The Cursed Lycan

Chapter 9: A Couple Weeks Pass

Chapter 9: A Couple Weeks Pass

Sophie and Mason continued to grow closer over the next few weeks. Sophie also got to enjoy Jack and Hunter as friends, something she was still used to figuring out.

Matheus would remind Mason each time Matheus saw him about not choosing Sophie as his Chosen Mate. Mason kept biting his tongue, knowing that an argument wouldn't do him good. He kept trying to show the things Sophie was doing to help with the Midnight Ball planning, which had fully won over Annabelle, but Matheus was not convinced. Mason grew increasingly worried that Matheus and Amelia knew about the lycan hurting him but weren't sharing the information.

Amelia didn't return to the palace after the original night she'd visited. Mason's other brother, Max, came to visit for a few days, helping set up for the Midnight Ball with his mate, Carolina. Carolina grew close to Sophie over the few days they were there, enjoying talking and working with her. Max seemed guarded, but Mason shrugged it off, since Max always was wary of new people. They returned home for a weekend before the ball to travel with those who would be coming as guests.

"We all have our responsibilities," Max said with a smile as they left.

During these weeks, Mason started noticing that Sophie began looking and acting more and more tired each night. She did a good job hiding it under smiles and laughter, but when it was just the two of them, she was more likely to curl up beside him and take a nap. The bags under Sophie's eyes seemed to grow with each passing day.

Mason didn't want to tell her about the lycan trying to break free, but he was sure that's what she was suffering from. Tired from constantly having to hold it back.

The Lakewood Alpha, Kurt Foster, who had been delayed nearly a week due to rogue troubles, didn't have any further information regarding Sophie's condition. Mason did however have to try and hold himself back from tearing Kurt limb from limb when Kurt described what they had to do to keep the lycan from hurting the Lakewood pack members. If Kurt was angry with Sophie or the Kerrigans, he didn't readily share with Mason, even after Mason trying to dig into it. That said, Kurt did issue a warning to Mason before he left. "That girl is a danger to us all, including yourself. She might seem soft and cute on the outside, but that lycan shows who she truly is. A dangerous killer," Kurt snapped. Mason had growled, so Kurt left hurriedly.

Two days before the Midnight Ball, Mason was slumbering during the day. He'd nearly switched his schedule to be with Sophie all night, only arising late afternoon for his princely duties. A sharp knock at the door awoke him and he groaned, stumbling to his feet to go see who it was.

"You know not to disturb me until 1600," Mason said as he opened the door, before seeing who it was.

"And why's that?" A woman's voice replied with a small smile. Mason blinked his eyes, his brain still registering who it was. She was tall with light blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders in soft curls with sky blue eyes that sparkled as she looked at him.

"Felicity!" Mason finally recognized her. "Sorry about that, things have been interesting around here for a few weeks."

"I heard something about that," Felicity said with a chuckle. "Shall I come back later?"

"No, no, please, come in," Mason moved aside to let her pass, leaving the door ajar behind her. "When did you arrive?"

"Only a little bit ago, King Matheus said I should come say hello. I didn't realize you'd be asleep, my apologies," Felicity bowed her head slightly as she sat on a couch.

Mason chuckled to cover up his bubbling anger, "It's not your fault. Tell me about what you've been up to?"

Felicity answered that she'd been travelling, supporting her father's outreach attempts to keep the peace, all the while looking for her mate. "I was unsuccessful, as you can see," she smiled. "What about you?"