The Lycan Prince

Avalyn

It's beautiful. I flatten a hand over the beautiful navy blue gown, the fabric cool against my fingertips. The material seems to shimmer under the soft light, catching faint silvery gleams that resemble a starry night sky. The bodice hugs my torso perfectly and the intricate diamond-work tracing delicate patterns over my curves like constellations etched in midnight.

Today marks twenty years since the birth of Soare-Luna, and like every year since Nik and I got back together, we're hosting a ball. This year's theme, Beneath the Stars, feels especially fitting. My gown is a tribute to the stars aligning, allowing life as I know it to exist.

My skin warms and then sizzles.

"Do you like it, Mistress? I had Zoreno make some last minute changes...." Tessa drones, but I'm not listening.

Nik's here. Instinctively, heat pools between my legs.

My eyes shoot towards the mirror and I see him at the entrance of the walk-in closet. As always, I feel his presence before I see him. He leans against the door frame, his eyes burning into mine through the mirror before they leisurely trail down my form, drinking me in. Liquid heat pools in my belly.

Nik closes the distance in four long steps. An arm circles my waist, pulling me flush against him. A breathless gasp escapes my lips. His other hand brackets my throat, lightly squeezing it, cutting off half of my air supply, reminding me of his control over me. Not that I needed any reminding. I know it with every fibre of my being. His hard-on presses against my lower back and I bite down on my bottom lip, a low moan escaping my mouth.

"You've been naughty, my Love," Nik murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of my ear before biting down on my earlobe.

Uh-oh. I knew this would happen. A delicious thrill shoots down my spine at what I know will happen next. "What did I do, baby?" I ask innocently but we both know better.

His left eyebrow raises half an inch. "You don't know?"

I shake my head, pressing my lips together, trying not to show the burgeoning smile.

"Let me remind you," he says smoothly, his voice dipping into a tone that makes my knees weak. "Hands flat on the mirror."

Without another word, I place my hands on the cool glass. Nik grabs the sides of my hips and pulls back, bending me at the waist. Then, he pulls my dress up and bunches it up around my hips. His other hand slips under me, finding my core.

"You're drenched," he murmurs, his voice tinged with amusement and something darker. "My little minx." His fingers scissor my lips, teasing but never quite entering me or touching my clit.

I squirm, desperate for more. "What are you going to do about it?"

A low chuckle rumbles from his chest. "Whatever I want." His hand disappears, only to return a heartbeat later with a sharp crack against my ass. The sting morphs into a fiery heat that sends shockwaves to my core.

"Ah," I gasp and my pussy clenches. I jerk away from him for a moment before pushing my ass back toward him, needing more.

"So fucking desperate for a punishment, hm?" His voice is light but his eyes betray his raw hunger.

"Yes, Master," I rasp, my voice full of need.

Blow after blow rain down, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh filling the room. The sharp sting blends into a dull, aching pleasure, the kind that coils low in my belly and spreads through my limbs.

"Look at yourself," he commands, his voice cutting through the haze. "Look at me using the Queen of Soare-Luna like the bad girl she is."

My eyes flutter open, focusing on our reflection. My skin glows with heat, my pupils blown wide, and my dress is bunched at my waist. Nik towers behind me, his glowing eyes locked on mine, his expression feral and possessive as he continues spanking me.

The sight sends a fresh wave of arousal through me, and I moan, the sound raw and unrestrained. It turns me on but as the blows continue, my skin grows tender.

When his hand finally stills, the sting lingers, my skin humming with sensitivity. His palm rests against my sore flesh, rubbing in slow, soothing circles.

"Please, Master," I whisper, my voice trembling. "I'm sorry."

Nik smirks, his hand squeezing possessively. "For what, little liar? I thought you didn't do anything wrong."

"I... I did," I admit breathlessly, the confession spilling from my lips. "I had them switch out your tux for a different one. I wanted us to match."

