Taming Her Beastly Mate
The Lycan Princess Chapter 9

Sam and Adam had left to go to the Nova pack where Gia had been taken. Winston was more or less the face of the one in charge. Diana was just the face of a leader to help keep the pack calm, but everyone knew the officers were running things. They were the Alpha King’s right-hand men, and they grew up in the Diamond pack. It made sense, especially while she was still learning things. They were also in contact with Wyatt and were following his orders.

Kurt and Jamie had both moved into the packhouse and already there was tension in the air. Diana stood there in exasperation as the three men stared at each other in Aiden’s room. Brown irises pierced green like burning embers, an unspoken challenge lingering between them.

“Are we really going to go through this every day?” Diana sighed in agitation.

“Shh, Dee. He has to have something he isn’t good at,” Kurt growled.

“Dang it, I lost. Come on Kurt!” Jamie said as he watched Lycaon and Kurt.

“Give it up little pup… you can’t win.” Lycaon’s lips twitched up in an arrogant smirk.

Diana rolled her eyes at the display of male competitiveness, but couldn’t deny that it brought a small smile to her face. Jamie, Kurt, and Ike have bonded. They joked with each other and had challenges. Kurt was sure there was something he was better at than Lycaon. Today… it was a blinking challenge. The first to blink lost.

Honestly, it was moments like these when Diana felt the most relaxed. She felt a deep sense of unease as her connection to Kurt became more intense. Each moment together was saturated with an invisible tension that neither wanted to acknowledge. She struggled to make sense of the growing bond between them, yet it seemed both were determined to keep it hidden in the shadows, never allowing it to see the light of day.

“A package has arrived for you.” One of the omegas said as she knocked on the door. The slight distraction caused Kurt to lose another game against Lycaon.

“Haha nice try pup.”

Jamie walked over to the door and took the box. He arched his brow as he walked it over to Diana. “It doesn’t say anything, just that it is for the princess…”

Diana reached for the box. Her heart raced as she thought that it could be from Aiden. There was a small envelope taped to the top of the box. She pulled it off first and then opened it up.

I hope you slept well.

She felt a bit disappointed that was all he said in the letter. Maybe he was busy and pressed for time?

“What did lover boy have to say?” Jamie chuckled as Diana just shrugged. She began to open the box as she glanced up at Jamie.

“Nothing special… just that he hoped I slept well.”

In a flash, Diana was pulled away from the box. She was moved to the other side of the room and cocooned in a strong protective embrace. She lifted her head to stare up at Lycaon’s tense face.

“What is it?” She breathed out as his eyes checked her over as if she had been injured. She watched as he seemed to hesitate before he finally slowly shook his head.

“That isn’t from Aiden.” Lycaon growled quietly as he glanced at the box. His hand gripped her tighter against him as he pursed his lips. He was going to keep Diana safe no matter what. After Aiden returned, he needed to go hunting.

“What do you mean?” Diana asked and he gave her a faint smile.

“Don’t worry… I’ll take care of it. Let me take the box out of here. I need to inspect the contents.”

“Ike!” Diana gripped his shirt to stop him from teleporting away. “Don’t keep things from me.”

“My job is to keep you safe… not informed.” He looked up at Kurt and Jamie. “Stay with her and don’t leave the house. I will only be a few moments.” His eyes trailed back to Diana and the way she was gripping his shirt. She thought it would prevent him from leaving. A smirk crawled over his lips as he leaned his head closer to hers.

“I wish you would grab on to me like this at night when I could do something about it.” He watched as her eyes widened and she abruptly released her grip from him. He chuckled and flashed away from her to the box, then vanished again.

Diana’s lips parted in surprise as she sighed in agitation. He had said something shocking to get her to let go of him. She listened as Kurt growled lowly, shaking his head. “What is it?” She asked.

“It’s a lot of things, Dee… a lot of things.” He mumbled quietly as he looked at Jamie, who nodded his head.

“Yeah… let’s get the cots.” Jamie said, and Diana looked at him in confusion.

“Wait… what?” Diana watched as both men looked at her.

Kurt stood there quietly before giving her a small smile. “Obviously there is something shady going on, so we want to stay close to you at all times.”

“Don’t be silly. With Ike in here, I am perfectly safe.” She watched as the two men exchanged a peculiar glance with one another.

“I won’t be able to sleep… it will bother me all night,” Jamie said with a sheepish grin.

“Right, same with me. We will sleep better knowing you are sleeping… undisturbed.”

Diana frowned and glanced around the room. “I wonder what was in the box… and who sent it.”

—

Lycaon opened the box at a safe distance from Diana. He anticipated something dangerous inside but that wasn’t the case at all. Inside the box an old scepter worn with age rested in soft packing. With it was another note.

Princess,

He took my brother’s life, so I took his lycan’s. I’ll reunite you with your family soon.

