Chapter 4: Chapter 4
Her eyes met the hand written gifts in the table and picked one up taking it home to lock the sweets.
Althea looked down at the delicate wedding handmaid gift, her heart heavy with a mix of sorrow and bitterness. Her mother's cruel actions seemed to taint everything around her, even the supposed gesture of kindness from the wedding. Unable to bear the weight of the reminder, she tossed the gift aside in her room, leaving it behind like a painful token of her mother's disapproval and her heart broken from Caleb.
Determined to find solace, Althea sought refuge in the library, hoping to escape the haunting memories of the discarded gift. As she stepped into the hallowed halls of knowledge, she was greeted not by the woman from yesterday but by the other librarian, a gentle and caring man. He had always treated her like his own daughter.
"There you are, my dear," the librarian said warmly. "My wife and I wanted to come and help, but your father prevented us from entering. He was adamant about keeping everything within the family."
Althea's eyes widened in surprise, realizing that her neighbors had been aware of her mother's actions. "You knew?" she asked, her voice trembling.
The librarian nodded solemnly. "Yes, my dear. We heard what happened and were deeply concerned for you. We've always seen you as a part of our extended family, and we were devastated to hear about your pain."
Althea felt a strange mix of emotions welling up inside her, but she quickly suppressed them. Numbness had become her shield, protecting her from the overwhelming pain and disappointment caused by her family.
It was also a bit embarrassing for her to have her neighbors hear what was going on in the little house they lived in.
"Thank you for wanting to help," she replied, her voice void of emotion.
The librarian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering silent reassurance. "You don't have to face this alone, my dear. We care about you, and if you ever need someone to talk to or a safe place to escape, remember that our door is always open for you."
Althea smiled, "Thank you"
Althea had always thought him and his wife were a match made in heaven. Soulmates, she often called them. They were meant to be.
"And that father of yours he doesn't seem to care what happened to you."
"Technically, he is just head over heels for her that he is willing to be dumb. "
"I know, I know but..." He paused before he continued. "I am Highly disappointed by Caleb and his family. I did not expect that from them. They were well respected in the pack but now look. What a shame."
She shrugged. "Well, it is what it is"
"If I could just fight all of them for you, I would."
A quick imagery of that crossed through her mind and she quickly stifled a laugh because of how ridiculous the librarian had looked in her imagination.
"The only thing I need to fight right now is being chosen."
How much things had changed from then. From wanting to find a romance book and now to being one of the Lycan's king bride.
"Well, you know the book for it."
She nodded, then started walking away.
While she sat on one of the tables to read, the man dropped a cup of tea and biscuit.
"I should get on reading then." She said.
"If you need anything..."
"You've already helped me enough with this." Althea pointed at the snacks.
"You will be fine at the end of all these, child, just be strong."
"Thank you, dear Sir."
She smiled politely, then disappeared within the shelves.
In the land of the werewolves, every family with eligible daughters lived under the shadow of the dreaded mating ball. It was a cruel tradition enforced by the king to ensure the continuation of werewolf bloodlines. Families were obligated to present their daughters for selection, and failure to do so came with dire consequences.
Rumors swirled around the kingdom about what happened to those who dared to defy the king's decree. Some spoke of the dark dungeons where offenders were locked away, never to see the light of day again. Others whispered of the king's fearsome Lycan, a creature said to be hungry for disobedient souls, consuming them whole.
If she attempted to deceive the king, a risky maneuver that could cost her and her family dearly. To avoid the wrath of the crown and the terrible fate that awaited those who defied the royal decree, her family decided to offer Althea as their sacrificial lamb for the mating ball.
Althea was a mere pawn in her family's desperate bid for survival. Forced to comply with a tradition she loathed, she was groomed and prepared for the ball against her will. The weight of her family's fate rested heavily on her shoulders, and the burden of their actions pressed upon her heart.
Each hour leading up to the dreaded event felt like a slow descent into darkness. Althea couldn't escape the suffocating pressure to conform, to play her part in a tradition that robbed her of her agency and freedom.
As the night of the mating ball approached, Althea's heart became a battleground of emotions - anger, fear, and sorrow entangled within her. She yearned to break free from the chains that bound her, to defy the king and his oppressive decree. But the cost of rebellion was too great, and the consequences too dire to bear.
The ball was tonight and was being held at the grand park here in Trixie.
Margaret had taken it upon herself to make Althea look the most beautiful she would ever look in her life.
While Margaret took care of everything, she kept talking about how good it would be for everyone if she became the bride.
Althea remained silent as she reviewed the unusual rules she had discovered in the ancient book she had stumbled upon. The words echoed in her mind, and she repeated them like a mantra to ensure they were ingrained in her memory.
