Is she the Queen's daughter?

Darius’s POV

Her name is Aria, and she has been tortured. Who did this to her? I feel sorry for her, even though I do not like showing emotions. I can see the tears forming in her eyes when I call her “little one.” But I only called her little one because deep down, I believe she might be the Queen we have been looking for. I can smell the Lycan on her. It is faint, but it is there. Is she the Queen’s daughter? Is she the one we have been searching for all these years?

When Queen Athena left the kingdom of her mother and father, none of us knew to which pack she went. She disappeared without a trace, and even our trackers could not follow her. Now, standing in front of me, I am certain that Aria is her daughter. These werewolves must have had something to do with the destruction of her grandparents’ kingdom.

I can also smell this wonderful scent on her. I have never had a mate before, but my wolf keeps shouting in my head that she is my mate. My wolf never reacts like this. I will only accept a Lycan as my mate. She is not a werewolf. I can smell it clearly. My wolf would never allow a werewolf to be our mate. That means Aria must be full or half Lycan.

I think Genevieve has noticed something in the way I look at Aria. Genevieve has been my lover for a long time because I have never found my true mate. I already told her that once I find my mate, she has to go and find hers. We cannot be lovers forever because we are not mated. She always wanted to become my queen, but that was never going to happen. She should have known that.

"I… I really have to go. I cannot stay here. I am supposed to be at the ceremony tonight," Aria says with fear in her voice.

"Why do you have to be there? I thought you were only a slave," I say. I watch her carefully. She still hasn't answered me about who did this to her. Who tortured her so badly that she is covered in scars? And another thing… her Lycan has not awakened yet. Doesn’t she even know that she is a Lycan? Did they keep this from her?

"Unfortunately for me, I am mated with Ethan. The son of the Alpha. I don’t know why they want me there tonight at the ceremony, but I also want to warn you… I do not believe they invited you because they are friends with you. Your Majesty, this pack does not like Lycans. I am half Lycan. My mother was a Lycan. This is why they treat me like I am a slave," Aria says, and her voice cracks. Oh, so she does know about her Lycan heritage.

"Do you think they’re going to try to kill my men and me?" I ask.

"I know they will try. I know they will try anything to destroy the Lycans. Please, Your Majesty, be careful. I need to go. I cannot stand here. I have to ensure that everything is right in the kitchen and that all the food is perfect, or else I will… I need to go," she says, and she looks like she wants to run.

"Not so fast." I step closer. "You still haven't told me who did this to you. It’s the Alpha, isn’t it? You are afraid of him. I can see it every time you mention the pack. I do not know how you can have two mates, but you know that we are mates. Do not worry. I do not believe in love, but I do believe in the mate bond. I will not let anyone touch you again. Tonight at the ceremony, I want you to stand close to me because whatever they are planning, it will not be good for you. Ethan cannot be your mate. You’re a Lycan. What was your mother’s name?" I ask. I feel the need to protect her, but as a king, I do not like to show emotions. I must be feared.

"Athena, Your Majesty. I have a photo of her and my father. Here, have a look. Please don’t tell the Alpha about my picture. That is all I have left of my parents," Aria says. Her hands shake as she pulls the photo from her pocket.

I take the old crumpled-up photo. It is Athena. This is the woman who should have been queen. Aria looks just like her. So Athena named her daughter after her mother. Athena's parents and grandparents wanted nothing to do with her after she married a werewolf. It is unheard of for a Lycan queen to marry a werewolf.

"I knew your mother," I say softly. "We have been searching for you because you will have to avenge your grandparents and their kingdom one day. The werewolves destroyed the kingdom. I am sure this pack also has something to do with it. They all conspired while we were fighting another war against the rogues. They knew the king and queen were old. They attacked all at once. But we will discuss it later. Go on. Continue with your work as if nothing is going on."

She nods quickly, takes her photo, and scrambles out of the room like she is afraid of me. Her Lycan has not awakened yet. I feel sorry for those who hurt her. I feel sorry for the ones who left scars on her body. I want to kill them all, but I will not interfere. This is her fight. She will have to avenge herself. She will have to avenge her parents. She will have to avenge her grandparents.

I am sure this pack killed all of them. They have no idea what they have done. Aria is not only a Lycan. She is a Lycan queen born with royal blood. Athena’s bloodline has power. They are the descendants of the first Lycan. Once her Lycan awakens and if her eyes turn golden, they will all regret what they did. I cannot wait for that to happen.

I watch her as she walks away. She does not even realize that the way she walks already shows power. She reminds me so much of her mother. Out of all the pain she has suffered, her Lycan will be born. Out of all the humiliation she endured, her Lycan will become stronger. And when that happens, they will all beg for mercy.

"Alpha Blackthorn, you don’t know what kind of trouble you are in," I say softly to the empty room. "If you think you can come and try to kill me, you are making a mistake. You will not be able to touch me. But I feel sorry for you when Aria the Lycan is born. You will regret every lash you gave her. You will regret every tear she spilled. You will regret the day you killed her parents. I have a feeling you had something to do with it. You'd better pray her Lycan does not get born tonight."