Chapter 02
Jaxom flipped the page of the Lycan history book his parents had given him.
The dream still haunted him. It had been so real.
He’d never felt so alive and present in a dream before, like the Lycan was him.
The book now demanded his attention to know more about the Lycans because the dream was stirring something deep, like a memory borrowed from an ancestor.
He’d headed to the library because it was quiet and familiar, a needed piece of reality. He’d spent so many hours here growing up, it felt like a second home. Every time it encouraged study, like an old friend waiting to talk books. The peace sunk into his soul, steadying him from the dream.
The Lycans had been talked about in school and his mom had taught him about the Lycans, too.
Unfortunately, they’d become more like a blip in the history of wolves.
Tidbits of interesting, fun, but unnecessary history.
Ancient battles of creatures long gone didn’t affect daily life.
Current history informed how their own society functioned.
Lycans had become an interesting piece of history, nothing more.
Even though Lycan history was downplayed, there was still a running fascination with the Lycans.
They had been longer lived. A typical wolf lived up to one hundred years.
Lycans lived anywhere from four hundred to five hundred years, depending on how strong they were.
They were larger and faster than wolves, fierce fighters, and able to walk upright on their hind legs when need be.
The front paws were more like human hands.
That gave them the ability to fight with weapons.
They were truly formidable foes to the wolves.
Ruling Lycans always came in quartets of three males and a female.
They were called the Lycan King Triad and their MoonStone.
Every Lycan King had their own two Betas.
The betas were always in a trio of two males and one female.
Every Lycan Queen had her own Gammas. Many times it was one male with two females.
That way she would always be protected. Many Alpha Lycans were in trios of two males and a female.
There were always the exceptions, the oddballs, but that just kept everything interesting.
The last Lycan King had been Lorenz. Rumors said he rejected his first male mate and Luna.
He’d wanted to build his quartet as he saw fit, not how the Moon Goddess had gifted him.
In the end, a witch had given Lorenz a forced mate potion to choose the one woman he’d always wanted.
The magic in the potion backfired and killed not only Lorenz but the woman he’d deemed fit to be his Queen.
A woman who’d found her fated mate. Lorenz had denied her the Moon Goddess’ gift.
The click of the library door interrupted Jaxom’s concentration. Jaxom shifted in irritation. The history of Lycan King Lorenz was engrossing. He needed to understand how they Lycans disappeared. They’d been so strong.
Prince Renz was making his way towards Jaxom. He stifled a sigh as he got up to give the Prince a proper bow of greeting. If he ignored the nicety, the Prince would be offended. Everyone tried to avoid offense with him.
“Your wolf is impressive,” Prince Renz said as he gave Jaxom a little nod of acknowledgment,
Renz adjusted the blue tie of his impeccable dark brown suite.
His light brown hair was slicked back with way too much product.
Gold cuff links with small diamonds flashed in the light.
The move highlighted the rings on his fingers, too.
A power move to make others notice how he was dressed in nothing but the best.
“Thank you, Prince Renz,” Jaxom said as he moved to sit back down.
“No, wait,” Prince Renz said softly as he looked Jaxom up and down. “I’ve been thinking about you. You are impressive in human and wolf form. There is an air of authority about you that hardened warriors respond to. ”
“Thank you,” Jaxom said as Prince Renz walked around him.
A finger trailed along the back of his shoulders.
It took everything to not shudder in revulsion.
He didn’t know where this was going, but he didn’t like it.
Jaxom had heard some strange rumors about the Prince but had always chalked it up to jealousy.
Now, he was wondering if it was more reality than jealousy.
“I see you didn’t find your mate yesterday.” The little Prince sounded happy with that outcome.
“Unfortunately, no.” Jaxom tried to put distance between them with his voice.
He had to respect the crown but the Prince was making it hard.
He’d never been touched by anyone like this.
The guy was far too close for comfort. If he had too, he’d fight the Prince off and suffer the consequences.
Right now, he needed to see how far the Prince was willing to go.
That way, Jaxom could easily claim self defense.
To move against the Prince with only a feeling of disgust could get Jaxom in jail.
“You’ll make a very impressive mate,” Prince Renz came to stand in front of Jaxom, only a handbreadth away. “I want to give you an offer.”
Jaxom raised an eyebrow, “An offer?” The smell of his cologne was overwhelming. He needed to lay off the stuff.
“Yes, an offer,” Prince Renz ran his hands up Jaxom’s chest, brushed his nipples and finally cupped his cheek with one hand and the back of his head with his other.
“Agree to become my mate. You’ll have power, prestige.
I’ll mate and mark you and you’ll stand by my side at the apex of wolf society.
You’re handsome. Tall, black hair, blue eyes.
The ladies will swoon. The absolute picture of royalty. ”
Jaxom’s mouth dropped open in shock. Prince Renz took that as an opportunity to kiss him. Jaxom was fast enough to take a step back, breaking Prince Renz’ hold on him. He stared in shock as the guy moved with him. Hands planted firmly on his chest. Did he not recognize revulsion when he saw it?
“You don’t want to say 'no' to this. I’m a good lover. You’ll lack for nothing and one day we’ll have our Luna.”
“But, I’m the next Alpha here. I’m looking for my fated mate.”
Jaxom flinched as Prince Renz crowded him against the end of a bookshelf. Claws slowly formed at the tips of his finger on Jaxom’s chest. His shirt ripped as the claws dug into his skin. Jaxom did his best to keep from reacting. He didn’t want the Prince to think his intimidation was working.
“I’ll give you till the next Winter Solstice Festival to come to me. Make the right decision. Together, we’ll be unstoppable.”
