Chapter 62
“Can I just be healed already!” Lucie growled and crossed her arms over her chest. It had been several days since she was rescued.
Several days of still not being able to heal or be healed.
And her family was keeping her still. From the bed to the couch.
At least now she was moved back to the main floor.
But it was ridiculous. They even had her in a wheelchair now.
Between Derrick, Abe, and her family, she was being smothered.
Abe had been sent to give the king and queen an update, and they were waiting for him to return.
Jasper and Brian had gone back to witch hunting.
They’d formed a partnership and started a friendly competition.
The first one to capture the witch wins, and the loser shaves their head.
Either way, it was a win-win situation for Lucie.
“Just enjoy the pampering, my love.” Derrick chuckled as he set a drink beside her. He leaned his head down and gently pecked the top of her head, taking a moment to let his nose linger in her hair while he took in hits of her scent.
“I don’t want to be pampered. I want up!” Lucie snorted with a pout.
“Even once you’re healed, I’m putting you in bubble wrap.” Justice beamed at her while she shot him an irritated look.
“I feel just as confined as Lucie. I’m stuck holed up here while Brian and Jasper get to stretch their muscles.
” Aedan growled. “Though it is nice to be with everyone. Mom and Dad are enjoying spending time with everyone as well, even though Grandma and Grandpa had to leave today. Brody and Chasen are getting to spend some rare time together, too. I guess that is a positive. Even you and me, Lucie. Our time together will be coming to an end soon, too.”
“It isn’t coming to an end, Aedan. Sure, we might not live together, but we’re only a portal away.” Lucie gave him a small smile.
She felt the familiar burn, as if she was about to shift. This must be a good sign. Her magic must be coming back. She glanced at Aedan, who also had a peculiar look on his face.
And just like that, they both shifted into their lycans forcefully.
“What is going on?!” Derrick asked in shock.
Lucie and Aedan looked at each other. Lucie felt her body completely heal, but this wasn’t just about what was happening to her. Something had also forced Aedan to shift.
“Great … something weird is happening again!” Mikah stood up, sprinting out of the room, shouting, “I’ll get Hunter!”
Lucie tried to shift back but couldn’t. Even weirder … she couldn’t communicate with anyone.
Aedan?
I hear you, Lucie.
Okay, she could communicate with Aedan. But why couldn’t she communicate with Derrick? He was her soulmate. What was severing that connection?
Nervous family members flooded into the room.
“What’s going on?” Hunter asked. Lucie! Aedan! But they didn’t answer him. Their heads looked his way, but he couldn’t hear their voices.
Derrick walked up and touched Lucie. “I can’t hear her thoughts, but I can sense her emotions. She’s confused, too.” He ran his fingers through her fur and squatted down in front of her. “It’s just one adventure after another for us, huh?”
Lucie licked his face and gently pushed her muzzle under his neck. He wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her to him.
Levi’s eyes darkened as he felt the aura in the room.
There was a small trace of Lycaon’s energy.
Lycaon was the lycan deity, once upon a time.
But when the lycans vanished, he did as well.
Whatever was happening here was because of him.
He was certain of it. But he didn’t want to cause any alarm right now.
After the mess with Erebus, he was sure the last thing this family wanted to hear was that another deity was involved.
Lycaon wouldn’t do anything to hurt his precious lycans, though. This must be a test of sorts.
So I guess we’re stuck like this for now? Aedan glanced at Lucie, who returned his gaze.
Do you wish to shift freely again? You must find the one frozen in time but still alive. Release her from her cruel fate, because only she can be your mate. The bass voice sounded in their heads. Then it was silent again.
Aedan. Lucie. A familiar voice entered their minds next. They both turned their heads toward their uncle Levi.
Levi sighed in relief. At least he could communicate with them. He was a deity, and certain perks came with that. Good. You can hear me.
Yes. We just can’t shift back. A voice said if we want to be able to shift, we need to find the one frozen in time and release her from her fate. I think she’s meant to be Aedan’s mate. Lucie listened as Aedan growled lowly.
