EMAL'S POV Understanding Matilda’s inquisitive nature and knowing her tendency to be forthcoming, I connect the dots, realizing she must have had a reason for going over to my room in the first place. My nerves calmed a bit, knowing she was the one who entered my room and not someone else. The urge to confront her right then was eminent for me but I put myself under total and complete control. There is no cause for alarm yet. Deciding not to confront her, I opt to wait. I know quite right that Matilda’s curiosity often gets the better of her, and she’d probably seek me out with a flurry of questions. Patiently biding my time in my room, I anticipate her eventual arrival, preparing myself for the conversation that's bound to unfold between us. As the night settles in, the air is charged with her imminent arrival. Before she even has a chance to knock on my door, I call out, "Come in, you don’t need to create a noise." "I guess you’ve returned," she says upon entering. "Yes, I retu
The wind blows slowly radiating a serene feel as the morning hours begins to drift into the afternoon. Children sit outside the royal castle of the pack playing happily showing their powers to one another. The castle exudes power with its several round towers piercing the sky as the first structure one will see of it. It is connected by reinforced, vast, solid walls made of very rare and expensive golden stones. Refined windows are scattered here and there across the walls in a seemingly random pattern, along with overhanging crenelations for archers and for other ideal defense mechanisms. A regular gate with massive metal doors, a regular bridge and strong defenses of well trained and skilled castle guards stand at alert all around its perimeter.Though, it is still some thirty minutes before noon, the sun is beginning to get harsher on the skin. Yet, the children and people outdoors never care as they enjoy every feel nature shower upon them.Since the playing children are still cons
EMAL'S POVThe large metal ball in the center of the castle yard seems to be hit by the guards on early morning patrol. I stand up sluggishly from my bed and walk my way into the bathroom in order to freshen up.I enter the bathroom and turn on the shower staying still under it for a while and letting the cold soothing water get to me."You will be more than others; in fact you must be!" my father's words rings in my ears. I hate the fact that I have to be bullied by everyone in the pack. It hurts like hell.‘If only I can do something to stop them. If only I can gain some powers. Do I even have a wolf? Others feel their wolves and communicate with it, while mine never showed up for once. Not even once. It hurts so much and I don't have an idea what I am to do. All I can pray for is not to be pushed into desperation.’ Well, today is another day and I am ready to go to school. What awaits me, I don't know. The previous week, father never allowed me to leave the pack because the last ti
EMAL'S POVStill in school, Blake tilts my head up forcefully and asks me to stand up. I resist with hope that the teacher would come in soon. Though the presence of a teacher would mean nothing, it's better as it will serve as a distraction to the whole class entirely. I raise my hand up glancing at my wristwatch and sigh inwardly. "It's time for the teacher to be in class already. What's taking him or her so long?" "Are you waiting for someone? The teacher?" Blake asks mockingly."I think someone should tell the absentee that the teacher would not be coming anytime soon." Blake says while still holding my face and facing the class. Another giggle and round of laughter resounds in the class."What was I waiting for in the first place?" I ask no one but myself."Can you please go back to your seat? This is my territory and I didn't cross the line." I say hoping he would just desist from his evil plans and leave me to myself. Well, it turned out to be just hope."What did you say? Yo
EMAL'S POVThe detention room gradually gets darker as it is already evening and the dark clouds are fast covering up the bright sky. It seems like everyone forgot me here. If I have some powers, I would break through the iron lock guarding the room.Right now, I can't reach out to anyone neither can I mind-link Matilda. I sigh and sit back on the floor gazing at the door at every passing second. Minutes passed already and I begin to lost hope until I hear footsteps, feet away. The steps are quick and getting closer. My face brightened up when I saw my sister. At least, she never forgets me for so long.Indeed, she's the only one that treats me well and I have no doubt about it. "Emal,” she ran to me and passed me a bottle of water from her bag."After drinking to my fill and recovering from exhaustion, we head out of the school. On our way back home, we both remain silent."I'm sorry." she breaks the silence and I tilt my head up to look at her face. "Why are you saying sorry?" I ask
EMAL'S POVThe cool breeze brushes past my cheeks and I slowly open my eyes. The dark clouds in the sky begins to brighten as the sky gradually become blue. I stretch my body and feel something roll down my exposed skin. Touching my body, it is a liquid. No doubt it is water. The fresh morning dew that falls from the sky at dawn. Letting out a huge sigh, I feel calm and strangely good. Taking another long glance at where I am, I recall the events of the past day.I had sadly slept at the lakeside overnight. Now, it's dawn and the sun will rise anytime from now. Gathering up my strength, I stand up from the ground and dust the silty sand away from my clothes. Turning my back at the river, I face the castle's direction pondering on what my next step should be. I'm definitely not ready to see anyone at the moment. Especially not anyone from the pack. It's too early for me to be ridiculed again.Taking a few steps forward with me trying to decide on where to go, my stomach grumbles and i
