THORN IN MY FLESH

OH BROTHER

Rafe climbed out of the private jet into the luxurious car waiting for him. He was followed closely by his beta Roger while his personal assistant and future gamma Gerald was waiting for him by the car.

The men exchanged greetings and entered the car, which drove them back to the lycan palace. Gerald and Roger talked about the trip, while Rafe sat silently with his eyes closed, thinking about all he had experienced and the beautiful woman he had experienced them with while on the trip. He allowed himself to drift into the past, reminiscing on the sweet and bitter memories he shared with her.

A lycan Duke had once recommended the star fish island as a great relaxation spot, so he decided to go there, to get away from his father and the pressures of being a crown prince. It was a destination spot, reserved exclusively for the extremely rich and royals, owned by a mermaid princess of the Atlantic Ocean. Its residents and resort workers were mostly merman and women, who were beautiful to behold, but a few elves and fairies could also be seen walking and flying around. He had tried to book the entire resort for the sake of privacy and security, but an anonymous client had booked half the island already, so he had to settle for the other half.

It was a surreal experience waking up to mermaids singing to the rising and setting sun, watching them swim as he jet skied across water. The massages and food were excellent, and the service was top class, but nothing prepared him for the shock of meeting his mate on the island.

He had gone for a swim by himself in the evening without Roger, who was participating in escapades with some of the mermaids. Rafe saw her walking towards him with a look of worry. The island wind invaded his nostrils with her intoxicating scent of vanilla mixed with spices and his inner lycan purred with delight at the sight of her.

'Mate', it said, bouncing around in his head like a puppy

'Please, can you help me? I think I'm lost, and I can not find anyone, "she said to him in her beautiful, soft voice.

'You're not a shifter?', he blurted out unconsciously with a hint of disappointment.

'What does that have to do with what I am asking?', she snapped, clearly not intimidated by him.

'You need to watch your tone?', he growled at her

'And you need mind your manners', she responded before walking away from him angrily

'What are you doing, shes our mate?', his lycan asked in his head, making him sigh in frustration.

'Where are you going?', he asked

'Anywhere away from you,' she responded without looking back.

'I wouldn't go that way if I were you', he said as she approached a doorway.

'Get lost!', she responded angrily as she opened the door and walked into the room, only to run out and slam it shut after a few seconds with a look of shock and embarrassment.

He chuckled at her reaction as he walked towards her.

'I am guessing it's your first time witnessing an orgy?', he asked

'I'm guessing it isn't yours, seeing how comfortable you are talking about it', she responded.

'Its anormal act among shifters, it helps relieve s****l tension and stress', he said

'And here I was thinking lycans were the most loyal of shifters, thanks for clearing that illusion', she responded

'You're an i***t', Rafes lycan said to him

'We are loyal to our mates and our families, and we protect them with our lives', he replied proudly

'But won't pass on a free meal if offered willingly?', she asked

'What man would?', he responded

They talked and argued till sunrise and began to meet regularly, keeping each other company, until that fateful night that changed everything between them. He took her dancing and drinking, the night was perfect and she was beautiful. He lost control and made her a woman, strengthening their bond.

Sleeping beside her, he struggled with his lycan not to mark her.He realised that if he stayed any longer, he would end up down the road that ruined his brother.

The next morning, he did thecruellestt thing he had ever done. He whispered his rejection into her ear while she slept.

'Alexis Thorn, I Rafe Woodland reject you as my mate', he said, holding her close as the breaking bonds took a physical toll on him. His lycan howled painfully in his head for several minutes before going silent.

He left her alone and unconscious but alive in the bedroom. He ordered Roger to pack up, and the both of them left the island without a word. Roger sensed the change in hisdemeanour and asked him. Rafe told him the truth, and Roger could only stare in disbelief.

'I thought she was only a fling, I had no idea', Roger said.

'Its over and in the past, we will speak no more of it and look to the future now', Rafe said in a tone of finality.

'As you wish your majesty', Roger responded solemnly.

A tap on the thigh brought Rafe back to the present.

'You need to see this', Gerald said, pointing to the small screen in the car. Rafe turned towards the screen and saw the headlines.

'Get us back to the castle now!'Rafe ordered the driver.

'Yes sir', the driver responded, increasing the car speed. As they returned back to the castle, he thought of the events that led to this point. If only his brother had not been adamant. If only his father had been more understanding, if only his mother had intervened. Could all of this have been avoided?

When they arrived at the castle entrance, several reporters and photographers were waiting outside the gates and taking pictures. The crowd, upon sighting the royal car, surrounded it on all sides with cameras taking pictures, while reporters asked questions. Royal guards had to intervene to make way for the car unto the castle grounds.

Rafe stormed out of the car. followed by his beta and gamma, not caring about the numerous eyes and cameras that flashed behind him. 'Rafe, calm down, we will find him', Roger said. Rafe looked in his direction and found Gerald making several calls, giving instructions and asking questions. He nodded in gratitude, unable to speak, silently praying to the moon that his worst fears wouldn't come true. The trio went to the main hall but found it empty, they went to the kings private study but were informed by the guards that the king was currently with the queen and had instructed that no one was to be allowed in. Rafe grabbed his hair in frustration and was about to lash out at the guards when Gerald called out to him.

'Rafe, I've found him'

'Where?!'Rafe asked

A half shifted lycab covered in blood was just seen running towards neutral territory, "Gerald responded.

'He's running to that woman! Rafe growled in frustration as he smashed a nearby vase to the ground.

'What are your orders, my prince? Roger asked

'We have to get to him before anyone else, we have to help him', Rafe responded

'You will do no such thing', said a deep baritone voice similar to Rafe's. Everyone turned around to find the king standing in front of the study doorway, while the Queen walked away with eyes streaming tears.

'Father? Rafe questioned, not believing what he had just heard

'You have more pressing matters as crown prince. You will call for a meeting with the vampire ambassadors to ensure this does not lead to war. I trust you can handle this?', the king asked. Gerald stared at the king in disbelief, mot knowing how to answer.

'Yes you majesty, he can, I will handle the invitations personally', Roger responded bowing.

'Then I will leave it to you both', the king said before stepping back into the study ànd locking the door. Roger stands and begins walking out of the corridor, but he is snatched from behind and slammed into a nearby wall.

'How dare you? Rafe growled, his face contorted from anger.

'Rafe, the king and Roger are rig. Meeting with the vampire emissaries is more pressing. We need to ensure that they don't hurt Reginald if they get to him first and you know how petty and vengeful those blood suckers are, we only have the advantage of daylight for the next twelve hours, before they will stop at nothing to find him. No where will be safe for him, and if they find out we are protecting him, they will call for war, Gerald interceded as Roger struggled to pry himself from the princes rip.

'Make the calls to the emissaries and find Reginald swiftly but quietly', Rafe said to both his beta and gamma before walking to an adjoining room and shutting the door.