LAYLAS'S POV
My only friend is critically injured and will probably leave this world soon yet all the ladies in front of me only keep yelling out accusations.I wonder what kind of evil being could have done this.Because no sane being would attack someone so young and innocent.The woman I had been dreading to see again today, My vixen stepmother, finally storms into the room.She shrieks when she sees the injured girl in front of me. But her shock appear faked and kind of exaggerated.
Her horror is only expressed by her melodramatic gasp and screams.Her eyes are actually glowing with what seems to be pleasure.
I am not surprised when she also accuses me of assaulting the child.I doubt she knows I didn't phase so I have no claws that could have done this.
"You wicked loser! How dare you try to kill a child?" she bellows.
I don't say anything since I am certain she won't listen.She probably thinks that I phased and the only way to get me kicked out of the house is to pin this evil act on me.
A group of guards march in through the door.They must have heard her screaming.
"Look what she did to a child! arrest her!" She orders the men, pointing at me.Their faces darken with range as they stride forward.
"I did not do this. I wasn't even in the house!" I say thinking they will be more reasonable than my stepmother and the maids.
"This is your room, right?" One questions in a stern voice.
"Yes..... but i didn't do this.I was away when it happened." I defend,not wanting to admit to anyone that I didn't phase. It would be the best prove that I am not the one that hurt Talia .But I would be giving my stepmother another reason to order the guards to drag me out of the pack house even before i get a chance to speak to my father.
"Don't let her lie to you! She just turned eighteen.She must have finally phased ,lost control and attacked the child!" My stepmother argues. Everyone else seems to agree.
The guards grab me by my arms and hair.Not gently,but as if they want to rip those parts of my body.
I grunt in pain as they pull me up from my knees and start dragging me towards the door,The maids and my step mother hailing them.
"Take her to the hall, the prince will be the one to decide on her punishment." She orders the guards and my body stiffens with shock.
The prince?! Hell no!
He may be the most adored being of this kingdom, because people claim he is extraordinarily compassionate. But don't mistake compassion for mercy. I have heard he he is very ruthless when it comes to deciding punishment for people that have been accused of commiting crimes. Like the one I am being false fully accused of.
If I don't defend myself now before we get to him, I may end up enduring a terrible punishment for a crime I have not committed.
"I did not attack Talia! please listen to me! I didn't even phase!" I shout out,no longer afraid revealing the fact That I am still wolf less.
My stepmother appears dumbfounded for a moment.She however quickly recovers and shoots me a glare.
"Stop lying! You're the only one that wasn't in the hall and Talia was right in here in your room.
Everyone can see what happened!"she snaps."Yeah, you're quite stupid to think you can fool us when this happened in your room." The guard that is pulling on my hair says and yanks harder.
I shriek in pain only only to hear them laugh.
I have to keep my feet moving despite the pain because otherwise I will get dragged like a dead body.That would be more painful.
"Take Talia to the infirmary. I will inform our pack doctor that she is there when we get to the hall."
My stepmother orders before following us out of my room and down the stairs to the hall."You're such a pathetic being. Look how awful you look! Did you fall into the swimming pool or something?" She insults walking fast behind.me and the guards.
Oh hell! I am still in the dirty,wet dress I was in when i got back from the forest. I am sure my hair is even dirtier and messier than my wet clothes.I have always looked as good as any girl my age in this kingdom. I didn't get to phase on my seventeen birthday like them but i still got a shapely body and sleek skin like them.
I still have physical human flaws like a few pimples and a few scars that don't seem to be in a hurry to leave my skin.
Whether I am beautiful or not,this Isn't how I Imagined meeting the famous prince. I will be the ugliest being he has ever laid his eyes on.He will obviously think I am mad enough to attack a child.
My father had ordered that I don't get anywhere near the hall or let any guest see me.Yet that's where my stepmother is hailing the guards to take me.
She wants to have me humiliated to a point that my father will not want to keep me near him anymore. The show she wants to put up will be beyond embarrassing for me. And there isn't a thing I can do about it as long as these giants have their hands on me.
There are still delightful sounds of cerebration as we get closer to the door. They suddenly turn into gasps of shock when I am dragged in through the door.
