The Lycan’s Curse
Chapter 10

Cassius

A knock on my office door pulls a sigh from me and I give Dominic a nod to open it. One of Mother's maids moves into the space, nodding to Dominic before turning towards me. "Your Highness, the Royal Queen requests you join her for tea. She is with your guest," Caroline states sending me up out of my chair quickly.

"Thank you but do not speak of this to anyone," I tell the woman who nods graciously at me.

"The Queen will tell you more, but she has already instructed me to not reveal the presence of your guest," Caroline replies and I move up the steps with Dominic following close on my heels.

"It's your mother Cassius. She wouldn't hurt the girl and it didn't appear that Caroline resented her presence either," he says breathing down my neck as we reach the landing to head towards Larissa's room.

"Your own mate said that a sudden unexplainable urge to hurt her hit the moment she saw her. The last maid we sent up came back down fuming about taking her lunch to her. Both she and Hanna, not to mention your mate were all individuals I would swear I could trust, yet all of them had an adverse reaction to the woman I am going to make my mate. If this is because of the curse, another attempt to make me miserable...I won't chance her safety," I return gathering myself before I move into the suite. "Is that..." Dominic's words stop hearing the dual laughter coming from Larissa's room.

"They're laughing, and not a fake laugh," I add before moving into the room with them. "Mother, I wasn't expecting you to be here. How did you know?"

I lean over, brushing a kiss to Larissa's forehead, before lifting her chin to meet her beautiful gaze. "Are you alright? I heard that you've had a stressful morning. The truth, little wolf!"

"I'm fine now. Your mother is wonderful." Her eyes hold mine as she says it and I know it's not a lie.

"Pull over a chair and join us, Cassius. Dominic, I asked Larissa's father to give us some time to get to know one another. He should be on the large balcony. Why don't you join him?" Mother states and he nods, moving away from the door as I grab a chair and settle in with the two women that are closest to me. "Now, I learnt your Larissa was here from overhearing Dominic speaking with the staffing supervisor that the latest maid had upset the guest in question. I intercepted the supervisor before she could go try to locate a new maid and decided to come meet Larissa and see if perhaps, I could suggest as to who would work best."

"And?" I state when she stops, smiling more at Larissa.

"I believe the best choice is to have Caroline attend to Larissa. She is aware but will not speak of any of it to anyone, what Larissa's true position will be very shortly, and is the best to assist now. This way they will be familiar with one another, and it will not be a change of status for her to continue serving the queen after your coronation. Do you object?" Mother asks me but it's not fully my decision, it's up to Larissa to decide if she will be comfortable with Caroline working for her. "What do you say, little wolf? Just because Mother said it, doesn't mean it's set in stone. Will you be comfortable with Caroline with you?"

"Yes, I will be fine with Caroline. I promise," Larissa adds, and I lean over giving her a kiss before continuing with Mother's tea.

Larissa's eyes grow tired as the time slips towards four-fifteen, and I settle her into the bed further, getting her promise to rest. "Another drink after you wake. After all of today's excitement, I think it would be wise." "Okay my bossy soon to be mate, just for you," she says, a little laugh in her tone and its sound is nearly as sweet as her scent and taste.

"Well, if I'm bossy, give me another kiss to get me through dinner tonight with my father. I'll come back to see you after we're finished," I add, claiming her lips before moving from the room with Mother.

"She's a delight, Cassius," Mother says as Dominic and Kai move back into the room. "Caroline will be up about six to wake Larissa for her dinner. You will have no issues with her as you had with others today, I'm certain of it." "That is a relief," Kai states. "Larissa upset nearly sets off my dragon. It's been a little too close today."

"If I'd had any idea this would happen, I would have kept Larissa where she was until she was fully recovered and able to stand up as my mate. I think another drink for her would be wise when she wakes, combined with her dinner it should help ease her into a restful night."

"Let us know if anything changes," Dominic adds to Kai who nods before ushering us from the room.

"A moment, Mother," I state when we're far enough from Larissa's room, and others that may be about the palace. "Is it possible that the feelings that have come over the others when they see Larissa are related to the curse? Amal felt it as well and we both know that she and Dominic's bond is as strong as it could possibly be. She has no desires for me, so it's not just potential jealousy that I'm close to Larissa. Then I was wondering if it were all women, but you and Caroline seem to be exempt from it..."

"Unless it's because of loyalty to you," Dominic offers, holding up his hand as my brow lifts wondering about Amal. "Your mother of course wants the best for you, regardless of the curse, pure loyalty. Caroline has served faithfully to her for years, would never go against her, perhaps extending your mother's loyalty onto herself then?"

