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Three

ผู้เขียน: Ka3na Hastings
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-01-07 22:50:25

Back home, I stood at the top of the stairs, gazing at the scene below. My dad's voice boomed through the room, warm and eager to please. “Welcome! My king, my queen!” He gestured dramatically.

My stepmother clung to his arm, playing the perfect hostess. The Lycan king and his wife inspected our home with disgust as if we lived in the gutter. Despite my dad spending months decorating the house for this visit, they were unimpressed.

Shame and desire mingled hot in my throat the moment Justin stepped into the foyer. He was probably not even thinking about me. The thought made me feel pathetic as if I was grasping something that wasn’t there.

The Lycan royals moved slowly while my dad kept up his over-the-top act. “Can I get you something to drink?”

The king barely looked at him. “Champagne, of course.” His tone made it clear that anything else would be unacceptable.

Like magic, the butler appeared with a tray of sparkling glasses. The royals took them without so much as a thank-you. Watching them made my stomach hurt. Even though Justin was my mate, I couldn't stand his parents' arrogance.

My stepmother came up the stairs and begged me to get dressed, saying I needed to look presentable.

She thrust a short black dress into my hands, pairing it with a heavy set of coral beads. “This will catch their eyes,” she declared and motioned for me to add bright red lipstick to complete the look. Then she spun around and left.

I stayed frozen by the banister, wondering why I couldn’t find the courage to expose her for the manipulative person she was. Unfortunately, my dad had too much control over me. In my world, being unmarried and without my father’s support was a risk I couldn’t afford.

Reluctantly, I put on the dress and stood in front of the mirror. The short length made me feel exposed. I applied the red lipstick more to avoid another lecture from my dad than anything else.

Taking a deep breath, I started down the staircase. My movements were slow and awkward. The dress felt tighter every step, and I kept tugging at the hem. I paused at the last step, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

A foolish part of me hoped that maybe seeing me in this ridiculous dress would make Justin notice me. Forcing myself to move, I immediately felt his eyes sizing me up when I entered the room.

His gaze lingered, tracing every line of my outfit with deliberate slowness. It felt as though he was stripping me bare without ever lifting a finger.

My body reacted in ways I couldn’t control. I couldn’t shake the pull I felt toward him. He was my mate, even though he acted like it didn’t matter.

"We meet again," he muttered, that infuriating smirk stretching across his face.

“Ah, I see you’ve met my daughter,” my dad announced, his tone filled with the pride of a man parading his most prized possession. “She’s the light of my life, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. She’s brilliant, holds a master’s degree in law, and is planning to continue her studies soon.”

I kept my face neutral, though every word made me want to roll my eyes so hard they’d stick.

“And why isn't she married?” the queen asked, staring at me.

The question tightened my chest, and I glanced at Justin, wondering why he hadn’t said anything about our bond. He acted like it didn’t exist, and I couldn’t figure out why.

My dad puffed out his chest, flashing an overly proud smile. “Because the Moon Goddess is saving her for someone truly special, your Highness. A rare gem like my daughter cannot be handed to any ordinary male.”

Justin’s eyes settled on me. His lips curled into a faint smirk. His stare was deliberately slow, like he dared me to react, yet mocking me all the same.

We moved to the dining table, and I forced myself to walk with my head high, even though my insides felt like they were in knots. I hated the thought of looking desperate, of wanting attention from someone who didn’t seem to care.

“Who are you kidding?” My wolf’s voice taunted me. “You want him. You’ve been thinking about him since you first saw him.”

I ignored her and focused on the food before me, moving it around on my plate more than eating it. Brian and his mate, Shelby, joined us after a while. Justin didn’t sit with us. My stepmother spoke to him in her overly sweet tone.

“Join us, my Lord. The food is wonderful, trust me.”

“I don’t eat food that isn’t made in my own home,” he replied flatly.

My stepmother’s smile faltered, and I had to fight back a laugh from the horrified look on her face. I took my time with each bite of food. The conversation around me was pleasant enough, but I couldn’t focus on it.