His gaze sharpens, those grey eyes narrowing as he processes my confession. Nikolai has always insisted on wearing only black tuxedos, claiming anything else is "tacky." For the last few months, I've been on a mission. I am trying to persuade him to experiment, to wear something that matched the themes of the events we attended. Every time, his answer had been an unmovable no. This time, I've taken matters into my own hands. His tuxedo now complements my dress-a tasteful navy blue with subtle, elegant designs that resembles constellations. It wasn't gaudy or overdone, just... not his usual black.

"You're a naughty girl, Ava," he murmurs, his teeth grazing my shoulder. My breath hitches, a shiver of anticipation running through me.

"I... I thought you'd like it," I stammer, my resolve faltering under his heated gaze. "Just try it. If you hate it, I'll take the rest of my punishment without complaint, and I'll apologise. For real this time."

In the mirror, I see a flicker of contemplation in his eyes. Yes! "Please," I say softly, in the tone that I know works.

"Fine." Knew it.

"Yay!" I turn around and smack a kiss on his lips, unable to supress my grin. "You will look so handsome. All eyes will be on you."

His grey eyes soften and burn into mine. "There's only one pair of eyes I care about," he says, his voice low and husky. Before I can respond, his lips capture mine, hot and demanding, stealing my breath. My knees weaken as a rush of heat surges through me.

A polite but awkward cough breaks the moment.

"Um..." Tessa stands in the doorway, her face flushed red. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but if you don't start getting ready, you'll be late for the ball. You specifically asked me to keep you on time after the delay at the last event you attended."

I stifle a laugh at Nik's low growl of annoyance. The last time we were late, it was entirely his fault-or at least, mostly. A quickie before the gala had turned into anything but a quick sex session. We'd arrived an hour behind schedule, flustered but thoroughly satisfied. I smile at the memory.

Nik's fingers trace the curve of my waist, bringing me back to the present. "We'll finish this later," he vows, his tone promising both mischief and retribution.

"Looking forward to it, Master." I grin wickedly, knowing exactly what that means. "Now stop making us late and let Tessa do her job." I nudge him lightly, breaking the spell of the moment. Nik groans in mock frustration as he releases me, striding into his closet through the archway just opposite.

Tessa works efficiently, her hands moving with practiced precision as she finishes my look. Most of my makeup and hair had been done earlier, so it's just the final touches-an extra sweep of blush, touching up my lipstick, a spritz of setting spray, and a little hair spray to keep my curls in place. In no time, I'm ready.

I turn to look at Nikolai. He is standing under soft lighting while Jon gives his hair one last brush. The tux fits him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and strong frame. The subtle diamond accents blend seamlessly with his otherwise all-navy ensemble, making him look even more striking.

Nik turns to me, his stormy grey eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I forget how to breathe. He looks devastating. The corners of his mouth quirk into a small, knowing smile as he takes in my reaction.

"Speechless?" he teases, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Completely," I manage to whisper, feeling my cheeks warm under his intense gaze. "You look so handsome, mi Amor."

"The tux is not half-bad," he concedes with a smirk, but before I can respond, he draws me into his arms, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that's soft yet electrifying. Pulling back slightly, his breath warms my ear as he murmurs, "No more spanks for tonight then." Then, he twirls me gently and my gown flares. "My beautiful queen," he says softly, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

I tilt my head with playful defiance, heat rising to my cheeks. "Dang it. Should've swapped it for a hideous tux," I quip with a grin. "Thank you, though."

A deep laugh rumbles from his chest, the sound vibrating through me. "Fine," he counters, his voice dropping suggestively. "A few spanks-if you beg like a good girl."

I meet his gaze, arching a brow. "I'll hold you to it," I say, satisfied with the promise behind his words.

Hand in hand, we walk down the corridors of the palace, the distant sounds of the orchestra drifting to us as we near the Grand Ballroom in the North Wing. The room is bathed in golden light from crystal chandeliers that hang like jewelled stars from the high ceiling, casting intricate patterns across the marble floor. The air smells faintly of roses and jasmine, the scent mingling with the soft rustle of silk gowns and tuxedos.

As we step into the ballroom, the room seems to pause for a moment, all eyes on us. I smile as we descend down the staircase.

