Daughter of the First Lycan King

-Kryssa’s POV-

For as long as I can remember, I have never stayed in the same place twice. When people were out trying to kill us, it was best to keep moving. For many years, we remained hidden because our family name is so well known that books were written about us. I stopped aging when I turned twenty-five. I am a Lycan Princess and the daughter of the first Lycan King. My father helped defeat the infamous Vampire Dracula. After Dracula’s death, my father was named Lycan King because he defeated the first vampire. For years, my father ruled, and when he met his mate, he knew he wanted to be a father. My mother died a few hours after giving birth, leaving my father to raise me alone. When I was six, hunters stormed the castle, threatening to kill us all. My dad gave me to my nanny, Vicki, and told her to run and never stay in the same place long enough to leave a scent.

For years, we lived by my father’s words. I grew up not knowing if my father was still alive or if he was killed. I shifted on my eighteenth birthday, and my Lycan’s fur is light gray, almost white. My nanny always reminded me that I had my mother’s violet eyes. Things went so well for nineteen years until the hunters caught up to us. Nanny Vicki told me to run and not to look back. When I knew the hunters were gone and I was safe, I returned to where we were to find Nanny Vicki brutally killed. The only thing that helped me recognize her was her dress. She was my last connection to my father and my home. I have wondered about the Earth for a century, hoping and praying to the Moon Goddess that I will not have to run anymore one day.

-Present Day-

I strolled down the sidewalk, passing a charming coffee shop. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee enticed me inside. The barista behind the counter greeted me with a wide smile and a glint of recognition in her eyes.

“Hey, Kryssa! The usual? Large Café Mocha with two shots of Erythritol, no whipped cream, and a scrumptious chocolate chip muffin?” she inquired with cheerful familiarity.

I couldn’t help but reciprocate her warm gesture with a smile of my own as I replied, “Thank you, Valerie! You always know how to make my day.”

Valerie beamed back and said, “I never forget a face, especially my loyal customers,” as I smoothly tapped my credit card at the reader.

After handing me my receipt and the delectable muffin, I went to my favorite secluded spot in the corner of the coffee shop. The cozy ambiance and the familiar, welcoming chatter of patrons filled me with a sense of comfort and belonging. Valerie soon arrived at my table with the expertly crafted Mocha, and after expressing my gratitude, she left me with a parting smile.

Just then, the gentle jingle of the shop’s door announced the arrival of my dear friend Nikki. With her cascading, sun-kissed curls and an effortlessly confident presence, she exuded warmth as she made her way toward me, taking a seat with an affectionate smile.

“Hey, girl!”

I glanced at my friend and greeted her with a smile. “Hey, how did the tour go yesterday?”

She rolled her eyes and sighed. “You wouldn’t believe the ridiculous questions I got from those snobby teenagers! ‘Was Dracula really real? Did he actually come here and turn Lucy into a vampire?’ I wanted to ask them, ‘Did you ever pay attention in your history class?’ Ugh… kids nowadays don’t appreciate where they came from.”

“Well,” I replied, taking a sip of my Mocha, “I would have had a blast dealing with them.”

Nikki said, “I know! I wish you had been there with me, not at a prestigious college, lecturing on the same topic! I have another tour today at one. If you want to come, King Micha is supposed to be on this tour. I’m so nervous, and that’s why I need you!”

As I enjoyed my muffin, I inquired, “Calm down. I will be there. Is the tour still starting at St. Mary’s in Whitby?” and she confirmed, “Yes.”

“Okay, I need to mentally prepare myself for a hot-headed Alpha, Beta, and a couple of soldiers from the Royal Guard. Easy peasy,” I remarked, prompting a chuckle from Nikki and me.

“Kryssa,” she said, “we have been friends for eight decades. I always wanted to ask you something.”

After savoring my muffin and Mocha, I placed the cup down and replied, “Okay, ask what is on your mind.”

Nikki took a deep breath, glanced around the coffee shop, and leaned closer to me. She asked, “Why did you become a history professor specializing in Dr. Abraham Van Helsing’s history and the connection he had with Count Dracula?”

