A Dragon’s Scorn

-Ten Years Earlier-

It had been one week since Visenya's father carried out that devastating suicide mission—seven long, heart-rending days of grieving. Visenya had spent that time alone in her bedchamber, crying her aching heart out. She couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, just merely existing as she tried to cope with the disturbing tragedy.

She was angry with her father, angry beyond words and comprehension. How could he do such a malicious thing? How could he take the lives of so many innocent people and leave her mother all alone in this world? The pain that Sarai felt when her link to her mate was severed had nearly thrown her into premature labor. Sarai was on strict bed rest, while Visenya was forced to meet her wolf on the most traumatic day of her life.

King Ezra had planned it all out perfectly, waiting until the Summer Solstice when all dragons are grounded within the walls of the Dragon Empire to honor their Sun God. Emperor Caden assumed that Ezra was coming to grovel at his feet in front of the entire Dragon Council, but Ezra had other plans in mind.

It was an extraordinary occurrence, a rare alignment of the celestial forces. For the first time in seventy-five years, the summer solstice coincided with a full moon. As Visenya grappled with her emotional affliction, the physical agony of her first shift only intensified it. A piercing scream escaped her lips, a raw expression of torment, as her bones rearranged themselves in a cruel metamorphosis.

A helpless Caspian could only bear witness to her suffering. In that moment, he swore he saw something within her die, forever altering her essence. The girl who once radiated a perpetual smile and embodied a carefree spirit had lost that special gleam.

Three months after her father's demise, the weight of responsibility fell upon Visenya's shoulders as she stood before her subjects for her coronation ceremony. Despite the dark shadow cast by her father's actions, the people cheered and praised her ascent to the throne, seemingly ecstatic to embrace the daughter of a murderer as their new Queen.

In their eyes, she was the offspring of a glorified hero. They erected a monument, a symbol of reverence for her father, but its presence churned her stomach. She loved her father, and yet, the magnitude of his transgressions had also ignited a seething hatred within her.

She had almost forgotten what it was like to smile, until her baby sister was born. Synora became the rainbow after the storm, the guiding light at the end of the tunnel, and the very reason for her to smile again. Visenya vowed to become the epitome of an Alpha and Lycan Queen, surpassing all who came before her. Her sole purpose was to protect her people, no matter the cost, and she would stop at nothing to fulfill that promise.

When Lazarus devised his first attack against the Lycan Kingdom, little did he know the extent of his grave miscalculation. The new, young queen had proven herself to be an indomitable force as an Alpha, possessing the valor that would ultimately overthrow the King of Darkness himself.

Delilah had been there with Visenya through the most challenging moments of her life, providing strength when she felt weak, courage when she was afraid, and a voice when words eluded her. Visenya couldn't imagine a life without Delilah's everlasting support, nor did she ever want to.
———

—Present Day—

Visenya rushed inside her room and was startled at the sight of Marienne, who stood there leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. It seemed as if Marienne had been waiting there for her all along.

“Well, having fun now, are we?” Marienne teased, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

“Not now, Marienne,” Visenya huffed, her voice filled with annoyance, as she made a beeline for the lavatory.

She turned on the faucet, allowing the water to flow into the bath, and hurriedly stepped inside before any more of Lucian’s release could drip out of her. As she settled into the warm water, she couldn't help but replay Marienne's words in her mind. Reluctantly, she had to admit that she had indeed enjoyed her little lesson with Lucian.

Throughout the years, Visenya had given herself countless orgasms, but none had ever compared to the one she just had. It felt as if every cell in her body had exploded into a symphony of pulsating waves of pleasure. Not to mention, everything that had led up to it had awakened all of her carnal senses.

She couldn't help but think about the intense look in Lucian’s eyes, the way they burned with desire, and the way he had touched her, leaving her yearning for more. Feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion, Visenya covered her face with her hands, trying to shake herself out of her foolish thoughts.

"I lost control," Delilah whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm so sorry."

Visenya's voice softened as she reassured her, "You do not need to apologize, Delilah. You were strong in the end, and that's what matters. Thank you for not marking him."

"He wanted us to do it... to mark him." Delilah claimed, her words tinged with a mix of certainty and intrigue.

Visenya's expression turned grave. "No," she shook her head. "He was drunk on lust. The moment he realized what we had done, he would have punished us for it."

"I didn't sense that, though..." Delilah asserted, pausing for a moment. "I think he really—"

"Enough," Visenya cut her off sharply. "He doesn't want us, he has never wanted us. Do not read into it... it's all fallacy."

Delilah let out a whimper, and Visenya shared a brief, dismal moment with her wolf. But that was all she allowed herself—a fleeting moment of sorrow. Visenya was slowly coming to terms with the reality of her life, accepting the fact that she was paired with a mate who would never love her. After cleaning herself up and swallowing some emberberries, she discovered Marienne patiently waiting in her room.

"You shouldn't feel ashamed, you know?" Marienne divulged. "You're a woman with needs. You might as well satisfy them."

"I'd rather not discuss this, Marienne," Visenya replied dismissively, abruptly leaving the room without uttering another word.

A short while later, she found herself standing outside Lucian's chambers, clutching their lunch. However, she was unsure of how to face him after the events of that morning. Knowing that she would eventually have to interact with him, she decided to confront the situation head-on. With his permission, she entered his chambers, her heart pounding as she felt the weight of his formidable gaze.

Without hesitation, she went straight to the table and began setting it, arranging their meals meticulously. As she waited for him to approach, a sense of unease settled within her. Just as she took her seat, he abruptly yanked her up by the arm.

"What the hell are you doing?" Lucian's voice was icy cold.

Visenya was taken aback by his question, her confusion evident in her gaze as she remained silent.

"I never gave you permission to sit at my table, nor did I give you permission to eat with me," he asserted.

Her confusion deepened. For the past week, he had willingly allowed her to join him at that very table for every meal. Why was he suddenly changing his tune?

"Have I taught you nothing today?" He continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "Learn your place, mutt."

She fought back the tears that welled up in her eyes, determined to remain composed. With a heavy heart, she lowered her head in submission, sinking to her knees on the cold floor beside the chair he would soon occupy. Without a word, he snatched the plate of food that had been intended for her lunch and made his way to the waste bin.

"We won't be needing this," he declared coldly, casually discarding the meal.

Her stomach churned with hunger, amplified by the sight of the perfectly good food being callously thrown away. She was famished, more so than usual, and a part of her wanted to dive in after what he had just wasted. His displeasure was evident, but she couldn't fathom why. Was it because she had dared to assist the horseman? Or was it because her wolf had taken control and asserted dominance over him? It was perplexing, especially considering that he certainly didn't seem to mind it at the time.

She felt so stupid. So what if he fed her a few meals... big deal. She had just told Delilah not to read into things, yet here she was, doing the exact same thing. She could drive herself mad trying to understand why Lucian did the things he did, but one thing was certain: he was mean, spiteful, and didn't care about her or her feelings one bit. And he never would.

She blinked away her tears, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. That's exactly what he expects her to do because, in his eyes, she's weak and pathetic. But she knew she was far from weak, nor was she pathetic. If there was an award for having to deal with him on a daily basis, she deserved a damn honorary one. Most people would have offed themselves by now.

Memories of their childhood flooded her mind. It was funny how back then, she couldn't bring herself to hate him. But now... she had never hated anyone more.