The Unknown Lycan Heir

The storm was relentless. The wind howled with rage, sending fat droplets of water inside the small cave. The moonless sky crackled with thunder and the lightning illuminated the dark outline of trees.

A small boy snuggled close to his uncle out of fright. He covered his ears with both his hands as a loud rolling clap of thunder followed the lightning.

His uncle held the boy so close trying to warm his shaking frame. They were both hungry and tired, the raging storm made it impossible for them to go out and they tried to take cover in the small cave they found.

They were wet from head to toe–the boy's uncle prayed silently that they stayed safe for the rest of the night. The man kept his eyes trained on the shallow cave entrance for any threat. He didn't believe for an instance that a storm this powerful was enough to keep them away.

He held the boy close with one hand, as the other hand tightened on the hilt of his sword he kept secured in his hip. His ears perked up at the distant snarls, he cursed as he picked the small boy up and ran out the cave.

He tuned his senses to listen to any noise as he ran from the ghouls, scavenger creatures which fed on flesh and blood. Running through the dark forest in a raging storm was never a good idea. Even with his supernatural senses, it was hard to see through the night while the wind slapped his face without mercy.

He could hear the snarls getting closer, and he tripped over a root, sending the boy tumbling on the forest floor as they were surrounded by the vile creatures.

"Uncle Dimitri." He heard the frightened voice of the boy calling from his right-hand side.

He could feel the ghouls surrounding them for all directions. He wondered, how in the hell did the Ghoul King Gograk join hands with the enemies of the Royals to destroy the only hope for the Lycan Kingdom?

He stood motionless as the ghouls advanced. Luckily for him, one ghoul crashed into the others and a fight ensued between them, allowing Dimitri enough time to slip out of that place.

Dimitri thanked his lucky stars as he quickly dashed towards the boy in darkness following his sound. He found him holding a tree trunk in fear while he frantically called for his Uncle.

“Shhh… quiet Lucian.” He urged the boy to calm down–wanting no more attention than they already had.

Picking up the boy and loading him behind his back, he climbed the tree efficiently. The boy clutched his uncle so close as if his life depended on it. Climbing to the maximum height, he secured the boy to the branch. It was only a matter of time before the ghouls follow them here, and he needed to escape them.

The wind has picked up speed, and the trees swayed at the force. Travelling through the ground was impossible at this moment.

“Lucian, listen, we are in danger. I will kill them all before they get to us. You must stay hidden until I come back, do you understand?” He warned the little boy, who nodded vigorously as he hugged the tree branch tighter.

He climbed down a few feet and found a tree branch comfortable enough to stand on. He waited for the ghouls to come at him. He pledged to the Royals he would keep their son safe, and he was planning to keep it until his last breath.

Dimitri held his sword tighter as the snarls got closer–he cleaved the head of the first ghoul and slashed the second one's limb as it tried to get hold of his legs. The creature fell with an unpleasant ear piercing shrill, which echoed through the storm.

The wind howled like a madman as it mercilessly commenced its own attack on Dimitri, forcing him to stagger a few steps back. The tree branches shook with its animosity, forcing Lucian off the branch.

Lucian, who was falling off the tree, got hold of another thin branch on his way down and held on to it with all his might. Somehow climbing between two branches, he hid his face behind the trunk to avoid the onslaught of the wind.

Dimitri could hear the boy’s whimper. Lucian was only five-years-old and small when compared to other Lycan children.

More screams followed as Dimitri continued to slash at his enemies without remorse. The ghouls kept coming, being on top of a tree they had no blind spot to attack him and Dimitri was like a ghost unleashed.

One creature climbed behind him as he fought two vicious ghouls. They seemed stronger than others and evaded his sword skilfully. Somehow Dimitri separated the head of one ghoul when the one behind him slashed him with its claws drawing blood.

Dimitri howled as pain filled his entire being, the other ghoul at the front pounced at this opportunity and Dimitri screamed when they bit down and chewed down his flesh. His sword slipped from his hands and they stumbled down to the ground hitting every branch below on their way.

Falling from a tree at least fifty-feet taller was not a pleasant experience.

The creatures were separated from Dimitri at the impact and he lay on the wet ground, unable to move his limbs. His spine was broken and his wounds were bleeding profusely making it impossible to heal at the usual rate.