“Nikki,” I exhaled and said, “It’s a very long and complicated story. You know I am one hundred twenty-four years old, turning one hundred twenty-five next month. My past is something I am not very comfortable with telling others. I promise you that one day I will tell you everything. I can’t explain it all right now. All I can tell you is I specialized in that area because it is closely tied to my past.”

Honestly, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing and Count Dracula were a significant part of my past, shaping the beginning of my life in ways that I had never imagined. Thankfully, Nikki didn’t press on with any more questions. She nodded, but I could sense that she wasn’t entirely satisfied with the answer I had given her.

I glanced at my Apple Watch and suddenly realized, “Oh, no! I have to leave! I have a lecture to prepare for at St. George University, starting in just an hour! I’ll catch up with you at one o’clock!”

After exchanging our goodbyes, I left the coffee shop and made my way towards my parked car. As I unlocked the car, I got in and closed the door behind me. After securing my seatbelt, I started the car, and the engine roared to life. With a final glance in the rearview mirror, I drove off towards the campus, eager to prepare for the upcoming lecture.

I parked my car in the dedicated parking area close to the Tepes building, which housed all the history classes on campus. After locking my car, I strolled over to a weathered swing positioned under the sprawling canopy of the ancient oak tree. Taking a seat, I pushed off the ground and began to sway gently, finding a sense of calm in the rhythm of the gentle movement. With my notepad in hand, I started to jot down some notes as the golden sunlight filtered through the leaves above me, casting dappled patterns on the ground. A soft breeze swept through the area, bringing a delightful fragrance that filled the air around me. Rich with the sweet aroma of vanilla beans and undertones of chocolate, the scent seemed to awaken every fiber of my being, and I paused for a moment to savor it, letting it infuse my senses. The scent grew stronger, indicating that its source was close by. It enveloped me so intensely that I couldn’t help but let out a contented sigh. It was then that I realized I was no longer alone. As I looked up, the figure of a man came into view, standing before me with an undeniable air of confidence. He was undeniably handsome, with muscles that rippled beneath his shirt, a chiseled six-pack, and enigmatic ocean-blue eyes that seemed to hold a world of mystery within them. His short, midnight-black hair framed his ruggedly handsome face, and as he locked eyes with mine, a subtle smile played across his lips. All the while, I couldn’t help but notice how he seemed to tower above six feet in height, exuding an aura of strength and presence that was impossible to ignore.

“Hello,” I greeted with a smile as I acknowledged his presence.

Returning the smile, he asked, “Hello, may I join you?”

“Sure.”

Taking a seat, he extended his hand and introduced himself, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Micha.”

“Micha, as in King Micha?” I inquired as I nodded and shook his hand. A sudden surge of energy passed through me. This reaction only occurs when... no, it can’t be... “It is an honor to meet you, your Highness. I am Kryssa Van Hel.”

“Dr. Kryssa Van Hel, it is a pleasure finally meeting you! I am looking forward to your lecture. I greatly enjoy listening to your podcasts detailing the history of Lycans and the events following Count Dracula’s demise.”

I smiled and remarked, “Thank you. Your Majesty, may I respectfully ask whether attending a college lecture may be considered suitable given your esteemed position? Royals such as yourself are undoubtedly well-versed in the origins of our kind.”

He chuckled and said, “I’m intrigued by Dr. Abraham Van Helsing and his role in defeating Dracula. I enjoy listening to podcasts on these topics. It’s fascinating to hear different perspectives on past events. Your perspective on Van Helsing and Dracula caught my attention because you presented this historical account through the eyes of a Lycan rather than a human.”

“Your Majesty...”

“Micha.” I looked at him, and he said, “You can call me Micha.”

I smiled and said, “Well, Micha, I’m flattered that I piqued your interest. My perspective doesn’t sit well with everyone, so I use that to my advantage. I love their frustrated expressions when the other scholars can’t prove me wrong on topics I know I am right about. You know, I had a friend named Micha. I lost touch with him when I moved away with my nanny.”

