Jolyn West
I still couldn't grasp the reality of being the Lycan King's daughter. Lady Malia, who had spoken to me earlier, returned to my room to check if I needed anything. I assured her I was fine and didn't need anything further, especially since she had already provided me with food and healed my wounds.
Lady Malia lingered, and we conversed about my family. She mentioned that the Lycan King was away on urgent business and that my mother was with him, as she always accompanied him on such trips.
"Are you certain you don't want anything? I can prepare something for you, princess. Just tell me what you'd like," she offered, still seeming unconvinced by my assurance.
I gave her a gentle smile. "No, I'm fine. I'll let you know if I need anything. Thank you for your kindness."
No one had ever treated me with such care, aside from my adopted parents. As I thought of them, particularly my mother, I hoped she hadn't been too distressed by my disappearance. I didn't want her to suffer because of me. And as for Ryner, my mate who had rejected me—I was certain he was relieved now that I was no longer in his pack. I hoped he found someone who truly made him happy, even though he had always expressed disdain for me.
Noticing my somber mood, Lady Malia approached me. "Are you alright, Princess?"
I quickly wiped away my tears. "I was just thinking about my past."
I referred to my past life because, with this new identity as the Lycan King's daughter, the old Jolyn felt like someone else. I was no longer the same person I had been.
Lady Malia sat beside me. She had worked for the royal family since she was a child and had witnessed the sorrow that my family endured the day I went missing. She explained that my father had been the only one to recognize me.
"I know you're remembering your adopted family. How were they to you?" she asked.
"They were the only ones who ever showed me love," I replied, nodding.
"And why did you jump off the cliff? If you don't mind sharing," her voice remained calm, almost soothing.
I took a deep breath. "It was because of him."
"Him?"
"My future mate. The future Alpha of our pack. He rejected me and even wished for my death. I loved him so much that when he expressed his wish for me to die, I tried to fulfill it." I shared my painful experience, revealing how Ryner's rejection had led me to a tragic decision.
Lady Malia placed a comforting hand on my back. "Love can make us do foolish things. But you'll heal from this, princess."
"Thank you, Lady Malia."
I missed my friend Alice, who was like Lady Malia in her ability to comfort me during tough times. I was eager to know more about the people in this palace. They had all treated me so kindly.
As Lady Malia and I continued our conversation, someone knocked on the door. We both turned to see an elderly woman enter the room.
"Princess, I need to check on you," she said, appearing to be a doctor.
Lady Malia stood to make way for the woman. I remained silent, observing as the doctor examined me.
"Does your head hurt? What about your back? You sustained quite an impact from the fall."
I shook my head. "I don't feel any pain. I'm fine." Despite my repeated assurances, it seemed no one believed that I had survived. Lady Malia had mentioned that my abilities would manifest when I reached the right age. I wondered how things would be if Ryner and I crossed paths again.
"She's recovering well. Her injuries are healing nicely," the doctor said, then glanced at Lady Malia. They exchanged a few words about my condition while I listened in silence.
"The Lycan King will be here soon. I'll stay until he and the Queen return," Lady Malia said. The doctor bid us farewell and advised me to cherish my life and not attempt anything like that again.
"I didn't realize it could feel like this," I murmured.
"Feel like what?" Lady Malia asked.
"Being loved by so many. Throughout my life, I struggled to be accepted, but now it seems everyone cares for me more than I could have imagined. And…" I paused, a genuine smile spreading across my face. "…And I love it."
My hand shook as an elderly man entered the room, accompanied by the woman who had wept for me. My heart raced when our eyes met. Could she be my mother? And was the man beside her the Lycan King?
"She is our daughter. The DNA results confirm it—she is the lost princess," the Lycan King said to the woman. Hearing this, she broke into tears. I wanted to move towards her, but the doctor had instructed me to rest and avoid exertion.
My mother looked at the Lycan King, seemingly asking for permission to approach me. I sat in stunned silence as she made her way to me. When she finally stood before me, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
"My child," she said, embracing me tightly. I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of her embrace. My heart swelled with joy, overwhelmed by the mix of love, sadness, and relief. She had lost me once, and now, after so long, she had found me again. For the first time, I felt the joy of being with my biological parents.
I don't recall much of what happened next, but soon we were talking and laughing together. My mother lay beside me on the bed, holding me as if I were still a child. I relished the comfort and happiness that came with this new reality.
"You are so beautiful," my mother said, gently brushing the hair from my face.
"She resembles you," remarked the Lycan King.
"Thank you. I didn't know how to react. When I learned I was adopted, I thought my biological parents had abandoned me," I confessed.
My feelings of abandonment had been influenced by the harsh treatment I received from others, including Ryner's rejection. He had wanted someone more prestigious, someone he could be proud of, while I was left feeling like discarded trash. My adopted parents had always assured me that my past didn't matter and loved me deeply, as did my brother Damien.
"No, we would never have done that. I'm sorry you felt that way. You will never feel abandoned again, I promise," my mother said, holding me close.
I glanced at my father's concerned face. He had remained silent about his feelings, and I felt it wasn't my place to inquire.
"It's my fault," he finally admitted. "I let you leave the palace and didn't keep watch over you."
Before I could respond, I reached out to him. His gaze shifted from my hand to my face. I offered him the most reassuring smile I could manage. "It wasn't your fault… father." It felt strange to call him father, as I had only known him as the King, but my mother had encouraged me to address him as such.
I continued, "No one wanted this to happen. We can create new memories to replace the old ones."
I didn't want to dwell on the past. I aimed to forge new, positive experiences with my family and to embrace the happiness they offered. The past was behind us, and I wanted to focus on building a joyful future.
"Our daughter is right. We shouldn't let the past haunt us. Let's leave it behind and create new, loving memories," my mother said, a smile on her face.
I resolved to better myself for my family and to move on from my love for Ryner. If we crossed paths again, I would ensure my feelings for him were no longer significant.
We continued discussing our lives. The King mentioned plans for a celebration to formally introduce me to the community. He seemed excited for me to meet his friends. Though I was nervous about meeting new people, I knew it was part of my new role as a princess.
This was my first challenge, and I was determined to face it. For the new Jolyn, I would be a better version of myself.
"We will hold a party for your eighteenth birthday," my mother said, and I looked at her with curiosity.
"Will my ability to change forms manifest at that age?" I asked, seeking confirmation of what Lady Malia had told me.
"Yes. Afterward, you will need training to master it. My friend's son, Lucious, will be your personal trainer," my father answered.
"You'll meet Lucious soon. He's a kind and handsome young man," my mother added with a teasing tone. I laughed, feeling unsure of how to react. It seemed they were eager for me to meet Lucious, but I was apprehensive. My past experiences had left me wary of men, and I didn't want to open myself up to potential hurt again.