Found by the Lycan King by Natalie Winter

Chapter 85

Zenovia

The thought of finding my wolf was already making me nervous so if she saw me struggle with shifting or saw that I did not even awaken my wolf, then I would not even bother going to the meeting.

I would simply hide in my room. If Callahan got angry or wanted to punish me for defying his orders, I was okay with that instead of parading myself in front of all the alphas and never awakening my wolf.

I would have no face to show. It would be humiliating.

Multiple such thoughts churned through my head and I waited anxiously for Drusilla to speak.

“I would only hope that you awaken your wolf soon.”

I wanted that too but she was clearly not telling me everything.

"Drusilla, please,” I begged and she let out a sigh.

“The Lycan King... what do you think of him?” She asked me and I was surprised by the sudden change of topic.

"Why are you suddenly asking that?”

"Answer me please”

I shrugged, “I find him to be obnoxious and a little rude but he helped me train so I will not declare him as the worst person ever.”

She chuckled at that. “And?”

"And?" I repeated.

“That's it?" she asked and I tried to hide the way my heart raced as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.

“And nothing else” I answered.

She kept looking at me intently for a while and narrowed her eyes but I did not break eye contact. After a while, she replied, “Well, just know that you were brought here for a special purpose. You do know of the curse on the Lycan King, right?”

I nodded. Everybody did.

“Well, let us just say that my visions tell me you could free him of his curse.”

"Me?" I gave her a shocked look.

"Yes, you. And I know we have not told you everything but Callahan is of the opinion that you should awaken your wolf first and grow strong before you are given additional responsibility.” "What responsibility?”

“I can't tell you that. It is not my secret to share. But Callahan will tell you when he deems it fit. IF you don’t run away again. that is”

She added in a teasing tone but her words made me think about everything that had occurred so far.

The way others would stare at me when I was not looking, whisper something secretively but when I showed up, they would suddenly go quiet.

“You are definitely sure I am not being used as a sacrificial lamb, right?”

I asked, hoping that they were not using me in some ghastly way to please some unknown deity who sought blood sacrifice

That could be a reason why they fed me and kept me well...as if I was a pig raised for slaughter. But Drusilla shook her head, “I may hide things from you but I don't lie. I told you Callahan does not believe in Gods or Goddesses. He would only need your help in breaking the curse. You are NOT going to be sacrificed in any way.”

She said giving me a reassuring look. “I mean if he has to... why not sacrifice the rogues? Hit two birds with a single stone, you know.”

Her dark joke did not make me feel any more comfortable.

She saw the hesitation on my face and muttered, “Ok, just know this- your and Callahan's fates are intertwined. You are going to need each other.”

“Thats... reassuring” I said but then she held my hand, making me look up at her curiously.

“Just don't fall for him.” she abruptly added and I could only blurt out, “Why?”

Stupid of me.

I should have blurted out “What?” not “Why?”

My question indicated that I did want to fall for him. Drusilla made a grim face, all the smile wiped away from her face.

“Because it won't be good for either of you. Trust me on that.”

I tried to shrug it off. “If looks alone made me fall for someone, I would be worried. Glad that is not the case.”

“The curse. Think about it, Zenovia. If we don't manage to break the curse, he will forever stay trapped in his lycan form. Would you want someone like that to be your forever after?”

When I didn't reply, she added,

“I mean you would want a mate. A loving caring one. And you yourself said Cal is a snob”

But I could not understand why she was saying all this.

Drusilla did not ignore my words like before but this was the first time she said something bad about Callahan. Well, it was not necessarily bad but she always painted him a good light.

Though what she said was a bitter fact. There was no known solution to the curse and whatever they planned to do would just be trial and error.

However, the way her face fell made me want to ask something.

"Did you ever... I mean you and Callahan...” I trailed off but she seemed offended.

"What? Good God, no. I love him like a brother. So I am not some jealous friend who wants you out of the way. I just...well...just go and get your wolf...then we can talk.”

Surely, she saw the way Callahan treated me in front of everyone. He did not treat me like I was the center of his world to make me fall for him.

My feelings for him were only because of a stupid crush. It was something that would fade away over time if he continued to be the same cold and aloof person.

I told that to myself repeatedly.

And despite all the confusion she created in my head, at least, she was the first one to give me some answer instead of bluntly ignoring my questions.

Maybe, her vision told her that I got killed by Callahan when he lost control of his lycan so she was trying to warn me.

But then did she not believe in whatever solution she came up with? That somehow I was going to prevent exactly that?

Just a few minutes ago, I had been excited to dress up, and look like a princess for once, meet my wolf, and finally not be labelled with a wolfless tag. But now all of that earlier excitement had vanished as my head was churning with various thoughts.

At least, she and I agreed on one thing-falling for Callahan was a bad idea.

And I owed him for taking me in when my own family abandoned me and threw me to the streets. Without him, I wouldn't be alive.

If I could awaken my wolf and help him get rid of the curse, I surely would. I could at least try when he helped me so much. I was not an ungrateful bastard as Luna Celeste would often call me. “Don’t worry. My focus is only on awakening my wolf and then taking revenge on those who wronged me.”

I said, my fists clenching at the thought of home and before she could answer the doors were thrown open. “Goodness girls, what is taking you so long?”

Maria opened the door, her hands on her hips as she was glaring at me. But the glare soon turned into a look of pure shock.

"Who are you?”

She said with a raised eyebrow and it took me a moment to realise she was complimenting my makeover. Drusilla patted herself on the shoulder.

“Told you, I am the best”

I smiled at Drusilla and reaffirmed, “You are the best”

Maria blinked her eyes as I gathered the folds of the gown so as to not step accidentally on it. And the dress looked surreal.

It really felt like the night sky was painted across the fabric, shades of light blue to dark with a dusting of white that resembled the stars.

It caught light when I moved and I could not wait to see my reflection. However, Maria simply dragged me away from the mirror and muttered,

"You are already late. The King has asked me to get you in the meeting hall right away.”

“But, let me at least-"

I needed to distract myself with something to calm my nerves, breathe in for a second and then be thrown at the wolves.

Maria shook her head, “No can do. I don't want to get scolded.”

Saying so, she went behind me and began pushing me out of the door, “Come on, move girl” "Hey, you are creasing the dress.”

Drusilla shouted as she got up from the bed with a frown.

Hearing the two I simply let out a sigh, “Okay fine. I am coming”

I gave up arguing since I did not want to step on the folds of the dress and tumble down the stairs. My heart racing, I slowly made way towards the meeting hall and reached the door.

"Good luck” Maria whispered and left me all alone by the door.