Found By The Lycan King
3: Escape Plan

ADRIANA'S POV

I stand at the edge of the grand ballroom, my eyes scanning the crowd of lycans and werewolvesmilling about. I had always been uncomfortable at these kinds of parties, especially ones thrown bymy father, but tonight was different. I knew that the main event was not the celebration of myupcoming marriage, but rather the presentation of myself to the Lycan King as his bride.

It was usually a thing of joy for the alpha’s daughter to be given away, no less to a renowned king. Iwas nothing like those smiley brides. Dread pooled in the pit of my stomach at the prospect ofbeing given away to the lycan king. They called it a wedding but I knew better than. My father gaveme away like property, to a terrible man no less.

I wasn't about to get married to an amazing man. I have heard rumors about the king's appetite forwomen, about the harem of concubines he kept in his palace. Happiness was nowhere in sight forme, and I made the decision to run away as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

I glanced around surreptitiously, trying to gauge when would be the best time to make my escape. Ihad already packed a small bag with the little bit of money I had managed to save over the years,enough to get me to the next town where I could hopefully replace my way to a human community. Ihave never fit in with the wolves, maybe I would have better luck there.

No one minded me as I kept to myself. They may be trying to put on a show for the lycan king andhis people, making it seem like I was the alpha’s most prized possession. His only daughter, when inreality, they all hated me and are probably celebrating my doom. That is what this marriage wouldbe like.

They still kept to themselves too, no one trying to be overly nice to me, because they simplycouldn't hide their disdain for me.

The music had reached a crescendo and the crowd was focused on the dance floor. I took a deepbreath and started to edge my way towards the door, trying to blend in with the crowd as much aspossible.

I had almost made it to the exit when a hand closed around my arm, pulling me back roughly. Iturned to see my father standing there, a look of disappointment on his face.

"Where do you think you're going?" he spat, his voice stern.

"I-I just needed some air," I stammered, trying to pull away from his grip.

"You're not going anywhere," my father said, his tone final. His grip tightened like I would be dumbenough to try and free myself. “You had better get rid of any notions of you walking out of this, doyou understand?” he whispered. It was a room full of beings with supernatural hearing, he knewbetter than to raise his voice. I nodded sharply, not wanting to annoy him.

My heart sank. I had known it would be difficult to escape, but I had hoped that I might be able toslip away unnoticed. Now it seems that my father has his eyes on me since he thinks I would plan torun.

“Don't try anything stupid, Adriana or so help me-"his grip was punishing.

Tears welled up in my eyes as my father dragged me back towards the more crowded part of theballroom, where everyone's eyes were on me. I wouldn't even make it to three steps before gettingcaught.

The music came to a sudden stop and all eyes turned towards us when we reached the edge of thedance floor and toward the makeshift stage. That was where I caught sight of the lycan king. Oh no.My worst fears became a reality when my father led me directly to where the Lycan King stood witha group of his advisors. My blood turned cold with every step we took closer to them.

The king was a tall, muscular man with piercing eyes and a cruel smile that sent shivers down myspine. Lycans were ruthless and cruel, and Alpha Xander was no different. He had no love orcompassion for anyone, and he ruled with an iron fist. People didn't like talking about him, as theymade bringing him up be almost like blasphemy.

"Ah, there you are," the deep, booming voice belonged to the king, it made something in metremble. His aura was commanding, intimidating, frightening, all of the above and some more than Ihaven't thought of yet.

My father pushed me forward slightly, I managed not to trip and when I looked up, the Lycan Kingstood before me, a smug smile on his face. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, my dear.” hesaid, his tone slightly condescending as he said the words. "I have heard much about your beauty. Iam pleased to finally see it for myself."

My father beamed with pride at the compliment, but I felt nothing but disgust. I knew what theLycan King wanted from me, and it wasn't just my beauty. It was rumored that he had a harem ofwomen at his disposal, whom he used for his own twisted pleasure. It was something he wasn'tafraid to show.

My stomach twisted at the thought of being part of those unfortunate women. Having to live asnothing more than a toy for him to play with. He was smiling but there was an underlying darknessaround him.

"I-I can't do this,” I whispered through the mindlink, turning to my father with pleading eyes.

"You can and you will, Adriana. Stop being a brat.” The words were a cold warning. Tears stung myeyes but I managed to blink them away. I didn't know what he would do to me if I dared to let themfall.

"Father please, he is known to be a ruthless man. He is evil." I persisted, trying to use all the cards Ihad. My father may not love me or even see me as his daughter, but he might change his mind if hesees how terrible Alpha Xander is.

