The Lycan's Forbidden Mate novel Chapter 55

55 Hit the bullseye

Guards were posted like statues on either side of the castle’s archery range, which had a clear, snowy surface ideal for practicing shots. Sasha, who was standing next to Ophelia and holding two bows firmly, was gazing at the targets, which numbered at least ten and were arranged in a deliberate arrangement.

“You’re an assassin. An extremely skilled assassin who is responsible for the deaths of numerous beings, primarily dragons that your father found repugnant.” Giving Ophelia a bow, Sasha began.

Sasha’s remarks didn’t surprise Ophelia. She took the bow and plastered a false smile on her face.

“What kind of background investigation have you done on me?” Ophelia asked, smoothly lengthening the bow.

“Enough for us Novikovs to know that you are bad news.” Sasha answered casually.

“Fate is what it is, isn’t it?” Ophelia chuckled, rolling her eyes.

“The moon goddess is in charge of blessing and punishing us with mates. The reason why werewolves do not suffer as much as us lycans is that, in contrast to them, we deal with a heavy mystical fate because finding a mate is so very uncommon for lycans.” Sasha clarified. “In the beginning, lycans multiplied through bites, we were like a virus… Until the moon goddess gifted the first lycan, Ivan Novikov, with a mate, a supposedly cursed human.”

“And thus is how the pure bloods developed into a full, powerful existence.” Ophelia muttered, gently nodding in curiosity.

“Indeed.” Sasha expressed satisfaction that the dragoness had genuine

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historical curiosity.

“How exactly does this affect me? And why on earth does Nikolai have a birthmark of me in my dragon form?” Ophelia had to inquire about it, so she glared at Sasha in the hopes that the lycan would know the answer. Ophelia narrowed her eyes as she noticed that Sasha appeared somewhat uncertain. “You know about the birthmark, don’t you?”

“My mother once told me that Nikolai is the Alpha and Luna’s punishment,” Sasha bowed her head and mumbled. She was becoming distressed and emotional. She groaned and averted her gaze when she noticed Ophelia staring at her with disbelief.

“Punishment?” Ophelia asked with curiosity.

“Everyone has made mistakes in their lives and will continue to do so, but it appears that the alpha and Luna committed the unimaginable and as a result gave birth to a cursed child with an inevitable tragic destiny.” Sasha said in a low, trembling murmur as she observed Ophelia’s reaction.

Ophelia swept her gaze away from Sasha smiling as if she had not heard that Nikolai was cursed. She put her hand on her rumbling tummy and closed her eyes. Cursed…

“You shouldn’t hold any of this against yourself; it’s not your fault at all, but I want to tell you something…”

“No.” Ophelia cut in and glared at Sasha as she opened her eyes. Gods, she shouldn’t have glared at Sasha like that! But she was starving, and she always became irrationally angry when she was hungry.

“Don’t say anything; I know it’s none of my business, but nevertheless… Why do I feel so strongly drawn to him if I’m not his mate? His birthmark..? Why me?” She said, trying to remain as composed as she

could.

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“The only thing I am certain of is that you will play a terrible role in Nikolai’s fate. I’m at a loss for words, so I’ll just say that you shouldn’t put any guilt on yourself.” Sasha spoke quietly before heaving a long sigh and closing her eyes. “I am only partially a witch; I am not an oracle.”

Ophelia smiled. “If you were in my position, you would understand how perplexed I am. By the way, he told me not to blame myself, so I won’t.” She mumbled.

Sasha opened her eyes, taken aback by Ophelia’s remarks, and grinned. “Why are you here?”

Ophelia’s smile vanished. “What?” She appeared startled.

“I’m aware that you came here with the intent to kill Nikolai, but you didn’t. Why are you here, then?” Sasha questioned cautiously as Ophelia hesitantly parted her lips in response. What was she contemplating? What was her true objective? Why would an assassin choose to remain in her adversary’s territory? Sasha had a great deal of mistrust for Ophelia and, like many lycans, perceived Ophelia as a threat.

“To stop a war.” Ophelia replied immediately and Sasha furrowed her

brow.

“A war?” She inquired bewildered. “The war!” She then let out a startled gasp. “The war between our kind is unavoidable and cannot be stopped.”

“I can and I will.” Ophelia remarked with assurance before moving closer to Sasha. “Are you aware of how much it hurts my ears hearing about Fate this Fate that? Gods! Whether or not I am Nikolai’s mate, I’m going to put an end to the war you all wish to start against my home.”

Sasha smirked. “So, you’re a spy?”

Ophelia almost rolled her eyes. “You Novikovs may not be concerned about yourselves, but I must protect my family at all costs, including my

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brother, whom you have hidden somewhere in this fortress.”

Sasha’s eyes widened significantly when Ophelia said, “brother.” She sighed and closed her eyes.

“Where is he?” Ophelia made a stern demand. In all honesty, she had had enough of hearing about fate. She wished to take matters into her own hands rather than leave them in the care of gods or goddesses. She wanted to block out any other distractions in order to concentrate on identifying the moles who were collaborating with her father and Esteban and either expose them or, worst yet, execute them herself. Her thoughts were crowded by her current hunger and the kiss from the previous evening. She came to Celestia not to find a mate but to put an end to a war, and she intended to accomplish just that.

“He’s safe.” Sasha whispered and opened her eyes.

“Take me to him.” Ophelia spoke firmly.

“Are you commanding me?” Sasha guffawed.

“Do I appear to be a being seeking friendships?” Ophelia made a slow head tilt and forced a pressing smile. “All I want is my brother.”

Sasha chuckled incredulously and pointed at the guard in charge of the arrows. As soon as he approached them, Sasha pulled out an arrow and handed it to Ophelia.

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