~Eris~

That damn b***h has finally resurfaced. She was once the goddess of chaos, but she changed. She fell from the clouds and embraced the shadows. Now she holds her place as an original demoness.

“I should never have stopped hunting her.” He whispered into the air as he closed his eyes. As soon as he realized she was behind what had happened, he searched for her. She was nowhere to be found. With her presence cloaked, there was no way for him to replace her. She has made a grave mistake now.

He gripped the scepter with a rage so intense that his knuckles turned white. This scepter was specially imbued with his power. It would allow him to replace her now that it was within his grasp. His fury and hatred for Eris burned like a wildfire, ready to devour her alive as soon as Aiden returned. She would pay dearly for what she had done.

“Don’t be stupid.” A voice hissed and Lycaon shifted his eyes to the side.

“What are you doing out of your cave?” His snarky voice snapped back at the woman. The woman had long dark blue hair and crystal blue eyes. She was the goddess of ice… Shiva.

“Things have changed.” She said softly as she listened to his quiet laugh. “What?!”

“Can you be anymore obvious? You’ve worked things out with the cowboy of death.”

“Well, since my personal life is so important to you, then I guess you won’t mind if I butt into yours.” A smirk rose over Shiva’s face as he narrowed his eyes at her.

“Don’t.” He snarled in a low warning.

“Relax… I wasn’t going to go THERE. Your unrequited love is your problem to figure out. I am talking about the demon. Reapus and I will help you. Don’t be stupid and go after her alone. Like it or not we are on the same side. When the time comes… we will help you.”

“I’m afraid to leave her. What if that is what Eris wants? For me to leave Diana alone… even when Aiden returns… they are no match for her.” Lycaon admitted quietly.

“I’ll watch them while you and Reapus get rid of her.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “You may need Aken or Levi to help.” The sound of Lycaon’s low growl filled the air as he glared at her. “Stop being foolish. Diana is now part of their family. They will help if she is in danger, so accept it and shut up.”

Lycaon clenched his jaw tightly, knowing Shiva was right. He couldn’t let his pride get in the way of keeping Diana safe. Eris was powerful. It was best when fighting a deity or a demon to have allies. He could outpower Eris in raw power, but she most likely had dirty tricks up her sleeve. He didn’t like it but he could use anyone else that would help him. Even if it was Leviathan and the Kraken. “Fine. But if any harm comes to Diana, I’ll personally make sure you regret it.”

Shiva smirked. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. Don’t worry, I won’t interfere. I will just watch her from a distance.”

Lycaon nodded, knowing he had no other choice. He hated to do it but he would rely on others. “Thank you, Shiva.”

Her lips parted in shock before a small smile settled over her lips. “You know… you’ve changed Ike… for the better.”

Lycaon raised an eyebrow at her. “Changed? I haven’t changed.”

Shiva chuckled. “You have. You used to be so fierce and stubborn, but now you’ve learned to accept help from others. You’ve softened up a bit too, especially when it comes to Diana.”

Lycaon rolled his eyes at her teasing. “Don’t start with me, Shiva.”

“I’m just saying, you’ve grown attached to her. You care for her… and it’s changed who you are… for the better.” Shiva said with a smile. “You are even sacrificing what you want for her happiness. You’ve learned to love, Ike. Real love and not that selfish boy crap.”

“I want to be selfish.” He snapped as Shiva nodded her head.

“But you are putting her happiness first.”

“I am not going to go along with Selene’s plans though. If at any point Diana changed her mind—”

“Understandable, Ike.” She pursed her lips together for a moment before she sighed. “But if she doesn’t… don’t lose what you have gained. And maybe… don’t shut doors that could lead to—”

“Don’t Shiva. Don’t tell me I will feel like this for someone else. It’s been eternity and this is the first time…” He swallowed and looked away. “I don’t want to hear such talk.”

A smile spread of Shiva’s lips as she shrugged. “I guess time will tell.”

Lycaon shook his head at Shiva’s words. Time will tell… he inwardly scoffed. He didn’t intend to fall for Diana but he did. She brought out a side of him he never knew existed. The idea that he could meet someone else that would make him feel like this… well it seemed impossible. He wouldn’t dwell on it though. It wasn’t meant to be.

He turned his attention back to the scepter in his hand. “I’ll let you know when Aiden returns.”

Shiva stared at him for a moment before nodding her head. He wasn’t ready for that talk yet, but there was someone else out there for Ike. If he would open his eyes and accept the person. He just needed… time.

“Take this.” Lycaon said as he handed Shiva the scepter. “Keep it safe for me.” Shiva nodded her head and then vanished from his sight.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He couldn’t let his emotions get in the way. His job was to keep Diana safe and that was it. Unless she ever came to him… then he wouldn’t be able to ignore the feelings that raged within.