As the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue across the kingdom, the anticipation for the moon festival filled the air. Tonight, the courtyard would be transformed into a sight of enchantment, and I, Melina, would play my part in this grand celebration. I just wanted to be happy and give these people the response to their questions, they would not stop my sun from shinning. Sliding into the white dress embroidered with gold, a gift from the king himself, I took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. I knew Meemaw still doubted that it was a good idea to put on this dress - But I had completely a different thought. I smoothed out the delicate fabric on my hips, admiring the intricate patterns that gleamed in the fading light. The dress embraced me, the gold threads sparkling like stars against the moonlit sky. Tonight, I would be the star of this celestial event, though I also knew the shadows that lurked beneath the glamour. "You look dashin
As the moon festival drew to a close, my weariness engulfed me like a heavy shroud. The vibrant energy that had animated the courtyard now dissipated, leaving me longing for the solace of my chamber. I made my way towards the path leading back, eager for some much-needed rest. However, the peace I sought was shattered as soon as I glimpsed the figure of the king approaching. Dread knotted my stomach. Would he finally offer an apology for abandoning me and not looking for where I could have gone? But as he drew nearer, I saw an unwavering determination etched upon his face, and my hopes dwindled. The king stopped before me, his intense gaze fixed upon mine. "Melina," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of sternness. "Would you honor me by joining in for dinner in the dining hall?" For a moment, silence hung in the air, I hesitated, grappling with conflicting emotions. "Your Majesty," I finally replied, the words hesitant on my lips. "I appreciate the invitation, it m
Daphne and Eirene walked out of the dining hall, their footsteps echoing softly against the marble floor. The air was thick with the scent of opulence mixed with delicate notes of spices from the sumptuous feast they had just indulged in. As they reached the hallway, about to part ways to their respective chambers, Daphne halted abruptly, her eyes fixed on Eirene. "Eirene, did you notice something peculiar in the dining hall today? I wasn't going to talk about it in the dinning hall because I know that walls have ears. That's why I came out with you so that I can talk about it with you, did you notice?" Daphne asked in a hushed tone, her voice tinged with curiosity. Eirene turned towards her, her brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean, Daphne? What did you notice?" Daphne leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you see how Prince Alistair acted when Beta Kristen entered the dining hall? There was a certain eagerness in his eyes that caught my atte
As the morning sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the walls of my chamber, I sat at the sturdy wooden table with my Meemaw, enjoying a quiet breakfast. The aroma of freshly baked bread and warm tea filled the air, offering a fleeting moment of tranquility before the chaos of the day swept over us. I had been alone for some time now - There was no one to chat with and finally today, my Meemaw got her first day off and I had taken it upon myself to make it nice. Meemaw listened attentively as I told her about the three king brothers that had been patrolling the palace since last week. "I haven't seen them in person but I heard that they are quite intimidating," Meemaw commented, sipping her tea. I nodded, my eyes full of unease. "Yes, Meemaw. From what I've heard, they can be quite ruthless. I don't know what to expect. The first time we met in the dinning, they almost drove me crazy. They were not happy with me being the king's
As the sun bathed the pack house in warmth, I just couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope in my heart. I had spent weeks feeling trapped and isolated, but perhaps this dinner would serve as a turning point. A chance to understand Alexandros and, just maybe, find a connection that could bridge out differences. I really wanted to know what he thought about my uncle and I believed this could be a perfect time for the discussion. Since he wanted to be nice, he wouldn't want to hurt me even if I acted rudely with him. As the day wore on, word of my upcoming dinner with the alpha king spread throughout the pack house. Curiosity bloomed among the pack members, who sought to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic me and the powerful alpha king together. I could notice that some people were happy about it while some - Like Daphne, Xanthe and maybe Eirene were irritated. I found myself bombarded by well-meaning pack members, bombarding me with advice on how to charm the king and win his
After concluding our meal, it became evident that the culinary delights before us were truly exceptional. The exceptional taste could perhaps be attributed to the fact that it had been meticulously made for his highness, rather than an ordinary guest. Alternatively, one could even argue that the meal was fit for a prisoner, which, in my case, I still found myself to be. “Hmm, Your highness?” I called him and he turned his head at me, while we were eating the dessert. That male could eat for sure! "Can you call me Alexandros when we're alone, please? It's a polite request. I don't feel comfortable whenever you are being too formal with me. It's kinda weird." He said, the look on his face couldn't be more genuine. I smiled nervously and nodded. "Yes, sure... Alexandros." I called, and the way it sounded to my ears made my heart throb in a way I couldn't control. It sounded nice calling him Alexandros but it for sure would be awkward calling him Alexandros in front of everyone. “Yes,
