Chapter 7

• Margaret had taken it upon herself to make Althea look the most beautiful she would ever look in her life.
• While Margaret took care of everything, she kept talking about how good it would be for everyone if she became the bride.
• Althea remained silent as she reviewed the unusual rules she had discovered in the ancient book she had stumbled upon. The words echoed in her mind, and she repeated them like a mantra to ensure they were ingrained in her memory.
• "Embrace the silence within. Embrace the silence."
• She had made the potion that was in the book, hoping it would really make her not to be chosen.
• Margaret stepped back, a mix of excitement and apprehension on her face as she observed her daughter. Althea's reflection in the mirror held an air of mysterious allure.
• The gown her mother had chosen was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It shimmered with an otherworldly gleam, a deep midnight blue that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe. The fabric was soft, almost ethereal, and as it cascaded over Althea's form, she felt an unexpected surge of power coursing through her veins.
• The gown didn't simply drape over her curves; it seemed to mold to her, as if it were alive, adapting to her every movement. The neckline accentuated her collarbones, and the gown's intricate embroidery traced delicate patterns across her skin.
• Her hair, styled into a beautiful bun, was adorned with a delicate tiara, its glittering jewels reflecting the light and adding a touch of glamour to her overall look.
• Althea couldn't help but admire herself in the mirror, feeling like a true princess. The dress hugged her in all the right places, accentuating her feminine curves, and the tiara added a touch of regality to her ensemble.
• As she twirled around, the skirt of her gown billowed around her, the silky fabric rustling like the wings of a butterfly.
• "Well, don't you look exquisite," Margaret said with a fake sweetness in her voice, her eyes scrutinizing Althea's every move.
• Althea felt her heart sink at the insincerity in her mother's words. She knew that Margaret had ulterior motives behind the beautiful gown she had crafted for her.
• "Do you know why I made you this beautiful?" Her mother asked, wiping her hands on her dress.
• "So that I would look beautiful in my coffin because you don't want to buy another dress," Althea replied, her voice steady and devoid of any emotion. She continued to stare into the mirror, avoiding direct eye contact with her mother.
• Margaret's smile broadened, but there was a sinister glint in her eyes. Her hand trailed along Althea's arm, leaving a cold and unsettling feeling in its wake.
• "You finally understand, don't you?" Margaret hissed, her facade of motherly affection completely gone. "You were never meant to have a choice in this matter. You are nothing more than a pawn, a means to an end for this wretched family. Hopefully you become queen and not die."
• Althea clenched her jaw, refusing to let her mother's harsh words break her composure. Deep down, she had always known how her mother truly felt about her, but hearing it confirmed still hurt.
• "Fine," Althea said, her voice laced with a quiet determination. "I'll play my part. But know this, Mother, I won't let your twisted plans control my fate. I will find a way to break free from this suffocating life you've condemned me to."
• Margaret's laughter rang out, cold and heartless. "Break free? You think you can defy the king and escape your destiny? You're nothing but a weak, insignificant girl, Althea. No amount of rebellion from you will change that."
• In that moment, Althea felt a flicker of defiance ignite within her. She refused to be silenced by her mother's cruel words. With her invisibility bestowed by the enchanted gown, she knew that she had a chance to escape the clutches of the Lycan king and her heartless mother.
• As she locked eyes with Margaret in the mirror, Althea's gaze burned with determination. "You may have tried to break me, Mother, but mark my words, I will rise above this darkness. I may be invisible to you, but I will find my own strength and forge my own path."
• Margaret's expression twisted with rage, but Althea turned away, refusing to be intimidated any longer.
• If she was going to be taken away or died tonight, she might as well tell her mother her mind.
• "Well then, I wish you best of luck."
• At the park, a tense and fearful atmosphere permeated the air as the night of the matrimonial ball unfolded. The eligible brides, including Althea, stood together, their faces a mix of nervousness and dread. This event was not a celebration but a display of submission to the dreaded Lycan King's decrees.
• The park, usually a place of joy and laughter, now felt heavy with the weight of tradition and the Lycan King's oppressive rule. The villagers' gazes were averted, their fear of the king evident in their trembling hands and hushed whispers. No one dared to question his authority or defy his will.
• Althea's heart pounded in her chest, her palms damp with perspiration. She had never seen the Lycan King or his rumored terrifying companion, but the stories of their tyranny sent shivers down her spine. They were beings to be feared, creatures of immense power who ruled with an iron fist, and their presence tonight was a haunting reminder of their dominance.
• As the moonlight cast an eerie glow over the park, the tension in the air became palpable. Althea couldn't help but wonder what fate awaited the chosen bride, and whether she would be condemned to a life of subservience or something far worse.
• The sound of hushed footsteps echoed, signaling the approach of the Lycan King. Fear rippled through the crowd, and people instinctively stepped back, creating a path for his arrival. He emerged with an aura of malevolence, flanked by a formidable Lycan companion whose eyes seemed to pierce through the very soul of those who dared to look.
