JOHANNA.“Zip it up!” I said to Evelyn, who was busy humming behind me. She came forth and zipped the gown, and then I walked to the mirror to take a better look at myself. “How does it look on me?” I asked no one in particular.King Ramsey had gotten the gown for me. They were about five in number, all beautiful with different designs. “It looks awesome on you. Is that from the package the King got from you?” Evelyn giggled. She was fond of that whenever it had to do with King Ramsey. In the start, I felt irritated when she acted that way, but recently, I can't find myself being that way again.I turned to her. “Do you want to blabber? That's what you are always good at—it didn't skip my mind.”She scoffed and stepped back a bit. “If I was the King, I'd have you crushed raw under me…”“Say that again, and I'll have you thrown into the cell….” I warned her, getting rid of all the smiles on my face. “I hope you will get married soon and get crushed that way.”She crossed her hands bac
JOHANNA.King Ramsey came forward to me and handed me the paper. I exhaled a hot breath and went through it. “How—” I rubbed my eyes. “I mean…..” My father tapped me, signaling that I would show him the paper.I looked at the King, and he gave a single nod. I had to give my father the paper. He scoffed, saw the name written on it, and gave it back to me. “I am not shocked. I perceived it a long time ago,” he muttered and winked at me, grinning.I squatted before him. “Dad, is that why you didn't say anything when I complained of not being able to bond with her son's wolf? You knew all along that she had a motive, yet you let her stay under that roof?" I shook my head. “Why would you take such a risk? What if you had died?”King Ramsey patted my shoulder gently, and I came back to my senses. I wasn't supposed to yell at him.“So, what do you have to say about his son? That child doesn't belong to you. I can attest to that.” I said to him, and he furrowed his brow. “Do you know who the
JOHANNA.Evelyn dragged the little box that contained all the essential belongings that I would need within the few days I would spend in my father's palace. King Ramsey had suggested that I stay back there in replace of my father until he returns, and I agreed to it.While staying there, I would make sure to come to the end of my father's consort and her son as well. I will see to it that I also find out the culprit behind the death of my mother and my disappearance after birth.We had agreed that King Ramsey would always visit during the weekend, and his Beta would always be around to help me sort out some things if needed.“Nina would be happy that I'm leaving—” my lips pulled upwards. “She would better work hard until I return. Her parents will be indoors until she conceives.” I faced the door to see Beta Sam staring at Evelyn like it was the first time they were meeting each other.Evelyn couldn't look back at him. Although it was disrespectful, a glance could do.“That isn't lov
JOHANNA.After four hours of sleep, I felt light again. The dream had stopped bothering me, and I was now focused on the reason I returned to my clan. I was undressing, loosening my hair and the jewelry that I slept off with.“Supreme King's Consort!!!” came an announcement from the door.She wasn't at the gathering. Why then is she coming in here? I dropped the bangle on the table. “Come in!!” I responded, and she was led in instantly. “You weren't present in the hall chamber. I think that's an offense since it has to do with the throne and my father's death….” I turned to face her.She lowered her head. “Forgive me! I caught a cold and had fallen asleep at that time….”Really? I scoffed and sat down. “What brings you here?”“It's about the death of the Supreme King. These days, I have tried to look into his death, and that's how I caught a cold. I can't believe he just died that way.” she sniffled, tears welling in her eyes. Some people are just good at acting and should go for it.
