Maisie

The Lycans were arguing.

It began approximately five minutes after we arrived at their private home in Cresthill.

Mercer looked ready to shatter Soren’s face. Soren looked ready to smash Mercer’s teeth out. Quinn seemed to try to be the diplomatic one between them, but it didn’t take very long before he started yelling, too.

And Jericho...

Jericho happened to be babysitting me in the living room area, watching them with a bored expression.

"Are they fighting because of me?" I asked, watching Soren get in Mercer’s face and whisper something that made the other blanch. And snarl right back.

Oh Goddess. They looked like they wanted to kill each other.

Jericho blinked slowly. I swear the man only had a handful of expressions. "Don’t let it bother you. This is absolutely normal. Soren and Mercer happen to love each other so much, they should really consider getting married."

I stared at him. It took me a full minute to realize he was being sarcastic.

Then Jericho leaned over, pulling out a thick book from a compartment in the center table. He handed it to me. "This will come in handy."

I glanced at the title with arched eyebrows. "You really did it, didn’t you? A handbook for Lycan dummies? Things NOT to do while living with a Lycan." I turned it over. "This is erotic fiction, Jericho." My lips deepened into a frown. "And the female lead has eight... what’s this word over here?"

I pointed at the word that spelt E-R-A-S-T-H-A-I-S. Jericho scooted over and I couldn’t help but notice the scent of his aftershave as he glanced at the page.

His voice had a subtle inflection as he pronounced, "Erasthai. It is Greek for ’intense passion, longing or a love that goes beyond the physical.’ Our ancestors preferred the definition of a ’soulmate’ with whom you’ve got an irresistible, primal, emotional and spiritual connection with."

Oh... wow...

"So, like a werewolf mate?" I asked.

"Close, but not comparable in any way, form or dimension," Jericho said. He nodded towards the book. "It may be fiction, but it holds more accuracy than anything your kind knows about us. Considering it was written by a past Lycan’s lover. The romance is not the point. The point is to learn how to survive living with us. It can be a little overwhelming when you don’t know the rules."

"Rules," I echoed. Then I flipped onto the first page. There were sections. The first was about one third of the book and it was dedicated solely to rules.

My eyes caught the line, "#1, "SCENT IS SACRED. DO NOT CROSS-CONTAMINATE.

Curiously, I jumped to the point. And the next. And the next.

#2, TOUCH ONLY WHEN YOU MEAN IT.

#3, EYE CONTACT HAS LEVELS.

"Huh?" I glanced at Jericho. "All of these are just absurd."

Jericho smiled. It was all sharp teeth and I tried not to flinch. I swear, he scared me more than all four of them put together. "I’d strongly advise you to stick to the absurdities, if you do not want to end up being railed to death by a half crazed Lycan."

My cheeks flushed red at the crude, brutal memo. "Right." I risked a glance at his side profile only to find his gaze intently watching me.

Trying to avoid his gaze, I flipped to a random page and nearly dropped the book.

It was an illustrative sex position between the female lead and how she could sate eight men all at once, and her advice to the readers.

Jericho started laughing. The sound grated on my nerves and I glared at him. "You expect me to learn this, too?"

He shook his head. "Only if you’re curious. However, you’ll only be needing the first section of the book to live with us."

"And you give every non Lycan woman that comes here this?"

Jericho cocked his head at me. "Yes."

No shock there. Of course they had women over all the time. I mean... look at them...

But something irrational and bitter tightened in my gut for about one second before I shook it off.

Just then, Soren, Mercer and Quinn walked in. Mercer took the stairs without sparing me a single glance, and a few seconds later, a door slammed shut so violently, the entire house rattled.

I flinched. He was mad. But then, Mercer was always mad about something.

Soren stood before me, his face lined with frustration, irritation, and something underlying. Tension. He was full of it. I was pretty sure he could charge an entire city with the heat wafting off him.

