LycanPrince

by 1

  Her eyes burned and her tears fell. They were alive and judging by the dying sound of battle around the castle grounds, the war was ending.

  He shifted in his human form and came to her side, collapsing on his knees. He drew his arms gently around her and held her tightly. “Oh my God. What have I done,” he said hoarsely, his tone thick with emotion.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes. “So the legend is true,” she said brokenly. “When you make love to your soul mate, the soul mate turns into a Lycan on the next full moon.”

  He sucked in a harsh breath. “You knew?”

  She nodded. “I told you Hiroshi was a very knowledgeable man. He taught me everything.”

  He grabbed her face in his hands and stared hard into her eyes. “You are not afraid by what you’ve become.”

  She smiled tremulously up at him. “If I didn’t turn when I did and escaped from the armoire, that Lycan would have killed you. And…and now I can stay with you forever and you don’t have to watch me grow old and die. I love you, Vasilis.”

  His eyes glistened with unshed tears as he bent his head and kissed her.

  It was late in the day before the castle and village settled from the bloodshed and carnage. Even though the deaths of the villagers and guards were minimal considering they were taken by surprise, it didn’t make it any less sorrowful when the time came to bury them. Everyone thanked the gods all the children had been spared and the secret tunnels had once again survived exposure.

  Alex had just returned from spending time with Ariel in the bower. No human children were allowed outdoors today until every last remnant of the attack was cleared. Everyone including Alex had helped and now she and Vasilis lay exhausted in their bed.

  “Who is Lord Balkathan?” she asked, nestling her head on his shoulder.

  “A very old Lycan, older than me, who turned to the dark side centuries ago. His pack grows in the mountains as he takes more innocent lives every full moon and poisons them with his evil soul.”

  She shuddered. “Poor Katya. What she had to endure.”

  “She escaped him. She was one of the lucky ones.” He hugged her close. “Hesta is making some headway with her, but it will be a long process before Katya can live a normal life. Her demons are powerful.”

  “Do you think Lord Balkathan will attack again on the next full moon to kill Katya?”

  “Yes,” he said grimly. “For as long as we give Katya refuge, he will continue to attack. She has been with him for two years now and knows things about him he wishes to remain secret.”

  She released a shaky breath. “How am I going to keep all of this madness from Ariel?”

  “When the little one is older, we will let her decide if she wants to turn,” Vasilis said, his tone sombre.

  “I hope she turns. Hesta told me her illness will be completely cured if she does.”

  “Yes. Then she will be with us forever. We will not have to watch her grow old and die.”

  “When do you think we should tell her about us? About what we are?”

  “Soon. It is easier for a child to accept it than an adult.” He held her close to his side, kissing the top of her head. “Alex, I thought the legend was a myth, but when I witnessed you turn, I couldn’t believe the woman I loved was my one.” He paused. “Hiroshi explained to you a Lycan can shift voluntarily in either his wolf or Lycan form whether it is a full moon or not?”

  “Yes. I never really believed him, but I also knew he would never lie to me or teach me something he didn’t believe in. I trusted his teachings on blind faith.”

  “He sounds like he was a good man.”

  “He was.”

  He tightened his hold and sighed heavily above her head. “To think how close I was to losing you.”

  “Vasilis, do you think your mother was your father’s one?”

  “No. I know my father loved her, but she didn’t love him enough to live. Besides, it’s been two hundred years. My father remembers her fondly and he’s forgiven her for taking her life, but he’s not the broken man I would be if I lost you.”

  “I like your father. He shouldn’t be alone. I hope he finds his one.”

  “Even though my father believes in the legend, he doesn’t believe a soul mate exists out there for him. It’s sad to think he believes he has an eternity ahead of him alone.”

  “You didn’t believe in the legend.”

  “That’s right, I didn’t, but I still fell in love with you. My father will never allow himself to fall in love. He has a strong will and I am afraid he will succeed.”

  “Well, his one is out there. I know it.”

  He growled softly above her head. “It appears my Amazon has a romantic heart.”

  “I always did. I just never believed I’d find love.”

  “Well, you did. Forever.”

  “I still can’t believe how much coin you paid all the contestants when you cancelled the contest. I still feel guilty about that.

  “Don’t be. We are wealthy beyond your dreams.”

  “I can’t believe we’re going to be together forever. I wonder what the world will be like in five hundred years.”

  “One thing is certain. My love for you will never change.”

  She smiled up at him. “I love you, Lycan Prince.”

  “I love you, too, my Amazon.”

  He rolled over, embracing her body beneath his and proceeded to show her exactly how much he loved her until the wee hours of the next morning.

  Coming soon, Lycan King

  About the Author

  Anastasia Maltezos enjoys reading and writing all romance genres, whether it’s a sweet contemporary or a dark paranormal. Her heroes vary from a high powered corporate mogul falling in love with the girl next door, or a sexy vampire searching for his lost love. Love blooms in all forms.