Everest
"Order for table sixteen!" The call from the kitchen was so loud that it jolted me from my daze.Moving as fast as I could, I hurried to pick up the order and deliver to the said table."Your order sir," I tried to keep my smile as I took more orders from the group sitting at the far end of the restaurant.Two hours ago, I thought I could finally get to rest after a hectic day at work, but Elena had to make me come fill in for her at work since she supposedly had a date with her mate, the Prince.I could have refused and chose to get the rest which I badly needed, but that would have worsened the situation as my Stepmom would definitely make things harder for me.Being an orphan with a stepmother like Alice, has made life quite tiresome, and getting on her bad side would only add more heat to my hellish life.Ten years ago, I lost my mother to an accident. A man showed up at the funeral claiming to be my father.I was only nine.He took me home and loved me, making sure that I didn't feel my mother's absence. However, that only lasted for one year as my father also passed away, leaving me at the mercy of my stepmother.Even though I'm all grown now, I still live at the mercy of my stepmother. After all, in a world where werewolves rule, what am I without a wolf?If I am to survive, I have to stick with my pack and my home. That means I have to stick with my stepmother and her wicked antics."Here you go."I picked up the rest of the orders and delivered them to the tables, making sure that I was fast enough to deliver in time."You did great."I turned around to see a middle aged man with a round belly standing behind me with his hand on my shoulder. His appearance fits Elena’s description of what the hotel manager looked like."Thank you," I muttered as I moved away from his prying hand."You must be Elena's sister....uh..."He seemed to be struggling to remember my name."Everest," I replied before he could mention the name on his lips."Everest..." he repeated as he circled me. "You seem very good at this job. You're very good," he repeated, his eyes wandering from my head down to my toes. "Have you worked in a hotel before?""No sir," I replied honestly.I have taken several jobs to see myself through school, but I have never worked in a hotel. My current job is at a small shop where I work as a sales representative. Though the salary isn't huge, I get to pay my dues to my stepmother.“Have you not worked in a hotel before?” he asked, mouth open. He seemed surprised.“No,” I replied quickly.I couldn’t wait to finish my work and call it a night. I checked my wristwatch again and I noted that I had one hour left to work.One hour more before I go home to my bed.“Then you must be really smart to be….” The ringing of his phone cut his words short as he immediately moved away from me to answer the call, giving me the opportunity I needed to bail.However, as soon as I moved to leave, I was stopped by him as his hand grabbed me.“I have to… he stopped me with his index to his lips.I wonder what he was up to. I fixed my eyes on his hand around my wrist, wondering why he held me like I was caught doing something wrong.“Oh, you can’t leave yet,” he muttered as he returned the phone to his pocket.Of course I know that I couldn't leave yet since I had to send the rest of the orders. He didn’t need to rub it in my face.“I want to collect the rest of the orders.” I mumbled loud enough for him to hear, hoping that he would let me go.“I think I like you more than Elena,” He muttered with a strange smile dangling on his lips. His hand roamed my body and his flirtatious eyes looked at me like I was a meal he couldn't wait to devour.His hand roamed my body until it landed on my butt. He gave my butt a light squeeze and I clenched my fist in anger.I could have dealt him a slap to stop him from doing all that to me, but I knew that I would only bring more trouble for myself if I did that. So, I stood there and had him touch me so carelessly as he spoke.“You’re hardworking, diligent and respectful,” he nodded as if to say that he was sure of his deductions about me. “And I think….”His phone rang once again, and this time his eyes looked at me from head to toes, before he nodded.“Done,” he muttered before inserting the phone back in his pocket. He returned his gaze to me and a sinister smile crept up on his face. “Wine is needed in room 204.”I shouldn’t be the one delivering wine. I wanted to say, but with how annoying the man was, I took that as a cue to move.