"I'm glad to see you are back in good health, young sovereign." Dorian, who has been standing by Kazan's bedside for some time now, was greatly pleased to see the kid regain consciousness. Though he had concluded that the boy would be alright, some part of him had doubts. But that's all gone now.
"What happened to me?" Kazan groaned and struggled before he was able to sit up straight on the bed. He was also having a bit of difficulty remembering how or why he was at the hospital.
"You were bitten by that stray girl," Dorian answered. If Kazan had been an ordinary lycan, the kid would have died from that young lady's deadly bite, for sure. But somehow, he ended up being claimed instead. And without the girl's awareness at that. Strange. He definitely needs to do more research on the matter and learn what really happened.
Kazan holds the spot where he got bitten, which is not completely healed yet. It was then the memory of that moment when that stray savagely bit into his neck came back to his mind.
Damn, he was careless. And if Ezekiel hadn't intervened at the last minute, that stray might have succeeded in killing him with that strange bite. What was that, anyway? It was like during that deadly grip, she was destroying his body, mind, and soul, thus causing him unbearable agony.
Note that he had suffered wounds he considered to be deadlier, but none of those can be compared to this. None had ever brought him to death's door. Kazan has no doubt that there is something mystical about that bite. He just can't wrap his head around it.
"Where is that stray?" Kazan growled. He will kill her for sure this time.
"In the dungeon," Dorian replied. "But before you go killer mode on her, there is something you need to know first."
He then informed Kazan that the stray girl had claimed him, which Kazan didn't take very seriously. He was in disbelief. Therefore, Dorian was left with no choice but to prove it to him. He requested that Kazan check his mark on the surface of his upper right thigh, which he did.
His mark, a ring of seven azure heptagon dots, was enveloped by a white clover. This proved Dorian was right about him being claimed, and he felt humiliated. After all, this is unheard of. A female lycan claims a male. A sovereign at that. He doesn't have the courage to show his face to anyone. And if anyone finds out about this, he and his pack would be a laughingstock.
"How—how did this happen?" Kazan stuttered. This was just too much for him to process. This is unacceptable.
"Honestly, I'm not too sure about the how. But I am sure you are claimed by that woman by some mystical method." Dorian gave the best response he could at this moment.
"Is there any way to remove it?" Kazan hoped that Dorian, being a wise elder, would know of a way to rid him of this nightmare. After all, there are a few forbidden spells that can be used to separate a male lycan's claim from a female. So there must be a way for the reverse, right?
"As you already know, there are ways to break a claim. But it's very risky. Also, I'm not sure if the normal methods will even work in this case."
"Why?" Kazan growled, displeased.
"Well, for starters, that stray is no ordinary lycan. And judging from the mark on your thigh, I'm now a hundred percent convinced that she's a true royal of the White Clover pack."
"What?" Now that Kazan really thinks about it, the mark on him is definitely a white clover, but there is no way he would associate it with such a great powerhouse pack, the White Clover Pack. "How? I mean, you once told me in one of our history sessions that all the true royal bloodline of the White Clover pack was killed."
"Yes, they are. But how do you explain the mark? Only a true royal of that pack bears that mark."
"Did you interrogate her?"
"Yes, I did. However, she proves to be a tough cookie, which is understandable. If word gets out that a true royal of the White Clover pack is still alive, then the traitorous rulers of the reformed White Clover pack and the Emerald Ace pack leaders will come after her. And with her bound to you, this will also be a huge problem for our pack and you."
"Damn it!" Kazan cursed. How did he end up in such a predicament? "We definitely need to figure out a way to quickly sever this claim she has on me, then."
"I agree. But until then, we can't let anyone learn about this girl's true identity or that she has claimed you. Not the other elders or Ezekiel. Do you understand?" Dorian knew Ezekiel was in the dungeon when he talked about Kazan being claimed, but that boy wouldn't believe it without proof. So as long as Kazan doesn't show Ezekiel his claimed mark and denies it if questioned about it, things should be alright.
"Yes, I do." Kazan answered.
"Good. Now go home and rest. I'll check up on you in the morning."
"But I just woke up," Kazan whined. "And besides, I really want to go meet with that stray. Now more than ever."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Dorian advised, though he knows that sooner or later, the young sovereign might not be able to resist the urge to go to her.
"Why is that?"
"When a lycan man claims a woman by force, she becomes his property to do with as he sees fit. He can command or overpower her with his will if he so wishes. She can't resist him, even if she hates him to the core. I don't know if it's the same in your case. But let's say it does. And she has control over you. What do you think will happen?"
"I understand." Kazan gnashed his teeth. Damn, he's really in a shitty situation. "I'll refrain from meeting with her then to be on the safe side." He can't even begin to imagine him, the mighty sovereign of the Azure pack, being bossed around by a woman. Death would have been a better choice.
"That's for the best. I'll take my leave now, Sovereign." Dorian slightly bows his head and leaves.
Sigh. Kazan can't help but be troubled and uneasy by this horrible fate that has befallen him.