The Lycan’s Curse
Chapter 9

Larissa

It's dark when the car stops outside the enormous building. It's definitely a palace. Mansion doesn't begin to cover the massiveness of this place. In five and a half weeks, Cassius will be king, ruler of this and he wants me to be the queen beside him. If only the Wellston Pack could see me now, perhaps they would regret how they treated me, let alone what Noah might feel if he were more than merely a lump of bones drooling in his bed, twitching in pain every moment of the day. There is no pity for him inside me, but I pray the stars will give his wolf a second chance, a new half that gets to live happily.

Cassius opens the door, offering me his arm and we slowly move into the space. Dozens of guests have been arriving daily to prepare for the coronation. The appearance of Kai and I here won't be as noticed compared to us arriving in the daytime unexpectedly. Once we're inside, Cassius lifts me into his arms and I can't help but wrap mine around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder. That strange warmth flows through me completely now. The second his lips touched mine it felt as though it exploded, and the kiss after that calmed any worries that I had about becoming his mate.

I want to be near him. No other man makes me feel like this, and with him, there are no fears of a mate demanding a child.

It's something I've worried on for years. I've seen a few births in my time with the pack, and it was far worse than just shifting.

Unlike others, my bones don't instantly realign. It takes long minutes for my shifts to return me to normal. Something so basic for our kind, and I can't do it as the rest might. A child needs a strong woman to bring them into this world and that isn't my body, even if it is my heart and soul.

"You and Kai will have quarters in my wing. Your rooms are on the floor below mine and they connect. If anyone asks, Kai is your adopted father. It will explain his close proximity and protectiveness compared to that of a guard. It is not entirely unheard of a shiften to adopt a child of another kind and as most have not smelled a dragon in their lifetime, they will not instantly recognize it. For the next few weeks, I would like you to remain in your rooms to continue regaining your strength. There is a large balcony so you can go outside to enjoy the air, but until you are entirely well, perhaps shifting should wait?"

I nod in agreement not wanting him to know how sad my wolf form is. I spotted his Lycan last night when he went for a quick run, and while the beast may not be able to feel and do everything a Lycan might, his build is incredible and strong.

While I love my wolf, would never say anything against her, she isn't the strongest or fastest and we both know it. We avoid others seeing us to avoid the stares, and I don't want Cassius to be another one that looks at us pitifully. I don't think we could take that. He settles me into a new bed, this one even larger and softer than the one at his place, and I smile as he presses a kiss to my forehead. It touches me just as deeply as the ones to my lips do.

"Get some rest. I'll send one of the maids in tomorrow morning to see that all of your things are unpacked, and she will be assigned to get you anything you need," he states, giving me a nod before he leaves.

Getting undressed takes a few moments longer than normal and I'm glad to sink into the comfy bed and sleep. The flight was exhausting somehow. Even simply sitting there had me exhausted and I won't begin to argue a bit more pampering. Especially from Cassius.

It's late morning when a soft brush to my cheek wakes me and I yawn, sitting up replaceing Kai there. "What time is it?"

"Nearly ten, you needed the rest. It has been a long journey and you are still not fully recovered from your illness," he states drawing my attention to the other person in the room explaining his words well. "This is Hanna, she will be assisting you while we're here." "Hello," I say, drawing a dark look from the girl surprising me.

"Breakfast is finished, lunch will be served in the dining room at noon," she states lifting her chin defiantly at me. "Your clothes are put away. Good day."

"Excuse me?" Kai says, a hissing growl expelling from him. "I believe you are mistaken. The Crown Prince has specifically stated that my daughter is to remain in bed to continue her recovery and that anything she wishes will be brought to her. Are you hungry, sweetheart?" he adds to me, his tone gentler, and my stomach growls to prove I am. "One hardboiled egg, whole grain toast, a side of bacon and fresh fruit, with honey for the toast.

"Did the delivery of my daughter's tonic arrive?" he questions the girl who gives him a nod, indicating behind him at the cabinetry.

"It is in the package, the ice box is behind the cabinet doors," she tells him with ease before moving to leave the room. She shoots me one final glare before disappearing and I let out a sigh, settling back into the pillows. "What did I do to her?" I grumble as Kai settles onto the edge of the bed.

"You have Prince Cassius' attention. I know she was instructed that he ordered you to be given whatever you want. I suspect she feels that you are a threat to her attempt to seduce the prince," Kai says making me giggle softly.

I slip out of the bed and to the bathroom, dressing in one of the new gowns that Cassius bought me, meant for lounging. They were easier to get on than tees and jeans, and I could at least manage them myself.

Kai led me back to the bed, giving me the drink, he'd prepared, and I downed it all feeling stronger once more when I finished it. It was far easier to drink, even knowing it contained Cassius' blood, now that I knew it wasn't something bad, that not everyone could do it or drink it. That he wanted to save my life made my heart beat a little faster.

Dominic arrived, pulling Kai aside and I sat back against the pillows smiling as I glanced around the space. It was truly beautiful, and Cassius said he was just up a floor above us. That he was sleeping potentially right above me sent warmth throughout me once

more.

"Here," the maid said, tossing the tray onto my lap, startling me from my thoughts. A small yelp falls from my lips as the food goes everywhere, sticky honey covering me and the blankets.

"Larissa?" Kai says hurrying back in, his face growing furious once more seeing the mess.

"Out," Dominic shouts at the maid still glaring at me. "To your supervisor's office now."

"Come on, you can't sit in that mess," Kai states, lifting me, moving me back to the bathroom and starts the tub. "Take a bath and we'll get the room cleared."

I nod smiling when he comes back with another similar dress, and I slip into the warm water enjoying the bubbles. A new maid moves into the room, her jaw tightening when she sees me, but she grabs the dirty dress and leaves without a word. Dominic's voice carries from the other side of the door, and I can't help but listen to what he says. "What is wrong? You were to help her out of the bath, make sure she gets dressed without exhausting herself, Amal."

"I can't," the woman states making me sigh. "The second I was close to her I just felt this desire to... hit her. I don't understand why. I know she's special to Prince Cassius but even more that's why I just can't, honey. I won't chance something happening that I can't control."

"Is it because you know I have been watching over her when I'm not here perhaps?" Dominic questions, a tenderness in his voice towards the woman and I realize she must be his new mate. "You know that you are the only woman I desire. And that I would never go against the prince to take the person that he intends to claim."

"I don't know, maybe, but it's so overwhelming. If that was even close to how Hanna felt I can understand the attitude. You know that I would resume my duties for you and because the prince asked in an instant, but please, don't force me," she says. Dominic's reply is too quiet to hear, but the sound of the other door shutting has me slipping out of the tub and into the new dress by myself.

Do I have a curse on me? Or is it an extension of Cassius' curse? He had reached the Wellston Pack before I found Kai and the others, he'd left there about the same time the last set of girls just suddenly jumped me. Is it possible that the curse is trying to keep me from becoming his mate?

I don't know why it would care though. Becoming his mate wouldn't break the curse. Or is it perhaps the opposite? Is it trying to force me back to Noah?

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Kai asks as I stop in the doorway seeing him turning down the new bedding.

The questions flowing through me spill out as he settles me back in again.

"I don't believe it could be attempts to force you back to Noah. The curse overreaching to harm you as well seems more apt. It was created to punish not only the king but his mate and their heir. Extending to also encompass the heir's mate and keep her from happiness wouldn't be completely crazy."

"Don't say anything to Cassius. Maybe it will stop when we're bonded," I suggest pulling a nod from him.

"One can hope," he states, moving back to deposit a new tray on my lap. "For now, I will relay messages between you and the maids, they don't seem to mind taking orders from me."

"Of course they don't when they get to stare into those dark blue eyes of yours," I joke, laughing at his horrified expression.

By the time early afternoon arrives, another maid has come and gone, also snapping, and snarling at me, and I'm convinced that something is trying to stop me from becoming Cassius' mate. Nothing else seems to fit.

It's nearly three when the door opens once more and I set the book aside, surprised to see the woman in the doorway. Cassius looks far too much like her for her not to be his mother.

I struggle to sit up further, my heart suddenly racing with worry. What if she reacts the same as the others have?

"I'd know from Cassius' description that you are his Larissa," she says moving further towards the bed, a smile on her lips that doesn't look fake or forced. She settles into the chair that Kai brought over to the bed and takes my hand, clucking her tongue. "I surmised that you were here when I heard one of our supervisors talking to Dominic about replaceing a new maid for the guest in his wing. He doesn't know I know or that I've come to see you, but there is nothing to be worried about dear. I fully approve of his choice to make you, his mate. You will keep him safe no matter if your strength isn't what you would hope."

"You do?" I ask a bit in shock. "You don't feel...strange around me?" I add making the woman smile.

"No, I don't. I know that you have had troubles in the past and what those two women did to you, but I assure you, I will not harm you one bit. Now, for formal introductions, you are Larissa Maddow, soon to be the new queen and my daughter-in-law. While I am Minette Rawlings. And now that that is complete, I'm joining you for tea. As I'm still Queen, I insist, but I won't overtire you."

Minette's warmth soothes all of my worries and I smile, holding it for a moment when another woman arrives with a tray. She sets it down, moving a small table next to the queen giving her a nod, before turning my way with one. There's no sneering or glaring at me and I'm a bit amazed as well. Perhaps not every woman will try to do off with me then?

"Larissa, this is one of my maids, my best," Minette adds in a half-whisper, but I can tell the woman hears it, "Caroline."

"A pleasure to meet you miss," Caroline states giving me a polite nod. "Is there anything else I can get you, Your Majesty?"

"Not exactly," Minette says glancing from her towards me then back again. "But perhaps you could do both myself and my son a favor. Larissa is a special guest of his and she is still recovering from a severely debilitating attack. She is not yet back to strength to come and go and will need to continue to rest until such time. My son has not been able to replace an appropriate maid to look after her, I feel some of the others are jealous when they learn of her close relationship to my son," Minette adds and Caroline nods. "I would be honored to look after the Crown Prince's beloved," Caroline states, putting color into my cheeks hearing her words. "I will of course refrain from mentioning anything about her closeness to the prince until he announces it himself."

"There, I think it's all settled then," Minette says, her smile brighter. "You are correct that Cassius is quite besotted with our Larissa. His father is to know not of her presence here as well. If he questions where you've been at any time prior to the coronation, tell him you are running errands for me at my bequest."

"Of course, Your Majesty," she agrees.

"Perfect, why don't you go give Cassius a message that I'm having tea with his guest and would like him to join us. If he perchance is with his father, which is highly unlikely," Minette adds to me with a wink, "then tell him to join me for tea in his wing as ours is too noisy. I will let him know that you will be attending to Larissa. Then please take a break, I expect tea to last a time. I will text you when we're ready for you to return."

"Thank you," Caroline says heading out and once more, I feel free.