control. We also disagree with each other quite often.

My Lycans name is Marcus. We’ve had our rough patches, but for the most part, we get along.

“Do you ever stop thinking about a mate?” I asked

“Not really, no.” Marcus says. I laugh and close my eyes to take a nap.

Finally, we arrive. The minute our SUVs pull up, Alpha Jaden is already out ready to greet us. I take in a deep breath as my Gamma Mathew opens my door.

“Welcome, my king!” Alpha says with a bow.

“It’s a pleasure to have you at my packhouse. Dinner is almost ready. Glad you could make it in time.” Gave me a grin from ear to ear.

“Thank you for having us, Alpha Jaden,” I say with a nod.

“I don’t like him,” Marcus growled in my head wanting to take control.

“Yeah, I can tell. Calm down okay? I can’t have you trying to kill him before we get any information.”

“This way, I will show you inside, then I’ll have one of my servants show you to your rooms to place your things and get ready to eat.” He motions us to the packhouse door.

When we walk in you can tell they put in quite a bit of effort. There are flowers everywhere, lights strung on the ceiling, and the main room archway. Decorations everywhere. Almost a little too much. Besides that, It’s a nice little castle.

“Here we are, this is the main hall, we will be having dinner on the pack patio out in the back. I will have a servant show you the way to your rooms. Dinner is about ready, by the time you’re back down it will be. Our little cook has made the juiciest ribeyes & filet mignon.” Alpha Jaden says, waving a servant over.

“We look forward to it. It was a long day. I’m starving!” Mark says, rubbing his stomach as it grows.

Just as the servant walks up, I get the faintest smell of summer flowers & ocean. I look around only to see nobody but the servant and the alpha. I ignore it as the servant motions to the staircase.

“This way, my king,” he says.

As we walk upstairs, the smell gets stronger. It’s in every crack and crevice of every room up here.

“Do you smell that?” I ask mark as we climb to the 4th floor.

“It smells so good!” Marcus started pacing around when we first smelled it. I wonder what it is.

“Smell what? All I smell is the steaks.” He replied. The servant showed him to his room, which was on the way to mine. At the end of the hall to the left is my room. The servant opens the door, and I’m hit with the smell again. Whatever it is, it smells amazing.

“I’ve just been given word dinner is ready. We will see you down shortly, my king. The servant says and he walks back down the stairs. I unpack my things and get ready to head back downstairs.

When I reach the main hall, Alpha is walking towards the back.

“Follow me, my King, patio is this way.” He says continuing to walk to the back of the castle.

When I reach the back door, the smell is so strong. I turn to the right and walk through the double doors into the kitchen. That’s when I see her. She must be the amazing smell. It’s like it’s all around her, invading my nose. My mouth starts watering

She’s standing at an island in the middle of the kitchen, plating the steaks. She is breathtaking.

She’s short, compared to my tall stature. Probably comes up to my chest. She’s skinny but curvy in all the right places. She has beautiful, silky black hair. When the light hits it, it has a hue of blue. Reminds me of a raven.

She looks my way, and I catch sight of her hazel eyes. They’re brown on the inside, and as it goes out, it fades to green.

“Mmm.. I want to eat her.”

“Marcus! What the h*ll?”

“Hello there,” I say awkwardly. Not knowing what else to say since she’s just been staring at me for a few seconds.

I find myself intrigued by this woman. I have an urge to walk up to her and taste her. There’s just something about her, but I don’t know what it is.

“Hi. And you are?” She says shyly. Her eyes sparkle when they make contact with mine. She’s cute.

“Who is she? She’s delicious.” Marcus purred.

“Dude I don’t know chill.”

“That would be your king. Hunter. The Lycan.” Says Alpha Jaden, interrupting what felt like a moment for us. I turn to him and he looks annoyed.

“Oh my apologies, king.” She says with a bow.

“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t know.” I said with a smile, I could tell my face was heating up from whatever this was.

“This way my king. She will bring our food.” He holds the door open impatiently. I watch as he glares at her, and she looks like she wants to run.

I had to force myself to move away, even though I didn’t want to. We head outside and wait for the servants to attend to us, smelling the trees and nature. If it wasn’t for this creepy Alpha, I’d love it here. Especially if that girl is around.