Finding Mate for the Lycan Prince

A big gathering will take place in the small palace of the Night Stalkers Pack as they will celebrate the twenty-first birthday of Zarion Zoler, a Lycan Prince and the only son of the ruler of the entire pack.

The Night Stalkers Pack is one of the most powerful and has a high reputation which is why they are admired by the other packs and the others even dream of becoming one of their members.

Zarion's birthday is very special and his father, Lio Zoler personally prepared a big event that will surely surprise him.

"It's your twenty-first birthday, Zarion and you have the title of being a Lycan Prince. That's why I'm preparing a big event together with your birthday," Lio Zoler seriously said after he approached his son and lightly tapped his shoulder.

Zarion was slightly surprised when someone suddenly tapped his shoulder from his back. He heard his father's voice, so he immediately turned to him and put down the glass of red wine that he was holding.

"M-May I know what's that event, Father?" Zarion asked his father in surprise.

Lio Zoler didn't answer immediately. He sat down first instead and told his son to sit down as well.

"I'm serious about this, Son. So listen carefully," Lio Zoler began. "On your twenty-first birthday, I will announce the opening of the door of our kingdom for accepting women who have the potential to be your mate."

"W-What did you say, Father?" Zarion asked surprisingly.

"Why do you seem surprised, Son?"

"Don't you think it's too early for something like this, Father? I-I'm not yet ready for this."

"No, Son. This is the right time," Lio Zoler insisted. "You're slowly getting older and I'm already excited to have a grandson from you."

After saying that, Lio Zoler stood up again and approached his son and then he patted his shoulder lightly.

"So don't disappoint me, Son," Lio Zoler continued.

Zarion did not answer. He wanted to object to his father's decision on finding a mate for him, but he knew that he couldn't change it anymore.

"Don't worry, Son, because everything is settled. All you need to do is to enjoy watching the show and freely observe the performance of those who will participate in the event. And in case you find the one that you wanted, you can freely root for her," Lio Zoler added.

"Y-Yes, Father," Zarion answered in a cold voice.

A few moments later, Lio Zoler said goodbye to his son and left his room.

Zarion just shook his head and let out a deep sigh after his father got out. Then, he took out his cell phone and immediately dialed the number of his childhood friend who serves at the palace as one of the soldiers of their pack.

***

It's the day that Zarion has been waiting for, the day that is special for him. He was excited to celebrate his birthday, however, he seemed to feel disappointed when he noticed that almost all of those who attended, seemed to be not interested in his birthday party. They are looking forward to his father's announcement for the official opening of the selection process for those who want to be his mate.

He walked away because of disappointment and headed to the terrace of the second floor of their mansion. While drinking red wine, he looked down at those who attended his birthday party who came from different packs. He knew that most of them went there not for his birthday but to grab the chance to be his mate and become a member of the powerful Night Stalkers Pack. Some of them didn't even greet him.

He just shook his head because of his disappointment with his father's decision. He thought that their enemies from other packs could take that chance because according to his father, all women from different packs are welcome in that event, whether they are enemies or allies. Rank is not a factor either, Alpha or Omega or Beta, all of them are welcome.

"Don't you trust your father, Your Highness?"

Zarion heard a familiar voice from behind, so he immediately turned around. He immediately saw the bright smile of his childhood friend, Rachel. But he just responded with a cold facial expression.

"I'm just disappointed, Rachel," Zarion replied as nothing changed with his facial expression. "I mean, even on choosing my mate, still, it is Father who will decide."

"As far as I know, twenty-four finalists will be chosen from all those who registered in the selection process. And they will participate in the tests prepared by your father. And from twenty-four, one of them will be eliminated until only three are left. And from those three finalists, it's your turn to choose who you want among them," Rachel answered seriously.

"It is still not fair, Rachel. Even if he says I can freely choose who I want from the last three finalists," Zarion replied firmly as there was an objection to what his childhood friend said. "What if I don't like any of them?"

Zarion even shook his head while speaking. Then he drank the red wine again.

Rachel felt the frustration that she saw on Zarion's face. From childhood until now, she is the only one who understands his feelings. Then, she slowly approached him and gently caressed his back.

"I-I'm always here for you, Your Highness," Rachel said seriously. "J-Just tell me what to do."

Zarion seriously turned to Rachel and noticed her seriousness. Then he smiled and spoke.

"Are you willing to do anything for me? Can you face my father if I tell him that you're the one I want to be my mate so he doesn't have to look for someone anymore?"

Rachel was surprised by what Zarion said. She even stepped a little backward and her cheeks turned red. She can't deny to herself that she admires the Lycan Prince and he's been her crush since childhood, but never once did it cross her mind that she would become his mate. She's just a beta and one of the soldiers of the Night Stalkers Pack. Above all, Zarion's family was treating her as a lowlife member of their pack.