Max, Nat, Dimitri, Katerina, Andrei, and Mikhail stand on the side of the staircase, looking at us with warm smiles on their faces. Klaus, Tori, and Kol stand behind them, looking as though they were laughing a moment ago and are trying to be quiet now. My smile deepens and my heart warms. Over twenty years with my big, beautiful, crazy family. Forever to go.

Nik leads me to the centre of the ballroom, where the musicians begin the first notes of a waltz. As the music swells, he pulls me close, a hand resting on the curve of my lower back and the other hand gently cradling my hand. We begin to move, his steps slow and deliberate, guiding me across the floor with a sensual grace that sends a shiver down my spine. The way his eyes lock onto mine-smouldering, intimate, and entirely possessive-makes the rest of the room fade away.

My breath hitches, emotions lodge themselves in my throat. "Can't believe it's been twenty years. Thank you for everything, Nik. None of this would have been possible without you." My voice comes out soft and full of emotions.

Nik pulls me even closer, his voice low and steady. "It's you who made all of this possible. You're everything Avalyn. And everything is you." He presses a kiss on my forehead.

The song ends and with it, our dance. Klaus replaces Nik.

First dance with the King. Second dance with the Crown Prince. Klaus's future looms ahead, especially with half the prophesy still unfulfilled. While the weight of leadership might take years to settle on his shoulders, I know he will grow into the role he is destined for.

"Once I become king, my first decree would be to ban ballroom dances. They're torture. Do you realise how hard it is to keep from tripping over the big gowns you women wear?" He complains. "And don't even get me started on the years of dance lessons forced on us when we were kids."

I laugh. Maybe the responsibility to settle will take a few years longer than I'd thought but I'm sure he'll get there. "Yes, I can see how torturous it would be for young men to get to dance with girls and make friends with them." I tease, letting my voice drip with playful sarcasm.

Klaus grins, flashing that roguish smile of his. "Maybe not all of it was bad."

The Ball went on and Nik and I circled the room, talking to our guests and enjoying the evening. We end up separating as the evening unfolds. I'm talking to a guest when my eyes fell on Tori and Kol, dancing on the floor.

They've been inseparable since childhood. They had been dating for as long as we could remember, but they never openly admitted to it because of our reservations. We didn't want them to be heartbroken in case they weren't each other's erasthai. I remember the countless restless nights we had spent worrying about it. But it all worked out when we found out that they were made for each other.

All of us had been ecstatic for them. They truly are perfect for each other. And I trust no one but Kol to keep my daughter happy.

A smile tugs at my lips as I watch them. Their dance ends, and I make my way over to them. Along the way, I'm stopped by a few guests, but when I finally reach them, Nik and Klaus are already with Tori and Kol.

"Have you seen the stars tonight?" Klaus says, his voice overly bright. "They're twinkling. Talking to me in morse code. I think the universe is speaking-"

Nik's eyes narrow in frustration as he looks at the group, his anger barely contained. "We're at a ball. If your mom finds out and gets upset, it'll be the end of you. Whatever this is," he says, pointing to Klaus, "undo it."

"But-"

My chest tightens, and I feel the familiar knot of dread tightening in my gut. Something isn't right. "What's going on?" I ask, joining them.

"Nothing, my Love," Nik says sweetly. "The kids were just being kids. Do you want to dance again?"

I look at Klaus. The unnaturally dilatated pupils, red eyes, and a darkness inside him mean only one thing. A cold wave of realization crashes over me and the ache in my chest growing into something fierce. He is using again. The anger I feel is so hot, it burns through my veins, but it's the betrayal that cuts the deepest. He promised me he would stop.

My voice is low, controlled, but the emotion behind it is undeniable. "Klaus will be joining the military, starting tomorrow. Make the necessary arrangements."

I can see the blood drain from Klaus's face, the horror setting in. "Mom-"

The weight of my decision presses down on me, but I stand firm, unyielding. "Leave the party at once."

"Av-" Nik tries to say something but I've made my mind.

"My decision is final," I say, my voice icy and unrecognisable even to myself.

