The Forbidden Lycan Princess

ETHAN

Shopping for an engagement ring was supposed to be exciting. The final step before we start the life I’d dreamed about for years. Instead, I was staring at the glass case, a pit of doubt slowly forming in my stomach.

Rows of sparkling diamonds winked up at me, mocking my indecision. This would be the biggest decision of my adult life, and I had to be smart with my choice, however long this took.

The saleswoman, Lydia, according to her name tag, was on the other side of the counter, waiting. She offered me another patient smile, her eyes flicking to the clock like they had done every now and then.

This was taking more time and effort than I expected. I cleared my throat, redirecting my focus to today’s task.

“I’m looking for something classic. Nothing too flashy.”

“Of course,” Lydia replied, sliding a few options onto the counter. The rings looked the same, with varying sizes of diamonds attached to them. “Are you thinking round, princess cut, or maybe something a little more unique?”

Unique. That was Izzy all right. She loved standing out, making a statement. But when it came to a ring, I knew she’d want something flashy and timeless, something she could wear for the next fifty years and still love it.

As Lydia explained the differences, my phone buzzed in my khaki pocket. I pulled it out to see Coach Jones on the screen. I ignored it the first time, but it buzzed again.

We had worked together as a team for five years, but in that time, I was still unable to tell when his calls were for real work emergencies or another chance to praise his wife’s delicious cooking. I was looking forward to repaying that favor because Isabelle was a damn cook on the days she chose to do the cooking.

A girlfriend wasn’t a wife, as my father and Coach Jones would say, but that would change soon. I had waited too long to finally be able to do this.

“Excuse me,” I said, stepping away to answer. “Coach.”

“Ethan Alexander Cole.” His booming voice was happy, loud, and clear. And I almost pulled the phone away from my ear to frown at it, something I would have done if he were right in front of me. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Kind of. I’m in the middle of something,” I confessed, glancing back at the counter where Lydia pretended to be scanning the rings. “What’s up? Is everything okay?”

“Of course. How’s my favorite up-and-comer?”

Unable to stop myself, I huffed a quiet laugh. “I don’t think I qualify as ‘up-and-coming’ anymore, Coach.”

“You do if I say you do,” he shot back, his tone full of that unshakeable confidence I’d always admired. “What did I interrupt?”

“Errands,” I replied vaguely, glancing back at the rows of glittering rings falling to me. “Running a few errands.”

“Errands, huh? For that pretty woman of yours?” Coach teased, and my cheeks heated. “Big plans this weekend?”

I hesitated. “Maybe.”

“Maybe,” he said, drawing out the word like he didn’t believe me. “Sounds like you’re keeping big secrets, Ace.”

Coach Jones started calling me Ace after I suggested a game-changing play that turned the tide in the favor of the Marlins Eagles during a tense game. I could count the number of games we had lost since I joined the team on one hand. We worked so well as a coach-assistant duo.

“Not everything’s a secret, Coach. What do you need?”

“Ah, straight to the point as always,” he said. Yes. I had to select a ring for my girl. “Fine. I heard Coach Aster of CityHills Hawks needs an assistant for his girls’ team.”

I groaned. “Please don’t tell me you’re about to try to talk me into this.”

“Hear me out,” he insisted, his voice growing serious. It was futile because the answer was clear. “It’s really good and a great opportunity for you. CityHills has a bigger program, better pay, your own place, a chance to grow.”

Running a hand through my hair, I said, “CityHills is six hours away from Los Marlins. Izzy works here.”

“And? It’s still a better opportunity. She can move.”

“Thanks for thinking about me, Coach,” I said, cutting through the rest of his pitch before he could finish. “But I’m not interested. Izzy and I want to raise our family here.”

Los Marlins might be small fries compared to CityHills, but my soon-to-be wife resided here. We had created beautiful memories here. I didn’t want to live away from my partner after enduring that during our relationship.

“Let me sweeten the pot,” he pressed. “The pay is double what you’re earning now, Ace. Hell, more than double.”

“I’m fine where I am.”

“You don’t get to pay rent because you get a free place.”