He chuckled, looked at his watch, and said, “I hope you get to see him again one day. I had a friend that I called Kryssa because I couldn’t say her full name. I haven’t seen her in over one hundred years. Well, I will take my leave and make my way to the auditorium to find a seat where I’m not easily visible. I enjoyed our conversation. Hopefully, we can sit down again over dinner sometime.”

I pulled out one of my business cards and handed it to him. “Whenever you are ready, you now have my number.”

He got up, stuck the card in his pocket, winked at me, and walked toward the building. I looked at my watch and quickly jotted down a few more notes before standing up. After I grabbed my bag, I walked to the building.

I stepped into the grand hall, and my eyes were immediately drawn to a magnificent statue. It depicted a fearsome Lycan holding Dracula aloft by the throat, creating a dramatic, larger-than-life scene. I couldn’t help but grin at the creativity and artistry as I walked past the imposing sculpture and headed toward the doors that led to the auditorium. As I pushed open the doors and descended the steps, I was greeted by the sight of a commanding figure - a tall, muscular, bald man speaking to the attentive audience from the impressive podium at the front of the room.

“Ah, there she is! Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have a very special speaker with us today, who will graciously share her expertise and insights. Please give her the utmost respect. She has nine podcasts and twelve video podcasts, all dedicated to Lycan history and the esteemed Lycan King, Abraham Van Helsing. Without further ado, please welcome Dr. Kryssa Van Hel,” announced Dr. Judd.

As I descended the stairs, anticipation built within me. At the base, I made my way to the podium, feeling a surge of confidence. I reached for the hands-free microphone and, after grabbing it, I flipped the switch to turn it on, ready to address the audience.

“Check 1, 2, testing. Can everyone hear me? Those at the very top, can you hear me?”

Everyone either gave me a thumbs up or nodded. I smiled. “Good. Thank you, Dr. Judd, for allowing me to take over your class today. I hope all of you will enjoy our topic. So, let’s get started.”

I plugged my flash drive into the computer and displayed the images I use in every lecture. I grabbed the clicker and turned to face the audience when they appeared on the large screen behind me.

“I always begin this lecture by showing this picture. What first name or word comes to mind when you see this person...creature?”

A young man suggested, “Vampire.”

A young woman offered, “Jonathan Harker.”

Another woman added, “Mina Harker.”

“Dr. Abraham Van Helsing,” said Micha, which made me smile.

“Dracula.”

“Indeed, we are all familiar with Bram Stoker’s renowned narrative. Have you ever thought of its origins? Did Stoker craft it from imagination alone? What if I were to tell you that he did not?”

As I clicked to the next image, I continued, “This is a photograph of Jonathan and Mina Harker on their wedding day. But wait, these two are characters in a book. No, they were actual people who were tormented by a vile creature of the night who went by the name of Dracula. Most of you are probably thinking, ‘You’re crazy, lady!’”

Everyone laughed, and I said, “Well, ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts. Here’s the true story of how Dr. Abraham Van Helsing helped this couple eliminate Count Dracula. The actual dates are unknown, but it all took place in the 1890s. Dr. Abraham Van Helsing was called to Lucy Westenra’s home. He investigated her sleepwalking spells and the mysterious wound on her neck. After many sleepless nights, he realized what was happening to her. With Dr. Seward’s help with blood transfusions and hanging garlic in her room, he knew they were dealing with a vampire. He also witnessed how the garlic was affecting Lucy. He knew it was only a matter of time before she became one herself.”

I clicked to go to the cemetery image. I continued, “After Lucy’s death, Abraham, Arthur Holmwood, and Dr. Seward went to the cemetery after some locals said they saw a woman that would come and go from there. Abraham knew it was Lucy based on the descriptions from the children and locals. After getting Lucy back to her crypt using a crucifix, Abraham handed a stake to Arthur, who plunged it into her heart, beating it with a mallet and chopped her head off.”

I clicked to go to Abraham Van Helsing’s image. I smiled and turned back around. “Dr. Abraham Van Helsing had a secret of his own. The Harkers, Holmwood, Seward, and Morris didn’t know what he was. Van Helsing was also a creature of the night, but not like Dracula. He wasn’t a vampire. He was a Lycan. Many humans believe Lycans are Werewolves, a very common misconception. We’re all Lycans, so we know the differences.”

