The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin

SKYLA.

“Ah, it’s hot! Careful!” Kataleya scolds as she swats my hand away gently from the sizzling grill that sits in front of me.

“Does it matter? I will heal.” I remind her, sucking my finger clean. We are down at Kayoko’s Grill, grilling our own meat. It’s sizzling hot and damn delicious. We used to come here with Song and Azura, have some sake and enjoy chatting about boys, life, and stuff in general, but both of them have graduated. In fact, Azura has a cute little three-month-old baby now!

“Missing them?” Kataleya asks knowingly.

I nod. “Yeah, you know the four of us were pretty wild.” I wink at her.

Her smile falters and she nods. “You and Zu were, but yes… it’s not the same. It’s still nice, me and you…”

“Yes, it is… What is it, Kat?” I ask. There’s more… she’s not telling me, but something is on her mind.

She tilts her head, her long sandy brown hair falling over her shoulder then her dark eyes stare at the sizzling cubes of meat on the grill. “I… I won’t be here for graduation… I’m going to leave Sky.” Her words are barely above a whisper, but they strike something inside. I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe and suddenly there is a prickly feeling in my eyes as I look at her, trying not to show how those words hurt.

“Leave?” I ask, not knowing why I feel so upset.

I knew it was coming, but I swear I thought I’ll have her by my side until graduation.

“Oh wow, really?!” I say, jumping forward and knocking my elbow into the pot of chilli sauce, making it splatter everywhere. It flicks across my face, and I flinch as it gets into my eyes. “Oh, shit.”

“Oh no Sky, are you ok!” She’s by my side in minutes as the tears I am unable to hold back well up in my eyes.

She’s leaving.

“Fuck, yeah I’m fine, I’m so damn clumsy.” I glare at the chilli pot as she quickly dampens a corner of a tissue with some water. “I got it thanks.” I try to take it from her, but she refuses.

She smiles sadly at me, and I smile back as she begins cleaning it up.

I’m fine.

A waitress comes soon and clears the spilt sauce from the table and Kataleya returns to her seat.

She’s leaving…

“So, you’re leaving so soon? Is Dad cool with that?” I ask nonchalantly.

She blushes and nods. “I’m not going abroad immediately… but he’s ok, reluctant, but he’s happy for me to go. Of course, I have to have two guards with me. With my grades last year being perfect for the exams I sat, I don’t really need to re-sit them this year. I don’t want to waste any more time Sky… I need to do this.”

She wants to go to the boy who helped her as a child, a boy who lost his hand for helping her… a boy whose picture she wears around her neck… She’s been waiting for the time she could leave… 12 years… I want to scream and beg her to stay, at least until graduation but she’s been waiting longer. I can’t be selfish.

“Leo may have the answer Sky… you know the machinery he used to keep himself alive? It was able to handle the change and was compatible with his wolf to an extent when he shifted… He thinks he can make a bionic-engineered limb with the same concept… Azura asked him. He said he’ll also be willing to take me on as a student for a year as I want to learn too…” Her eyes are full of tears and I can’t help but fight my own back.

For years she’s looked for some solution but there is nothing that advanced that will transform when he shifts that could handle a full-on run or battle. She’s trying to create him the perfect limb for what is gone, and Leo may just be the one to be able to help her. More than my own happiness, I want her to be happy.

Soon… she’s leaving so soon…

But even then, I want her to do this. I want her happy. I reach over and cup her face. My angel.

“You need to go! I’m so ecstatic for you! Don’t hesitate! You have worked so hard to learn about bionic engineering and if Leo is willing to teach you, go pick those brains. He stole far more from the Rossi gene pool than his fair share anyway!” I say, as she reaches over, wiping my stray tears away. She smiles sadly as I reach over and wipe hers away too.

“I’m sorry for leaving you Sky, so soon… Will you be ok?” She asks softly, moving back. I begin removing the meat from the grill and add some more.

yes, I’m having issues with control, but hey I’ll be getting some training to help work with that. So when exactly are you leaving?”

need to gather some of my reports and stuff, but I shouldn’t be

So soon…

come and crash at Azura’s next hols?”

would be amazing!”

up.” I say, thinking of my cute little cousin? Niece? Urgh, this entire family tree is a confusing mess.

to spend time with her, plus, now that

grumble, my mind turning to the Ardens… both brothers seemed to have their attention on me… both were off limits but somehow that made it all

the new teachers? They are both blonde.”

of them. “Yeah, they’re extremely

platter. I pick up my phone, staring at the chat between me and Reign. Not one message since he cancelled on me... I had texted him once, asking for an explanation, but nothing. Nothing at all… He just left me, like

tables, chatting, laughing and enjoying their food. They’re all humans, the music and the warm lighting add to the ambience of the restaurant. I raise

meat please!”

eat and laugh with my sister, because every moment should be cherished… who knows when the

-----

the digital clock on the bedside table.

02.59am

Malevolent got fed up and is now sleeping on the pillow next to

you. I am… Ok, I’m glad, I am worried about you Sky… Don’t, I’m

Lies…

around my knees and pick up my phone, unable

sorry if I did something, but I swear if

the Sangue Pack and trust me, he’s as smart as Kat thinks he is. In fact, I’ve heard Dad say he’s become a prominent member of the council without

isn’t going

my phone, I stare at Mama’s

Please call

day? You missed

but I just feel guilty… I don’t want to talk to her because she knows when I’m not

not

next.

waiting for a fucking call.’

fucking week,

I’m fucking pissed.’

there,

the small hallway to the front door and, opening it, I sit down on the front step. Resting my head against the door frame, I stare at

me a Lycan? I

don’t want to be

she’s just… not

noticing that Dad’s online… he must be working as Mama hasn’t been on in hours. Sighing, I hit

remembering

thick with sleep,

miss his

online. Why are you awake?” I ask.

or some shit, so I thought you’d be online.” His reply comes and I frown, looking around, wait, has he got someone watching

me someone isn’t watching me?”

have anyone watching you. Chill the

sure, alright.” I growl back.