Prince Alistair's heart raced as he made his way towards Beta Kristen's chamber. Getting to the entrance of Kristen's chamber, guarded by five guards with spears in their hand, the prince nodded at them. "I will like you to excuse me for a while. I want to meet with the beta." He said authoritatively. The guards, recognizing the urgency in the prince's eyes, allowed him to enter without hesitation. The room was dimly lit when Alistair stepped inside, casting eldritch shadows on the walls. He squinted, trying to adjust his eyes to the darkness. As his gaze swept across the room, he realized that Beta Kristen was nowhere to be found. A tinge of worry gripped his chest. "Beta Kristen? Kristen! Kristen! Where are you? Are you in here?" Alistair's voice echoed through the stillness, hopeful for a response. But only silence greeted him. Panic began to settle in as he contemplated returning to the king, unsuccessful. He was sure nothing could have happened to Kristen but it wa
It was again a new day, as the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, the garden came alive with vibrant colors and an air of pure tranquility. The golden sunlight bathed every flower, tree, and blade of grass, casting a warm and inviting glow across the entire scene. The lush greenery of the garden provided shelter and shade, inviting visitors to sit and indulge in the serenity of the moment. A stone pathway meandered through the vibrant landscape, beckoning explorers to discover hidden treasures around every corner. Daphne and Xanthe had resumed to their daily gossips about the pack members, but their recent topic hadn't been concluded and it didn't seemed it would be ever concluded as long as Melina was still in the pack. Daphne sighed deeply and cast a furtive glance at Xanthe. "Xanthe, have you ever known the king to be swayed so easily by a breeder before?" Xanthe's delicate features twisted with worry as she clasped her hands tightly in her lap. Her voice
Cleo's eyelids fluttered open, her eyes momentarily struggling to adjust to the golden sunlight that bathed the world around her. As realization slowly settled in, she glanced at the sand glass hung in the castle, her eyes shot wide open with a surge of panic. They had slept for nearly an hour, and Cleo knew they couldn't afford to waste any more time. Turning her gaze towards her Melina, who was still rubbing the sleep from her face, Cleo leaned over and tapped her urgently. "Melina, wake up! We slept away, Melina. That's dangerous. We need to leave immediately. I have a feeling that the king's soldiers are closing in on us." Melina groggily blinked up at Cleo, her expression one of confusion and concern. "Daphne... Daphne... I... reckon... she must have added something to the water she gave us. A sedative, perhaps," Melina said, her voice laced with worry. Cleo nodded grimly, her mind racing with thoughts of their predicament. "You are so right about that. But why
In the dim light of dawn, Cleo urged the horse to push harder, its hooves resounding against the forest floor. The carriage glided through the woods like a shadow, propelled forward by Cleo's determination. Melina, seated in the passenger's seat of the carriage, felt the weariness of the ceaseless journey take its toll on her body. Beads of perspiration adorned her brow, evidence of the harrowing trek. She didn't want to complain because this was all his decision. Concern etched across her face, Cleo stole a glance at her niece through the window outside. "Are you alright, Melina?" she inquired, her voice laced with genuine worry. Melina managed a weak smile, her voice betraying her fatigue. "I'm fine, Aunt Cleo," she reassured her. Though her words were brave, her exhaustion painted a different truth. Cleo's gaze lingered on Melina for a moment longer, but she refrained from probing further. Determined to see their journey to its end, Cleo continued urging the hors
As the king's words faded into the air, the pack members dispersed, their focus shifting to more pressing matters. The carefully crafted plan for Melina's birthday surprise had crumbled into disappointment, leaving everyone disheartened. Daphne, keenly observant, couldn't help but notice the somber expressions that adorned everyone's faces. This unexpected turn of events puzzled her. She had always assumed that most of the pack despised Melina, making their melancholic demeanors all the more irritating. In an attempt to avoid arousing suspicion, Daphne discreetly slipped away from the crowd, navigating the hallway cautiously. The weight of a troubling conversation still clung to her, causing her heart to throb anxiously. Her thoughts were consumed by the state of Melina's wellbeing and the unborn child she carried. The notion that she might not be the monster she believed herself to be tugged at her conscience. Lost in contemplation, Daphne was startled by the sound of
