JOHANNA.
“Ouch! What's this heavy on my arm?” I struggled to open my eyes despite how heavy it seemed. I swirled my neck to the side to see an enormous figure lying beside me. “Didn't I pay for a room alone? How come I spent it with someone?” Slowly, I opened my eyes, but the sight of him beside me made my lips drop open. It was an illusion. I just wished he was on my side, so I shut my eyes again and laid back, waiting for about a minute before I opened them again. He was still there, lying beside me and sleeping peacefully. “What on earth happened?” My gaze fixed on his face. “Did he find me? Never! He must have been drunk as well... but why? He doesn't drink.'' I slowly pulled out my arm and hurried up from the floor. I was completely naked. “Shit! He f*cked me!” My pupils dilated while I searched around for my clothes. His leg was on it, so I had to carefully take them without waking him, and then I had them on. My heart was racing. I wouldn't want him to wake up and see me here. “King Ramsey has never drank talk more of getting drunk since we married. What came over him?'' I giggled silently. “He did miss me, right? But it's impossible to have me back again because you won't find me when you wake up. I have to leave for my good.'' I thought and made my way out of the room. When I came out of the corridor, I noticed something. It wasn't the room I paid for. Although I didn't check the inside of the room I paid for, this wasn't the corridor. “I got drunk and mistook my room only to meet him there, huh? I wonder what brought the great Lycan King to a tavern just to get drunk and spend the night when his home is luxurious.'' I mumbled while walking out of the tavern. A few feet away, I heard quick footsteps and turned to see who it was only to see his Beta rushing into the tavern room. “He must not see me, or he will advise me to return. I have to leave quickly and forget about his king.'' I hastened my steps until I was out of the vicinity. I hurried into the woods and began my journey with no particular destination. All I knew was that I was leaving the Clan to the neighbouring clan to make a living. At least, the Gammas at the border don't know who Luna is, so they won't have to alert the King or stop me from passing over. Hours elapsed, and it was noon. I already passed the border, and the sun was hot, so I decided to take a rest under a tree with a broad branch. Opening my little bag, I took out the fruits I got from the woods to sustain my hunger. “Life as a rogue must be difficult because I'm sure lots of them eat this.” I bit it and nodded. “It's been a long time since I ate fruits, but hunger will make anything edible taste sweet.” I chuckled and continued. Almost done, I heard noises from behind. This was still the woods but in the neighbouring clan. I have to get some strength to continue my journey until I reach the town. The noises continued, and I had to stand, gazing in the direction that the noise came from, not until a young man showed up—he was the slave master of the Divergent Shadows Clan where I came from What is he doing here? Am I beginning to see things due to hunger? He approached me, having a slight smile on his face. “I found you. I was fast enough so I could catch up with you.” he looked around, still smiling. “This is the Griming Manes Clan!” I only nodded. “But, what are you doing here?” The surprise that overwhelmed me was so vivid on my face. He grinned. “Well, I came after you because I was feeling uneasy. I wouldn't want you to be harmed, and I'm glad you aren't.” he stretched his hands. “Let's go, I have a place you can stay here. It's nice that you chose this clan.” That was so heartwarming. I picked up my bag and offered my hand, and then we continued. He protected every part I took until we came out of the woods and then began seeing houses and people. “This Clan is the biggest and where the Supreme King stays,” he stated, taking a quick look at me. “What about going to greet him? At least he will recognize you as the new member of the Clan.” I shrugged my shoulders. Who am I to stand before the Supreme King? “What if he knows that I am Luna of the other Clan?” He shook his head. “He doesn't know the Kings and their Lunas. Do you think the Supreme King has such time?” “But, why did you leave? Aren't you going back anymore?” It looked suspicious that he left his position just to be with me, but what could I do? He came after me just to be sure that I was safe, and I just hoped he wasn't aware of the one-night stand with his king. He licked his lips. “There's no need to go back when I've saved enough to start a life here. I can't be a slave master forever, right?” I gave a nod, forcing a silly smile. We reached the palace, and the gate was wide open. He dragged me in when I resisted going in, and we climbed the veranda and made our way into the palace building. This was unusual. Why would the guards just bow before us instead of obstructing our way as their job? They were supposed to ask us who we were and our reason for being here