The Dragon’s Lycan Princess

Chapter 2: Arlen's POV

The dragon realm is unique. I’ve been to the fairy realm and even the Vila’s secret one. I even went to Hell one time, but Mom doesn’t know about it, and there are none compared to this.

It’s beautiful, with floating mountains that defy gravity, rivers of molten gold weaving through the landscape, and a sky that shifts colors like a living aurora. Massive dragons soar above, their scales gleaming under the strange sun that never fully sets. The air is thick with magic, making my skin tingle with its power.

I wish I could admire it freely, but the weight of my situation keeps me grounded. I came here to marry the Prince who will soon become King, and I have no idea what these dragons can do, what their customs are, or if there are laws I should follow.

The energy in this place was heavier and more intense than in any other realm I had visited. I could feel the power of the land; it was ancient but also familiar. Even the wind felt different in this realm. It was silent, howling in a language I couldn’t understand.

I found out that the handsome dragon’s name is Vaelir. He is my future husband’s cousin and his most trusted man.

Apparently, dragons hate to leave their realm, and so my dear fiancé couldn't move his ass to come to the pack.

I hate dragons even more. I can't believe I am going to get married to the enemy, but that is what I must do if I want to keep everyone safe.

Vaelir hasn’t spoken much since we arrived. He walks ahead of me almost as if being too close would get him some weird infectious disease or something.

If he weren’t handsome, I would have told him to piss off.

Wait… I shouldn’t be thinking that I have a ‘husband’ to meet.

He continued to hurry along the different corridors of the castle. Everyone who looked at him bowed their heads in respect.

Damn, it seems they are all living in the past Millenium.

“Even the clothes look boring,” Keira commented, and I had to agree.

The women wore huge dresses that didn’t look comfortable at all. I do not know if a dragon rips their clothes when they transform, but if it does, I don’t see the point in wearing such intricate outfits.

I need to introduce pants to these people, along with sundresses.

I glanced at Vaelir from the corner of my eye. He acted as if he were almighty. I was not used to this kind of treatment. My brother made sure that people didn’t treat him differently because he was king. Some of the warriors still referred to him as Your Majesty, but that was it.

I also noticed that Vaelir looks… intimidating. And I don’t mean that because of his frame; I mean because of the energy surrounding him.

He seems to enjoy silence, almost as if talking would make him fall off his position.

I, however, am done with the silence.

"So," I say, crossing my arms, "are you going to give me a tour or just keep walking like I don’t exist?"

Vaelir slows his steps slightly but doesn’t turn to me. "You are observant. That is good."

I raise an eyebrow. "I’d rather be entertained."

He finally stops and turns to face me. "And what would entertain you, Arlen?"

For some reason, the way he said my name didn’t make me hate him. Instead… I like it. It excited me.

I recover quickly, shrugging. "I don’t know. A proper introduction, maybe? I have no idea who my husband is, and you haven’t told me where we are going.”

“Future husband, Miss Arlen," Hmm, it seems that reminding him of my fiancé made him treat me with more respect. “He is in a meeting; you. You will meet him later tonight during dinner.”

Wonderful.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, my future husband is too busy to meet me right away. Priorities, right? I guess marrying me doesn’t rank high on his list of urgent matters.

Even though they were the ones to propose this silly arrangement. I mean, why suggest this marriage if he is clearly not interested?

Vaelir watches me, waiting for a reaction, but I give him nothing except a slow blink. I’ve dealt with enough arrogant males in my life to know how this game works. If I act like it bothers me, he wins.

“We don’t care; he only hurt our pride,” Keira has a worse temper than I do.

Let’s hope I don’t end up killing my dear hubby.

"Great," I say, plastering on my best fake smile. "That gives me plenty of time to get settled. Maybe take a nap. Maybe—oh, I don’t know—actually get to know this place before I’m forced to share my life with a stranger."

Vaelir’s lips twitch slightly as if he’s amused, but it vanishes in an instant. "You will have everything you need in your chambers. I will escort you there now."

Chambers. Not room. Not suite. Chambers.

These dragons really do live in the past.

I gesture for him to lead the way. "After you, almighty tour guide, who finally decided to speak to me."

He doesn’t react to the sarcasm, but I swear I catch the faintest exhale—like a dragon huffing out smoke.

"I don't like him," Keira said, and I had to agree with her. This man gave me the creeps.

