Chapter 3

AYLA BAILORE

This was wrong. A bad idea. And it was going to be my end.

I had all these thoughts as I was seated in a beautiful room and these women sent by Arnold dressed me up with the most expensive clothing and jewelry. They had even done my hair and applied some makeup.

Now staring at myself in the mirror, I couldn't recognize myself. I looked different. I looked…

“...Beautiful,” Arnold's deep voice startled me from behind. I jerked involuntarily, and my eyes instantly connected with his through the mirror.

He cocked his head sideways, staring at me. “I knew I never made a wrong choice,” He smiled darkly. “Preparations have been made. And prospective she wolves have started making their way into the palace. We are late as it is, but I guess, it's the perfect way to make a grand entrance,” He said, but I remained quiet, having a feeling he had more to say. “I've made the right changes. You'll keep your name. Ayla Bailor of the Iron Claw Pack,” He added, and I couldn't stop the gasp from escaping my lips.

Iron Claw Pack? The largest and most dangerous pack second to the Alpha King Kingdom? No. This was worse than I thought.

“A word of advice love,” He stepped closer with that familiar dark smile. “You're literally going into a battlefield where each pack has chosen ruthless she-wolves to battle for the Luna queen crown. Try not to wear your thoughts and emotions on your face, alright. And stop cowering and flinching at every second. You're now a possible option for the Luna crown, you need to look like one. Confident, bold, and demanding what you want. Remember, everyone believes you're one of us, and we're anything but weak,”

I swallowed as he stepped in front of me, he suddenly looked more dangerous than I originally thought he was after discovering he was from the Iron Claw Pack. But why were they after the Alpha King's life? If this was some kind of power struggle wouldn't it be better if they aimed at making the Luna Queen come from their pack?

Well, that wasn't my business. I had to think of Emily and me and how we could possibly walk out of all these, alive.

“I want to see my sister,” I lifted my head, squaring my shoulders and trying my best to look my new role.

His dark sinister smile deepened. “As you wish,” He left, and a few minutes later, Emily was led in. She was now wearing fresh clothes and her wounds were already healed up.

She rushed to me, hugging me tightly. “You don't have to do this, Ayla,”

“I do. And I will. I have no choice, otherwise, they'll kill us all,” I pulled her tightly. “Don't look for trouble while I'm gone. Arnold gave me his word that nothing will happen to you, no one will hurt you,” I said and she frowned.

“Do you trust him?”

“Of course not, but I gave no choice. We have no choice,”

“Are you really going to kill the Alpha King?”

I wasn't really sure how to answer her question. I'd never killed anyone before and I didn't know how I'd possibly kill the King.

“Maybe if you tell the Alpha King what's happening, and these people are plotting to assassinate him, he can help us,” She added after my long silence.

She was right. He could help us.

“I'll see how it goes. I promise I'll do everything I can to try to get us out of this mess, even if means talking to the King,”

I pulled her deeper into a hug just as a knock sounded on the door, reminding us our time was up.

“Don't trust anyone, stay out of trouble, and remember, the walls have ears,” I whispered. “I love you, Emily,”

“I love you too, sister,”

The door opened, and Arnold and a few warriors stepped in.

“We need to leave now,” At his command, I freed my sister and we walked out of the room and was led to a black limousine waiting for us outside.

Once we got in, the car roared to life and sped off into the darkness.

The journey was quiet and nerve-racking for me. I couldn't believe how much was happening in one night and now I was on my way to the palace, to fight for the Luna crown and kill the Alpha King. Definitely not the plan I had for myself when I decided to escape Garrick.

“We are here,” The driver said and I looked around, surprised to discover we had driven past the royal army guarding the giant black gate.

Inside the palace walls were beautiful, better than the stories we were told growing up. The royal family had the largest territory, and within these walls, also lived the pack members.

Soon, our limousine joined the line of cars, and we pulled up in front of a beautiful castle. Arnold helped me out, and we headed to the large double doors of the entrance.

“Identification please,” The warrior at the door asked, staring at Arnold before shifting his attention to me.

“Ayla Bailore from the Iron Claw Pack and her plus one, Arnold Vince Lannister,” Arnold spoke up and at once the warrior's eyes snapped back on him.

The other warriors around exchanged quick glances and I could see the fear visible in their eyes. I wasn't sure if it was the mention of the Iron Claw Pack or Arnold's name that left them in fear.

“Please enter,” The warrior said after checking the royal invite and we were led in.

“Is it just me or were those terrified of you,” I whispered to Arnold.

“Anyone in their right mind would be. We're not to be taken lightly. Anyone who crosses us or betrays us, well suffers an impending consequence, as you've seen firsthand,” He said, looking me dead in the eyes and I could see the bold warning in them. He was reminding me of the consequences of any mistakes or misconduct from me. “But of course, you shouldn't worry about that. I know you're not going to act out of stupidity. It's not like you're going to meet the Alpha King and cry out for help, not when we have your sister, and your life is literally mine. Remember Ayla, the walls have ears,” He whispered back with a smile.

I couldn't move my legs. I couldn't breathe. I didn't know how to anymore. He had heard everything. He knew what I had planned on doing.

“Breathe, Ayla, people are staring,” He whispered again, smiling.

“Excuse me, I need to use the…” I was already hyperventilating as it was, and Arnold had started to lead me outside the hall.

“Of course, the restroom,” He said amusingly, “Take your time but don't be late. The real party is about to start soon,”

I left Arnold and rushed out of the hall, taking the long hallway and the door at the end and luckily I burst out through one of the exits, rushing into the night cool breeze.

I moved hastily, walking deeper into the woods in the darkness. I didn't know where I was going, but I just had to get far away from here and I didn't stop until I reached the top of a hill. I collapsed on my knees trying to take as much air into my lungs, trying to steady my breathing, my mind racing with so many thoughts above them all, I wished I hadn't come here. This was suicide. Even if by some luck I managed to do what they wanted, there was no guarantee these people would let Emily and I leave unharmed. They could even kill us after they got what they wanted.

My heartbeat spiked up, and my body trembled at a sudden thought. I glanced around, but there was no one watching me, Arnold was still inside the mansion. I could try to leave the palace unseen and get back to Emily. Most of Arnold's warriors had accompanied us to the palace so it was only a few guarding Emily. I could get to my sister and we could make an escape. By the time he found out what was going on, Emily and I could be long gone.

Immediately, I got up on my feet. I was about to turn when, out of nowhere, a brown wolf emerged from the woods and pushed me off the hill and I fell into the cold blue lake below.

My body trembled involuntarily from the lake's coldness, and as I glanced up at the wolf on the hill, it had already shifted into its human form and it was a woman. She stared down at me and I couldn't see her face but her broken laughter echoed around. With a mockery wave of hand, she turned around and moved back into the woods.

I felt raw anger in my bones as I swam to the lake bank and got out. I had no idea in what direction I should be headed as the lake was surrounded by a garden of flowers. I was soaking wet, my makeup was ruined and my hair was an epic mess. Arnold was seriously going to kill me for this.

I groaned, feeling every blood in my body drain. I wished this nightmare would be over. I wished I hadn't been entangled in this mess to begin with. I just wish…

“At such a rate you're going to kill those poor flowers,” A husky voice sounded in the darkness, startling me. And I froze.