“Sure sir,” I hurried towards the cellar to pick a bottle of wine before heading to the stated room.He didn’t mention the name of the wine and I didn’t want to go back to him. So, I took a wine of my choice.The hotel wasn’t a five star hotel, but it was famous in Callhary for its unique services. Elena would often brag about meeting several big shots at her place of work and how generous they were. She would often show me how much she made as a tip in just one night, but looking at the place now, I doubt any of her words were true.I mean why would any big shot visit such a place?I went up the stairs, trying to locate the room, but the place was like a maze. I found myself at the exact spot where I was before, leaving me to wonder how the place was built.Is it just me or is there something strange about the place? I traveled down the corridor in search of the stairs. I looked for the way back, but couldn’t find it.Just then, I saw a young female waitress walking towards me with a tray in her hand.“Excuse me,” I immediately stopped her. “I think I’m lost,” I confessed.She smiled and looked at the tray in my hand. “The Vip section is that way,” she pointed at the mirror behind us.What? Am I supposed to walk inside a mirror?“I have an order for room 204 not the vip section,” I corrected her.The lady smiled and took the lead. She walked towards the mirror and surprisingly the mirror parted ways and she walked into an elevator. My mouth hung open as I watched.Who would have thought that such a thing was hidden there?“Hurry up,” she called out and I hurried towards the elevator.“That was….”“Surprising, right?” she chuckled before I could complete the sentence. “I thought so too when I first arrived here.”“Here we are,” The elevator dinged and opened.We stepped into an exquisite corridor with the most amazing decor that I've ever seen.“Thank you,” I muttered as I began the search for room 204 while she went ahead with hers.I just have to make this last delivery and I’ll be free to go home.I knocked on the door of the room to notify its occupant that their order had arrived, but the door opened as soon as I touched it. Without delay, I went inside to relay the order.A man was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed and placed on a leather footrest. The room was dimly lit, but I could see the table beside him. His head was bowed, and he seemed to be in deep thoughts.“Here is your order, Sir,” I smiled as I placed the wine on the table.No response.“Sir, are you okay?” I asked as I noticed that the man wasn’t moving.However, instead of a proper response, he muttered an apology. “Forgive me, Miss,” he said as he stood up.“What are you apologizing for?” I asked in amazement. He didn’t even look at me, so why was he apologizing?”“For this,” he replied swiftly, and before I could realize what was happening, I was swept off my feet by his shove. Without a wolf, I stood no chance against him. So fighting was futile.I begged him to stop as I realized what he was about to do, but my pleas fell on deaf ears as he pounced on me like a hungry beast.I struggled to get him off me, then I heard him whisper the most nerve wrecking statement I’ve ever heard. “I’ll compensate you.”Everest“I’ll compensate you.” Those words kept ringing in my ears as I picked my clothes. My whole body ached, but i could only think of a way to escape before I got caught. Meanwhile the man who put my mind in a state of peril was sleeping so soundly. He slept like he had no worries at all. I moved closer to take a look at his face, and I couldn’t help admiring his beauty. He looked like he was freshly out of a painting. As much as I would like to hate him for taking advantage of me, I couldn’t.I couldn’t hate him because while he was at it, he explained to me that he was drugged. How do I blame him when he isn’t even at fault? He kept saying that he would compensate me, but who was I to think I’d get compensated. Besides, how does he plan to compensate me for ripping me off the only thing that was truly mine? My honor. My honor was the only thing that belonged to me. Everything else belonged to my step-mother including my life. She thinks that she owns my life because she ra
FinnI woke up the next morning to an empty bed. Without looking, I knew the bed was empty as the warmth that accompanied that woman was gone. Just to be sure, I patted the space beside me, but there was nothing there. I groaned as I sat up on the bed. I held my head with both hands as I was hit by a strong jolt of pain. I wonder how strong the drug must have been or how much of it was administered for it to have such an effect on me. Coming back home was a decision I made out of pressure, but I knew that my return was due. Who would have thought that I would get drugged upon my return? Being the eldest son of the royal household of Callhary, I knew that the palace was filled with foes in the guise of friends. Hence, being attacked wasn't so surprising. Even though the party was thrown to celebrate the return of me and my brothers as we returned home from schooling abroad, I chose to be vigilant. After being poisoned twice, vigilant became my watchword. I didn't eat or drink at