EMAL'S POVI pick up my pace, walking as fast as I can to school. I wouldn't like to be the center of attraction again after what happened yesterday.I finally get to school quite not long and sneak into my class without anyone noticing. We all settle down, awaiting the teacher. If at all one would make his or her presence."How was the game yesterday? Who won?" one of Blake's minions comes to taunt me in my seat. Not again today. I swallow hard on nothing.I don't know what I bought from them without paying for them to act like this towards me. It's not a new thing to be bullied by my fellow pack members. But I feel depressed and sometimes wish things would change overnight.I open my slouch bag, picking up a book from it. I badly need to ignore them and to do that, I need something to ward their taunts off my mind. I ransack the lower part of my bag for a pencil, and finally see it in the folded part of my item."Hey Alpha?" he mocks again. "No, should I say future Alpha? Alpha-to-be
LILLY'S POVIt is early in the morning and luckily, I wake up at an early time. I finish my chores and cooked the left-over meal for my grandmother. I don't have to worry about filling my belly since I work in a restaurant. I can always get food there. Moreover, the restaurant owner likes me so much. He is a close neighbor of ours.My grandmother wakes up seeing me about to leave for work. I sling my old backpack across my shoulder, after making sure that my mufti is neat. I hurry to my grandma's room, and I greet her after kissing her knuckles."May your old hands be blessed, granny" I say to her as usual and she pats my hair."May you profit as you begin this day." she prays in return, thinking that I'm going to my workplace. Truly, I go to my workplace for a few hours in the morning, but go to school once it's daybreak and return to work after closing hours.I turn around to exit the house, but hears grandma's voice upon reaching the entrance. "Little One," she calls and I respond
EMAL'S POV Understanding Matilda’s inquisitive nature and knowing her tendency to be forthcoming, I connect the dots, realizing she must have had a reason for going over to my room in the first place. My nerves calmed a bit, knowing she was the one who entered my room and not someone else. The urge to confront her right then was eminent for me but I put myself under total and complete control. There is no cause for alarm yet. Deciding not to confront her, I opt to wait. I know quite right that Matilda’s curiosity often gets the better of her, and she’d probably seek me out with a flurry of questions. Patiently biding my time in my room, I anticipate her eventual arrival, preparing myself for the conversation that's bound to unfold between us. As the night settles in, the air is charged with her imminent arrival. Before she even has a chance to knock on my door, I call out, "Come in, you don’t need to create a noise." "I guess you’ve returned," she says upon entering. "Yes, I retu
MATILDA’S POVWait! What? How in hell? I stand hidden from the entrance as soon as Father exits Mother's room, my heart pounding as I recall what Father says last before leaving with an angry expression. Eavesdropping on their heated argument, I never expected to hear such a secret.My little brother, the one I've cared for, played with, and protected, is not my blood sibling. My mind races with confusion, my eyes begin to change colour, and my world suddenly feels like it's unravelling. How is this possible? I've never suspected a thing. No one did!Replaying the scenario in my mind wishing it is not at all true, I'm gripped by a whirlwind of emotions. Betrayal, anger, confusion and a profound sense of hurt flood over me. How could my parents keep such a secret from us, from everyone? I thought we were a family, bound by blood and love.I struggle to comprehend the truth as the reality sinks in. My relationship with my little brother, whom I've always considered my best family, is no
MATILDA’S POV I keep a discreet distance as I continue to tail my father, my eyes trained on his every move. He strolls around the castle with a sense of purpose, checking the surroundings one after the other. Though, a bit absentminded. As I observe from the shadows, my father heads for his room and my heart quickens when I see Emal approaching. ‘Damn! He is back’ I quickly slip back into Emal's room in a moment of urgency and a desire to keep the portrait back where it should be. Stealthily, I place the portrait where I had found it earlier, ensuring it's concealed from view. It's a precaution to ensure that having visited his room remains a secret. Then, I make my way back to Father's room side with the same aim I had done so earlier –tailing Father. He is having a discussion with Emal by the time I return but I can't care less. That's the very least of my concern. However, I continue to stay vigilant. I continue to trail my father as he finishes his conversation with Emal and
MATILDA'S POVMy heart pounds as I slip out of Emal's room, a sense of urgency propelling my hasty exit. I had managed to get the vellum and I needed to process it in private. Stepping into the hallway, I try to compose myself, my thoughts racing. I have to figure out what Emal's connection to mother's room is and what he's keeping from me. But as I round the corner, I'm met with an unexpected sight that stops me in my tracks. There, just outside the door, stands the Alpha, my father, a stern expression etched on his face. It's a coincidence that leaves me frozen in place.For a moment, time seems to stand still. I meet my father's gaze, his eyes narrowing as he takes in my dishevelled appearance. I know he can sense something is amiss, that I've been up to something that I shouldn't have.With a deep breath, I summon my courage, ready to face whatever questions and consequences may come. Despite the shock of seeing my father just outside the door of Emal's room, I know I can't let on
MATILDA’S POVReturning from school, I'm eager to hear what the guard I sent to trail Emal has discovered about Emal's activities. I can't shake off the feeling that there's more to the whole issue than meets the eye. just when I am about to call for his presence, he comes in."Good evening, your royal highness," says the guard, bowing in respect."Were you able to get anything?" I ask, knowing how sensitive Emal can be. He might have noticed someone tailing him and changed his initial plans."Yes, I did. I followed the crowned prince Alpha throughout the day as you asked me to and observed him closely. He didn't go to school very early like he does. Instead, he went to her ladyship's room after she left the castle."Do you mean he was in mother's room?" I wonder what he aimed for by going there."Yes, he did. It took him a long while before coming out but when he did, he had a vellum with him. With the way he held it so close, it must mean a lot to him. But I have no idea what it is.