The guard took a deep breath, steeling himself to explain further. "Your Majesty, they have departed our lands, making their escape in secret. They must have had assistance from someone within the kingdom, someone who helped them evade detection. Only few people know about the secret door and, I would say, only you possess the key. It is imperative that we act swiftly to bring them back, otherwise, they would be gone forever." Beta Kristen's shock morphed into deep concern, her mind racing through the potential consequences of such a sudden departure. Thoughts of Melina's well-being flooded her mind, overshadowing the grand announcement that had previously commanded her attention. Without uttering another word, the king sprang into action, his strides quickening as he headed straight for Melina's chamber. The guards, grudgingly acknowledging their monarch's urgency, followed closely behind, endeavoring to keep pace with their determined ruler. The labyrinthine corridors
The king strode purposefully out of his chamber, his regal presence imbued with an air of authority as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon. He woke up happy and he just couldn't stop smiling. The morning dew clung to the blades of grass, giving the palace grounds a glistening sheen. It was a new day, ripe with possibilities, but the king's mind was preoccupied with a pressing matter. At least, that was exactly his major source of joy. The king's urgency was unmistakable as he beckoned a guard stationed at his entrance. His voice carried a weight that resonated through the corridors of the palace. "Summon Beta Kristen immediately," he commanded, his words laced with an undeniable sense of determination. The guard nodded, acknowledging his orders, and swiftly departed to convey the urgent message. Within a matter of moments, Beta Kristen arrived, bowing respectfully before the king. The regal figure gestured for him to enter, and together they walked into t
Daphne took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with trepidation. She walked further into the room, her eyes darting between the princes. Her voice quivered as she questioned their intrusion. "Why would you come to my room without my permission? When you saw that I wasn't present, you could have left. You almost scared me to death," Daphne said, her voice filled with a mixture of fear and annoyance. Prince Roderick arched an eyebrow, his voice laced with concern. "We apologize for startling you, Daphne. But you must understand that there is something of utmost importance that we must discuss. By the way, where were you coming from? It's just dawning for goodness sake? Tell me, where were you coming from?" Daphne's eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she tried to conjure a believable lie. She hesitated before finally speaking, her voice trembling and unsure. "Why are you even asking me such question? It's none of your business. I... I was in the garden, seeki
Eirene stood defiantly before the towering guard stationed at the forbidden back entrance of the castle. The weight of his distrustful gaze bore down on her, challenging her audacity to breach the boundaries of this restricted domain. Her decision to confront him head-on was met with an equal intensity, revealing a resolute resilience in the face of authority. Perplexed by the guard's recent appearance, Eirene's brows furrowed with annoyance. What could she possibly tell him that would convince him of her innocent intentions? If she were to exploit her privileged status, the guard would surely suspect her of participating in some nefarious scheme which she believed she genuinely wasn't. "I am asking you for the last time, what brings you to this forbidden place at such an hour, Lady Eirene? You know well that you should be in your chambers, and not even His Highness is allowed to venture here. So, you either tell me the truth, or I tell his Majesty that I saw you doing
As Melina, Cleo, and Daphne hurriedly made their way towards the back of the castle, their breaths came in ragged gasps. The weight of their escape bore heavily upon them, their hearts pounding in their chests. Their eyes darted anxiously, searching every nook and cranny for the lurking presence of guards or prying eyes. Melina, her voice trembling with urgency, turned to Daphne. "How much farther, Daphne? We have been running for what felt like decades now, I have never been to this side of the castle before," she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "And where is this hidden door you spoke of?" Daphne, her eyes scanning the surroundings, answered in a hushed voice, "We're almost there, Melina. Just a little farther. But we must hurry. Dawn is upon us, and the castle will soon awaken with guards and maids bustling about. You won't be able to leave once they start coming out." As they hurried on, their panic-stricken gazes caught sight of a solitary lamp in the distance. It cas
As Daphne gently opened the door, the hinges creaking softly in the stillness of the corridor, anticipation thrummed through her veins. She peered cautiously into the dimly lit hallway, her eyes scanning for any sign of guards or wandering maids. Satisfied that the coast was clear, she beckoned Cleo and Melina herself to join her, their pale figures emerging from the chamber like ghosts in the night. "Are you sure no body is going to see us? I have the feelings we are going to regret this Melina." Cleo said, her eyes scanning around while her heart thumped faster in her chest. "Can you just calm down and let's follow Daphne's lead? We are still in a very secured place... I reckon you need to save your fears for when we get outside of this corridor," Melina whispered, giving Cleo an unwanted reassuring gaze. The trio moved with utmost care, their footsteps barely audible on the cold stone floor. They stole glances over their shoulders, their eyes darting nervously, wa