"Embrace the silence within. Embrace the silence."
She had made the potion that was in the book, hoping it would really make her not to be chosen.
Margaret stepped back, a mix of excitement and apprehension on her face as she observed her daughter. Althea's reflection in the mirror held an air of mysterious allure.
The gown her mother had chosen was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It shimmered with an otherworldly gleam, a deep midnight blue that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe. The fabric was soft, almost ethereal, and as it cascaded over Althea's form, she felt an unexpected surge of power coursing through her veins.
The gown didn't simply drape over her curves; it seemed to mold to her, as if it were alive, adapting to her every movement. The neckline accentuated her collarbones, and the gown's intricate embroidery traced delicate patterns across her skin.
Her hair, styled into a beautiful bun, was adorned with a delicate tiara, its glittering jewels reflecting the light and adding a touch of glamour to her overall look.
Althea couldn't help but admire herself in the mirror, feeling like a true princess. The dress hugged her in all the right places, accentuating her feminine curves, and the tiara added a touch of regality to her ensemble.
As she twirled around, the skirt of her gown billowed around her, the silky fabric rustling like the wings of a butterfly.
"Well, don't you look exquisite," Margaret said with a fake sweetness in her voice, her eyes scrutinizing Althea's every move.
Althea felt her heart sink at the insincerity in her mother's words. She knew that Margaret had ulterior motives behind the beautiful gown she had crafted for her.
"Do you know why I made you this beautiful?" Her mother asked, wiping her hands on her dress.
"So that I would look beautiful in my coffin because you don't want to buy another dress," Althea replied, her voice steady and devoid of any emotion. She continued to stare into the mirror, avoiding direct eye contact with her mother.
Margaret's smile broadened, but there was a sinister glint in her eyes. Her hand trailed along Althea's arm, leaving a cold and unsettling feeling in its wake.
"You finally understand, don't you?" Margaret hissed, her facade of motherly affection completely gone. "You were never meant to have a choice in this matter. You are nothing more than a pawn, a means to an end for this wretched family. Hopefully you become queen and not die."
Althea clenched her jaw, refusing to let her mother's harsh words break her composure. Deep down, she had always known how her mother truly felt about her, but hearing it confirmed still hurt.
"Fine," Althea said, her voice laced with a quiet determination. "I'll play my part. But know this, Mother, I won't let your twisted plans control my fate. I will find a way to break free from this suffocating life you've condemned me to."
Margaret's laughter rang out, cold and heartless. "Break free? You think you can defy the king and escape your destiny? You're nothing but a weak, insignificant girl, Althea. No amount of rebellion from you will change that."
In that moment, Althea felt a flicker of defiance ignite within her. She refused to be silenced by her mother's cruel words. With her invisibility bestowed by the enchanted gown, she knew that she had a chance to escape the clutches of the Lycan king and her heartless mother.
As she locked eyes with Margaret in the mirror, Althea's gaze burned with determination. "You may have tried to break me, Mother, but mark my words, I will rise above this darkness. I may be invisible to you, but I will find my own strength and forge my own path."
Margaret's expression twisted with rage, but Althea turned away, refusing to be intimidated any longer.
If she was going to be taken away or died tonight, she might as well tell her mother her mind.
"Well then, I wish you best of luck."
At the park, a tense and fearful atmosphere permeated the air as the night of the matrimonial ball unfolded. The eligible brides, including Althea, stood together, their faces a mix of nervousness and dread. This event was not a celebration but a display of submission to the dreaded Lycan King's decrees.
The park, usually a place of joy and laughter, now felt heavy with the weight of tradition and the Lycan King's oppressive rule. The villagers' gazes were averted, their fear of the king evident in their trembling hands and hushed whispers. No one dared to question his authority or defy his will.
Althea's heart pounded in her chest, her palms damp with perspiration. She had never seen the Lycan King or his rumored terrifying companion, but the stories of their tyranny sent shivers down her spine. They were beings to be feared, creatures of immense power who ruled with an iron fist, and their presence tonight was a haunting reminder of their dominance.
As the moonlight cast an eerie glow over the park, the tension in the air became palpable. Althea couldn't help but wonder what fate awaited the chosen bride, and whether she would be condemned to a life of subservience or something far worse.
The sound of hushed footsteps echoed, signaling the approach of the Lycan King. Fear rippled through the crowd, and people instinctively stepped back, creating a path for his arrival. He emerged with an aura of malevolence, flanked by a formidable Lycan companion whose eyes seemed to pierce through the very soul of those who dared to look.