"I'm just kidding, Rachel," Zarion said while laughing because of Rachel's reaction. Then, he patted her lightly on the shoulder. "Of course, I won't put you in a difficult situation. Father will not like it for sure."

"Y-You're a Lycan Prince. And I'm just a beta and a soldier of our pack," Rachel immediately answered and tried to act normal in front of Zarion. She didn't want to show him that she was slightly affected by the words he said to her earlier. "My priorities are way different than yours and above all, I'm not deserving to be your mate."

"It's just a joke so don't feel bad," Zarion answered as he approached Rachel. He was about to put his arm on her shoulder but she avoided him so he thought that she might have been upset by what he said to her earlier.

"I-I have to go back to my position," Rachel said as she avoided Zarion's attempt to touch her. Then, she turned her back to him and quickly walked away.

Zarion just shook his head as he looked at Rachel walking away.

"Did she get mad at my joke?" Zarion muttered to himself. Then he looked back down again and after a while, he noticed his father approaching the microphone. He immediately thought that he was going to announce his plan to find his future mate.

He was right because, after a while, his father started to speak and officially announced the start of the selection process for those who want to be part of the Night Stalkers Pack's search for the Lycan Prince's mate.

He was also right in his thought that everyone there was looking forward to that announcement by his father rather than attending his birthday party.

A few moments later, he heard his father calling his name. He is looking for him and said that he needs to face everyone there, especially those who want to participate in the selection process organized by his father.

He just shook his head and took another sip of the red wine inside the glass that he was holding. Then he walked downstairs to follow what his father said.

When everyone saw him, they immediately cheered for him. Even though he has not yet reached the microphone and spoken, they are already feeling so much excitement. But what caught his attention was the group of female warriors that belongs to the Dark Blood Pack, the mortal enemy of their pack. The female alpha who was considered the strongest among them was there. Her name is Maribel, a dangerous female alpha of the Dark Blood Pack but he was not afraid of her.

As he walked toward the stage, he couldn't help but look at her until their eyes met. She was staring at him sharply as if she was planning something bad. Whatever it is, he was sure that their purpose for coming there was not good.

Zarion spoke only a few words in front of the microphone. He just thanked those who attended his birthday party. He didn't speak about his father's plans on finding a mate for him. This is because, from the very start, he was against the decision of his father.

"Is that all, Son?" Lio Zoler asked his son after he saw him move away from the microphone. He was expecting more words from him but it seems that he doesn't want to speak anymore. "Are you out of words already?"

"I don't have much to say, Father," Zarion replied politely. "You can have the microphone now."

Lio Zoler didn't speak anymore to his son and just went in front of the microphone to speak again. He did not prolong his speech any longer and in the end, he said that by ten o'clock in the evening, the selection process will begin immediately. He announced that all those who wanted to join and those who registered earlier need to prepare by this time.

"But it's my birthday, Father. Won't you at least let us enjoy my birthday first," Zarion said after he approached his father. He wants to oppose his father's last announcement and hopes that he can change it but he failed because his father still stood by his decision.

"Yes, it's your birthday, Zarion. But this time, it's not about your birthday anymore. You are no longer young to celebrate this kind of nonsense. I have to prepare you for being a ruler of our pack because it's you who will replace me soon. I believe that you will only be successful if your mate is strongly deserving to be part of the Night Stalkers Pack," Lio Zoler replied in a firm voice.

"But, Father..." Zarion could not finish what he wanted to say when his father spoke again.

"No more arguments, Son. What I'm doing is only for your own good," Lio Zoler said as he held his son on the shoulder and patted him.

Zarion couldn't do anything but nod and agree with his father. But after his father turned his back on him, he immediately called Rachel and told her that he had something important to discuss with her. They immediately met behind the mansion. Everything that he will tell her was confidential and he doesn't want anyone to know about that.

"Is there a problem, Your Highness, and we had to meet like this?" Rachel asked in a worried voice as she got near Zarion.

"I don't know what went through Father's mind and he seems to be in a hurry to find a mate for me," Zarion replied with full frustration in his voice.

"What do you want me to do?" Rachel immediately asked.

"You told me that you're willing to do everything for me, right?" Zarion asked seriously.

"Yes, Your Highness. Anything, as long as..."

Rachel couldn't finish what she was going to say when Zarion immediately spoke.

"I need your help, Rachel. I'm serious about this one."

Rachel looked at Zarion and their eyes met. They stared at each other for a moment and she saw how serious he was in what he said. She can feel the desperation inside him as if he badly needs her help now.