"This is your one chance to prove yourself to me as my daughter,” my heart sank further as he saidthat. He caught my eyes from where he stood. “This is a political alliance, and it will benefit our packgreatly. You should be honored that the king has chosen you as his bride.” his voice softened. Ididn't let my mind register. This is the first time he is speaking to me with a tone other thanirritation or annoyance. A part of me didn't want to make him angry but I couldn't stand thethought of being with the lycan king.

He was a lycan and we're werewolves, those two species are natural enemies. They hated each othereven more than werewolves and vampires.

"I understand the importance of political alliances, but I cannot marry someone who isnt my mate,father.”

"You do not even have a wolf, replaceing your mate is not going to be possible,” he didn't let me speakbefore shaking his head outwardly and replying, still through the link. “And it is your duty to put theneeds of the pack before your own. The pack needs this alliance, and you will marry the king." Histone was final, but I still refused to give up. This is the first time he is even talking to me andlistening to what I have to say.

"I understand my duties as an Alpha's daughter, but please do not force me to marry someone whois not my mate." I begged, nearly crying. There was no bit of remorse on his face as he gave me aburning look.

"This matter is not up for debate. You will marry the king, and that is final." he turned away, thesame time alpha Xander placed his hand on my shoulder. I had to look up at him because he was somuch taller than me.

There was something in his eyes that didn’t sit well with me and it only made me want to get out ofthere faster.

“You did well, Jameson. Or I should call you father in law, now.” The small group burst into laughterand my father joined in. He shot a final look, telling me to behave before shooing me off and sayingthey needed to talk business. I was more than grateful to leave.

I sat nervously at the party, trying my best to blend into the background and avoid the notice of myfather. I had always known that my fate was not my own, and that I would one day be married off toa wealthy or powerful man as a way for my family to advance their own standing. But I never couldhave imagined that my father would go so far as to sell me to the Lycan King, a notorious andfeared figure rumored to be as cruel as he was wealthy.

Much later into the party, I finally saw my opportunity. The party has been going on for hours. Theones that weren't on the dance floor or filling their stomachs were wasted, reclining anywhere theycould rest their backs. I made my way out of the hall as quietly as possible, my heart pounding inmy chest.

I quickly changed out of my elaborate party dress and into a simple, plain outfit that would help merun through the woods easily, after I got back to my father's. Thank God they had moved to hisoffice with Alpha Xadner and the other notable figures. I gathered up my supplies — a few changesof clothes, some food, and a small amount of money — and stuffed them into a backpack.

Then, with a deep breath, I opened the door to my room and stepped out into the bustling hallwaysof the castle. I kept my head down and my pace steady as I made my way through the maze ofcorridors, trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible. It was empty, but it didn't hurt to be extracareful.

I finally walked out, grateful the pack house wasn't very close to the mansion. If no one was out, itwouldn't be very easy to spot me. I hesitated for a moment, looking out at the dark forest beyond. Ihave never been outside of the pack before, I rarely even left the house.

I've come too far to back out now. I told myself and without a second thought, trudged into theforest. It thankfully extended from the trees surrounding the house. I've overheard Carlson tell hisfriends how to sneak from there multiple times.

When I was far enough and far from the house and the rest of the pack, I began to run. I had noidea where I was going with nothing to guide me through the dark but the moon. My sight wasn'tthat good but it didn't make me stop. I tripped over branches and fell but I picked myself up eachtime, pushing myself beyond my limits.

Since I'd been old enough to understand pack politics, with the little exposure I got, I'd known itwould be hard for my father to let me replace my mate and when I didn't get my wolf at sixteen, thedream dulled until it wasn't there anymore. It became clearer every day that went by that my fatherwould replace a man for me, to be a slave to or a partner, he wouldn't have minded. My father wouldn'tbother to replace me a worthy man.

My escape plan wasn't the best and the small bag held the barest minimum. I couldn't sleep in thewoods so I hoped to replace someplace safe to hide till I could go into the human town.

I ran for what felt like hours, my feet pounding against the ground as I pushed myself to the limit. Iwas exhausted and out of breath, but I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.

I reminded myself they would have realized I wasn't there any minute and the pack warriors wouldbe sent out to look for me.

I pushed myself further, but my body couldn't handle all of this at once. I wasn't in the best offorms, and I didn't have the resilience of a wolf.

Despite my best efforts, I began to feel dizzy and weak. I stumbled, my legs giving out beneath me,and collapsed to the ground. Darkness worked in my vision and as much as I tried to blink it away, itfelt like I wasn't doing anything. My head felt heavy and the ground seemed to sway beneath me.

I lay there, struggling to stay conscious. I blinked a few times and forced my eyes to stay open. Themoon seemed hazy but I could see it, shining brightly in the sky. I wish it could help me.

I heard something from behind me and I tried to force myself to turn, my limbs refused to heed tomy command, everything went black after that.