Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch
Chapter 45: The Attack

Chapter 45: The Attack

"T-Talia?" I muttered, my entire body quivered tremendously, my hold on the candelabra unable to stay firm, and slipping, shattering against the smeared floor.

I wanted to look away and spare my sanity from gazing upon this monstrosity, but I couldn’t, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I couldn’t.

A deep growl came from behind, my whole body shutting down. I had no idea where I found the bravery to turn.

I caught a shadow perched on the wall like a silent predator with glowing eyes. The wind came in, and the curtains flapped open enough for me to see it was a Lycan in beast form. I could only see its head, and it was more grotesque than the books depicted.

"Y-Your Grace, run!" Osha shouted, but my legs wouldn’t move.

The Lycan bellowed and the windows shuddered, and burst, the shards flying around, slashing my body, but I didn’t move.

The Lycan leaped and came for me. In my line of vision as it got closer and closer, I realized how large it was.

I felt a push on my chest. It was Osha; she had gotten up and propelled me out of the way.

My body slammed against the floor, the effect jolted my senses back in place, and I sat up in alert, finding Osha holding the Lycan with all her might.

"O-Osha!"

"I-I can’t shift, Your G-Grace! Please get out while you can!" she yelled to me, taking the claws to her body like it was nothing.

I don’t want to leave her or Talia.

But there was nothing I could do; she was risking her life to save me despite knowing she didn’t have the upper hand.

Summoning enough strength, I pushed my body to move even though it felt as if I’d crumple, ignoring the shards of glass puncturing my skin.

I got to my feet, running as fast as my legs could carry me, and I made a turn on the corridors, the abrupt force of it pressing me against the wall.

I heard another growl, and I snapped my gaze up and found another Lycan in front of me. I couldn’t see the other one clearly, and now that I did, I wish I could awake from this nightmare.

The Lycan stood around over seven feet tall, body thick with muscles, covered in fur, eyes glowing with an untamed light. Sharp claws and elongated fangs.

I took a step back, cautious, and the Lycan growled in response. And then, like the coming of certain death, it stalked toward me.

I turned on my heels and bolted, but my legs couldn’t carry me as fast as I wanted. I felt the Lycan’s claws slice through my arm.

A scream tore from my throat as I rolled on the floor. It hurled at me again and I reacted quickly by knocking the vase to create some kind of diversion, but it was only momentary. However, I found just enough time to run out to the courtyard.

The Lycan was gaining on me fast; I could hear its paws thudding with a menacing force against the ground.

I won’t make it.

Tears slipped from the corner of my eyes, and my legs slowed down until I came to a stop.

I’m sorry, Osha, I can’t run anymore.

I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable, but it never came; the haunting claw thuds stopped as well as the low growls.

I opened my eyes, my breath convulsing as I looked over my shoulder. The Lycan stood, immobile a hole to its chest where the heart was meant to be.

I felt a hand at the back of my head, turning me away from the scene, and my face pressed against a solid chest.

Drevon.

I clung harder to his jacket, hiccupping as relief washed over me like a wave.

Drevon’s hand dug into my hair, his body trembling. "It’s alright, Eloise, I’m here now."

I lifted my head so I could see him, but I barely could because my vision was clouded with tears.

"T-Talia, O-Osha..." Those were my words as black dots coated my vision and everything went blank.

~•~

• DREVON •

I stood by the side of the bed, eyeing Eloise’s sleeping form. Her wounds have been bandaged, and it’d take some time to heal; they weren’t too deep, so possibly a scar wouldn’t be left.

I turned away and ambled to the door, before I got close, they opened and slammed shut behind me.

There were twenty of my knights present, guarding the entire corridor. I walked to my right, where Garrick and Lucan were waiting for me.

They said nothing, standing still with their gaze leveled and not making eye contact with me.

I continued my walk without halting, and they followed rearward.

"Garrick," I said in a frosty tone.

"Osha is undergoing healing. Her Achilles tendons were slashed, a method to disable her, making it difficult for her to shift," Garrick explained. "Talia, the handmaid..." He paused, but continued anyway. "She’s barely alive."

"Will she live?"

"It’s too soon to tell."

I came to a halt, hot rage scorching through my skin. It was a funny coincidence that just when this attack happened, Mother had summoned me to court to discuss matters about the empire. It was a long hours of meeting that demanded my full focus.

If I hadn’t caught a whiff of Eloise’s blood, I wouldn’t have made it on time. Strangely, I was the only one who did; it was so strong, and I was able to realize it belonged to her because of the scent that came with it.

The thought of not getting to her in time devastated me immensely.

"M-My liege?" Lucan voiced, shaken by my attention. "Who do you think is behind this?"

I didn’t want to assume too quickly, because I knew Mother wasn’t the kind to use such a method. If she wanted to remove Eloise, then she would’ve done it publicly, whereas that didn’t ease my suspicion.

"Both of you, stay and guard this wing; no one comes in or out."

"My liege—" Garrick didn’t finish because I pinned him down with a brutal look.

He sweated and leveled his gaze. "I shall guard her with my life. Believe me, my liege, this pains me too about what happened to her. I want to get to the bottom of this, so please let me aid you."

"You are needed here more. I’ll handle this myself." I walked to the courtyard where the bodies of the Lycans were scattered in pieces.

"And get this mess cleaned up."

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