The slimy little princeling stepped back, looked Jaxom up and down one more time and left the library.
Jaxom felt rage burn through his body. How dare that little fucker assume to threaten him, his future, and his pack?
He was actively denying Jaxom the right to find his own fated mate.
He was supposed to let that power hungry sleazeball mate and mark him? Prince Renz was their next Alpha King?
Jaxom? his dad called through the mind-link. What’s wrong?
Asher burst through the library door, followed by three other warriors.
Oh, I'm fine, yeah. Sorry, dad. Jaxom sucked in a few calming breaths. I’ll talk to you later. When are the royals leaving?
Right now. Cars are pulling up. What happened?
After they leave, dad. I’ll be out in a minute, Jaxom said and cut the link.
“You okay?” Asher said as he looked for a threat in the library. The three warriors had fanned out, too.
“No, but I will be. Sorry I broadcast that. Temper slipped the leash.” Jaxom stretched to get tension out of muscles ready to fight. He really wanted to sink his fist into the slimy Prince’s face.
“So, not life or death?” Asher gave him a quizzical look.
“Oh, in a manner of speaking, death. At least from my perspective. Let’s go say goodbye to the little princeling,” Jaxom spat out in disgust.
Alpha Steven and Luna Ellen were saying goodbye to the King and Queen. Prince Renz stood politely to one side. The challenge in his arrogant smile made Jaxom’s blood boil all over again. It was like the Prince wanted Jaxom to make a physical move on him and knew he couldn’t.
Apparently, he was broadcasting again because his dad was straightening up and looking at him. Jaxom tamped down his emotions. He’d work it out on the practice field. Now was not the time to start a war because the temptation to deck Prince Renz was real.
Jaxom went over to the King and Queen and shook their hands. “Thank you so much for coming to my birthday. It was a special treat being able to shift and run with you. And, thank you for that beautiful statue. It speaks to me. I’ll treasure it forever.”
“Thank you all for your hospitality. It’s always a pleasure to visit the Blood Moon Pack,” Alpha King Silas said.
“Yes, thank you. It’s been a relaxing trip and I can’t say that very often,” Luna Queen Leanne said.
Prince Renz wasn’t very handsome. The thought came unwelcome.
He was short and had pock marks from a bad case of acne.
If he’d ever actually trained as a warrior, he’d have had more muscle to show off.
As a leader, he should be the one showing what good leadership looked like.
He should be training with his officers and warriors.
Because of his other duties, he’d probably never be the best warrior.
That wasn’t the issue. The issue was that a true leader understood those underneath him or her.
That meant he had to spend time in the trenches with those people.
The little princeling played the good life too often, leaving the hard work for others to do.
He sat back and reaped the reward for their hard work. It was shameful.
Prince Renz captured Jaxom’s hand next. He covered it with his other hand in a weird kind of massage.
“It’s been a pleasure seeing you again, Jaxom.” He jerked Jaxom in close and whispered in his ear, “Don’t keep me waiting, mate.”
Jaxom pulled back with a jerk, “Safe travels to you all.”
The cars rolled down the long driveway and disappeared into the tress. Jaxom sagged. He couldn’t believe what had just happened. Did anyone know how corrupt the princeling was? Wolf kind would never survive his kingship.
“Jaxom?” His dad looked so concerned.
His mom, Asher and the three warriors were staring at him like he’d grown three heads. They deserved an explanation but just thinking about it felt like a violation. Recounting it out loud felt like the violation would be real.
“Not here. Inside.” He had to say it. He’d broadcast revulsion and anger. His dad was demanding an answer, even if he wasn’t saying it out loud.
In the Alpha office, Jaxom gave a precise rundown of the little princeling’s advance. The rips in his shirt were now convenient proof of the Prince’s hands on him. His dad could smell the Prince’s lingering scent.
Just to cover their bases, Alpha Steven had two Elders, and their Delta, question Jaxom.
The Quorum of 13 Elders acted as advisors to the crown and packs in need of advice.
Elder Kent and Heald were part of the Blood Moon Pack so engaging them was easy to do if they weren’t traveling.
Because it was the Jaxom’s birthday, a significant event in the pack, the elders had happily stayed home to enjoy the celebration.
That made giving an account of the incident easier and timely.
Deltas were three down in hierarchy from Alpha.
It ran Alpha, Beta, Gamma then Delta. Deltas were trained in interrogation.
Some even had the ability to make a wolf tell the truth whether that person wanted to or not.
Even the most hardened wolves couldn’t keep from bowing to Delta pressure.
Those Deltas could also tell if a wolf was telling the truth or lying.
It was a handy ability to have for an Alpha trying to get to the truth.
Elders always had a Delta with them when questioning a person of interest to make sure they got accurate information. Lies led to bad decision making.
This type of perversion couldn’t be ignored.
Prince Renz had threatened the very sacred traditions all wolves held dear.
The desire for a fated mate was fundamental to the sanity of a wolf.
Chosen mate-bonds did happen but were rare.
Forced mate-bonds tore a wolf apart gradually, day by day, until they were hollowed out and useless.
Coming to Renz under duress, under unnamed threats, was a forced mate-bond.
An official apology was sent from the crown three weeks later.
To Jaxom, the apology was a joke. Prince Renz admired Jaxom’s virility.
The massive black wolf was awe inspiring.
Prince Renz surely hadn’t meant to imply a forced mating.
A chosen mating between the two would have been a welcome development in their families.
It could only be hoped Jaxom would one day be flattered by such a magnificent offer.
He would always have a place in their family.
A week after the supposed apology, Jaxom received a private missive by private courier. ‘This is not over. Come to me. Your future mate, Prince Renz.’