Chapter 20 Her name
Dust
I stay beside River, my heart pounding in my chest as we walk through the dense forest that surrounds the pack grounds. The towering trees loom above us, their leaves whispering in the gentle breeze, and I feel a strange sense of comfort in the wild embrace of nature. It’s almost as if the forest knows something I don’t yet grasp… a secret waiting to be revealed.
River’s grip on my hand is warm and reassuring, grounding me as we make our way deeper into the woods. I glance up at him, searching his expression for any sign of doubt, but all I see is determination. His resolve strengthens my own, and I draw in a breath, inhaling the scent of pine and damp earth mixed with the heady aroma of adventure.
“Are you sure this is the right way?” I ask, my voice a mix of excitement and nervousness.
He nods, a confident smile playing on his lips. “I’ve been here before. The old woman is wise, Dust. She knows the history of your kind better than anyone else around here. If anyone can help us understand your past, it’s her.”
“Do you really think she’ll recognize my mark?” I can’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety. The idea of being the lost princess of the Lycans is overwhelming, a weight I didn’t ask for but can’t seem to shake off.
“She will. Trust me,” River reassures me, squeezing my hand gently. “It’s a part of you, Dust, just like I am. You’re not alone in this.”
As we continue walking, the trees begin to thin, and I catch sight of a small cottage nestled among the roots of an ancient oak. Smoke curls from the chimney, and vibrant flowers bloom in the garden, adding splashes of color to the earthy tones of the forest. It feels enchanted, as if it exists in a world apart from the one I’ve known.
“Here we are,” River announces, his voice filled with anticipation.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead. River knocks on the weathered door, and after a moment, it creaks open to reveal an elderly woman with silver hair tied back in a loose bun. Her eyes are sharp and piercing, shimmering with wisdom and secrets that stretch back through the ages.
“River,” she greets him with a knowing smile. “It’s been a long time.”
“Daphne,” he replies, stepping aside to allow me to enter. “I’ve brought someone with me. We need your help.”
Daphne’s gaze shifts to me, and I feel the weight of her scrutiny. “And who might this young lady be?”
“This is Dust,” River introduces me, his voice steady. “I believe she’s the lost Lycan princess.”
The old woman's brows raise in surprise, and I can see the flicker of recognition in her eyes. “The lost princess? Come closer, child…. Do you bear the lycan mark?”
I step forward hesitantly, my heart racing as I reveal the mark on my hip. The moment the sunlight hits it, it seems to glow, and I feel a surge of energy coursing through me. Daphne leans in, her gaze intense as she examines the mark closely.
“By the moons,” she breathes, a tremor of awe in her voice. “Even my old eyes recognize the mark of a royal Lycan. This is no coincidence, dear one.”
“Can you tell us about the princess?” River prompts, his voice low and urgent. “What happened to her?”
Daphne straightens, her demeanor shifting to that of a storyteller. “Aloria, the beloved daughter of the King and Queen, disappeared nearly eighteen years ago when she was just a babe. It was said she was taken by the vampire Lord, a dark figure who sought to use her for his own twisted purposes. The kingdom mourned her loss, believing her to be sacrificed in a cruel ritual to gain power.”
A chill runs down my spine at the mention of the vampire Lord. “But I’m here now,” I whisper, uncertainty creeping into my mind. “If I am Aloria, does that mean I was meant to be sacrificed?”
Daphne shakes her head firmly. “No, child. You were meant to escape. Fate has brought you back to reclaim your birthright. The mark you bear is a symbol of your lineage… a reminder of the strength that runs through your blood.”
River stands close beside me, his presence like an anchor as I grapple with the weight of my past. “What do we do now?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Now,” Daphne begins, her voice strong and steady, “you must embrace who you are. You are not just the lost princess; you are Aloria, a woman in your own right. You must learn to harness the power within you, to understand what it means to be a Lycan and a leader.”
I nod slowly, the pieces of my identity beginning to form a clearer picture. “But how? Where do I start?”
Daphne smiles knowingly. “You start by believing in yourself. You have the heart of a true Lycan, and with River by your side, you will find the strength you didn’t know you had. You must train, learn the ways of your kind, and prepare to take your place in the world.”
The thought of training, of becoming more than I ever thought possible, sends a thrill of excitement through me. “I want to do this,” I declare, my voice firm. “I want to learn.”
“Good,” Daphne replies, her eyes glinting with approval. “But remember, the path will not be easy. There will be challenges, and you must face them head-on. Not everyone will simply let you reclaim your birthright without a fight.”
“Then we’ll be ready,” River says, his voice full of conviction. “We’ll fight for her, for our pack, for the future she deserves.”
Daphne’s expression softens as she studies us. “Together, you are stronger than you realize. Now, take this knowledge and go. Seek your destiny, Aloria. The kingdom awaits its true princess.”
With those words, I feel a surge of hope and purpose rising within me. I turn to River, and he meets my gaze with determination in his eyes. We are more than just mates; we are a team.
As we leave the cottage, the sun shines brightly overhead, illuminating the path before us. My heart is racing, not just with fear but with anticipation. I am ready to embrace the lycan within, to uncover the truth of my past, and to claim the future that is rightfully mine.
“Let’s go, River,” I say, my voice steady and confident. “We have a kingdom to reclaim.”
“Easy now my princess,” he grins. “I think we need a plan, not just you and me barking into the lycan castle yelling ‘the princess has returned’”
I sigh, “you are right.”
He pulls me in for a soft kiss, “At least you have a real name now… Aloria.”