As dessert was served, I noticed my dad's gaze on me. At first, I pretended I hadn’t seen the slight tilt of his head toward the living room where Justin had gone. But his signals became more obvious, and soon, even the others at the table began to notice.

Pushing my chair back, I stood and excused myself. “I need to use the restroom,” I mumbled, not addressing anyone.

Without waiting for a response, I walked out of the dining room and slipped behind my favorite pillar, a quiet corner where I could think without interruption.

My dad's scheming was ironic. If he knew that Justin and I were mates—he would likely throw the biggest party this pack had ever seen. He’d use the bond as leverage to secure whatever help the Lycans could provide to our failing pack. Justin must be ashamed of having a werewolf for a mate.

My thoughts wouldn’t settle. Maybe I should take this chance to speak to Justin. If he was trying to communicate indirectly, perhaps this was his way of acknowledging the bond without involving anyone else. Rejection would be painful, but at least it would be clear. Everyone would know I had a mate, even if he chose to walk away.

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  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Four

    Gathering every ounce of courage, I stepped away from my hiding spot and walked toward the living room. I wasn’t timid by nature, yet here I was, acting like a nervous schoolgirl. If I kept behaving this way, Justin would think he had power over me. He was my mate, and my bond with him was undeniable. But I needed to get a grip on myself, to appear calm, not pitiful. Memories of my past crept into my mind. The image of my ex-boyfriend Alan and my ex-best friend Genevieve flashed before me. They had been seeing each other behind my back, and I had been the last person to find out.They claimed they’d found out they were mates on Genevieve's eighteenth birthday. All our mutual friends knew before I did, making me look like a complete fool. When I finally discovered their betrayal three years later, during college, I saw them in bed with my own eyes.I hated the feeling of rejection so much. I needed to show Justin that I could handle myself.The scent of cedar and rain filled my lungs

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-07
  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Five

    Justin's POVTwo weeks laterBloodied and weak, I staggered out of the torture chamber. The metallic stench of blood clung to my skin. My vision blurred, but I blinked back the haze, determined not to collapse again. The physical pain was killing me, but none of it compared to the ache of seeing my mom cry. Her heartbreaking, silent tears cut deep.“Son, please, your physician must administer the last set of needles.”Each session in the chamber felt like another blow to her spirit, and that made my suffering all the harder to endure. I clenched my fists, feeling the sticky warmth of my blood coating my palms.“I can’t keep doing this. There has to be another way—something that doesn’t make me feel like I’m losing my mind.”She swallowed hard, trying to choke back her tears, but the pain in her eyes was undeniable. Every week, wolfsbane was pumped into my veins, designed to cripple my wolf. I was forced to inhale the milder version as a cigar in my human form.My body burned with an

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-01-07
  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Six

    MarissaLeaning against the cool bathroom wall, my fists clenched at my sides; I swallowed hard against the painful tightness in my throat. The weight of everything bore down on me, making it impossible to shake off the suffocating frustration.The silence in the space was comforting—no footsteps, no voices, no curious eyes watching me break. I turned to the mirror, hating the reflection and staring back.I looked exhausted. Lonely.Why did my life feel like a never-ending cycle of disappointment? Everyone around me had something to celebrate—love, ambition, recognition—while I felt like I was slowly withering away, stuck in a reality that never quite felt like my own.Bitter thoughts ate at me. Maybe people saw something in me that I couldn't. Perhaps I was repulsive. Maybe I was ugly. Maybe I wasn’t enough.But nothing hurt as much as Justin’s silence.I hadn’t wanted to be here. I came only because of the Queen’s new initiative, opening migration opportunities for werewolves to wor

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-04
  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Seven

