The Escort Is The Lycan King

ARIA

“You look absolutely stunning, Princess Aria.”

A sharp jolt of tension shot through me, making my fingers curl into tight fists in my lap. Every breath felt deliberate, a conscious effort to find calm in the storm of thoughts swirling inside my head.

Stunning. Perfect. I was a doll created for display, polished and untouched—a beautiful ornament with no purpose beyond being admired. My skin, pale and smooth like porcelain, was covered with makeup so flawless it seemed part of me, not something added. My blue eyes, wide and striking, had lashes that looked too full to be real. My lips, painted a deep red, formed the polite smile I had practiced a thousand times.

“Thank you,” I said, nodding at Nova, the makeup artist whose skilled hands had transformed my appearance.

“They’re waiting for you downstairs. Should I call your brother to walk with you?”

My fists tightened again, an automatic reaction to being treated like a child. Blackwood Castle was more secure than any fortress, impossible to breach without extreme effort. No outsider could get past the walls without intense screening, and even that wouldn’t be enough to reach the inner keep.

Yet, they insisted on following me everywhere, as if I couldn’t handle being alone.

But I reminded myself—this was all for a purpose. Every sacrifice would pay off eventually.

“No, that won’t be needed. Thank you, Nova,” I stated firmly as I stood up.

“But the Alpha said—”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I cut in, keeping the smile fixed on my face, a mask I wore without effort.

I smoothed the long skirt of my gown, straightening my posture, which was easy thanks to the stiff corset restricting my movements. It was as rigid as wood; slouching wasn’t an option, even if I wanted to.

Giving only a quick glance at my reflection in the mirror, I nodded at the team of women who had dressed me, then stepped out of my dressing room. I had to admit, I looked impeccable. Not one strand of my blonde hair was out of place, my shoulders were back, and my head was held high. Every piece of clothing I wore cost more than many people earned in a year.

I was the prize, the jewel.

Raised to be envied. Destined to complete my true mate’s life. A trophy.

A prisoner.

My smile slipped, and my steps paused at the doorway of my bedroom. I scolded myself for thinking that way. My life was a privilege, and I should be grateful. My parents loved me and gave me everything I could want, and my dear brother, Kai, would burn the world for me if I asked.

“Why do they even try? She’ll be eighteen soon; I doubt a true mate will just appear. Their hopes are too high; she’s just an omega.”

My shoulders went rigid at the sound of their voices. They must have thought I had already left.

Omega. Weak. Fated to submit to every wolf, a burden to my future mate, yet somehow the most treasured in my pack. The irony didn’t escape me.

“Quiet! If you want to keep your job here, keep those thoughts to yourself.”

“But everyone says—”

“You’ll be out of the castle before lunch if you finish that sentence. Prince Kai will make sure you never walk through these gates again.”

A heavy silence followed, but I wished that woman would keep talking. What did everyone say? I spent most of my time inside the inner castle, and no one dared speak out of turn. Gossip rarely reached me, and when it did, it was usually boring and dull.

I held back a sigh, reminding myself it wasn’t ladylike. Mother would be furious if she heard me.

With fresh determination, I squared my shoulders and stepped into the wide hallway, alone. A chill hung in the air as spring arrived, but the rooms in my wing were warm and cozy. My father hated even the smallest sniffle from me; he barely let me outside during winter.

But spring was finally here. Flowers were starting to bloom, promising long walks in the gardens and the much-awaited Spring Ball. A spark of excitement lit inside me, a welcome break from my lonely thoughts.

As I neared the two guards in black combat uniforms at the end of the hallway, I almost laughed at their startled faces when they turned to see me. The panic on their features was almost funny.

“Your Royal Highness, please wait here to be escorted,” one guard said, giving a slight bow.

I knew they would mindlink my brother the second they saw me, but I was prepared. I sped up, slipping past them and turning into the next hallway, where more guards waited. It felt excessive, but what could I do? I had more protectors than the king and queen themselves. How far could I get this time? Maybe I could reach the entry hall?

I half-ran past the guards and was almost at the staircase when my brother’s head appeared as he jogged to the top.

Damn it. I’d almost made it.

With a resigned sigh, I slowed down and met my brother’s scowling face.

“You didn’t wait for me, Aria,” he scolded, his voice a mix of worry and irritation.

“I walked down two hallways by myself, Kai. If I can’t handle that, how will I ever take care of my mate?”

Predictably, his scowl deepened, and I fought the urge to laugh. My brother was incredibly handsome, a sharp contrast to my delicate looks. He towered over me with broad shoulders, brown eyes, and curly brown hair. There was nothing fragile about him; he was a warrior, the beta of the Blackwood Pack, second only to our father, radiating a powerful presence that commanded respect even among alphas.

“He will have to take care of you,” Kai said firmly, his expression set. “And remember, this castle will always be your home.”

Of course. How could I forget that even after the mating ceremony, I would stay within these same walls? Maybe a new face would change things, break the monotony of my life. There were only so many languages and instruments I could learn before I grew tired of the law, finance, and economics books filling my shelves. Perhaps once I was mated, they would let me use my knowledge in practice.

Or even try something new, like training with the rest of the pack. Now that was a dream worth holding onto.

Kai linked our arms, guiding me forward.

“Remember what I told you about today,” he said, his voice steady. “There are others on the list, but this one is a strong candidate.”

They had said that about all of them. Since I was five, I had met ‘candidates’—first as innocent playdates, then openly as potential future mates. In the past few weeks, I had a date scheduled every day, sometimes two.

Mother was in full panic mode. My parents were ready to decide my fate.

Holding back another sigh, I smiled up at my big brother.

“If you think he’s right for me, then I trust you,” I replied, trying to sound more hopeful than I felt.

“Absolutely. He has a bright future. Top of his class and excelling in training. Only someone like that could be your true mate,” Kai confirmed, the scowl fading from his face.

His pride felt warm, and a sense of comfort washed over me. All my doubts about these dates started to fade as I squeezed his arm affectionately.

“I’m sure he will be a great addition to our pack.”

Maybe mating wouldn’t be so bad after all. I knew my parents wouldn’t push me to have children too soon; they just wanted me settled for whatever came next. The whole pack would respect someone they approved, and a true mate would never hurt me.

We walked down the grand staircase slowly, entering the entrance hall. The clock showed it was almost noon, a time when servants would usually be busy, preparing lunch or tending to the countless rooms in the huge stone building. Yet, an eerie silence surrounded us. It was too quiet. A ‘mood,’ no doubt arranged by my mother. This new date must be important to warrant stopping all activity.

Or maybe Mum was just desperate.

“The sun is out today. We’ll meet him in the courtyard,” Kai announced, his tone brightening.

I gasped, stopping in my tracks as I gripped my brother’s arm tightly.

“Really?” I asked, my heart racing with excitement.

“It’s a beautiful day,” he said gently, his smile indulgent. “You should see the first blooms with your future mate. I’ve already told them to get your cloak.”

I ignored the optimism in his words, half-pulling him through the lower halls. The courtyard—how I had missed it. Even if the date went badly, just being outside with the sun on my face would make it worth it.

“Mum and Dad have official business, so they’ll meet him later for tea. Your chaperones are already waiting,” Kai added, chuckling softly. “Slow down. Don’t be so eager.”

Right.

I needed to stay composed. I was Her Royal Highness, Princess Aria Blackwood of Northcrest. There should be nothing about me to criticize.

“Sorry, brother.”

I lowered my head as my chaperones approached, and one of them gracefully placed my warm cloak over my shoulders.

“I’ll be close by, so don’t be scared,” Kai whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead before stepping back.

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I shook it off. I was going outside!