He couldn’t hear the snarls of the ghouls anymore–he wished they had died or knocked out at the impact.

Bodies littered the ground around him and the rich putrid smell of their blood filled his nose, making him gag. The downpour and the wind did nothing to take the scent away. There were at least fifty, and more should be following soon. They always traveled in groups.

“Lucian,” he coughed and pain shot out from his spine at the movement.

“Uncle Dimitri.” He heard the faint voice of the boy. “Come down,” he whispered taking shallow breaths trying to be gentler with his injuries.

The boy had strong senses, and he was sure he would hear him. The downpour made it hard for him to breath and it took a few minutes before Lucian reached him.

“Lucian, come here,” he beckoned him closer.

Lucian’s body shook badly with fear and cold as he reached for his uncle.

“Prince Lucian Armand Orszak, listen carefully. Before I continue, I need you to trust me and promise me first.” Dimitri raised his hand weakly, and the boy promised without hesitation.

Dimitri smiled–the boy never broke his promise once he made them. It was how he was brought up–to always stand by his word.

“Lucian, as you can see I am injured and cannot accompany you anymore. They will come for you and I cannot let that happen. You must run and never stop or never look back. You must run until you are safe. Never forget your name and know this, no matter how long it takes, I will come for you, Lucian.” Dimitri finished taking short breaths.

“Uncle Dimitri, I don’t want to leave you,” the boy cried making his heartache.

“You promised me, Lucian.” Dimitri reminded him and the boy gasped looking at him.

Dimitri sighed, “Come close.” He kissed his forehead and cast a protection spell on him.

“Now, run my dear Lucian. Stay alive and don’t forget who you are. I will come for you,” he said releasing the boy.

“Do you promise?” he asked as Dimitri chuckled.

“I promise I will come for you if I survive this.” Dimitri couldn’t lie to the boy. He was dying, the injury was fatal and he would die if the bleeding doesn’t stop.

The spell he put on the boy would temporarily hide Lucian’s scent and he should be far away from all this chaos–when the spell wears out. He watched the boy as he got up and ran, his eyes closed and was claimed by the darkness shortly.

***

Lucian ran as fast as his small legs could carry him.

Staying true to his promise, he did not look back as he ran through the dark forest.

His eyesight has adjusted to the darkness, and he effortlessly jumped over the fallen logs. The wind made it difficult for him to move forward, pushing him with all its might. If he tried to change his direction, so would the wind.

Lucian ground his teeth as he fought the invisible hands of the wind. He weaved in and out of the tree line, making the wind’s attempt to go futile. His uncle’s warning played repeatedly in his mind as he tuned his senses to look out for any impending danger.

He did not take heed of the pain that shot through his small legs when it scrapped against small stones, and did not bother to wipe the blood off as he continued to run. He knew the rain would wash off his scent.

Lucian might be smaller when compared to other Lycan children, but he was more than he looks. His father was worried about his future, Looks could be deceiving. Lucian smirked as he thought about his little secret. He was scared–yes, but he was never helpless. The little boy could fight just fine. Though he did not have proper training, unlike the other Lycan children who started at an early age.

He used to watch them train and practice the moves inside the secret sanctuary of his room. He could shift partially which his mother witnessed once.

Lucian loved his mother dearly but for some reason, she came to visit him only once in a day. It was his Nanny Maria, who used to spend most of the day with him. Several times, he caught her lingering scent near his room but never her.

His ears perked up at a distant noise similar to that of the ugly creatures, which attacked him and his Uncle. His pushed himself faster as he ran towards the unknown ahead. Lucian dodged a creature in time, which jumped on him from top of a tree. He did not stay back to fight it and continued to run dodging any creature that came on his way.

He could feel the creatures gaining speed and he screamed internally when a severe pain shot through his legs. A creature had nipped his right thigh with one of its deadly talons and Lucian crashed face first into the ground tasting the wet mud.

The creature pounced again, this time aiming for his torso–its mouth open wide showing sharp fangs that waited to tore through his body.

Lucian rolled over, which resulted in the ghoul to bite the ground near his torso and it ended up with a mouth full of mud. He didn’t wait for it to regain its posture as it shook its head trying to get the mud out of its mouth.