because we were total strangers who showed up in their palace. I wonder how he came to know the palace so well that he even knows all the nooks and crannies without being directed. He paused, and I did so too, then he turned to me. “We are going in now to see the Supreme King, so brace yourself, okay?” I swallowed hard and nodded, my heart already pounding hard. We walked in and stood in the presence of a middle-aged man. I was so lost that I forgot to bow to him as we stepped in—he looked exactly like me. “Pay your…” one of the guards was about to command when the King raised his hand. His face squeezed as he stared at me. He stood and walked down from his throne, taking a look at me from my head to the toe. My heart already sank into my belly. It was so stupid of me to come in and get lost instead of paying him my respect. Now, I regret coming in here just to be punished, and the slave master did not look startled by the sudden expression of the Supreme King. When the king came closer, he glanced at the slave master. “Roger!” he mentioned and patted his shoulder. Was that his name? Does the Supreme King already know who he is? That was when I got to take a good look at him. He wasn't dressed like a commoner but like a noble. His fabric was an expensive one. “Is she?” The King's voice startled me. The slave master fell to his knees with his head bent low. I just hope he isn't about to mention me as his bride. “I apologize that it took so long, but I am grateful to have brought the Supreme heiress before you.” he bowed more. Supreme Heiress? Who was that? The King looked me in the eyes. There was this connection—a strong bond that I'd never felt. My wolf whimpered—wailing its tail. He pulled me into his arms and broke into tears. “This shouldn't be a dream. The Supreme Lycan heiress is back to me. This should be a reality.” he cried, patting my back. “Welcome the Supreme Lycan Princess! Long live the Supreme Heiress!!'' The whole guards around fell to their knees, their heads all lowered as they exclaimed. Even the slave master couldn't raise his head before me.KING RAMSEY.“Don't tell me stories. Just bring Anna to me.” my voice thundered as I faced the guards. They were on their knees, quivering like it would solve the issue on the ground. “What is the essence of having you all here when you can't protect the Palace? What is the use to pay you monthly?” My face turned red, teeth gritting.Behind me was my beta. I don't even know what to say to him for not being cautious as always. How would they—the whole of them be at work - and Johanna vanished in a twinkle of an eye? I've sent them to search the whole Pack, thereby ordering the Gammas to block the boundaries, yet that didn't work.My fist tightened around my staff. Why? Why would she leave? Where is she now? Who did she go to? I couldn't answer any of these questions…..and I didn't care to know. All I wanted was to see Anna in the palace, even if she would patrol around as a slave.Did she leave to be with his lover out there, or did she just run away? Johanna is my property, even if sh
JOHANNA.The hall was filled with the masses. They were all celebrating the return of their Princess. Was I truly the Princess? How long did the slave master know of me being the Princess and kept it to himself? Why and how did I get lost after my birth?There are tons of questions that I need an answer to, and so I hope the ceremony ends anytime soon so I can meet my father. I was motherless since no one was talking about their Luna here.“Your Highness!!!!” I was startled by a feminine voice from behind. When I turned, I met a maid who bowed to me. “Do I owe you anything?”“You have to get dressed and join the ceremony. They are all waiting for the Heiress to show up,” she explained.I looked at myself. The Heiress? This still seems like a movie. What about the family that trained me up, how did they manage to get me? Now I see the reason they hated and despised me. They mistreated me because I wasn't their biological daughter. But why would they take me in if they knew they wouldn
JOHANNA.I was battling with my eyes that almost shut. Tiredness swam all over my body. I had trekked to this clan, and it wasn't fun any longer like it was when I was still in the woods. The moment I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, my father cleared his throat—my eyes snapped open.He was standing before the crowd, gripping his royal staff. “I think it's time to declare the most important part of this ceremony….”I adjusted on my seat, eyes glued to my father to hear what he had to say, which was the most important part of the ceremony.“Years back, a week after the Supreme Heiress disappeared and none of the guards could find her, I made a declaration—a vow to anyone that would bring her back to me.”The weakness in my body subsided. My eyes narrowed while I was all ears to hear what he had in store for us.“I declared that whoever found the Supreme Heiress amongst the men of this Pack would be married to the Heiress and would be the next Supreme King….”My heart stopped pump