Nik and I get through the night just fine but an unspoken tension lingered. By the time we made it back to our bedroom, the air is charged with with palpable energy.

A sliver of guilt slid inside my chest. Maybe I've been too harsh. Maybe I-

"I agree with your decision," Nik says, surprising me. "The weight of fulfilling the prophesy is immense and it made me sympathise with him. It made me soft. Lenient. And look where that led us. It's all my fault. If I'd set him straight the first time I caught him..." Nik presses his lips looks away.

A sharp pain stabs my heart. "This isn't your fault, Nik," I say softly, placing a hand on his arm. "Some paths are chosen, no matter how many times we try to intervene. This isn't on you."

Nik's gaze flickered to mine, his composure cracking to reveal the storm of emotion beneath. "It is our responsibly to prepare the kids for their future," he says, his voice tinged with frustration and regret. "We've always believed that they don't need to be perfect-just strong enough to rise when it matters. But Klaus..." he exhales sharply. "He can't even control his impulses. How the hell is he going to save the universe?"

I swallow hard, the weight of his words settling heavily on my shoulders. He's right, and we both know it.

"We need to tell them about the prophecy," I say, my voice quieter now but resolute. The statement lingers between us. We had decided to not tell the kids about it. We wanted to let fate take its course and lead them to their destiny, the way it happened with us. The way it is supposed to be. We also did not want to put that kind of pressure on them at such a young age. But... "Shielding them from the truth hasn't done any good. Maybe this is what Klaus needs to finally step up-to understand the stakes and get his act together."

Nik turns away, his jaw clenched, and I can almost see the war raging within him. "Do you think that will help them?" he asks, his tone wary.

"I don't know," I admit. "But maybe knowing the truth will shift something inside him. Help him become ready for when the time comes. He needs this."

Nik is silent, but the tension in his posture softens just a little, as though my words have given him a sliver of hope to hold onto. "Okay." He gives me a tight nod. "We tell him tomorrow morning, before he leaves."

I nod, my gaze lowering. This isn't the future I wanted for Klaus but if this is where life has led us, I'm sure it's for a reason. "I just hope that everything turns out okay," I say softly.

Nik draws me in his warm embrace. "It will," he says, his voice steady and sure. "And if it doesn't, we'll be right here to fix it."

I tilt my head upward just as Nik leans down, and when our lips meet, the tension of the night melts away. In that moment, I know that no matter what happens, we'll face it together, and somehow, it will all work out.

The next morning, sunlight streams into the living room, painting it in a warm glow. It looks like a good day but a sinking feeling deep in my stomach tells me that something is wrong.

I step out into the hallway and nearly collide with Tori and Kol, who have just entered the living room. Tori's face is pale, her usual composure cracking as she meets my eyes. She swallows hard.

My heart slows. "What is it?"

"Klaus left," she says quietly.

My heart feels like it skips a beat. "What?"

"He's joining the military," Tori explains. "He asked to be stationed far from Imporia."

"Where?" My voice is sharper than I intended, the urgency clawing at me.

Tori shakes her head. "He didn't say. And asked to be left alone for a while."

"I need to see him." My feet are already moving as the words leave my mouth, propelling me toward the elevator.

"Aunt Avalyn," Kol's voice, soft but firm, stops me in my tracks. "He needs some time."

I turn back to face him, the ache in my chest tightening. "What did he say?"

Kol nods, his expression pained. "He came to our room before he left. He was upset. Angry-more at himself than anyone else. He hates himself for breaking his promise to you. He said he needs to prove-to himself and to you-that he's worthy. That he can be the person you believe he's capable of being."

My heart sinks further, guilt and worry swirling into a chaotic storm.

"He's not alone, Aunt Avalyn," Kol adds gently. "We'll keep in touch with him. But for now, he needs this."

I nod slowly, though every fibre of my being screams to chase after Klaus, to bring him back, tell him that he doesn't need to go, or prove anything to anyone. But maybe Kol is right. Maybe this is Klaus's way of finding his path, his strength.

Still, I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning of a much larger battle-for Klaus and for all of us.