• Althea's heart sank as their gaze swept over the brides, and she felt a chill crawl up her spine. The weight of their power and the fear they instilled were suffocating.
• In this moment of trepidation, Althea clutched onto the enchanted gown she wore, seeking comfort and courage in its mystical essence. While she knew it wouldn't grant her physical invincibility, she hoped it could provide her with the inner strength to endure this nightmarish event.
• Her stomach twisted in knots at that, increasing her fear, knowing that not only would the dreaded King be here, but he would also bring along his ferocious beast.
• There was tension and fear in the air as they waited.
• They would be here anytime soon.
• They could sense it in the air that they were coming.
• Then they heard loud marching of warriors in amours from a distance away, as their boots hit the ground in unison.
• Everyone went dead silent.
• Finally, the warriors arrived at the Park, then they stopped.
• Althea tightened her hands by her sides, holding the edge of her seat, her gaze planted to the ground.
• She heard the neighing of a horse but nothing after that.
• A horse? Didn't they say he would bring a lycan?
• She raised her head slowly to see that it wasn't the King but a woman who was smoothly getting off the horse with the help of one of the warriors.
• She dismounted with an effortless grace, her movements slow and deliberate as she stepped down from the saddle. As she straightened up, the moonlight caught the silky fabric of her red dress, causing it to shimmer like flames in the sunlight.
• The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, the deep red color complimenting the warm tones of her skin. The neckline plunged daringly low, revealing just a hint of cleavage, and the slit up the side of the dress revealed a glimpse of toned leg as she walked.
• As she strode across the grassy clearing, her hips swayed seductively, drawing the eyes of those around her. Her hair, a wild cascade of dark curls, framed her sultry features, accentuating her full lips and smoky eyes.
• The woman exuded a confident sensuality, like a predator on the hunt. Those who watched her couldn't help but be drawn in by her allure, captivated by her every move. She was a force to be reckoned with, a woman who knew her power and wasn't afraid to use it to her advantage.
• She emitted power, so much power that although Althea was sitting far from her, she felt consumed by it.
• The woman's gaze landed on them and Althea stiffened as those eyes scanned them with concealed eyes.
• The Village Head immediately ran towards her, along with his wife, bowing lightly.
• She whispered something to them and they started talking.
• Now that she was closer to her, Althea noticed that this woman was a tall one. She was taller than the village head by a few inches. Although she was wearing red heels, so she wasn't quite sure anymore.
• Althea looked away from her, her eyes onto the warriors instead. She started searching through the guards for the lycan King, so that she would know whose attention she didn't want to draw.
• Her grip on the edges of her seat tightened as she watched the mighty beast walked forward.
• The myths were not wrong. He did have the power to duplicate his Lycan into its own form.
• The lycan ran some distance in front of them, its feet hitting the ground, making it shake slightly. Dust rushed up into the air, as it came to a stop before closing them up by it's sides.
• It growled lowly at that, Althea could almost feel the vibration.
• This was the biggest beast she had ever seen in her entire life, it was even bigger than she had imagined it, adding to her fear.
• The Lycan before her was like nothing she had ever seen before. His humanoid body was covered in fur, but it wasn't the usual grey or brown that she was used to. Instead, his fur was a deep shade of midnight blue, with hints of violet shimmering in the light. As he moved, the colors seemed to swirl and shift, almost like the surface of a dark ocean.
• His eyes were a bright, piercing yellow, and his sharp claws and fangs glinted in the moonlight. He was a formidable presence, and even though he seemed to be on her side, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear in his presence.
• That was when she noticed the man that stood beside the lycan.
• The dreaded lycan King himself.
• He patted the Lycan on it's body, having a cold gaze and lackadaisical expression on his face.
• He was a tall muscular man with a scar that ran across his face. He looked scary and frightening that Althea could look no more.
• He was also fully clad in a dark cloak that wrapped around him like a shroud of shadows, concealing his form. His attire was adorned with intricate patterns, woven with silvery threads that glimmered under the moon's pale light.
• At his side, a sleek, slender dagger nestled in a sheath, its hilt adorned with ancient symbols that spoke of power and mystique. Though not as imposing as a huge sword, the dagger exuded an aura of lethal elegance, hinting at the agility and precision of its wielder.
• As he moved, the cloak seemed to dance around him, enhancing the enigmatic air that surrounded the Lycan King. His appearance sent shivers down the spines of the villagers, who dared not cross his path or meet his gaze.
• Althea couldn't help but feel a mix of dread and fascination as she observed the Lycan King's attire. His cloak seemed to embody the very essence of darkness and command, and she knew that beneath its folds lay the power to decide the fates of countless lives.
• Althea gulped.
• This was definitely happening.
• At that moment, the woman who had arrived earlier before him, yelled.
• "Your king has arrived!"