Lycans

The flowers bloomed and the air was crisp from the night. It was a special night, so I was told. A night which my life would change forever. They were too right about that. My life did change. I just didn’t know it.

I sit in the chair by the window, looking out among the garden ease dropping on conversation. The handmaidens are rustling around the room, making every arrangement for the ball. I look at them from time to time, dreading the evening that will follow. Suddenly Nanny, an old Lycan with long curly hair, walks in carrying a pitcher. She has been in my life since I could remember, she was more like family than the help. She sets the pitcher down and says, “Mila, come now, child, we must get you ready for the ball. It’s a very special night.”

I reply with a sigh and say, “I just can’t understand why I am to marry Dominik?” Everything I had heard about him was bad, they said he was rude and obnoxious. I had my heart set on another. My mate, us lycans only read about them in stories yet I still hope. When I say this, my mother walks in with long face, reddish locks, and fair skin. Her fair skin glistens in this light. Her red curls bouncing on her shoulders.

“It is a good match, and he is a nice man, Amelia.”

“So, I am just to forget my mate and marry Dominik because you hear people say he’s nice?” I said that with obvious sarcasm.

“It is a princess’ duty to her pack, not her heart.”

“You haven’t even given me a chance to find him!” I raise my voice with a growly tone. I can feel myself getting upset. This is bad because I have not mastered the change and could lose control. I quickly calm myself down. The change in a young wolf can come unexpected. When lycans and wolves turn eighteen they have their first shift. This is also when you can start feeling your mate. Most lycan women especially royal, we get married as soon as we turn eighteen.

“Watch how you speak to me.” My mother says with a shaky breath.

“Everyone out. I need a moment with my daughter.” Everyone leaves except Nanny. She moves closer to me and tries to calm me down, and then she says, “Sometimes true love is hard to find, so we must make sacrifices for the good of our people. Arranged marriages are something that has happened for generations, Amelia.” Nanny tries to comfort me, but nothing could help.

“Nanny, I want to marry for love.” With a sad expression of defeat on my face, I rise from the chair and walk to the black lace dress with gold detailing lying on the bed. My mother walks over and lovingly touch my shoulder, and softly says, “Your father and I learned to love each other, Amelia. You will come to do the same. Come, its time, darling.” I let out a long sigh and knew that it was time to play the part that needed to be played. Nanny walks over and helps me get dressed.

The castle is radiating with light and music. People have come from all over for this. Around every corner is a person smiling and laughing. I go to the landing above the main hall where the ball is taking place and watch for a while. The bright colors of the ball gowns shimmer in the light. Couples are dancing, and laughter is all around. Everyone is so happy, but how could I be when I marry a man I have never met and give up my freedom. I look down once more and see that I am spotted by my father, who smiles when he sees me. He leaves his guest that he was having conversation with, and he waves to me and walks towards the grand staircase. I know that is my signal to join in the celebration, so I make my way to the grand staircase.

“Lady and gentleman! My daughter Amelia!” Says papa after getting the attention of the room. I start descending the staircase and meet papa at the base of the stairs. “Hello, Papa,” I whisper.

“You look beautiful, Amelia.” I let go of a small smile. My father did always know how to make me smile. He is a great father, he always made me feel safe. “Now for the first dance!”

A young man steps up from off to the side, assuming he was Dominik. He was attractive but looked stiff. He stood tall with shaggy dark brown hair and bright green eyes. He offers his hand to me. I reluctantly accept, and he leads me to the dance floor. The music starts, and he starts dancing. I follow his lead and stay quiet for once.

“You look absolutely stunning,” he says shyly.

“Thank you.”

“Your father picked a good match. You will learn to love me.”

“I shall do as my father asks of me. Whether we love one another does not matter. I am doing this for the good of the packs.”

“I am not you enemy, Amelia…” before he could finish his sentence, there was a green flash, and the lights began to flicker. Dominik pulls me behind him, and when the smoke disappears, a man is standing there. This man is vile looking. He has a long face with drooping eyes. My father is the first to speak, “Vladimir!!” When they hear the name, they run towards him, but they instantly drop dead with the wave of his hand. Hugo, the Alpha of the Spanish wolves, is the next to speak to Vladimir, “Vladimir, this is a moment of celebration; what are you doing here?”

Vladimir replies with a snarl, “I want what was promised to me all those years ago?”

Uncle Nicolae replied with his big raspy voice, “And you will get what you want, but this is not the time or the place to sort this out.”

“Then I have no patience to deal with any of you anymore! You think you could keep her from me! You promised me she would be mine!” Before anyone could speak, Vladimir raised his hand, and Uncle Nicolae was gone. I could not tell what was happening; Dominik was blocking my view. I saw my father, though; I saw the look on his face. I had never seen that look before, and it was the last look that I saw on my father before he told me to run. “Mila! Run!” My father yells as he tries to run towards me.

“Papa! what is it that you want?” I yelled. I could not see the expression he had on his face; I could only hear what he said. “You, Amelia Vasiliev.” The next thing I noticed was another flash and our pack mage coming towards him. He told me to run that night and never look back.

I haven’t stopped running. I left that world behind. I have been running for five hundred years and now I am called home to the people I love and once again must face my demons.