Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Lycan Queen's Prey Chapter 36

~Zirah~

By the time the limo stops, I feel a strange mix of awe and sorrow, a bizarre combination. It'soverwhelming and underwhelming all in one. I am in the heart of a kingdom that is both a dreamand a nightmare. And I am about to play a part in its story. But for now, I can only sit in stunnedsilence, the city's pulsating energy coursing through my veins, an intoxicating and soberingexperience.

"Welcome to my world, Zirah,” Zeke's voice cuts through my thoughts, sounding less like a warmgreeting and more like a regretful apology.

Stepping out of the limo, I face Zeke, his eyes holding a myriad of emotions I can't decipher. I lookaround, absorbing the city in all its glory and misery. The din of the crowd, the humming of neonsigns, the aroma of street food - it all feels surreal. "So, it's prosperous but overcrowded?" I start theconversation, still trying to reconcile the extremes of his kingdom.

Zeke nods, leaning back against the car. "We're one of the richest kingdoms, but our wealth isdiluted by our massive population. We have the largest army among the four Lycan kingdoms. Butthat also means we're often stretched thin on basic resources.” He pauses, letting the reality sink in."But why?" I ask, "With such wealth and resources, why the scarcity?"

Zeke looks at me with a sigh. "It's the population, Zirah. Hospitals are overfilled, staff are stretchedthin, and there are never enough resources to cater to everyone's needs. The homeless shelters?They're overrun. We simply can't keep up.”

"That's... That's horrifying,” I manage to stutter out, my heart heavy with the implications.

"It is," Zeke agrees solemnly. "But each of our kingdoms contributes to the balance of the entirecountry in its own way. Regan's kingdom is like a controlled society. It's the surveillancepowerhouse. Lyon's kingdom, as you know, thrives on fresh produce and supplies wool, grains,fruits, and more. Our kingdom is the manufacturing hub."

"Manufacturing?" I repeat, a frown creasing my lips.

"Yes," Zeke nods, "From clothes to furniture, automotive parts to electronics. Our factories run roundthe clock."

"But if you produce so much, why the lack of resources? Shouldn't there be enough for everyone?” Iquestion, genuinely puzzled.

Zeke looks at me, a rueful smile playing on his lips. “If only it were that simple, Zirah. You see, wehave other kingdoms to cater to. There are four Vampiric kingdoms, four Dragon kingdoms, andlet's not forget the Fae kingdoms."

"And they... mean what? They aren't part of this empire?" I struggle to see what he’s getting at. Whydo other dominions matter?

"They have their own specialties. For instance, Dragons are known for mining precious metals. TheFae are experts in herbal and medicinal supplies, while vampires ... well, they control the nightlifeand entertainment sectors."

"So, it's like a..a symbiosis? You all rely on each other?” I guess, trying to grasp the complexdynamics.

"Exactly. Each kingdom has its role to play, its resources to provide. It's a fragile balance, and if wefail to supply as per the treaty, we risk losing our own supplies or, worse, triggering a war."Suddenly, the magnitude of my role as a Lycan queen comes crashing down on me. The balance ofpower, the subtle dependencies, the threat of war - it's a web far more intricate than I'd everimagined. And I, a stranger in this complex world, have to navigate all these areas and hope not tostep on any toes.

The city, with all its lights and shadows, suddenly feels a lot more daunting. As if in response to mythoughts, Zeke places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don’t worry, Zirah. You'll have advisors toguide you, and we'll all help you where we can. Well, if we live too." Zeke chuckles darkly.

I nod, but still feel the weight of the responsibility ahead. "You'll figure it out. Now come on, let meshow you our manufacturing district.” Zeke says with a smile before turning to the limo driver.

The limo pulls away from the curb, and I turn to gaze out at the passing scenery once more. The cityis a living, breathing entity, both beautiful and ugly, prosperous and impoverished. As its futurequeen, it's up to me to bring the balance that Zeke spoke of - to ensure that all the kingdoms haveaccess to basic resources and opportunities for growth.

It's daunting, but now it's my responsibility. For this is not just Zeke's kingdom anymore - it's alsomine.

As we make our way through the bustling streets, I can't help but feel a sense of unease mixed withawe. There are so many people here, each with their own story and struggles. It's hard not to feeloverwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it all.

But as we reach the manufacturing district, I am struck by the impressive machinery and industrialscale of production. The factories stretch out for miles, humming with activity as workers move backand forth in a choreographed dance.

"Our factories are the heart and soul of our economy," Zeke explains. "They provide jobs forthousands of people and keep our kingdom running.”

"I can see that," I nod in agreement.

"But there's also a cost," he adds somberly. "The pollution from these factories is affecting ourenvironment, and the work conditions are far from ideal. It's a difficult balance to manage, if youcan say it's managed at all.”

"What do you mean?"

"The air, it may not seem too bad to you, but after years of breathing it in, it puts the biggest strainon the health system.” My brows pinch. He can't mean the Lycan population; Lycans heal quickly.Zeke, seeming to sense the question I am thinking, answers my thoughts.

"Humans, Zirah, their lungs are weaker. But not just them, pollution here is so bad we've hadcontamination that has even affected the Lycan population too, just it doesn't kill us the way it killsthe humans here," he admits.

This gives me much to think about. What role can I play in all this that would improve quality of life,not take more away?

"Come on. I will take you back to the castle. It's late, and I know you must be tired,” Zeke tells me,and I nod, returning my attention to the window.