A Defiant Mate For The Lycan King

ZURI

The day was finally here. I stood in front of the full-length mirror, admiring the diamond stones around my neck, while trying to hide my trembling hands from the maids.

There was enough to be scared of. Even though I was seven when I lost my parents I could still remember seeing how difficult it was for them to rule Magnikka. And now, turning eighteen, I was to rule the kingdom with Froky, my betrothed.

"My lady, are you okay?"

I made eye contact with the maid through the mirror and smiled warmly.

"I am fine, just a little anxious."

"That is understandable, my lady. Before the day is over, you will be our queen. It's everything we have ever asked for."

But I was scared. The responsibility wasn't one someone like me could handle. As a wolf who took from her mother's magic essence, a lot of people saw me as weak. I could barely control myself in my wolf form, and it was really difficult for me to use my magic. I was just... useless.

"Lay the dress out, I'll be back soon," I said to the maids behind me, taking off the necklace and quietly slipping out of the room.

The hallway was eerily quiet as I walked toward Froky’s study, the soft padding of my shoes barely making a sound on the marble floor. My heart raced, though I couldn’t tell why. The elders of the kingdom and other elite members were already in the grand hall, waiting for our entrance and coronation, yet all I wanted to do was disappear.

I paused in front of the large wooden door, hesitating. Something about the tone of the voices inside made me pause. I raised my hand to knock but stopped mid-motion as my instincts urged me to listen instead. Carefully, I pressed my ear to the cold surface of the door, holding my breath as the conversation within grew clearer.

“...this kingdom has grown weak under their rule,” Froky’s deep voice growled. “They’ve had their time. It’s ours now. All I need is your loyalty, and the plan will go off without a hitch. I've waited so long for this.”

A guard’s voice responded firmly. “And if anyone suspects? If Zuri—”

“Leave her to me,” Froky snapped, cutting him off. “She’s useful for now, but if she becomes a problem, she’ll be dealt with like the others. Understand?”

I staggered back. My head spun. Froky? My Froky? I wanted to believe I had misheard, but his tone, his words... it was undeniable. He was planning to overthrow the kingdom. And worse, he saw me as disposable.

My chest tightened with a surge of emotions: disbelief, betrayal, anger, and an underlying current of fear. For a moment, I stood frozen in the hallway, trembling.

No. I had to think. I couldn’t stay here. If Froky or his guard discovered me eavesdropping, who knew what he would do? Turning on my heel, I hurried back to my chambers, my mind a chaotic storm of thoughts.

When I burst into the room, the maids were bustling about, tidying up as they usually did. They looked up at me in curiosity.

“Is everything alright, my lady?” one of them asked in concern.

I shook my head, trying to steady my breathing. “Leave me,” I snapped, harsher than I intended. Their gazes lingered for a moment before they bowed and left, closing the door softly behind them.

The room suddenly felt too small, too stifling. I began to pace the shiny flooring. Froky had always been ambitious, but this? An actual coup? It was madness. Did he truly believe he could pull it off?

The fear bubbling inside me threatened to consume me, but it was soon replaced by something sharp. Anger. How dare he? How dare he use me, lie to me, and discard me so easily?

I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself. No, I couldn’t let this consume me. I needed answers.

Before I realized what I was doing, I was already back in the hallway, my feet carrying me toward Froky’s study with a newfound determination. This time, I didn't hesitate.

Without pausing to knock, I shoved it open.

Froky sat behind his desk. His expression was calm and composed, though his blue eyes sparkled with something that could only be described as amusement. He leaned back in his chair as his lips curled into a sly smile. He was already dressed in the kingdom's uniform.

“Ah, Zuri,” he said smoothly, gesturing for the guard to leave. “I was wondering when you’d come.”

I ignored the cold dread creeping up my spine as the guard stepped past me and closed the door behind him.

“Don’t.” My voice trembled with fury. “Don’t act like nothing’s wrong. I know what you’re planning, Froky. I heard everything.”

Froky tilted his head. “Is that so?” he murmured.

“Yes, it is,” I spat. “I heard you plotting to overthrow the kingdom. I heard you say you’d deal with me if I became a problem. Is that what I am to you? A tool? A problem to be discarded?”

For a moment, his expression darkened, but it was gone so quickly that I almost thought I imagined it. He stood and took slow, measured steps toward me.

“And what do you plan to do with this information?” he asked in a voice that was nothing short of dangerous.

“I plan to stop you,” I said, though my voice wavered slightly. “I won’t let you go through with this.”

Froky chuckled. The sound sent a shiver down my spine. “Oh, Zuri.” He shook his head. “You’ve always been too clever for your own good. But I’m afraid you’ve miscalculated this time.”

Before I could react, he turned toward the door and screamed, “Guards!”

The sound was deafening. I flinched, taking a step back as the door burst open. Two guards stormed in.

Froky pointed at me. “This woman,” he said, his voice shaking with false anger, “She has betrayed me! I overheard her conspiring with the maids to poison me. Arrest her at once!”

“What?” I gasped. “That’s a lie! I never—”

“Silence!” Froky roared. “I trusted you, Zuri, and this is how you repay me?”

“He’s lying!” I shouted, stepping back as they advanced toward me. “I heard him planning to overthrow the kingdom. He’s trying to cover his tracks!”

Froky gasped. “Don't put lies on me! You have been caught red-handed. Arrest this woman at once."

The first guard, a bulky centurion, reached for me, and in fear, I released a spell, a weak flame whooshing around my palms.

"Don't touch me," I warned, grinding my teeth furiously against each other.