The Lycans were busy preparing for their return to the world. They had honed their skills and perfected their crafts while in seclusion, their senses were heightened and their reflexes sharp. An announcement had been made that the goddess had decreed it was time for them to emerge, and the Lycans were eager to soon open up to the world.

The people, especially the young ones, were excited. Their eyes shone with anticipation as they remembered maps and books about the world. They had learned about the world's geography and seen videos and pictures of other races in the academy, but they knew that nothing could compare to experiencing the world firsthand. They longed to explore the cities, to feel the rush of the wind in their fur, and to discover the secrets of the world.

Orion's eyes scanned the dimly lit confines of his office at the palace, the soft glow of the candles casting shadows on the walls as he diligently sorted through the pile of paperwork. The scent of old parchment and leather bindings filled the air. Quills scratching on paper echoed softly.

Suddenly, a knock reverberated against the heavy wooden door, breaking the silence. "Come in," Orion commanded. His voice echoed with authority. His brow furrowed slightly as he looked up from the documents.

The door creaked open, revealing Ryder Orion's loyal beta and second-in-command, standing tall with a hint of a smile. Damon, his gamma and third-in-command, wore a look of quiet confidence. Orion's sister, Aurora, walked to the sofa in the office and sat down. Her long hair cascaded down her back like a river of gold.

Ryder and Damon stood in front of the desk. Their eyes were fixed on Orion, awaiting his instructions. "How did they take the announcement of our opening?" Orion asked. His voice was laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. His eyes narrowed slightly as he awaited their response.

“They were overjoyed since the message was from aurora, the seer of this generation" Ryder replied. His voice was filled with enthusiasm. "The people are buzzing with excitement, and everyone is eager to explore the world beyond our borders."

Orion nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Good. Make sure everything is in order and there are no problems with the preparations. I want our transition to be smooth and seamless."

With the instructions given, Ryder and Damon nodded in unison and turned to leave. "We'll get everything sorted out, Your Highness," Ryder said before they walked out of the office, leaving Orion alone with his sister, Aurora.

The door closed softly behind them. Orion leaned back in his chair. His eyes turned to Aurora. She sat calmly. Her gaze was piercing. Her eyes seemed to bore into his very soul.

Orion's expression turned guarded. His voice was low and measured. "What do you want, Aurora?"

She stood up from the plush sofa and walked to Orion's desk, studying his expression. His eyes seemed guarded. The soft glow of the candles cast a warm light on his features. She knew him too well to be put off.

"What's with that look? What do you mean by 'what do I want'? Can't I just come to spend time and accompany you, brother?" She nudged him playfully with her elbow.

Orion's gaze softened. He leaned back in his chair. The leather creaked softly. A hint of a smile on his lips. "Because I know you don't come to me without a reason, Aurora. So, spill it out." His voice was low. She detected a hint of curiosity.

She giggled. A warmth filled her chest at the familiar banter. "Okay, fine. I'm hurt you didn't think I just wanted to hang out. But I actually came to ask how you feel about the prophecy and, most importantly, your mate, the one destined to be our queen. Only together, you two would be the key to prevailing and having hope to win this war."

Her words hung in the air. She waited for his response. Orion's expression darkened. Annoyance brimmed in his voice. "Well, I don't particularly think about the mating thing. I'm not interested in a mate, let alone being tied to someone for the sake of the prophecy and how sure are you that I am the king the prophecy is talking about. I don’t wish to spend my time searching for a mate, I don't desire"

She leaned forward. Her eyes locked on Orion's. The flickering candles cast shadows on the walls."Am sure, okay trust me Orion, I will never lie to you, You are the destined king.”

“ And you must be joking, when you said you don't want a mate right? It's not about you, Orion. You have to find her, your mate and our Destined queen. You don't have a choice," she said. Her voice was laced with urgency. "We need her for the survival of our race during this impending war. You know it clearly. You must find her."

Orion's jaw clenched. His eyes flashed with resistance. She could see the tension in his shoulders the way his hands gripped the armrests of his chair.

"You know without your mate, our chance of winning the war is slim. Our race might end," she continued. Her words tumbled out in a rush. "Think outside your own desires, Orion. Consider the Empire. We need our queen as a nurturing figure during these tumultuous times."

Desperation crept into her tone. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

Orion's expression remained stubborn. His eyes narrowed as he listened to Aurora's words. His jaw clenched in frustration. He had always known that finding his mate was a possibility, but he had never thought it would be a necessity. The weight of the prophecy and the war bore down on him, making him feel trapped.

"I don't care about finding my mate," he said. His voice was low and rough. "Let's focus on the war and the opening." But as he looked at Aurora, he saw the concern in her eyes. He knew he couldn't ignore the issue forever.

“Okay, Let's wait until after the opening before I consider searching for her. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure our race's survival even without a mate." His voice was low. He detected a hint of frustration and determination.

Aurora took a deep breath, trying to keep her frustration in check. "Okay But I've already told our parents, knowing full well you wouldn't want your mate. And they're coming back from their vacation. I told them. And they weren't happy about it”

Aurora walked out of the Orion office. “Orion I know you don't like to be controlled or someone manipulating your choice. Even if it means a mate selected by the goddess, but you don't have a choice and I mean it I will make sure you find and accept your mate that my promise for the betterment of this empire”