Althea's heart sank as their gaze swept over the brides, and she felt a chill crawl up her spine. The weight of their power and the fear they instilled were suffocating.
In this moment of trepidation, Althea clutched onto the enchanted gown she wore, seeking comfort and courage in its mystical essence. While she knew it wouldn't grant her physical invincibility, she hoped it could provide her with the inner strength to endure this nightmarish event.
Her stomach twisted in knots at that, increasing her fear, knowing that not only would the dreaded King be here, but he would also bring along his ferocious beast.
There was tension and fear in the air as they waited.
They would be here anytime soon.
They could sense it in the air that they were coming.
Then they heard loud marching of warriors in amours from a distance away, as their boots hit the ground in unison.
Everyone went dead silent.
Finally, the warriors arrived at the Park, then they stopped.
Althea tightened her hands by her sides, holding the edge of her seat, her gaze planted to the ground.
She heard the neighing of a horse but nothing after that.
A horse? Didn't they say he would bring a lycan?
She raised her head slowly to see that it wasn't the King but a woman who was smoothly getting off the horse with the help of one of the warriors.
She dismounted with an effortless grace, her movements slow and deliberate as she stepped down from the saddle. As she straightened up, the moonlight caught the silky fabric of her red dress, causing it to shimmer like flames in the sunlight.
The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, the deep red color complimenting the warm tones of her skin. The neckline plunged daringly low, revealing just a hint of cleavage, and the slit up the side of the dress revealed a glimpse of toned leg as she walked.
As she strode across the grassy clearing, her hips swayed seductively, drawing the eyes of those around her. Her hair, a wild cascade of dark curls, framed her sultry features, accentuating her full lips and smoky eyes.
The woman exuded a confident sensuality, like a predator on the hunt. Those who watched her couldn't help but be drawn in by her allure, captivated by her every move. She was a force to be reckoned with, a woman who knew her power and wasn't afraid to use it to her advantage.
She emitted power, so much power that although Althea was sitting far from her, she felt consumed by it.
The woman's gaze landed on them and Althea stiffened as those eyes scanned them with concealed eyes.
The Village Head immediately ran towards her, along with his wife, bowing lightly.
She whispered something to them and they started talking.
Now that she was closer to her, Althea noticed that this woman was a tall one. She was taller than the village head by a few inches. Although she was wearing red heels, so she wasn't quite sure anymore.
Althea looked away from her, her eyes onto the warriors instead. She started searching through the guards for the lycan King, so that she would know whose attention she didn't want to draw.
Her grip on the edges of her seat tightened as she watched the mighty beast walked forward.
The myths were not wrong. He did have the power to duplicate his Lycan into its own form.
The lycan ran some distance in front of them, its feet hitting the ground, making it shake slightly. Dust rushed up into the air, as it came to a stop before closing them up by it's sides.
It growled lowly at that, Althea could almost feel the vibration.
This was the biggest beast she had ever seen in her entire life, it was even bigger than she had imagined it, adding to her fear.
The Lycan before her was like nothing she had ever seen before. His humanoid body was covered in fur, but it wasn't the usual grey or brown that she was used to. Instead, his fur was a deep shade of midnight blue, with hints of violet shimmering in the light. As he moved, the colors seemed to swirl and shift, almost like the surface of a dark ocean.
His eyes were a bright, piercing yellow, and his sharp claws and fangs glinted in the moonlight. He was a formidable presence, and even though he seemed to be on her side, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear in his presence.
That was when she noticed the man that stood beside the lycan.
The dreaded lycan King himself.
He patted the Lycan on it's body, having a cold gaze and lackadaisical expression on his face.
He was a tall muscular man with a scar that ran across his face. He looked scary and frightening that Althea could look no more.
He was also fully clad in a dark cloak that wrapped around him like a shroud of shadows, concealing his form. His attire was adorned with intricate patterns, woven with silvery threads that glimmered under the moon's pale light.
At his side, a sleek, slender dagger nestled in a sheath, its hilt adorned with ancient symbols that spoke of power and mystique. Though not as imposing as a huge sword, the dagger exuded an aura of lethal elegance, hinting at the agility and precision of its wielder.
As he moved, the cloak seemed to dance around him, enhancing the enigmatic air that surrounded the Lycan King. His appearance sent shivers down the spines of the villagers, who dared not cross his path or meet his gaze.
Althea couldn't help but feel a mix of dread and fascination as she observed the Lycan King's attire. His cloak seemed to embody the very essence of darkness and command, and she knew that beneath its folds lay the power to decide the fates of countless lives.
Althea gulped.
This was definitely happening.
At that moment, the woman who had arrived earlier before him, yelled.
"Your king has arrived!"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone