The Lycan Prince

al

ms to shimmer under the soft light, catching faint silvery gleams that resemble a starry night sky. The bodice hugs my tors

got back together, we're hosting a ball. This year's theme, Beneath the Stars, feels especia

rms and th

no make some last minute changes...."

ctively, heat pool

eel his presence before I see him. He leans against the door frame, his eyes burning into mine throu

d brackets my throat, lightly squeezing it, cutting off half of my air supply, reminding me of his control over me. Not that I needed any reminding

rmurs, his lips brushing the shell of

ts down my spine at what I know will happen next. "What

aises half an inch

lips together, trying not t

is voice dipping into a tone that makes

f my hips and pulls back, bending me at the waist. Then, he pulls my dress up a

and something darker. "My little minx." His fingers scissor m

r more. "What are you

pears, only to return a heartbeat later with a sharp crack against my a

rk away from him for a moment before pus

hment, hm?" His voice is light bu

I rasp, my voic

filling the room. The sharp sting blends into a dull, aching pleasu

tting through the haze. "Look at me using the

blown wide, and my dress is bunched at my waist. Nik towers behind me, his glowing

nd I moan, the sound raw and unrestrained. It turns m

skin humming with sensitivity. His palm rests agai

whisper, my voice tr

ssively. "For what, little liar? I t

n spilling from my lips. "I had them switch out y

een on a mission. I am trying to persuade him to experiment, to wear something that matched the themes of the events we attended. Every time, his answer had been an unmovable no. This time, I've taken

teeth grazing my shoulder. My breath hitches

his heated gaze. "Just try it. If you hate it, I'll take the rest of m

plation in his eyes. Yes! "Please," I sa

." Kn

s lips, unable to supress my grin. "You wil

" he says, his voice low and husky. Before I can respond, his lips capture mine, hot

kward cough bre

t, but if you don't start getting ready, you'll be late for the ball. You specifi

ault-or at least, mostly. A quickie before the gala had turned into anything but a quick sex sessio

e back to the present. "We'll finish this later," he

us late and let Tessa do her job." I nudge him lightly, breaking the spell of the moment. Nik groa

up and hair had been done earlier, so it's just the final touches-an extra sweep of blush, touching up my l

sh. The tux fits him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and strong frame. The subtle diamo

t, I forget how to breathe. He looks devastating. The corners of his

s voice a low rumble that s

ling my cheeks warm under his intense

t mine in a kiss that's soft yet electrifying. Pulling back slightly, his breath warms my ear as he murmurs, "No more spanks for t

o my cheeks. "Dang it. Should've swapped it for a h

g through me. "Fine," he counters, his voice dropping s

'll hold you to it," I say, satisfi

North Wing. The room is bathed in golden light from crystal chandeliers that hang like jewelled stars from the high ceiling, casting intricate p

ems to pause for a moment, all eyes on us

heir faces. Klaus, Tori, and Kol stand behind them, looking as though they were laughing a moment ago and are trying to

e curve of my lower back and the other hand gently cradling my hand. We begin to move, his steps slow and deliberate, guiding me across the floor with a sensu

t's been twenty years. Thank you for everything, Nik. None of this would ha

you who made all of this possible. You're everything Avaly

ith it, our dance.

especially with half the prophesy still unfulfilled. While the weight of leadership might t

realise how hard it is to keep from tripping over the big gowns you women wear?" He complains.

I'm sure he'll get there. "Yes, I can see how torturous it would be for young men to get to da

roguish smile of his. "Ma

d enjoying the evening. We end up separating as the evening unfolds. I'm

it because of our reservations. We didn't want them to be heartbroken in case they weren't each other's erasthai. I remember the co

truly are perfect for each other. And I tru

my way over to them. Along the way, I'm stopped by a few guests, but w

voice overly bright. "They're twinkling. Talking to

contained. "We're at a ball. If your mom finds out and gets upset, it'll b

ut

of dread tightening in my gut. Something isn't

etly. "The kids were just being

e of realization crashes over me and the ache in my chest growing into something fierce. He is using again. The anger

t is undeniable. "Klaus will be joining the military,

n from Klaus's face, the

down on me, but I stand firm, unyi

say something but

say, my voice icy and unre

en tension lingered. By the time we made it back to our

side my chest. Maybe I've

ense and it made me sympathise with him. It made me soft. Lenient. And look where that led us. It's

y softly, placing a hand on his arm. "Some paths are chosen, no

ir future," he says, his voice tinged with frustration and regret. "We've always believed that they don't need to be perfect-just strong enough

ords settling heavily on my shoulde

let fate take its course and lead them to their destiny, the way it happened with us. The way it is supposed to be. We also did not want to put that kind of pressure on them at s

ost see the war raging within him. "Do you thin

ruth will shift something inside him. Help him be

though my words have given him a sliver of hope to hold onto. "Okay." He

us but if this is where life has led us, I'm sure it's for a re

he says, his voice steady and sure. "And if

e tension of the night melts away. In that moment, I know that no matter

ting it in a warm glow. It looks like a good day but a sinkin

who have just entered the living room. Tori's face is pale, her

slows. "W

t," she sa

like it skips

Tori explains. "He asked to b

rper than I intended, th

didn't say. And asked to b

ady moving as the words leave my mout

oft but firm, stops me in my

the ache in my chest tigh

mself than anyone else. He hates himself for breaking his promise to you. He said he needs to prove-

guilt and worry swirli

adds gently. "We'll keep in touch w

ng him back, tell him that he doesn't need to go, or prove anything to anyone. Bu

his is just the beginning of a much lar