Finn"Did you find anything?" I asked for the sixth time that day. It's been eight weeks since the incident at the hidden treasure, but I still can't bring myself to forget her. I don't know why I can't seem to get her out of my mind, her voice haunts me in low whispers everyday. However, the search for her has been to no avail. Every time the search party returns empty handed, my heart becomes heavy, probably out of guilt. Because every time I close my eyes, I see the blood stain on the sheets; the testimony of what I took from her. “No highness,” the guard bowed his head in shame. Without speaking further, I waved him off. I knew he would say that, but the disappointment that came with the news was severe. I was disappointed and was starting to lose hope of ever finding her. She is probably a figment of my imagination. I know that isn’t true since I hear her voice every time. I touched her that night and I saw the patches on the bed after she left. However, I could have dealt
EverestI smiled to myself as I went through the sales book. The improvement in sales got me so happy as I have managed to meet my target for the week. I don’t have to worry about getting a raise. Due to low sales, I haven’t been able to meet my target in the past month and this affected my dream of going to the university as I am always left with nothing after paying my dues to my stepmother. I asked my boss for a raise and she has promised to give me a raise if I manage to meet the target she sets. Holding the sales book closely, I couldn’t stop smiling as I looked at it. This will be the first step to fulfilling my dream. Suddenly I felt a bile rise in my stomach and I rushed to the bathroom to puke for the fifth time that day. I don’t know what I ate that has upset my stomach for the whole week. Everything I eat comes back out as vomit. Nothing stayed in. Last week I was down with a terrible fever, but I couldn’t dare to skip work for fear of reduction in my salary, and the e
Everest"Congratulations, you've been chosen to attend the Luna academy."I blinked and looked at the man before me in confusion. Did he probably get the wrong address or the wrong person? "What?" I exclaimed as I opened the envelope to see the name written on it. It was no doubt my name, but how? "Don't worry ma'am, it's an all expense paid scholarship," the man added as if to console me. However, I was driven into a more confused state. I mean, how did I get chosen? I do not remember applying. Could this have been done by Elena? I only saw her in my dream a few moments ago and now I have this situation before me. What could this mean? I tried to figure out what was going on but nothing came to mind. All I was able to understand was that I have somehow been enrolled for the Luna academy.How do I survive there? I mean, I'm an orphan who still haven't found her wolf. My parents were both omegas before they passed away, so how can I possibly survive among other contenders? Acco
Everest"On behalf of the royal family, I, Roland, welcome you all to the Luna Academy."A man who I learnt was the king's aide announced as he welcomed us. I looked at the ladies who were also joining the contest. They all looked beautiful and classy, unlike me."And now, I'll show you all to your dorms," He marched forward and two others followed behind him. We followed them and they led us to the dorms. They stopped in front of a building that seemed detached from the academy. "You should all choose yourself in a group of two. I'll be back to show each group to their rooms," Roland stated before marching off. He stopped and turned to look at us. I'd advise you to choose someone you want as your roommate since only two ladies are allowed in each room."The ladies murmured as they chose their partners. We were sixteen in numbers which means that we'll be having eight groups once the pairing is done. "Look at her, I can't pair with her," A blonde lady hissed, her eyes staring at me
Everest"Have we met before?" He asked again, this time The words struck a chord in my mind and I wanted to scream, 'Yes idiot, we've met before at that sleeky hotel where you took me without my permission and promised to make it up to me.'However, one look in his eyes and my anger dissipated. "Have we met before, miss?" He repeated, this time his hands tightly held my shoulders. My heart skipped several beats at his question and my legs almost gave way, but I held myself back and took deep breaths. I can't let him know that we've met before. Who knows what he'll do to keep his dirty deed under the ground? What if he kills me? Could he do that? I took another look at the handsome man before me. He looked like he had walked out of a painting. He was just too handsome for this world. His hair was long and curly, sitting proudly atop his shoulders. His thick brow matched his thick, yet angelic voice. He had sharp pointed noise and a beautiful set of hazel eyes. His lips were thin