Lucian’s nails extended into claws as fur covered his upper body–his mouth extended into the muzzle with his teeth turning into sharp fangs. He jumped on a nearby log twirled in mid-air and swiped his claws across the creatures neck ripping its throat.

The creature’s gurgled scream filled the forest with the stench around them turning rancid. He did not wait to fight the other creatures and continued towards his path dodging the ghouls. Sometimes jumping over them or gliding smoothly between the spaces of their legs.

Lucian being so small helped a lot–the ghouls either crashed into each other or missed him when they tried to scoop him up. He felt something in the air–a faint hum of power which could be heard over the wind. It sounded like a buzzing bee and he felt a faint pull towards it.

His eyes frantically scanned the area, which looked the same as others, the ghouls were closing in on him and his legs ached with the adrenaline rush wearing out.

I cannot give up now.

I did not run this far to get captured or eaten alive by those vile creatures. I will fight till my last breath. Lucian searched for the source of the humming.

One ghoul swiped across his back and Lucian hissed in pain–the metallic scent of his blood filled the air.

No, I won’t scream and I won’t give up, he turned and attacked the creature viciously. His temper getting the best out of him, the creature dare attack him and draw blood.

Lucian’s claws tore through the creature’s body as it feebly tried to fight back. Other ghouls halted in their tracks as they witnessed Lucian tearing up their buddy. They snarled and Lucian knew when he was surrounded by them, waiting to make a move to feast on his flesh.

He let out a ferocious snarl of his own as he ran towards one ghoul and before others could close in. He bent his knees, slipping through the mud and swiped his claws across the belly of the creature that stood on all fours anticipating the taste of his flesh and blood on its mouth.

Lucian was out of the circle in a minute as other ghouls foolishly crashed into the ghoul hurt. The buzz got louder as Lucian ran and he ducked just in time as a ghoul flew past him and crashed into an invisible wall which burned its skin.

The ghoul jerked its body and screeched in pain, hurting Lucian’s sensitive ears. He stopped in his tracks, not knowing or understanding what just happened.

Was that some magic? He frowned. The hum echoed throughout the place and his squinted eyes landed a thin layer which surrounded that area.

The purple barrier moved like water waves and radiated with some unknown power. Looking around, he could see the barrier stretched as far as he could see and there was no option but to return to where he started his journey.

He did not know the way towards his Kingdom or where exactly he was in. At least twenty creatures closed in slowly as they watched every move he made.

They forced Lucian to retract as they growled and clicked their jaws in anticipation. Thick brown saliva dripped from their mouths as they swiped their tongues across their dirty teeth.

The wind stopped howling and has since calmed down as it watched the scene unfold.

Lucian would die today, the unseen force which created the wind thought wickedly as it waited for the ghouls to devour the little boy.

The more he got closer the more he could feel the barrier which vibrated with power and Lucian could feel its invisible touch.

“Cross the barrier.” An unknown sound of a woman echoed through the night. Lucian’s eyes widened as he searched for the source.

“It won’t hurt you, Lucian. Walk past the barrier and never look back,” the voice said again. The ghouls were only a few feet apart and one tried to swipe at him.

Lucian staggered behind and found himself inside the barrier. It surrounded him like a bubble and carried him backward, taking him farther from the ghouls.

He watched the ghouls unsuccessfully trying to cross the barrier and get burned when their skin came in contact with it.

The magic which surrounded him warmed his cold body, and he watched in amazement as it shimmered with bright colors. Soon his body was dropped gently amid another forest. Lucian stood by a small cliff overlooking a small town covered by trees. There was no mistaking the outline of small buildings.

He had never seen such a small building back in his Kingdom. The dawn just broke into the tree line giving it a peaceful yellowish glow. The warm breeze that caressed him was nothing like what he felt before.

“Go, Lucian. You are safe here. But beware of the humans,” the calm voice said again.

“Who are you?” Lucian asked staring at the space before him.

“A friend,” it whispered and Lucian felt an invisible presence leaving him to his own devices.

With a sigh, Lucian watched the human town now unveiled by the morning sun.

Lucian rummaged through the garbage bin next to that beat down restaurant. It was in the lonely part of the town for which he does not know the name. Though the bin was taller and it was easy to get in. All he cared about for now was to get food in his growling tummy.