This is the work of Lycaon. The lycan deity. I don’t understand the point of making you shift and stay in your wolf forms. My guess is that it’s a challenge for the two of you. And he didn’t expect me, someone who can actually still override his nonsense.
This is none of your business, Leviathan! the same voice commanded.
It is my business. These two are my niece and nephew. Care to try again? Levi chuckled darkly.
But they’re mine, like the dragons are yours. The future king must claim his queen. Until then, they will be stuck in this form.
Why drag my sister into this if it’s my task? Aedan growled angrily, baring his teeth slightly. The family members quietly observed the very frustrating situation.
There is something that only she can do.
Where do we need to go? What can I do? Lucie asked the voice in her head.
This is where I’ll find out if you’re worthy or not. This is your task, and your quest to solve. So, Leviathan … I enact the code upon you. You will stay out of this from here on out.
Levi snarled and scowled angrily. Just as the dragons were his to command, the lycans belonged to Lycaon.
As such, he couldn’t interfere or help Lucie and Aedan now.
The code was what the deities came up with to keep things fair.
Only one was able to interfere with the code, and that was Selene.
She had special privileges that other deities didn’t have.
I won’t let anything happen to them. Damn the code. If they end up in danger … Levi’s eyes darkened as his heavy aura filled the room. There is a witch out there right now looking for these two. You’re putting them in danger.
A loud scoff was heard in their heads. They aren’t in danger of the witch you speak of. Not my children.
But the potion is separating their wolves—Levi was interrupted by the voice laughing loudly in their heads.
They are lycans, not werewolves. They were created as lycans. That means their true form is a wolf, not a human. Don’t compare them with a creature so much weaker. Their wolves can’t be killed separately from them.
And how exactly are we lycans? Aedan asked.
This was an arrangement between the Moon Goddess and myself.
You are interfering with a soulmate bond, Levi growled.
No, I’m not. They’re still connected. The mindlink and thoughts are blocked off. Can’t have the vampire aiding them on their challenge. This is meant for the two of them and the two of them alone, and I suggest if they ever want to be human again, they do the task on their own.
Rogio is involved now. Levi tried another angle, hoping to call whatever this was off.
I am quite aware of Erebus and his antics.
Rogio and I are on the same page. The lycan female is also precious to me, just as much as she is to Rogio.
Erebus’ days are numbered. Rogio has agreed to stand aside for this trial.
After all, she was mine before she mated with one of his.
Now … let’s see if they are worthy of their species.
They felt the connection cut off, and Lucie and Aedan just looked at each other quietly. On the positive, from the sound of it, whatever potion the witch had shouldn’t affect them. But on the negative, they were stuck in this form right now.
Levi sighed and looked up at Hunter and Freja.
“Lycaon has given Lucie and Aedan a task. I can’t intervene because he’s their deity.
But I did find out some good news. Lucie and Aedan are not in danger from the witch’s potion.
They’re not separate from their wolves, since they are lycans.
This brings me to something you won’t like.
They will have to leave the safety of the dragon kingdom to perform their task.
It involves Aedan’s mate. And if they want to be able to shift back, they must find the one frozen in time. ”
“I’m going with them, then,” Hunter growled angrily. He was so tired of deities involving his family in their antics.
“No,” Derrick said calmly, trying to feel what Lucie was thinking through her emotions. “It’s best for you and Freja to stay here where it’s safe. I’ll go, and I’ll take Abe and Justice.”
“You won’t be able to help them with their task,” Levi warned.
“I won’t leave Lucie’s side. Not after … what happened.” Derrick’s voice grew quiet and he felt Lucie nuzzle her head against him. It still stung. Losing Lucie and what she’d been through was something he feared he’d never get over.
He combed his fingers through the fawn-colored lycan’s fur. The feelings of her love flowed into him and he smiled. No matter what form she was in, she was still his. She was still the one his heart was connected to. Still … he would prefer her human form for several reasons.
“I can send Mikah too,” Alexa said, but Mikah immediately objected.