Finn"You do not have a sparring partner, do you?" I pointed at the lady sitting on the sidelines. She didn't care that she didn't get to show off her skills like the other girls would have done. Instead she was happily watching as the others practiced."Yes sir, I don't," she stood up immediately. "Very well," I clapped. "You can spar with me."Her eyes widened and she gulped. She looked behind her as if in search of the one I was talking to. "Me?" She touched her chest. I scoffed at her act. "Yes, you.""I...uhm..." She stuttered as she scratched her cheek. "You want....me..." She touched her chest again. "...To spar with you?"Her way of repeating the same question was annoying. I mean, she got the point so why ask again?I didn't say anything in response to her questions. Instead I crossed my arm and waited until she read the signal and chose to come to me. "But I can't....." She sighed. "Attack me," I ignored whatever she was about to say. "Huh?" She widened her eyes.I kn
SeleneI couldn't just get what was going on. It's been several months since I set my eyes on Everest and now that she had returned, she was acting strange all of a sudden. I could say that I was completely in a confused state. As a matter of fact, It was so terrifying to behold. I just couldn't explain what it was all about. I stood still watching all Everest did and could say nothing. I watched her being taken away. Afterall, I didn't give a fuck.Miss Phoebe folded her arms as she stared at me. "Are you just going to stand there?" I sighed. "Of course I am. What on Earth do you want me to do? Do you expect me to run along?"Miss Phoebe chuckled. "You're unbelievable! Don't you know what she's going through?""As if I cared."She glared at me. "Just so you know, Everest is suffering from an illness, a severe one. She has schizophrenia!" She announced.Her response turned out to be a shock to me. I widened my mouth in surprise as I exhaled. "Schizophrenia?"She shook her head."Yes
Finn “I…am…Emily!" Caleb also burst into laughter."So you were the one who had taken Everest out of the academy huh?" She shook her head. "Apparently. Well, the academy was so boring to stay in and so I was in need of something to keep me busy or better still give me fun. And you know how that can be. I can't imagine that brother could be so blind, he was blind that he had suspended the innocent girl without making proper investigations. And if only he did a proper investigation, he would have known that it was Alice behind the whole thing. Caleb furrowed his brows in surprise."Alice behind the whole thing?" "Yes. And not only that, she had also tried to kill Everest but ended up killing one of the contestants." Having heard her response, I was shocked. I was amazed she knew all of this all along. And heard I was still investigating and was unable to trace Alice. What then, have I been doing? I wondered in guilt. Caleb folded his arms as he stumped his feet."I said it! I kn
Finn Seeing Everest go through such pain made me feel a huge sympathy for her. I felt hurt to see her behave in such a manner. She was completely innocent after all. And once again she had to go through such trauma. It's so sad that I couldn't do anything. And even if I were to do something it won't change anything. As she had stood before me with a smile, I was helpless and totally devastated. The only way we could calm her down was only when she black out. I can imagine the pain she was going through. I clenched my fist in anger having recalled the response which my parents had made concerning her, and to top it all, right before my presence. After she was knocked out, she was taken into a private room so she could take some rest. But then, I spent some time with her before I decided to return to the palace. Having seen her in such a condition I got really pissed. It was all absurd. It turns out that she wasn't lucky after all. Caleb and I returned to the palac
EverestOf course I know! And so also you are my only friend." "You actually came at the right time. I know you would never lie to me but rather tell me the truth. Everyone here seemed to say things which I don't understand. Tell me what they had done to Elena. I want to know where Elena is at the moment. Is that why she's in hiding, what did they do to her?" Adrienne smiled gracefully."Everest, you don't have to worry. They did nothing to Elena. Absolutely nothing! Oh goodness! Is that why you're panicking? Come on! Cheer up now, Elena had stepped out. She went on an errand. As a matter of fact, she went to get you a surprise gift. Besides, I'm not supposed to tell you because it was meant to be a surprise."I heaved a sigh of relief and burst into laughter as I let out a perfect smile, facing the others. "You see, I knew it! After All, I knew I wasn't insane nor was there anything wrong with me in the first place. So why would you all say that I'm mad, that I had lost my sanity? E
EverestAfter a series of pains and tears I let out, I couldn't keep up any longer. I was as weak as a cat. While in search of Elena, I shouted and shouted but there wasn't a response. She didn't turn up anymore. I was confused and devastated. Totally exhausted!In my current condition, it isn't advisable as a pregnant woman to move about in such stress and tension. It could equally affect my unborn child in any way. There was no way I could stay back any longer. And having recalled all that happened, my heart hurts.I moved towards Miss Phoebe. She stood still as she watched me search for Elena. On second thought, Elena must have returned home. I concluded. All that had mattered to me was to find her as soon as possible.And from the look of things the perfect the place to find her would be at home since she was nowhere to be seen around the arena. I would use the opportunity to confirm things for myself.I stared at Miss Phoebe with a sad face as I reached out to her. "Miss Phoe
Everest I staggered backwards in shock as my heart raced heavily. I widened my eyes in shock, it seemed my senses were failing me. What was all this? No! No! This can't be happening!! My heart beat changed completely, the fast rhythm felt like it was going to pop out of my chest. Paraventure If I was told such a thing would happen on such a special day. A day which I hope I would never forget as a result of the excitement I felt, I would never have believed. Who would have thought it could happen? There I was overwhelmed with Joy not knowing that my past would come hunting for me in the future. I must say that indeed, everything had worked out according to how Alice had planned. She let out a sinister smile as she displayed it. The more the audience spoke harsh words, pointing a finger at me, the more excited she was. So this was her plan all along? The moment she stated she had something to say to the audience, my heart skipped though I had no idea what she was gonna say. Deep
Everest You don't have to worry, I'm here for you." "Prince Finn! Leave that insane lady immediately and return to your seat, now!" The king commanded, yelling at the top of his voice. I trembled in fear. The prince didn't make a move. But the look I got from everyone was terrifying. They all stared at me like some piece of trash. Staring at Alice once again, she was having a smirk on her face. Adrienne on the other hand stood aside in fear, I could tell that she was worried and tensed for me but could do nothing. His parents had gotten furious already. They couldn't stand my presence any more. And I very well know that what got them more pissed was for the fact that their son had supported me even when they had declined. Even after receiving support from Prince Finn as I tried to get on my feet, I just couldn't. My legs were shaking massively that even I myself had no idea of what was going on. Thank goddess that he was beside me and had also chosen to stand by me. But the
FinnI welcome you all to the twenty-first anniversary of the Luna academy, where the winner of this year's competition will become the Luna. And according to our principles, the second best would be allocated to the remaining princes. So also goes for the third best and the rest, they would be allocated to the other royal princes and the Betas." We all applauded at once with smiles on our faces. Not only did he make a welcoming speech but also made references to the royalties who were present. My identity as the prince was revealed. Mister Roland cleared his throat. "And now, the moment we all have been waiting for. The winner of this year's competition is none other than….." he kept quiet as he let out a perfect smile. My heart raced heavily, everyone shivered in curiosity. Some had closed their eyes and were also curious. I had to place my hand on my chest so I could relax and by doing so I heard the sound of my heart beat. "Is… none other than… Everest Luthar!" He screamed o
Finn I heaved a sigh of relief. It was a good thing I was able to sum up confidence to tell Everest about my identity. Else, I can't imagine what would happen. She was absolutely right about my fears. There was no way results would be announced that my identity won't be revealed. Though, I saw this coming so I was fully prepared. But to my greatest surprise she laughed over the matter. Here I was thinking she would be really upset with me but little did I know that it would turn out this way. Just when I said it out, I felt a great relief. Now I bet she would be really confident and happy to have me beside her. Finally! This is the day we've all been waiting for. Deep within me, I was full of excitement. As a matter of fact, I couldn't get yesterday off my mind. The moments I spent with Everest made me happy and made me impatient to witness tomorrow's event. I must say that I was in a good mood. I ordered a limited collection. They were of the latest designers. I was certain tha