But his appearance remained casual. His hands were back in his pockets again and his eyes dropped to the book in my hands. "Good. I see Jer has given you the book. Which means we do not have to explain so much to you. In addition to the rules stated there, there are a few more. You are under our protection. Do you understand what that means, Adams?"

I nodded on instinct. And then shook my head.

Soren’s mouth tightened. "By claiming you tonight, we have placed you fully and irrevocably under our protection. As Crown Prince, that protection is absolute. No pack, no factions, no wolf, human nor half-breed, can harm or touch you without inciting war."

My breath hitched.

He went on. "Dante cannot demand your return. Cole no longer has any kind of access to you without direct permission, or he will find himself dead and buried. The only danger you will ever find yourself against will be other Lycans, and even then, they will have to take it up with the crown. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you, Adams?"

Yes. Yes I did. I had gone from being the bullied maid to becoming protected by the most powerful man in the world after the Lycan Queen.

I was untouchable.

Swallowing, I nodded. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"That also means," Soren continued. "You are now under Lycan law. You answer to no one else but us and the crown. You are our ward, and in the coming months, you will understand the full extent of what that means. But know that you will be cared for. We will keep you fed, clothed, and ensure your future is nothing you have to worry about anymore."

I began to tremble. I opened my mouth to thank him, but he interrupted me smoothly. "None of this is for free, of course."

My spine jerked straight. "What? I don’t have anything to offer—"

Soren leaned into me, violet eyes twinkling. "Yes, you do. You will work hard and train to ensure you stay alive and transition fully and smoothly into being a Lycan, Maisie Adams. That is what is expected of you. To become a full fledging and defy every odd. Think you could do that?"

Fear gripped my heart. It was one expectation. The same thing I’d wanted since the school year began.

To survive.

But somehow, the weight of it sank heavy on my shoulders. Still, I nodded.

Soren straightened. "If you succeed, you will be taken before the Queen and her Court, and fully incorporated into our society. It is a reward in itself, which you will also come to understand if you survive."

Another nod.

"Your room is on the east wing. Third door on the left. It has everything you need, but I understand you’ll need more things—your woman things—and so, Quinn will take you shopping tomorrow. Also, there is a fixed, non-negotiable daily schedule while you settle in."

I tried my best to stay attentive. But it was all beginning to sink in. I was going to live here. I was not going to live as a maid. I was going to live with the Lycans as a member of their household!

I kept waiting for the moment someone pinched me and told me tonight was a dream. And I wasn’t truly free.

But it didn’t happen. Instead, Soren’s cool voice washed over me. "Morning training by 6 am and breakfast at 7 on weekdays. After school, a more tightened training regimen will ensue, during which you will learn how to handle and control the urges and strength that will soon begin to overwhelm you. You will also have a private tutor, for Court Etiquette and—"

"Why do I need to learn court etiquette?" I interrupted, mind whirring.

"Because, Adams," Soren said softly. "Our world is quite different from yours. The rewards and benefits may be vast, but it is equally dangerous. You must be schooled on the right things to say and do, lest you get yourself in bargains and situations you cannot get out of. And also because it is bad form to interrupt a royal while they are speaking. Clearly, you know nothing about proper etiquette."

A flush ran up my neck.

He added. "The weekends are yours to do as you see fit, but there is much to cover and too little time. I suggest you train in your own free time. If you must leave the grounds and neither of us are available, you will take Mario with you. He is the driver and is trained to handle hassles if you ever find yourself in trouble. At least, until you’re able to protect yourself. There will be no partying within these walls, and if you must invite your friends over, you will inform them what NOT to do during their stay and whatever happens, you must take responsibility for it."

I had nothing to say to that. After tonight, I wasn’t sure I had friends anymore.

"Lastly." Soren tapped the book. "Abide by this. Strictly. One mistake and the repercussions may range from mild to dire."

I nodded again and Soren exhaled. "Very well, then. Welcome home, Adams."