A strangled sob left his mouth when he remembered the food he used to eat back in home that only existed in his memories now. He loved the pancakes with a lot of maple syrup on top his nanny Maria usually woke him up with breakfast in his bed.

Tears trickled down his chin as he ate the half-eaten sandwich. There was only little left as the restaurant owner usually fed the remains to the street dogs–he was fortunate to get that half sandwich.

Though the restaurant owner appeared king, Lucian never made an attempt to reach for help. He were tempted to reach him several times. However, his uncle's warning kept ringing in his head and he always stayed hidden in the shadows and watched with a longing. He’d never been alone before the horrid night that took his beloved Uncle from him.

Lucian slept during the day and searched for food at night. Life was difficult for him. He did not have good clothes. The trouser he wore was torn, he lost his shirt somewhere in the woods during his escape.

His bare foot has healed so well that he walked without pain these days. He felt so lonely and cried himself to sleep as he prayed for his uncle to come back and take him home. Lucian reached this town almost two months back and as his uncle warned he didn't stay in the same place for long periods. 

The atmosphere was changing around him, he sniffed and his instincts warned of an impending rain. Searching the garbage one more time, he left the alley to go back to his hideout. Living on the streets had made him tougher and he did not get frightened easily these days.

Lucian had faced enough struggles in these past months. An invisible lump formed in his throat as he thought about his life back home. He has forgotten what it was like to be in comfort and he remembered only a few things–his soft bed, his nanny Maria and that night with Uncle Dimitri in the forest.

He repeated his own name every day so he wouldn't forget it, like every other thing he had forgotten. The sudden downpour soaked him when he reached his hideout, bringing all the horrid memories with it. He hated the rain, especially when it rained at night it was a nightmare for him. Young Lucian relived the events of the dark night every time it rained.

Fortunately, the worn-out building had a basement. The dark room had no windows. Lucian rushed towards an old shelf where he used to sleep. The thunder clapped as memories of that night surfaced again. He covered his sensitive ears with both hands–his body shook like a leaf caught in a storm and the little boy cried himself to sleep with hopes of a better tomorrow.

To Lucian, a better day was when he found enough food and it did not rain at nights.

——-

"Alexa... Baby don't run," the little girl giggled hearing her mother's sound.

"Alexandra Mira Steller..... Stop there right now," this time she stopped and turned towards her very angry mother stood tapping her foot on the floor.

"What have I told you about not running? We are in supermarket and you could get lost," her mother yelled with concern as the little girl looked down with a guilty expression clouding her beautiful features.

"Amanda, calm down," she watched as her father tried to calm her mother. 

"I'm sorry Mommy, I won't run again," Alexa told her mother with a pout.

Amanda shook her head, making her shoulder-length brown locks bounce at the motion, and her pale blue eyes shone with laughter at the sight of her five-year-old daughter, who tried to look innocent with her pouty face.

"Okay, come on you little troublemaker. Let's get you home," Alexa squealed as Amanda picked her up and tickled her. Staying mad at Alexa was impossible.

"Victor, let's go. It looks like it’s going to rain," Amanda told her husband and carried Alexa out of the supermarket.

"Here honey, let me take her," Victor said following her as he picked up Alexa from her. The family ate dinner in the nearby restaurant and stopped by the supermarket to pick up few things for their travel.

Alexa lay down on her father's shoulder as she watched the supermarket getting far with each step her father took forwards. Something caught her eyes, she glanced towards her left side and it seemed like a boy similar to her age. She tried to crane her neck to get a good look, but her father had taken a turn and she couldn't see the boy any longer.

Reaching their small home, Victor carried Alexa to her bedroom. Alexa felt sad as she looked at the boxes that lined up in her room. They are leaving the town soon. Her father got a new job in another town. Her mother said that Alexa will get a bigger bedroom all for herself and new toys to play.

Her father helped her change and kissed her goodnight. She hugged her teddy close as she fell asleep dreaming about her new home.

——-

The sounds of the boxes being moved woke up Alexa next morning.

She found her mother running around the living room, packing their things and her father was not at home.

"Mommy," Alexa called out as she couldn't see past the boxes.

"Good morning baby, breakfast is in the kitchen,” her mother chirped from somewhere between the boxes.

