Chapter 8: Heir to the Lycan Throne
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“What? Who could be so foolish as to reject my daughter?” my father exclaimed, his voice laced with indignation.
Before I could respond, my mother pulled me into a gentle embrace, her warmth and love wrapping around me like a cocoon. The steady rhythm of her heartbeat calmed my racing thoughts, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I felt truly safe.
“It’s alright, sweetheart,” she whispered soothingly. “You’re free now. You can choose someone who truly deserves you.
Her words brought a measure of comfort, and I found myself wiping away the tears that had stubbornly streaked my cheeks. Trying to steer the conversation away from my pain, I asked, ” Are you busy today?”
My father, who had been standing close by, smiled faintly. “We had some pressing matters to handle earlier, but everything has been taken care of. You’ll have to learn about these responsibilities in the future.”
I sank deeper into my mother’s embrace, her scent calming me like a lullaby. The sting of Walter’s rejection still lingered, but a part of me was beginning to see the silver lining. Without his rejection, I might never have found my biological parents. I already had a loving adoptive family, a protective brother, and amazing friends. Perhaps I had been asking too much of fate.
“But…” I hesitated, the question clawing its way out of me, “why am I human?”
My father knelt beside me, his eyes soft but filled with an intensity that demanded my attention. Gently, he tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “That’s a characteristic of Lycans. Until we awaken our wolves, we’re indistinguishable from humans. It’s why it was so difficult for us to find you.”
“Yes,” my mother interjected, her voice tinged with sorrow. “That night, it was raining so heavily. Your scent was faint, and we searched everywhere, but… we couldn’t find you.”
Her voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes. Desperate to ease her pain, I asked quickly,” How did I go missing?”
My father’s jaw tightened, and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. “A traitor,” he growled. A vile, power–hungry fool who thought he could ascend to the throne by using you as leverage. He kidnapped you to blackmail us.”
My mother shivered at the memory, and my father reached out to steady her before continuing. “The moment you were taken, I tracked him down and nearly ended his miserable life. He told me he had left you in a nearby forest. We searched for days, weeks… but you were
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gone. We thought…” His voice faltered, and for the first time, I saw the depth of his grief. “We thought he’d killed you.”
A surge of mixed emotions coursed through me. The story was surreal, almost too dramatic to believe. But it explained so much–how I had ended up in the wolves‘ territory, how I had always felt out of place.
Still, a lingering question gnawed at me. “But I’m still human,” I said, frustration creeping. into my voice. “When will I become a powerful werewolf like you?”
My father’s expression softened, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Patience, sweetheart,” he “The transformation begins around your eighteenth birthday. Over the course of a year, your wolf will awaken fully. By the time you’re nineteen, you’ll stand among the strongest of our kind.”
My heart swelled with excitement, and my eyes lit up with hope. The idea of finally having a wolf of my own felt like a dream coming true. “I can’t wait,” I said eagerly. “I’ve always wanted to be strong.”
My mother chuckled, brushing her hand over my hair. “Strength takes time, my love. Once your wolf awakens, we’ll start training you. You’ll become a remarkable leader, just like your
father.”
“Yes,” my father agreed with a proud smile. “You’ll be the heir to the Lycan throne, Thelma.
The best we’ve ever had.”
I blinked at him, disbelief evident on my face. “Me? Do you really think I can do it?”
He placed a hand on my shoulder, his black eyes steady and full of conviction. “Without a doubt, my dear. You’re my daughter. You can achieve anything.
Emboldened by his unwavering support, I hesitated before making a small request. “Father,” I said softly, “can I ask for something?”
you want, it’s yours.”
“Anything,” he replied immediately, his tone firm. “Whatever you want,
The sincerity in his promise made me feel lighter than I had in years. For the first time, I felt like I could ask for something selfishly, without guilt or hesitation. “I want to see your wolf,” I admitted, my voice tinged with childlike wonder. “I’ve never seen one before.”
A broad grin spread across his face, revealing sharp, white teeth. “Of course,” he said, ruffling my hair. “But only after you’ve fully recovered. You’re still healing, and I don’t want to risk startling you.”
The conversation shifted to my adoptive parents as they asked about where they had found Ine. I recounted the location as best I could, gratitude evident in my voice.
“They were good to me,” I said. “I was so lucky to have them. Without them, I might not have survived.”
Chapter 8. Heir to the Lyeah Throne
My mother’s expression grew distant, her voice a whisper. “I went to that forest,” she said, her tone heavy with regret. “I searched for you there so many times, but…”
I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “It’s okay,” I said firmly. “It’s all in the past. What matters now is that we’re together. We’ll never be apart again.”
My mother nodded, wiping away her tears. “You’re right. We owe your adoptive family a great debt. They gave us back our daughter. We’ll ensure they’re repaid for their kindness.”
After some time, my father suggested I get some rest. “You’ve been through so much,” he said, tucking the blanket around me. “Once you’ve recovered, we’ll begin your training. There’s much to learn.”
As he turned to leave, I called out to him. “Father?”
He paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Yes, my dear?”
“Do you really think I can be the Queen Regent?” I asked, my voice filled with uncertainty.
His smile was soft but resolute. “Of course, Thelma. You’ll be the greatest ruler the Lycans‘ have ever known.”
mind as sleep began to claim me. For the first time, I felt truly at His words lingered in my peace, as though I belonged somewhere. This was my family, my destiny, and I would protect
it with everything I had.