Sounded good but… “I’m fine in a rented apartment.”

“Ace, don’t be an idiot.”

His frustration was palpable and understandable. Five years ago, I might have agreed, but Izzy was in the picture now. She wanted to live in the same city as her parents, and so did I. Our jobs were also here.

My current salary wouldn’t make me the richest man in Los Marlins anytime soon, but we were okay. I liked my life here.

“You get your own place, Ethan,” Coach added. “No sharing facilities, no dealing with the kids fresh out of college who don’t know which end of the stick to hold. You get to save more for your future, and in a few years, you’ll be the head coach for CityHills Hawks.”

“Okay…”

“Do you have any idea how big this opportunity is?”

“Why don’t you take the job, then?”

“I’ve been a coach for twenty-nine years,” he snapped. “I’ll be damned if I leave here to go be anyone’s assistant. But you’re young. Rumors have it that Coach Aster is looking to retire soon. This will work out well for you.”

Though he couldn’t see me, I shook my head. “As much as I appreciate you looking out for me, it’s family first for me. Izzy’s here. Our parents are here. My life is here.”

He let out a long, dramatic sigh. “I’ll give you a day, Ace. Think about it. If you’re still dead set on staying, I’ll tell them no.”

“Don’t waste your time. My answer won’t change.”

“Just do me a favor and don’t let some woman hold you back. Not when you’ve got this much potential.”

“Izzy isn’t some woman. She’s my girl.” He tried to talk, but I didn’t let him. “This conversation is over, Coach.”

Ending the call, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and returned to the counter for Lydia to lay out the final options. I picked the perfect ring: a modest solitaire on a delicate platinum band. It was simple and timeless, like us.

Lydia rang me up, and as I left the store, I imagined my girlfriend’s reaction. I could already hear her gasp of surprise and see the tears glistening in her brown eyes.

Isabelle Hart had always been dramatic in the best way. Everything I did was for her—for us. I’d been with her for five years, eight, if you included the three years we were friends before she agreed to be my girlfriend. While she hadn’t been ready to settle down, I’d waited patiently.

She wanted to enjoy her twenties first. To explore life before committing to marriage. I understood that. But now, I was done waiting. She’d just celebrated her thirty year old birthday, so it was the perfect time to propose.

On getting outside, I flagged a taxi. Once I was in the backseat, I took a picture of the ring and sent it to Mom.

The picture had barely been delivered when my phone buzzed. Dad was calling. Mom must have shown it to him, those two acted like peas in a pod. Ever in love.

“Hey,” I answered.

“You bought the ring,” he said without preamble.

Mom shrieked in the background, her excitement spilling onto me. The cab driver passed me a glance through the rearview mirror, and I flashed him a smile.

“I did. Planning to propose this weekend.”

“It’s about damn time. Eight years, Ethan,” he said. I didn’t bother reminding him our relationship wasn’t that long because he would point out how single I was in that period. “You’re practically an old man by now.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“I’m serious, son,” he continued. “Your mom and I have been waiting for grandkids since you graduated college.”

“That’s right,” Mom agreed.

These two. “Let me get her to say yes first, okay?”

“You’ve got this, E.”

The name unleashed memories of my younger self on the field, gripping my lacrosse stick as I fired the ball into the goal post. While others got a number on their jersey, I got a letter. But life happened, and I had to transition from player to coach. I pushed down those old memories before it ruined this moment for me.

“Thanks, Dad,” I said again, softer this time.

When I got home, I placed the ring box in my dresser drawer. Knowing it was finally happening felt so surreal. But it was the first step to building the life I’d always wanted. A family, stability, and a partner to share it with.

Hey, Queens!!!

We’re back to exploring the Lycan dynamics. Back to where it all started ;) if you know what I mean.

Thanks for picking up TFLP. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.

TFLP is the 6th book in the Curse of the Lycan series, and can be read as a standalone. You’re welcome to check out the other books in the series. They’re all free to read on Inkitt.

Don’t forget to like, share your thoughts in the comment section, and leave a review.

Started: June 15th, 2026

Q: What day did you start reading?