Laughter erupted, and I continued, “He had the strength to kill Dracula on the spot, but he didn’t want the humans to know his animalistic side because he knew he would also have a target on his back once the vampire was eliminated. When the vampire decided to go after Jonathan’s wife, Mina, Van Helsing got Dr. Seward, Mr. Morris, and Jonathan together and created a plan to take Dracula down. The night Dracula bit Mina the second time, Abraham followed Dracula. The beautiful encounter between the two creatures of the night is wonderfully displayed in the entryway of this building. He threatened Dracula, saying Mina Harker was the last person he would bite. The vampire didn’t believe him until the stake was plunged into his heart and his head chopped off. His body turned to dust when the sun rose.”

I clicked on the image of the Lycan holding Dracula by the throat suspended into the air. “After that day, Van Helsing became one of four heroes who vanquished the first vampire, Dracula. Other Lycans sought out Van Helsing to assure him that he was not alone. Thanks to his heroic deed, he was honored as the first Lycan King.”

I clicked on the following image of Abraham and Violet. “In 1897, Abraham met Violet Belmont, the love of his life, and they married. In June of 1898, Violet discovered she was pregnant. Tragically, in March of 1899, she passed away shortly after giving birth to a baby girl. Abraham vowed to protect and raise his daughter at all costs. Six years later, when Dracula’s followers-turned-hunters attacked Castle Van Helsing, Abraham entrusted his daughter to her nanny with strict instructions to keep moving and never leave a scent trail. This was the last time he was seen and vanished from history.”

I turned off the screen behind me and faced my audience. Concluding my presentation, I stated, “The whereabouts of the First Lycan King and the Princess remain unknown. Their status, whether alive or deceased, is a mystery. There are rumors that the Princess is still alive and living among us. Unfortunately, we have no leads on whether Abraham Van Helsing survived the attack on the castle in 1905. I am now ready to take any questions you may have.”

In a room filled with eager participants, a few hands slowly rose into the air. Surveying the room, I directed my attention to the left side and addressed a young man seated at the front. “Yes, the young man in the front, what’s your name?”

“Cole, Professor.”

“What can I help you with?”

“Van Helsing could have easily defeated Dracula on his own. Why not get rid of him before he killed Lucy?”

I noticed a few other students nodding, signaling he asked the question they all had. I responded with a smile, “That’s an excellent question. Picture yourself in 1890, a time when women were primarily homemakers while men held greater power and authority. It was an era marked by fear of supernatural entities like vampires. If the people of that time had discovered the reality of Lycans and their interactions with humans, how do you think they would have reacted?”

Micha raised his hand and said, “Professor, may I expand on your explanation?”

I looked at him and felt a smile spread across my face as his voice sent shivers through my body. I asked, “Yes, you may; what is your name so everyone would know who’s speaking?”

“My name is Micha. In this informal setting, feel free to call me Micha without any formal titles. Cole, imagine yourself in the shoes of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. Would you reveal to the people of that time that you were a Lycan and thus the next target after Dracula’s demise? Or would you, like Van Helsing, keep your identity secret to remain alive and lead a happy life?”

Cole nodded and said, “I see your point, but he could have killed Dracula during their secret encounter.”

Micha nodded thoughtfully as I suggested, “Let’s suppose he killed Dracula during that encounter. Humans happen upon the disfigured remains, realizing that a greater and stronger force exists that can kill vampires. This would have put a target on Van Helsing’s back and on his fellow Lycans. Considering Bram Stoker’s depiction of Abraham Van Helsing, do you think he would be inclined to make impulsive decisions or devise a plan that would benefit everyone?”

Cole nodded in agreement as Micha raised his hand to signal that he wanted to speak.

“Yes, Micha.”

He revealed an evil smile before confidently declaring, “I am about to pose a question that even a scholar would ask to determine if you are a fraud or not.”

I added with a hint of enthusiasm, “I absolutely relish this type of challenge. Feel free to ask me anything.”