JOHANNA.After Gillian left the room, I set out as well to walk around the clan as I had decided. Evelyn and the other maids came with me. I also had to take some of the guards sent to me by my father.When I climbed down from the veranda, I saw Alpha Roger coming into the palace. “This is when his senses told him to see me privately. He must think that we are some kind of buddy and that I will always take his side—or maybe that everything is set for him already.” I halted as he approached closer and bowed.“My Princess!!!” he grinned. “It's been a while since we saw each other.”I nodded. “Yeah! What brought you to the palace?” I folded my arms to be comfortable.“Uhmmm, I came to have some words with you.”“Words? What happened to inform me face-to-face that my father was dead? You didn't even show up for once, at least to console me there. I wonder what you think you're doing….” I let out a resounding hiss and wanted to walk past him, but he obstructed my way. “Roger!!”He chuckled
KING RAMSEY.I missed Johanna—everything about her….the way she scolds and avoids me. If only days could run fast so I would see her again. I feel so ashamed going to see her in the Grimming Manes Clan. I'm sure the clan members all know what transpired between us and would use it against me if I stepped foot there.The Gammas of her Clan might not even let me in regardless of my title unless she or her father orders them to let go.It's been weeks since I visited my mother in the hospital. From the day I enslaved Johanna, I felt a bit occupied that I didn't get the chance again. I put on my polo shirt and then took the comb to brush my hair.If I don't go there today, I'm not sure when I will have the extra chance to do so. However, I had hired a private nurse to look after her and make sure her vital signs were okay for someone in a coma.I picked up my car key and twitched out of the room. Beta Sam won't be with me as he has other things to get done with, and eventually, Anna might
KING RAMSEY.At first, I didn't want to show my face, and that was the actual reason I had to get new clothes that would disguise my identity. But, staring at the man before me, he seemed to have taken an oath in this business of his.I tried countless times to persuade, scare, and threaten him to succumb to revealing the one who purchases the mask, but all my might were in vain.He had insisted on not saying a word to me any longer and that I would have to leave his office. How will I leave his office when I've not gotten what I want yet? He is my only hope to find the one behind the mask.It was already something nice to hear that he was actually the one that produces the mask, which means I can get whoever it is that purchases it through him.I tapped my finger on his table, causing him to lift his face and gaze at me. “Won't you stop being a parasite? I have a lot of work to do. Buy a different mask here or give me a different design to craft for you. No way am I going to use this
JOHANNA.The wood felt haunted. It was supposed to be a peaceful area for hunters, but it seemed something evil was in the air. As I walked, I glanced around to be sure of my steps. My heart skipped each time I heard a sudden sound.I knew, deep down, that I was taking a very big risk, but I had to do it. That's what it takes to be the Supreme Heiress. If indeed a building stays in this woods and is haunting my people, then I'm sure they are waiting for their rulers to take care of it for them.Until I entered the deepest part of the wood, I didn't set my eyes on a hunter or a farmer. Everywhere was serene. The only sound that could be heard was that of a singing bird.I halted to take a deep breath for once. I leaned on a huge tree, still darting my eyes around. “Why do I feel like such a building can't be in the woods? I've already gone so far, but I've not caught a glimpse of that.” I thought, but the other side of me insisted that a building like that exists. “I've spent more than
KING RAMSEY.“Evelyn is missing as well, and no one is giving hope with their words. They all claim to not know her whereabouts, whereas she returned to the palace with the other servants.” Beta Sam explained to me.It's been over a day, yet Anna was nowhere to be found. At first, I thought Evelyn would be back, but she went missing the same day as Anna, and that's alarming. How can a Princess and her maid be missing and no one was talking about them like it was a setup? They are all less concerned, making it look like it has been what they wanted. Even the Supreme Consort isn't saying anything—the officials too.I turned to Sam, “Looks like we did not search well in the woods. We should go beyond the border like the last time. Bring all your men, the whole clan would be searched this time ....we must find them." I remarked, and he bowed to me.As we entered the car to return to my clan, my cell phone buzzed. I checked, and it was a message from an unsaved contact. The message made
JOHANNA.With the last statement the man made, I knew he just didn't know that I was the Supreme Heiress, but that he knew a lot about me and my family. I glanced at the cup that had slid my palm and at the man. “I'm sorry!!”He smiled at me and picked up the cup. He washed it with the water beside him and poured another drink for me. “I expected you to be shocked. Of course, you weren't expecting it….” he stretched his hands, handing over to me the cup of liquor. “So, can my Princess share with me why he left the palace?”I snorted. “Well, I think knowing you better will be the first thing before sharing something confidential. What relationship do you have with my family to know the source of my mother's death?”He dropped his cup and rested his arms on his thighs. I was beginning to sweat already…..my mouth was drying up.“I was the Supreme Kings Beta!!”For some time, I shut my eyes and opened them again. My father's previous beta!“I resigned after the death of Supreme Luna becau
JOHANNA.While the maids were asleep, I was awake, busy watching them. I had planned with Andriana on how I would leave, and I won't miss the opportunity. She had told me the time everything would be set, and to not miss the time, that's why I am still awake.I leaned on the wall while seated on the bed, watching as the clock ticked. That merchant with a big belly and a shapeless body would be stunned when he asked me the next day and didn't see me. If he is strong enough, then he can come after me in the woods, and leaving their town will give me the strength to do what I want.My arms rested on the pillow that I had placed on my thighs. I yawned and wiped my face to get over the sleep lurking on my eyelid.The door slowly opened, and I knew it was Andriana, so I got down from my bed as well. She sneaked into the room and helped me out of the room, and we didn't say a word to each other.As we climbed down the stairs that would lead to the balcony, she glanced at me several times.“W