    Marissa Knowing that my mate had a woman in his life caused an overwhelming sorrow in my heart. I almost collapsed in my seat and covered my face with both hands. Of what use was this bond that was causing me so much pain? It felt like my spine was curling forward, and I was at a loss for words.Why was the universe punishing me? Why did I keep imagining that seeing my mate after waiting for so long would be all bliss, where he would rush to hug me and ask where I had been all his life? I didn’t expect this cold silence and rejection.From how she glided into Justin’s office, it was clear she wasn’t the daughter of a pauper. She was effortlessly beautiful, wearing a statement dress and ridiculously high heels. One look at her, and it was obvious—this was a woman who had never struggled a day in her life.He chose her over me.A lump lodged itself in my throat as reality settled. Of course. This explained the absolute lack of acknowledgment. He wasn’t ignoring the bond because he was

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-07
  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Eight

    Marissa The cursor blinked on the screen, and I grew strongly aware of Justin standing behind me. His presence sent warmth flooding through my body, making my hair rise on my arms and the nape of my neck. I was trying so hard to focus, trying not to react, but his body inches from mine was a force that sent my nerves into overdrive.As much as I pretended to ignore him—just as he was doing to me—the bond wrapped around me, pulling me in, making me want to touch and explore. If I kept bottling up my emotions, I was going to go insane.A rush of heat ran down my legs, and I swallowed a gulp of air when his breath fanned against my neck, brushing the sensitive skin below my ear. My pulse pounded, and it felt like he was doing this deliberately, maybe waiting for me to crack and admit defeat so he could laugh in my face and reject me.My eyes fluttered shut for a split second. Get it together, Marissa.I couldn’t look at him or wonder why he was hovering so close. When I finally mustered

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-07
  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Nine

    Justin I leaned against my seat and took a drag of the cigarette between my fingers, inhaling deeply. The acrid taste of wolfsbane filled my lungs like numbing poison.The aftermath of the meeting still clung to my brain. My dad couldn't even bring himself to pretend—it was clear he didn't like me, all thanks to that bastard Sean's attempts to undermine me.The cigarette smoke curled around my face as I exhaled slowly, trying to quiet my thoughts.Despite how hard I worked to prove to my father that I wasn't a failure, it wasn’t working. My cousin wanted my throne. That smug fool.Meetings and public events always ended like this. He found a way to undermine me and act like he was the more competent one, like I was some trophy prince keeping the throne warm until someone more suitable—meaning him, of course—could take over.The fucking nerve.I could still hear his mocking voice from today's meeting, casually implying I was overburdened, that maybe it was too much for me to handle a

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-09
  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Ten

    JustinIt was clear that the Moon Goddess never created my mate. I wasn’t meant to have one. Maybe my curse had erased the very existence of the one person who could have freed me. And now my twin was feeling something for my assistant.The irony stung.I rubbed my temples. At least I hadn’t crossed the line with Marissa. That would have been a disaster. My sister would never forgive me for touching her.Justine sat opposite me, propping her boot-clad feet onto the table like she owned the place, lifted a cigarette from the ashtray, twirled it between her fingers, then wrinkled her nose in distaste before flicking it back into the tray."So, tell me. Why have you been avoiding Wendy?"I groaned, tilting my head back against the chair. "What does she want from me? Haven't I already agreed to marry her?"Justine laughed dramatically. "You sound like you're being sold into slavery.""Aren't I?" I shot her a dry look. "Tell your best friend to leave me the fuck alone.""You do realize you

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-09
  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Eleven

    Marissa Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I went over my notes in front of me. My laptop screen flickered with the last article I had found—one detailing the importance of scent projection in mate bonds.I adjusted the strap of my tank top and rolled my shoulders, focusing on what I had learned. For us werewolves to attract mates, the pheromones had to be turned on and enhanced, increasing our body's natural output so that our mates would never ignore our presence.If this didn’t work, If he didn’t react to my scent, there had to be a reason—either I was doing something wrong, something was blocking the bond, or maybe fate had doomed me. I had to exhaust every last option and do everything in my power before I even entertained the idea of confiding in someone else. Because if I did, I would be exposing myself and making myself vulnerable to a reality I wasn’t prepared to face.I was about to shut the laptop when I decided to check the pack’s social media. There was an endless stream of