Even if he was handsome, the dragons have something under their sleeve, and I want to know what that is.

"Because he is a dragon?" I asked, but she huffed.

"No, because he walks like he owns the world, and for some reason, I have the feeling that he is keeping us away from the Dragon Prince."

I have only met this dragon, but I can tell that the rest are the same. I can see it in their eyes when they glance at me.

"I think all dragons act that way," I replied.

"That still doesn't explain why he is keeping us away from our fiancé," She countered.

Fair point.

"Our fiancé may have told Vaelir to keep us away,"

We continue down the seemingly endless corridors, each one lined with intricate carvings of dragons in various forms—some in battle, some perched on mountains, others intertwined as if dancing. The architecture is stunning, but the place feels… hollow.

Cold.

Like no one actually lives here.

Finally, Vaelir stops in front of two massive doors carved with golden filigree and an emblem I don’t recognize. He pushes them open without effort, revealing a room that is—well—something out of a storybook.

Dark walls with veins of glowing sapphire streak through the stone. The bed is large enough to fit at least four people, covered in furs and rich fabrics. There’s a balcony, its doors open, letting in a warm breeze.

It would be beautiful if it didn’t feel so staged.

"These will be your chambers," Vaelir says, stepping aside so I can enter.

"Is this where my future husband will be staying too?" I ask, turning back to him.

I knew the dragon prince was not going to stay here. It was a beautiful room, don’t get me wrong, but it looked… plain.

Vaelir tilts his head slightly as if considering his words. "No. He has his own chambers."

Interesting.

Why do I feel like he wanted to say he has another castle?

Hmm. I’m going to get to the bottom of this.

I lean against one of the dark columns, crossing my arms. "So let me get this straight—I’m being forced to marry a man I haven’t met in a realm I know nothing about, surrounded by people who probably hate me just for existing. And to top it off, I won’t even be living with him?"

Vaelir doesn’t blink. "That is correct."

I let out a short laugh. "Wow. Sounds like a great start to a marriage."

"You should rest, Miss Arlen," he says, ignoring my sarcasm. "Dinner will be soon, and you will need your strength."

The way he says it makes me pause.

I narrow my eyes. "Why? What exactly am I walking into tonight?"

Vaelir doesn’t answer right away. He simply studies me. Then, finally, he speaks.

"Tonight, you will meet the man you are to wed," he says. "And you will learn exactly what it means to be bound to a dragon king."

And with that, he turns and walks out, leaving me standing in the middle of my new chambers, wondering just what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.

—————————————————————-

I don’t understand why I need five people to help me when I could make a dress and be done with it.

“Miss, please stay still; I need to tighten the corset,” one of the maids said.

I asked for them to leave; I didn’t feel comfortable, but they insisted that I look perfect for tonight’s dinner since I was going to meet my future fiancé.

That was two hours ago…

“I think it is tight enough,” I grunted as the maid took the air out of my lungs.

She was not being too nice.

“Miss, you are a bit chubbier than we expected; you need to look nice for the future King.”

What.

The.

Fuck.

What the f**k did she just say to me?

Oh, hell no.

“They called us fat,” Keila was seething; of course, she was.

I may not be a size 0, but that doesn’t make me fat. I have a perfect, normal, and healthy body. You need to have the waist of a wasp to be beautiful, and I don't need all my organs to be pushed all the way up, either.

The nerve of these dragons.

I used my magic to pull all the maids away.

“Enough! Where is my supposed husband?” I growled.

All the maids trembled like leaves. I hate acting this way, but I am tired of this s**t. I came here to a peace agreement, not to be ridiculed.

“Is anyone going to talk?” I asked with an arched eyebrow.

None of the maids moved. Good thing I have a few tricks under my sleeve.

I have the letter the King sent; all I need to do is a small locator spell.

“Miss, you are going to get in trouble,” another maid tried to reason with me, but na-ah.

I’m done.

“Do I look like I care?” The maid gulped at my hard tone. “Because I don’t, so,” I glanced at the five maids. “Is anyone going to talk?”

Again, silence.

Okay, the hard way it is.

I took the letter out and used a tracking spell. I could do magic better than the High-Priestess, meaning I was the only one who didn’t need a map of the place to teleport.

Gotcha…

I knew where my fiancé was, and the next thing I did was teleport to that place.

The problem was, as soon as I got there, the most enticing scent filled my nostrils.

“Mate!”