JOHANNA.“You're going to be claimed by a merchant that would take care of you and your child, so don't be scared.” the man said to me.My lips dropped open. Was this man okay upstairs? How can you give out a married pregnant woman to another man to claim? This should better be a dream.“Let's go!!”Before I could say a word, he continued moving. We reached a pavement road, but it didn't seem like a major road, and he boarded a cab that drove us to a mansion filled with servants of different genders and ages.I stood still for some time. “These people aren't werewolves or lycans? Are they?” I shook my head. If they were werewolves or lycans, their scent and wolf should be lingering around me as a welcome to the new place, but nothing was happening. I sensed nothing like a wolf in them, and they didn't even give a damn to me.The man climbed the veranda, and I did so as well. Then we walked into the sitting room where an elderly man was sitting on the couch with three ladies around her
JOHANNA.Evelyn sat beside me, leaning on my shoulder. I had tried my best to save her and I succeeded, now we aren't sure where to head any longer, and I'm not sure if there's a route that would lead us away from this deserted river.I was weak as well, and I wouldn't be able to carry Evelyn, so I made up my mind that we would stay on the river bank until the next morning and we would continue our journey. But after about an hour, when she felt she had recovered lots of strength, she insisted that we leave that area.Despite how I tried to make her understand that she was too weak and I could even manage more than her, she insisted, and I had no choice but to give in. She struggled with her feet as we walked ahead, and the least I could do was to support each step she took.I ordered her to wrap her arm around my neck, and she did, and then we began walking slowly until we left the shore.Back to the woods, but in a different place that seemed to be in another Clan, we walked gently,
JOHANNA.Late at night, I slept and woke up. My heart was palpitating. I expected that King Ramsey or his Beta would be here by now. Was it that they didn't get the letter or that they had yet to find me? By sunset tomorrow, this masked woman will return here to hear from me, and I wouldn't want to face her.The fact that I can't agree to assure her of handing over the Supreme Royal file because I'm sure they would still assassinate me after that is one reason I shouldn't be here till the sun sets the next day.If King Ramsey or his Beta gets that letter, they would come here with their men, and my safety would be guaranteed because I'm sure that no matter how hefty the guards here seem to be, they would never fight against the royal guards and warriors.I leaned on the cage, staring at the dark sky. “I just hope it doesn't rain. I won't have to catch a cold here. My wolf is already doing a lot to protect me from the wind.” I muttered and moistened my lips.My mind was heavy. I prayed
EVELYN.I stretched my limbs and slowly opened my eyes to the sun already setting. “My Princess!!” I mumbled, not sure if my voice was audible enough. “Did I fall asleep? Why should I? " My eyes sprang open finally. I recalled that I was on duty and wasn't supposed to fall asleep when I should be protecting Princess Johanna.To my greatest shock, the other servants were also asleep when I sat up. “What the heck is going on?” I blurted, getting to my feet. “Princess!!” I called out, looking around, but I didn't see her.I rushed to the other servants and hit them all slightly, waking them up. “How dare we sleep off when we are entitled to protect Her Grace? Now, she's not here—" I was still looking around. “Get up, let's search for her.”As they gradually stood, the woman who had attended to us came out from her store and bowed to us. I pointed my finger at her. “You! What did you add to the drink you gave us?” My jaw became tense. There was no way I would just doze off after drinking
JOHANNA.As I struggled to open my eyes, I heard the sound of chains clashing against each other. Finally, I was able to open my eyes again to see myself in a cage. “What should this be called?” My eyes bulged as I glanced at the chain used to hold me like a criminal.I could recall how I was saved from being attacked by a cougar, and then the two men came to me and forced a substance into my nose, and then I lost it. I looked around, and the surroundings were strange. “Is this still the wood?” I contemplated even still, and I couldn't give myself an answer to that question.I looked through the tiny openings of the cage. “Hey!!!” I screeched the moment I set my eyes on a man standing like a soldier at the side. “Hey, you over there. Come get me out of here.” my voice raised. How dare those men bring me here? Why will they chain me this way like a criminal as if they don't know my status?Did I invade their territory? Even if I did, that shouldn't be a reason for them to do this.My e
JOHANNA.The wood felt haunted. It was supposed to be a peaceful area for hunters, but it seemed something evil was in the air. As I walked, I glanced around to be sure of my steps. My heart skipped each time I heard a sudden sound.I knew, deep down, that I was taking a very big risk, but I had to do it. That's what it takes to be the Supreme Heiress. If indeed a building stays in this woods and is haunting my people, then I'm sure they are waiting for their rulers to take care of it for them.Until I entered the deepest part of the wood, I didn't set my eyes on a hunter or a farmer. Everywhere was serene. The only sound that could be heard was that of a singing bird.I halted to take a deep breath for once. I leaned on a huge tree, still darting my eyes around. “Why do I feel like such a building can't be in the woods? I've already gone so far, but I've not caught a glimpse of that.” I thought, but the other side of me insisted that a building like that exists. “I've spent more than