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-09

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  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Forty-Two

    Marissa "You're coming with me to the summit next week," Justin said, taking off his jacket, and I frowned."What summit?" I asked, confused."The Azuran Assembly. Surely, you must have heard about it. It's a big deal among Lycan provinces all over the world.""And why would I be the one to follow you?""Because you are my assistant. You assist." His tone was dry, but the smirk on his lips gave away his amusement."Do I have a choice?" I said, acting mock annoyed."You don't. Get a few nice dresses. You need to look good."My mouth gaped open. "Are you saying I don’t look good now?"A laugh sprang free from his lips, and suddenly, I wanted to claim every male inch of him. Desire raced through my veins at the thought."You rock whatever you wear," he said, then gave me a once-over, his hazel gaze lingering over my body, shamelessly checking me out. "This is a big summit, though, and I want you to look more put together. You know what I mean.""I don’t," I grumbled, even though my stom

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Forty-One

    Justin My patience was running thin as I waited for Justine to return from the club. By the time I got home last night, the housekeeper said she had gone out earlier. I sat, waiting for her at almost 10:30 AM. I glanced at the gift box on the table beside me. She wasn’t the type to be impressed by flashy gifts, but I knew her well enough to pick things she couldn’t resist. Inside was a pair of designer sunglasses, which she was a sucker for, an expensive headset, and a handwritten apology note. I wasn’t sure if she’d appreciate the last one, but I had written it anyway.It was rare for me to admit I was wrong, even rarer for me to put it on paper, but she was different—my twin, one of the few people who had always loved me unconditionally. And now, because of my own damn actions, I had hurt her.I hadn’t meant for things to turn out this way. If someone asked me to define what I felt for Marissa, I wouldn’t even know where to start. I was distrustful. I was emotionally repressed a

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Forty

    MarissaDinner at the lodge was as unappetizing as ever. A miserable mess of overcooked veggies and rice clumped together sat in front of me, untouched. At least the meat had some flavor. I poked at it with my fork, knowing I had to eat something. If I didn't, I'd wake up hungry in the middle of the night, and I wasn't about to suffer another restless night over lousy food. It was almost impossible to distract myself from anything besides Justin and his sister’s argument. It had been eating at me all day. After the fight, Justin buried himself in work, and we had no time to speak. I hoped this wouldn’t spiral into something bigger.Pushing my plate aside, I reached for my phone, ready to call my brother, when I heard excited voices. Hector burst into the dining hall, grinning like he had the best gossip of the century. He belted towards me, "Guess who just joined us, Rissa!"I rolled my eyes, sipping at my water. "I don’t care if an angel fell from heaven. I’m not in the mood."You’

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Thirty-Nine

    MarissaSilence descended upon us like an explosion. My leaden tongue couldn't produce words. This was about to get dirty, and it had been my greatest fear.Justin's lips pressed together in a grimace, and his smile wavered. His sister's mouth opened, but nothing came out, and her eyes were wide and staring.Several years ago, I had been in her shoes, barging into the dormitory to find Alan and Genevieve in the act. Except now, this case was more complicated. At least Alan and Genevieve knew they were mates but were hiding it from me. Justin had not acknowledged the bond, and I felt nothing for his sister. Still, the guilt cut sharp at me.Her eyes darted between me and Justin, and I could see the pieces clicking together in her head. She increased her distance, looking like she wanted to attack and run away at the same time."I want to believe that what I saw is not what I think it is," she said, her voice shaking with restrained fury.