Alexa's mouth watered at the sight of her favorite pancakes with maple syrup. She quickly occupied her favorite kitchen stool and dug in. The pancakes were delicious as usual and nothing could beat the maple syrup. Alexa poured more syrup into her pancakes as she devoured it.

"Alexa, honey.... not again," her mother groaned as she looked at her daughter. Her daughter had maple syrup beard with bits and pieces of pancakes decorating her chin.

"First of all, you do not eat without brushing your teeth. Secondly, you do not eat like that, where are your table manners?" Amanda exclaimed making Alexa cringe. 

She didn't think about it when she dug in. "I'm sorry Mommy," she pouted at her mother.

"Alexa, stop pouting at me," her mother scolded playfully as she picked her up and cleaned her mess.

Amanda couldn't help smiling at her daughter’s antics. Amanda and Victor were married for four years before they got Alexa, she was spoiled to the core. Alexa was well-behaved most times, except she had a habit of running around when they took her outside.

Her parents had told her several times it was not safe for her to run like that, especially in the neighborhood like theirs. However, that did not stop Alexa from running. They lived in the loneliest part of Knoxville, Tennessee, well known for its worst crime rate. 

One year back, they were in the supermarket as Alexa ran out and they took half hour to find her again at a nearby petrol station. If anything her daughter was curious and never thought twice as she runs off to have her own adventures.

Both Victor and Amanda’s parents were long deceased. Amanda was the only daughter of her parents and lost them at twenty in a road accident. While Victor's mother passed away during the birth of his younger brother, Arthur. His father died of heart attack at fifty-five. Growing up Victor and his brother were close.

Arthur was the first one to move out of Tennessee in search of a job. Now, that he was settled in Vermont he had invited his brother over there and he was also kind enough to arrange a job for him.

Victor took the offer without a second thought, as it paid well and they can provide good education and a better life for their only daughter.

They had nothing holding them back here in Tennessee anyway. The only family they had now was Arthur and his lovely fiancé Raelyn.

They are expecting their first child and Amanda couldn't wait to meet them.

——-

"Amanda, honey..." Amanda smiled at the sound of her husband.

She sauntered across the room welcoming Victor home with a kiss.

"All set, we can move out tomorrow. The moving company will come tomorrow morning," Victor gushed happily as he buried his face in Amanda's shoulder.

"I am very excited too. Finally, we will be able to provide our daughter a life she deserves," Amanda replied burying her face in his chest.

"Did you pack everything?" Victor questioned her as he eyed the boxes around him.

"Oh yes, I did. I have put aside few sets of clothes and stuff we need for our travel." Amanda replied as she ruffled Victor's neatly combed hair, she adored his black hair which complimented his dark brown eyes which held lots of love for her.

"All right, get ready then. Let's enjoy our last day in Tennessee," he kissed her once again and went to find his little angel, Alexa.

Finding Alexa was not tough, when she was not in her bedroom she was always in the fenced backyard building sand castles. He must buy her a pet once they moved to Vermont, he thought as he reached Alexa, who was now covered in patches of mud. 

It had rained last night and leaving Alexa free in the backyard was not a good idea. Amanda had a thing for cleanliness and she would have a heart attack if she saw Alexa like this. Victor quickly picked his daughter and sneaked back to the bathroom.

——-

The Steller couple preferred to walk when the climate was pleasant. The night was still young and the evening breeze was slightly chill against their skin, rousing the memories of days when they both dated.

The walk to the town was short. Amanda held Alexa close in a death grip as she browsed through the shelves for the required items. Victor chatted animatedly to someone he knew as Amanda shopped with Alexandra in tow.

Everything was fine until someone ran into Amanda, making her fall in the process. When she regained her composure she heard her daughter screaming as the guy ran out of the store carrying her like a sack of potatoes, in his shoulders. Amanda's handbag was also missing.

"Alexa!" She screamed as the reality set it. She ran behind the man like a mad woman, her only thought was Alexandra.

"Amanda…" Victor ran behind her as she dashed out of the store looking frantically around the streets for any sign of her daughter.

There were multiple alleyways and she didn't know where he had taken their daughter.

"Victor.... she is gone.... he took her," she cried loudly as she plopped on the sidewalk, not caring for the puddle of murky water which stained her clothes.