EMAL'S POV"Blake's father?" Lilly looks away in thought. "What happened? Is anything wrong?" I ask, searching her expression for answers."It's nothing. Something came to mind, that's all. Do you remember you mentioned seeing him in the hidden garden? The one you said was covered with an illusion?""Of course, I do. How can I forget that?" "The garden and her room... same person, doesn't it say something?""I know right. I know Aleiscter wouldn't dare deliver such thing to her without an order from Blake's father, I mean he mentioned it himself too. Anyone with a reasonable thinking would know that Blake's father has something to do with the Luna. There's some kind of plan they're both scheming or involved in. I'm having a bad feeling about this whole thing which I can't lay my hands on. It just doesn't seem to be figured out anytime soon."I have an idea, but I don't know how you're going to take it." Lilly speaks after silently and calmly listening to me."Let me hear it. It's no
EMAL’S POVThe room falls into a profound silence as Norla, driven by curiosity and concern, leans in to investigate the source of the seeping liquid within the hidden compartment. Her fingers reach inside, and her expression shifts from puzzlement to surprise. To her shock, she discovers someone else concealed within the secret space, and I remain hidden in the shadows, my presence still undetected. The tension in the room eases slightly as the true identity of the intruder becomes apparent to Norla. My heart continues to race as I watch the scene unfold, keenly aware that the mysteries and secrets of the room remain shrouded. I remain hidden, quietly observing the unfolding situation with a mix of curiosity and relief, as my own presence remains a secret, for now since she is oblivious to my presence still."Oh, not again" she murmurs. I position myself properly in order to see everything she's is doing. While the secret compartment remains open, Norla proceeds to search for a pie
EMAL’S POVMaking my way into the Luna's room isn't one big deal at all as it didn't take anything worthy from me to do so. Inside the Luna's room, I move with the grace of a practiced intruder which I ain't, my senses on high alert. The room is adorned with opulent furnishings and delicate trinkets, just like the room of every royal but my focus is on finding something that might reveal the answers I seek.I start with the ornate vanity, carefully inspecting each drawer and compartment, hoping to stumble upon a hidden note or a concealed object. But my efforts are fruitless, and frustration begins to gnaw at me.Next, I turn my attention to the meticulously arranged bookshelves in the room. My fingers trace the spines of countless volumes, and I pull a few books from the shelf, expecting a hidden compartment or a clue between the pages. Yet, there is nothing to be found.Minutes turn into what feels like hours and disappointment begins to settle in, and I can't help but wonder if my
EMAL'S POV“Just take a look at her. She’s lucky! Indeed, she is…I can’t believe we maids are also privileged in that aspect." my ears catch on some feminine voices not quite distant from the Luna’s room as I prepare for school. I pay more attention to their discussion than usual, listening in on them without restraint. It is one of these moments when you instinctively know that something is amiss. Their voices resonate amidst themselves in low tones which would have definitely gone unnoticed by humans. I inadvertently hear the voices of the maids discussing at a distance. A part of me wants to ignore the talks but curiosity gets the better part of me, and I slow my pace, trying to see if I can get the topic being discussed. “Did I miss something?” the voice of another maid who interrupted the ongoing discussion hit my ears. She is obviously just getting to the spot of discussion and isn’t aware of what they are saying.“Shh, have it low. You can’t afford to put us in trouble.” A fe