KING RAMSEY.Facing the moon, I crossed my hands backwards. Last night, I spent my night in a tavern, drunk, and I couldn't continue that way. Tonight seemed to be the worst and longest night for me. It was 1 a.m., yet I was unable to shut my eyes.The thought of Anna flooded my mind. Where is she exactly? Hope she's safe even after escaping. Even if she has been cheating on me and has run to her lover, she needs to be well, at least, until I find her.One thing I'm certain of is that no matter how long it takes, I will surely get her back to this palace. Seeing her daily, even if she was a slave, will ease my mind and make me concentrate.I've gotten no good news from the guards and my Beta. I have no clue about Anna and the slave master—but all I focused on was Anna. If she had done all that in five years of living with me, then she must pay for making my heart bleed and wasting my time. But if she is innocent, then she must take back her position while her sister would be my consor
JOHANNA.I sneaked into the restroom and leaned on the wall. Two weeks had passed since I agreed with my father to return to the Divergent Shadows Pack. He was enraged when he learned that I was the deposed Luna and was framed, but I had already decided to prove my innocence to the other Clan.My temperature was still rising despite the medication I had taken. “This f*ck can't stop me from leaving. I have to go back there and look into that matter,” I murmured, my lips twitching. “If my father finds out that I'm sick, he will cancel everything that I planned. I can't let this sickness stop me from leaving today.”I spitted out saliva into the WC and gasped. “Wasn't I supposed to be getting better by now? That medicine isn't working….” I grimaced and stormed out of the restroom.Evelyn was still arranging my belongings that I was going to leave with. “Are the envoys ready?” I inquired and she nodded. “We have to hurry so my father won't change his mind.” I glanced at her. “What of yo
JOHANNA.The chief envoy dashed towards me the moment I made the announcement, no one—not even my chief maid knew about it. I hid it from everyone—from my maids that my sickness was the symptom of my pregnancy.King Ramsey looked stunned. It's okay if he looks that way because he didn't get to see me after that night. I was sure to leave before he was awake and without a trace.“Your Highness!! It would be better to get this known to the Supreme King.” the chief envoy said to me, staring at my face. “That's not why we are here. It was agreed on the reason for your return, so you ought to step back from whatever motive you have.”I grimaced. “Are you saying that I made it all up?”He gasped, unable to answer me.“I'm telling the truth here and it isn't a joke. My child belongs to King Ramsey, and only after he or she is crowned will he be dethroned. I would like to see him pay for accusing me—but in a way that it won't affect my child." I uttered, sparing him a glance. He lifted his f
KING RAMSEY.My eyes narrowed when I turned to meet the slave master standing before the crowd. He bowed before me, with disdain written all over his face. “What did you just say now?” I let go of Anna's hand, my attention pulled towards him.He smirked. “The child is mine—”“Stop joking around.” Anna shunned him and frowned. “Why would you say that?”He gazed at me. “You must be shocked to see me here today after being missing from your palace for two weeks now. Well, I am Alpha Roger…..one of the Supreme King’s subordinates, and I was the one who found the Supreme Heiress, which the reward is to get married to her.”“Shut it!!!” Anna screamed at Roger. “I never agreed to that marriage even when I was unaware of the pregnancy. How will I be when I'm not sure what you are to me?” she exhaled deeply, lips pouted angrily. “I never had a one-night stand with you, so stop raising more conflicts when all these have been resolved already.”Roger sneered. He found it funny that he was making
JOHANNA.Evelyn loosened the ribbon and hairpin that was used to style my hair. Beta Sam had unlocked my room, and I resided in it. I wouldn't want to switch rooms, not when I'm up to finding the rat that came in and dropped a contraceptive.She brushed my hair and styled it again, after which she applied some hair cream. “Why didn't I get to know that you were pregnant?” She broke the silence between us.We chit-chat a lot, so being mute was somehow uncomfortable. “You would betray me if you knew because it would cost your life if you hid it.”She scoffed, and I glanced at her. “What's funny? Didn't I get it right?" I grinned. “I was once Luna, so I know how cautious the servants were.”“I wouldn't do that when I solely want you to leave and succeed with your aim. I sensed that you didn't like Alpha Roger, so I guessed returning here would help you reunite with King Ramsey,” she muttered before dropping the hairbrush. “I, within myself, didn't feel comfortable when the declaration o
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