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Thirty-eight

    Justin The cancer of hate grew, and my blood demanded revenge. My wrath toward Sean would be his undoing. He was doing too much, and it was burning my soul.Sean had shown countless times that he was never on my side. So when I became king, with the sole power to banish and throw people out of my kingdom, he would be the first to be sent away.I was still stewing in my anger and thirst for vengeance when I heard Marissa’s voice, and Sean’s very irritating laughter. And because my protective instinct toward Marissa was growing in a very uncomfortably possessive way that I couldn’t stop, I rushed out.As I stepped into the hallway, I stopped. She was handling it well. I watched her effortlessly tear Sean apart with nothing but sharp wit. She was defending me and humbling him. Sean tried to be dominant, perhaps thinking he could use his male ego to bring her down, but his confidence was cracking with every remark she threw at him. It was so easy for her.Something warm settled in my che

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Thirty-Seven

    Marissa The office was bustling because Justin was trying to meet a deadline.Knowing he was battling with things yet still trying to make up for it by being efficient made me sensitive to his circumstances. But whenever he was in work mode, it was always useless to help him, as one could even annoy him after his refusal.He hadn't spoken much except for the occasional request delivered in a business-like tone. I didn't mind the quiet. In fact, I welcomed it. The less I had to engage with him, the easier it was to pretend that nothing could go wrong between us.And, of course, I couldn't keep throwing myself at him like some desperate, sex-starved fool, so I focused on the mountain of letters I had been assigned to sort through for him. Most were appeals, requests, receipts—nothing exciting until my fingers paused on an envelope that stood out.It bore the seal of my pack. The red and white colors had alerted me, and it was directed to Justin.From my dad.An unsettled feeling rested

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Thirty-Six

    Marissa There was no claiming bite. No mark. No declaration of the bond sealed. Just heat and desire and an absence where his teeth should have grazed my skin.I wanted to say it, but something beyond me was holding me back. So I swallowed the truth and forced myself to untangle from him before I could do something reckless—like beg him to bite my neck.“So, are you going to tell me what’s been bothering you, or do I have to start listing possibilities? Because I have a few theories, and I’m very creative.”He chuckled and zipped his pants. “That’s a dangerous offer, sweetheart. I’d have to hear the ridiculous things running through your mind.”Sweetheart. He called me sweetheart!I blinked that thought away.“Did Wendy finally leave you heartbroken? Or maybe your cousin has been whispering nonsense again, trying to convince people that he’s more suited for the throne?”He paused for a bit before smirking. “You say that like you’re joking, but you’re not wrong.”I sobered and held h

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Thirty-Five

    Marissa Sitting at my desk with my fingers poised over my tablet, my focus was on Justin's door. He had walked in not long ago, but there was something off about him, and by the time I snuck a peek at him, he wasn’t typing, making calls, or reviewing reports. He was just staring blankly at the screen. I had spent too much time watching this man and knew when something was wrong.And now that I knew the truth—that he couldn't bond the way I did—everything made more sense. I wasn’t overthinking anymore or doubting myself, and most importantly, I wasn’t confused about where I stood. I had the power here.I let him sit with his thoughts a little longer, giving him space. Then, when I was certain he wasn’t about to snap at me, I stood and made my way into his office without announcing myself. Instead, I moved past him toward the machine behind his chair, pretending to be grabbing a file or adjusting something. Then I moved in.My arm slipped around his shoulders, pressing against his back

  • Fated To The Cursed Lycan King   Thirty-Four

    Justin"Mom, take that off my face," I warned, staring at her with restrained anger.Across from me, she stood like a military general, holding the enemy—a glass of water and a container filled with oversized, chalky pills that tasted like ground-up despair."I feel fine. You're overthinking this," I said, deadpan, leaning back against my headboard."Come on, honey. Just because you haven't had an episode recently doesn't mean we should get too comfortable."I sighed, exasperated. "Didn't you say some days ago that this was a sign I was healing? Things were looking better? So what's with the backtracking? Shouldn’t we be celebrating progress?""I'm being careful," she said. "We need to be careful."Her voice softened at the last part, and I knew she was worried. But still, the damn pills were massive."Fine. I'll break them to make swallowing easier," she offered, but I already knew she wasn’t budging.Then her voice took on that no-nonsense edge. "No matter how old you are, I’m still

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