His expression shifted into one of seriousness as he leaned in closer and inquired, “How can you prove that Abraham Van Helsing had a daughter and entrusted her to her nanny at the tender age of six, allowing them to escape from the pursuing hunters?”

“I’m glad you asked,” I replied. I turned back to the computer and opened a new file, illuminating the screen. “This is a photo of an old birth certificate. It indicates a date of birth of March 3, 1899, at Castle Van Helsing. The baby’s gender is female, and her name is Kryssaline Elizabeth Van Helsing.”

I clicked to go to the following image. “Seen here is a picture of Kryssaline and her Nanny Vicki from 1905, taken just two days before the attack on Castle Van Helsing. This led me to consider whether having pictures and birth certificates for non-existent individuals is possible. Despite the advancements in AI, I find it hard to believe that it’s that advanced. However, I did manage to view the birth certificate, which allowed me to obtain the picture. Be prepared, though, as the following image is quite graphic. I hope you all have strong stomachs.”

I clicked to go to the following image. The gasps I heard when the mutilated corpse image showed up on the screen. “This is Nanny Vicki when the hunters caught up with her and Kryssaline thirteen years later. You can see the red Dracula followers’ hunter’s insignia on the corpse, St. George killing a dragon. The way she was identified was because of the dress she was wearing. People who knew her knew the blue floral dress was her favorite because Kryssaline got it for her.”

I reached into my bag, rummaged around, and retrieved a Ziploc bag containing the bloodied hunter’s insignia. “Recognize this? It’s the same bloodied insignia found on the corpse in the picture. I removed it myself. There’s no need to worry; I have special permission to carry it for my lectures and video podcasts. As you can see, the dried-up blood is in the same spots as in the photo you’re looking at.”

I glanced at my watch: 12:45 pm. My eyes widened, and I swiftly apologized, “I’m sorry, I lost track of time! I truly appreciate Dr. Judd inviting me to speak today. I hope for the opportunity to do so again in the future. Thank you for listening to me today.”

After announcing an upcoming assignment, Dr. Judd dismissed the group. As everyone packed up to leave the auditorium, I quickly gathered my belongings, turned off the screen, and retrieved my flash drive from the computer.

“Dr. Van Hel,” I looked up from zipping my bag closed to see Micha standing beside me, a smile brightening his usually serious expression. His eyes sparkled as he continued, “I really enjoyed your lecture today. It was engaging and informative.”

“Thank you, your Majesty…”

“Micha.”

As I adjusted my bag and let it settle on my shoulder, I looked up at him and inquired, “Pardon?”

“You can call me Micha.”

“Well, Micha, since you want us to be on a first-name basis, you can call me Kryssa.”

With a warm smile, he looked at me and kindly offered, “I can walk you out if you would like me to.”

I expressed my gratitude as we made our way up the stairs. Continuing the conversation, I mentioned, “I’m feeling a bit rushed because I’m assisting my friend with a tour. I can’t believe I’m going to be late.”

He chuckled and said, “It looks like I will be late too. I’ll be joining you on that tour. Also, I have another question for you.”

“What’s that?”

“What do you think about our connection right before the lecture? It’s like there’s this electric energy between us. And the way my heart flutters every time I hear your voice - it’s as if it’s trying to tell me something. What are your thoughts on what we’re experiencing?”

I grinned mischievously and decided to play along. “That’s two questions. I thought you said you had a question for me.”

“Very funny.” We were both laughing, caught up in the moment. I looked at Micha and said, “You know, there’s only one explanation for this incredible feeling we have right now. You have no idea how long I have waited for it.”

We finally reached the top of the staircase, and as we stood there, we couldn’t help but lock eyes. His intense gaze met mine as he leaned in and softly whispered, “You have no idea how long I have waited for this moment.”

He reached out and gently took hold of my hands, and at that moment, a sudden irresistible force pulled us together. Our eyes met, and without saying a word, we both knew what the other was thinking. “Mate,” we said simultaneously, acknowledging the unspoken connection between us.

I can’t believe it! My mate is the Lycan King! What will Nikki think of this?