"And while Amal is loyal to us and you, as are you loyal to me, it is not the same as a mother's loyalty. It might be but I don't want to risk it by testing the other of Mother's maids until Larissa is well, perhaps not until after I've made my claim on her. It would require Caroline to work every day likely until the coronation, but it would not be near the work she might do for you in a normal day."

"Caroline will not argue it, give her some time to herself during the days, teatime that Larissa could share with her father or any of us if we are available until dinnertime and I'm certain she will be content with the change," Mother suggests and I nod, letting her head back to her duties leading up to the coronation. Dominic and I return to my office to finish going over the new laws I intend to implement after taking the crown. Father expects me to fail but I will be the one laughing-metaphorically at least.

***

The palace is quiet for once as I head towards Larissa's rooms. In a week I'll be crowned king, will have her beside me as my queen, but until then, I'm keeping her out of sight still. I know Mother has visited her regularly the last four weeks, I've been told that her dress for the coronation is breathtaking, but I haven't been allowed to see it yet.

Not that I doubt that she'll look stunning. My little wolf may be weaker than most, but she's gorgeous. It may just be the Lycan blood helping but her skin glows, fresh and dewy, making her green eyes glisten. She's tiny in weight, likely from her energy going towards her recovery, but her gentle curves will look softer in the large court dress. Her smile though is the one thing that truly makes her stunning. It's pure and real, despite everything she's faced, for her to still smile like that is a miracle. I knock softly on her bedroom door, slipping into it with her when I hear her movement. It's still early hours of morning but I want to plan for this evening.

"Cassius, you're here early," Larissa says, smiling as I move over to sit next to her.

"You're up early," I reply, seeing she's already changed from her nightclothes into one of the dresses I purchased.

"That's what happens when you do nothing but lie in bed for nearly three full months. I may not have a hundred percent of the strength that I did before the attack, but I am not that weak that I cannot walk and dress myself."

"I want you to conserve all of your energy for the coronation, but I am willing to make one exception to that," I state making her brow lift curiously. "Tonight, is the full moon, the easiest night to make a transition. I know you haven't been able to let your wolf out in months. If you would like to go for a short run, I'll arrange everything to keep you safe."

"We would like that, but I won't," Larissa says, surprising me. I've yet to meet a Lycan or shiften that did not indulge in letting their beast out under the full moon. "For most, the transition back to human is quick, simple. It takes me far longer for that and my bones don't always align properly afterward. If something went wrong..."

"It would force us to rebreak something which is too risky after you just finished healing. Even with my blood, you would be too weak to attend the coronation," I finish for her, and she nods, her eyes glancing away from me. "Out of anyone in our world, I understand the most, little wolf. I may not worry about the transitions but before having you to focus myself on, my Lycan slept more than anything. He approves of you and is now awake, letting me go out more. Before that, if I was able to shift once in a year, I was lucky. You have nothing to be afraid or ashamed of, your wolf, your weakness, is what brought you to me, why we are now here to become king and queen together."

"Most others just pity me when they see my wolf and I hate it. She's special to me and yet some of them think it would have been kinder to me if I couldn't shift at all. When things are settled, when we're somewhere private and nothing is pressing, I'll show you, but for tonight, I think it best that I pass."

I give her a nod, pressing a kiss to her forehead, teasing her bottom lip to put a smile back on them. "Then rather we go for a run, what would you say to allowing me to make my claim tonight under the full moon? It must be done before the coronation or you cannot be named queen beside me, and a bond made under the moon should help strengthen it and you as well."

"It would give me time to heal from it as well before the coronation," Larissa stated, reminding me that once more, I didn't know what to expect with her. A normal Lycan claim healed the moment the male sealed it with their kiss. As slowly as she heals though her worries seem warranted.

"I can't see it harming you any. When a Lycan takes a mate of another species, that mate becomes stronger than their normal type to help keep new Lycan generations stronger. It should only help you. I will be busy for the day, but I will come after dinner and when the moon is at its apex, I will make the claim."

"I'll be fine I have Kai and Caroline is everything you'd hope Cassius. I know you're going to be extremely busy until the coronation getting it ready. I'll see you later," she states, accepting my kiss as I force myself to leave.

My mind is on her all day and Dominic lets out a sigh late that afternoon, staring at me. "What is going on with you today?"

"I'm claiming Larissa tonight. I hope that it will give her the extra strength to get through the coronation."

"No wonder you can't think straight. There is nothing here that won't wait. Go to the gym and exercise or something until dinner. That will at least be something productive," he suggests, and I don't argue.

With my Lycan awake, the exercise strengthens him, not just my body. He's ready to make the claim on Larissa as well and I barely reach the table in time for dinner after a shower. Mother lifts a brow at me, and I return it, letting a slight smirk settle onto my lips. It clearly conveys what I intend to do this evening and she gives me a nod, helping me escape the numerous guests in attendance.

The normal dining area seats twenty. The formal dining area seats two hundred and it has been full for over a week now with all of the dukes from the Lycan camps, along with visiting alphas and other dignitaries from groups. Not one has a clue that the most special guest is in the palace, and I am on my way to see her now, to claim her.

I greet Kai at the door nodding to him and Dominic as I move into the space. "We will be safe here alone. Please go enjoy the moon."

"Dragons don't hold the moon in the same regard as other shiften," Kai states meeting my gaze. "I've no need to go enjoy it."

"Kai, I intend to claim Larissa tonight, and while others may indulge in it in a public matter, most Lycan do not. I would like privacy for this and I'm certain that Larissa would as well."

"Yes, I know. She told me, but, you hadn't," Kai replies, a smile on his face that says he was playing with me. "We will be out until early hours. If anything happens though..."

"I will call you," I affirm, waiting until they're gone to go see Larissa again.

She's resting on the bed once more, a book in hand but she sets it aside as I reach her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. I don't understand why I cannot stop doing it. My body moves on its own accord for the kiss. Then again, perhaps not entirely on its own I note as my Lycan lets out a low growl inside me. Her scent and taste are both in that kiss, waking him further.

"Nervous?" I ask seeing her eyes a bit wider than normal.

"A bit," she states. "Is it different than with other shifters? A Lycan claiming versus a regular shiften?"

"Yes, most shiften tend to both make a claiming mark when both halves are shiften. With Lycan, only the male makes the claim. On rare occasions they allow their mate to mark them as well, generally when the two are deeply connected by choice and bond. Lycan skin is harder to penetrate and for the claim to be made, the male must allow it. After the coronation, I want you to mark me, it will signify to all others how deep our bond is, prove that should anything or anyone harm you, they will pay with their life." Her eyes widen further, and I soothe my hand against her cheek, stealing a kiss from her lips.

"Is there anything special I need to do?" Larissa asks after a long moment as our eyes hold one another.

"No, you will stand with me, and I will do everything," I reassure her, before asking after her books she's indulged in recently. Keeping her calm is necessary to ensure the claim does not create issues, that the worthless scum's bond to her does not cause her to experience any pain.

With the moon high overhead, I take her into my arms, then out onto the balcony so it shines fully over us. The white dress she's wearing glows in it, and I lift her chin, holding her gaze as I make the vow.

"I, Cassius, son of the Lycan Kings, take you Larissa, to be my mate. To walk beside me through this life, faithful and just in that which we do. Two halves made whole, to leave this world together not before. I mark you as mine, so all others know, you hold the deepest part of me." My head lowers down to her neck, taking in her sweet smell, my tongue tracing over the spot to claim her as mine, before my teeth sink into her skin.

They slice through, deep into her, and I hold her tight when her body jerks. Her hand tightens on my back, hints of her nails digging into my shoulders, and I pull back, as her voice resonates within my head.

"Shh, it's alright, little wolf," I whisper, kissing the claim. Her skin knits together instantly, perfect but for the soft silvery marks that show she's mine beyond my scent that is now carried in her skin. Her eyes are wide in shock, and I drop a kiss to her forehead, holding her tight. "I'm sorry. I forgot to warn you that often when a Lycan claims their mate, it triggers an orgasm."

Oh god...it couldn't have been. I lift a brow hearing her thoughts, holding onto her gaze this time.

'I didn't think it might happen, not with my curse. I didn't think I could bring pleasure to anyone. My words aren't spoken, merely thought and her eyes widen further.

"We link to others, most particularly our mates, similar to how alphas can link to anyone in their pack. If you need me, all you need do is think of me, and I will hear your call," I add showing her the difference in how it sounds to hear my words from my lips to that inside of her.

"I don't think I've ever heard of a shiften having that happen to them unless they were...intimate with their mates when they made the claim," Larissa says, her cheeks pink and I sweep her into my arms, moving us back inside.

"Not many have, but a large amount of shiften like their claiming to be more ceremonial than the Lycan, perhaps for that exact reason," I offer settling her onto the bed. "I'll stay with you for a bit still, but I want you to rest, little wolf. Come, lie on my chest and let my claim strengthen you for tonight."

She doesn't argue and I rest on the bed, her head on my chest, a smile on her lips as she slips into sleep. I don't leave until the sun is starting to rise, unable to force myself back to my room before then. Less than a week and I will have her next to me there. I may not be able to be intimate with her as most, but if I can give her pleasure of any sort, I will see that she always goes to sleep just as she did tonight. Always.