Damien’s Pov

Augustus was offering to help me find my mate. He made it seem like he already knew who my mate was.

How did he know about the curse?

I was seated in my throne room awaiting his arrival. I had sent for him to finalize the deal, one I was not sure if I was going to make with you.

He better not be late. I was tapping the armrest of the throne chair, starting to run out of patience.

The throne room door was knocked open as he walked in with two of my guards by his side. He must be feeling like a king now. I still can not trust him fully, and neither did my father. I usually heard him talk about how he was suspicious of Augustus.

“You are late.”

“My apologies, Your Highness.”, he bowed. Pathetic. If not for the fact that this has to do with the curse, I would have had him tortured. No one is ever late when I ask for them.

“You said you can find me a mate. How are you going to do it? It is not every girl that will agree to follow a Lycan King and accept him as her mate. How did you know about the curse?”

This happens a lot to us, Lycans who are mated to someone who is not a Lycan because we are feared. The same thing happened to my dad and mom. It took them nine months before they could mate. I do not think I can wait for nine months.

“Your Majesty, I assure you that I am sincere about what I said. I will get you your mate and she will accept you as her mate if you just get together for a few days.” His voice was low and calm. It did not sound like someone who was putting forth a deal that had to do with thousands of lives in his pack.

I noticed that he intentionally avoided that last question so I dropped out. I will soon find out, anyway.

“Think about it, your Majesty. With a mate by your side, you will be free from the curse and its consequences. In return, you will end the war with our little pack.”

I started weighing my options. I had been battling the curse for so long, and the opportunity of finally being free from its grasp was amazing.

As I looked into Augustus’s eyes, I saw hope, perhaps, or a hint of desperation. Whatever it was, it made me agree to his proposal.

“Fine,” I said finally. “I’ll do it. But if you’re trying to trick me, Augustus, you’ll regret it.”

Augustus smiled, a look of relief washing over his face. “I’m not trying to trick you, Your Majesty. I promise you that. This girl is your true mate, and she will be able to break the curse.”

She will not try to run away from you as she has nowhere to run to.”

What could that mean?

And with that, the deal was made. Augustus sent his guards to search for the girl in the forest, deceiving her into coming back home with promises of apologies and reconciliation. I got this from his conversation with his guards.

Why was he doing that? Who was this girl?

I decided to wait in the Shadow Valley Pack’s territory, awaiting the girl’s arrival. As I waited, I could feel my excitement growing. I was finally going to meet my true mate, the one who could break the curse and set me free.

I watched as a girl was brought into the Shadow Valley Pack’s territory, surrounded by Augustus’s guards. She looked beautiful and fierce, her eyes flashing with anger and uncertainty. It must be her.

“Guards,” I said, nodding to Augustus’s men. “I will take it from here. Now.”

That was when Augustus approached me.

“We have given you a mate, Your Majesty. It is time for you to keep to your end of the deal.”

“What’s her name?”

“Tricia.”

I left with the girl and my men.

As I stared at her, I could feel it. She was my mate. I got to know from Augustus that her name was Tricia. The one destined to break the curse that had plagued me for so long. I couldn’t believe that Augustus had known about my curse all along, but I wasn’t going to question it now. I had what I wanted.

Tricia, on the other hand, looked like she had been punched in the gut. She was shocked, angry, and scared all at once. I didn’t blame her. She had been deceived by her pack and sold to a stranger without her consent.

“I am Damian, the Lycan King. What about you?”

She saw when Augustus met her name. Tricia’s eyes flashed with anger, but I could see the fear lurking behind them. She knew she was at my mercy.

“Tricia.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of triumph wash over me. I had won. I had found my mate, and I would do whatever it took to keep her. Nevertheless, I had a soft spot for her.

As I dragged Tricia away from the Shadow Valley Pack’s territory, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. I had never felt this way before. I was looking forward to being with someone.

“Your pack does not seem to value you.”

“I am wolfless “, she said gazing at me.

Does she think that will make me let her go?

“I do not care about you being wolfless. You are mine.”

“We will see about that.” I heard her mutter.

But I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Tricia would resist me at first, but I would make her mine, body and soul.

As we walked, I could feel the curse lifting, slowly but surely. I knew it wouldn’t be gone completely until we mated, but I could feel its power weakening.

I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of hope that I hadn’t felt in years. Maybe, just maybe, I would finally be free from this curse.

I knew very well that I did not want to force her. I want her to also be willing.

As we journeyed deeper into my territory, I could feel Tricia’s eyes on me, burning with hatred and resentment. I didn’t care. I would win her over, eventually.

And when we finally arrived at my den, I pushed Tricia inside, following close behind her.

“What is this place?”

“Welcome to hell breeder,” I said in a low tone. “You’ll be staying here with me until we mate.”

Tricia’s eyes flashed with anger, but I just smiled. I had won, and I would do whatever it took to keep her.