Chapter Two: Kendra

Kendra's POV

“Kendra! Hey! Wait up, would you?”

I pause walking on hearing Anna’s voice and glance over my shoulder just in time to see her leaving her Cheerleading squad behind. Swaying majestically towards me, I can clearly see why she has long line of suitors already waiting for her to turn eighteen.

Unlike me who is of a small frame and has a frail face, nobody in the pack resembles me, not even my own  parents... Anna is five feet nine inches tall, with silky straight waist-length blond hair, green eyes like seaweed underwater, surrounded by long thick dark lashes set in a delicately beautiful oval-shaped face, and the slenderness of her body shown to advantage in her red cheerleading uniform.

"Happy birthday bestie.” She says, wrapping me into a hug. Pulling away, she examines me, “Eighteen look so good on you. I’m jealous.” Her green eyes twinkling. Trust Anna to be my personal hype girl.

Giving her a thin smile, I scoff. “ Anna, I did not change one bit.”

"You can’t tell me what to see with my eyes, Kendra.” She stands straight and wraps her arms in front of her chest. “My eyes are seeing a very pretty girl. You are too damn pretty. Don't ever forget that... and don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."

" Trust me, vacating to the beach house was a terrible idea. It was just Mum and i the whole time".

Mum and I were in my Dad’s old beach house in Cryson Lawn the entire summer vacation while Anna stayed in uncle Zack's house. 

A boring old house that already has missing shingles, broken glass, and chipped paint with scrub and tall weeds covering the yellowed lawn. The place used to be beautiful when Dad was alive and we visited often.

With no Wi-Fi and no cell service at all?... thank god for good books. The only thing fun was strolling along the glistening shores.

" I'm glad you're back honestly. So much happened while you were gone, and I can't wait to tell you all about it." She excitedly sling her arms around my neck, brushing her temple against mine.

As an Alpha princess it is expected of Anna to follow in her father’s footsteps or to act like a royalty but instead of being forced to live the socialite life she is stubbornly living her dreams, whereas Chase fit into the role perfectly and is already being groomed to rule after his father.

A close look at Anna one would see a tiny resemblance between she and Chase but, totally different personality. The way she smiles, her aura and charisma, seems like it runs in the family.

“ What’s the first thing you wanna do now that you’re technically an adult?” she wiggles her expertly plucked eyebrow mischievously.

“ Well… maybe… have a… mate, get a first kiss?” I drag out. Hot wave of embarrassment rushes through my veins as she burst into a convulsing laughter. “Did I say something abominable? What is so funny, Anna?”

“I can make that happen, if only you’ll agree to come to Chase’s birthday party.” She leans in close to whisper into my ear, “ you could have your first kiss.” She giggles.

“ No way… There is no way I’m kissing a random guy at a party”. I retort.

“ It won’t be just any random guy… nobles will be there. You could land yourself a jackpot.” And by jackpot she means a man with a total package; rich, classy, gorgeous, powerful… all this and more I found in Chase.

“ I am not kissing anyone, Anna." 

Calculatingly reading my face, she gasps. "You've never mean kissed." 

"I fucking hate that you can see through me... Embarrassing, right?"

“No… ! Embarrassing is not the right word, I’d say, surprising. I’ve been kissed countless times.” She leans in close to whisper into my ears, “ I have a boyfriend now, and I can't wait for you to meet him" 

That isn't surprising because she's appraised and desired by powerful kings and lords from far and beyond. " Is he cute?"

" He is dead gorgeous but, he's no prince and he's no Alpha. He is one of my father's Betas, a guard in the palace, and I'm afraid the king may never accept him." Her face zeros into dark sadness as the sudden realization hits her. 

I offer her a small smile as I take her hand, gently squeezing her fingers. “ you’re your father’s daughter, Anna. The king loves you a lot. You should speak to him about it.”

She smiles with reservation, "Thanks, Anna" so what are you planning to wear for the party?"

“ You invited her to Chase’s party?” Ellie gasps, looking between us. “ Anna, you invited this…” she pauses and looks me from up to down and smirks.

“ Go on… finish your sentence, Ellie.” Anna challenges her.

“ I was going to say a repulsive waste of space, but that will be a waste of abuse, she certainly isn’t worth it.”

“Ellie!” Anna howls, taking one menacing step towards her. “ Don’t you dare speak Ill of my friend ever again.” Her green eyes flashes cat. I hear a silent growl rumbling in her throat. “ I am warning you, Ellie.”

Ellie goes quiet, wilting under Anna's glare. Anna turn her gaze on me next with a smirk. Her eyes slowly returning to it true form.

I guess this is one of the advantages of having an Alpha as my best friend. You dare not pick on me under Anna’s watch. You’d be lucky if you left the scene with your skin intact.

I hate that Ellie is very beautiful. The pair of tank top hanging a little above her belly button reveals every curve she has, her pair of very short shorts leaves her creamy legs exposed.

Looking at those slick legs, I can't help but wonder how they'd look wrapped around Chase’s waist. I am boiling with envy.

With Ellie in the picture, I am very certain that I do not stand a chance with a boy like Chase. Boys like him, go for girls like her. Guess it’s why I got used and dumped.

“Anna!” Mrs. Philips calls out to her. “ Over here.” She waves her over.

“ I have to go. Sit on the bleachers and cheer for me”

“ I'm running late for my first class. I'll see you during break."

“oh! Okay. Remember the party…” jogging slowly backward, “I will send our finest car or carriage to pick you up. Be ready at six. Her ponytail bounces as she jogs off to join her squad with Ellie is jogging closely behind her.

Chase’s birthday party? I whoosh out. It’s going to be the longest evening of my life.