“No. I’m not leaving your side, Alexa. I’m your guardian. Justice is Lucie’s. It’s best I stay with you.”
“Who’s going to touch me here, with my father around?” Alexa frowned, folding her hands over her chest.
“I’m going to be checking in with them and going back and forth.
I agree, though. It’s best to keep the guardians with their own charges for now.
Lycaon wouldn’t give them a task they couldn’t handle.
I’m sure there’s another purpose behind this.
Let the five of them handle it,” Levi said.
“This is something meant for just those two.”
“You can’t expect us to just sit here,” Xander said, irritated.
“I’ll keep my eye on them.” Levi looked at Xander, then Hunter. “These tasks are usually for a purpose.” Plus, he knew the family would intervene too quickly and could potentially sabotage Lucie and Aedan. Lycaon could very well not let them shift again if they angered him.
“I don’t see why we can’t just send a small army to accompany them,” Xander interjected. A few of his dragons at the very least would make them all feel better.
“Because this is a challenge, Xander. There can be consequences for intervening. Like I said, I’ll be watching over them from a distance. If anything seems too bad, I’ll stop it.”
“Sounds like we don’t have a choice.” Freja clicked her tongue angrily.
“You don’t. If we interfere, they may end up stuck in their feral forms. He can keep them like this.” Levi knew everyone was angry about this. The family had been through so much lately, but there wasn’t anything anyone could do.
“You two be careful,” Hunter said with a sad frown.
“Justice, stay safe and alert out there.” Chasen looked at his son … a guardian. This was his role now. His sole purpose was to protect Lucie. Still … it was hard to let your child go, knowing they would be in danger.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep us all safe.” Justice looked over at Derrick. “It’ll look like we’re just taking our new pets for a walk.” He chuckled, and Aedan let a low growl of annoyance slip from his throat.
So, Lucie … any idea where to start?
Anxious to find your mate? Lucie turned, wagging her tail slightly. It was exciting to think they might end up finding Aedan’s other half.
If it is my mate out there, then yes. Plus I don’t want to stay like this forever. This is a pain.
Aedan, maybe being in our feral forms is a hint. Perhaps you can sense her?
Oh yeah, maybe. Here I had it in my head that we would be looking for ice or something.
Lucie rolled her eyes and growled in annoyance.
“What’s the matter, Lucie? Aedan getting frustrating?” Derrick chuckled, feeling his mate’s emotions.
“We need an interpreter. I don’t speak lycan.” Justice chuckled and looked up at Levi.
Just then, Abe appeared in the room. He looked around in confusion and his eyes met with the two lycans. “Okay … what did I miss?”
“Quick version: The deity Lycaon forced them into their feral forms to complete a task, and if we aid them, they may remain in their feral forms,” Justice said with a scowl. “Can you hear Lucie’s thoughts?”
“I can always communicate with my master, but I won’t relay anything. Deities can be spiteful asses. No offense.” Abe turned and shrugged, looking at Levi.
“None taken.”
He could have at least told us where to look. Aedan sighed in annoyance.
How about the old lycan kingdom? I think that would be the most logical starting point.
You think my mate is a lycan? Aedan wagged his tail in excitement.
Well, I think that makes the most sense.
Alright, let’s go then. Aedan walked up to Freja and leaned his head into her hand. He knew his parents were worried and he wanted to reassure them. Lucie did the same. It was a simple gesture, but it was all they could do to convey their feelings.
“So Aedan, you going to give me a ride? Look … I think it makes sense. We can cover ground faster on your backs,” Justice said, chuckling.
Though it was a joke, Aedan and Lucie both looked at each other.
It wasn’t a bad idea. They could cover ground faster that way and still keep them all close.
Sure, Derrick and Justice were fast, but Lucie and Aedan’s four legs were superior in speed, and their lycans were a towering size.
They could easily carry someone on their backs.
Abe could teleport along with them easily.
“Wait, that was a joke.” Justice licked his lips nervously as he let out a dry chuckle. Talk about a moment where he could have inserted his foot in his mouth.