"What on earth is she?" I hear a woman exclaim in disgust as the guards pull me forward . I feel too mortified to look ahead at the stage where i know the prince ,my father and my step sister are . I have never wished to have the ability of becoming invisible this much before. I can hear people hurling insults at me already even before learning what I am accused of. They have already declared me guilty just because im dressed awfully and don't look so good.
The guards halt and forcefully push me to kneel on the floor. I still keep my gaze on the floor, afraid to look up and noble people that are obviously glaring down at me.
"What is this?" The sexiest and most mesmerizing voice I have heard speaks and my curiosity forces me to look up.
PRINCE ROWAN'S POVCould this day get any worse. I sigh in frustration as I avert my eyes from the young girl who has just been dragged in front of the stage and look at the guards waiting for an explanation.The four guards step back to allow an older woman to step forward. I recognize her immediately.She is the mother of my mate.I don't know why I actually call the girl my mate, because she is not. We have no mate bond, but everyone including my parents think we are meant to be since she is the only other angel in the land and I'm just being ignorant and unloving.It has been years since I phased and haven't found my true mate. My father always wanted to hand over the kingdom to me but I insisted I had to find my mate first but she never came, or she probably doesn't exist.I know the girl I'm about to marry in a few months deserves better. She deserves a loving mate. She is beautiful, kind and has all virtues any man would desire. But why does she claim that she can feel the mates
AVA'S POV This might as well be the best day of my life. I have finally gotten rid of my stupid stepsister and also got engaged to the most powerful and wealthiest beautiful being of our kingdom. We will be getting married in a few months and I will be the queen. I'll finally live the life I have always craved, full of wealth and power.But even with all the achievements I can't help but worry that the prince true mate might show up any day before we get married. I can also sense that the prince is not very taken with me as much as he would have been with his mate.I have always claimed that I'm his mate even when I know there is no mate bond between us. There are things that are irresistible even when you want to resist. Who wouldn't want to be the queen, so rich and powerful. Not to mention to be married to the most gorgeous dream man of every girl in the kingdom.I can't help but worry that his mate or my true mate will show up any day and destroy my achievements. I have to find
LAYLA'S POVIt has just been a few hours after I was locked in a cell and I already feel very hungry and cold. The cell is barely six feet by four making stretching a fucking problem. It is hollow cube of concentrate with no window, no bed, no light and no furniture. Just four walls halfway made of metal rods in a crisscross pattern. Given enough time here one can even forget their name.I really wish there was at least a blanket or anything that can possibly provide warmth. I am still dressed in my dirty, wet dress and the cold floor aren't helping at all.There aren't any form of sounds, which makes the torture worse. I huddle in one corner, trying to close my eyes and find sleep, but hunger gnaws at my insides making it impossible.I try to think of anything that will distract me and I unwillingly find myself thinking about the prince magnificent face. He sure is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes on. How can someone so physically perfect be paired with someone as
ROWAN'S POVI can't deny that the girl had stunning physical beauty .Even in her dirt caked clothes she still could pass for a innocent, beautiful princess. Too bad her ugly personality makes her totally undesirable. A part of me really wishes she was accused of something else and not attempted murder. I had always wished that I will find a mate with both outer and inner beauty such as the ones my mom used to tell me about when I was young. But considering how long I have waited to meet my true mate I doubt that such a girl exists. For the sake of the kingdom and to get my parents off my back I had to get engaged to the only other angel in the kingdom.I might not feel the mate bond with my current alleged mate. But she got most adored virtues that any man would have desired. Not to mention she will make the best kind hearted queen of the kingdom. My expectations of what a princess should be like, may have been corrupted by my mom's childhood stories. According to her princesses ar
ROWAN'S POVI wake up to the sound of someone knocking on my door urgently. I wonder who it could be considering the fact that I am not at the palace and I wasn't expecting anyone, not this early anyway. Unless there is a matter of agency.I force my yet to fully awake body up, walk to the door only to open it and find my mate standing on the other side smiling up at me. Three other girls in maid's uniform stand behind her. She is wearing make up, a lot of it."Can we come in?" She asks in a flirtatious voice, running her long nails down her very short dress that barely hides her ass."Off course." I say trying the best I can not to sound annoyed.I move away from the entrance and she motions for the other three to follow her inside. She goes ahead to make herself comfortable on my bed while the other three stand.“So, what’s this about?” I ask, crossing my arms.“I brought the witnesses for my Little sister's attack,” she says, gesturing to the maids.“This early?” I raise an eyebrow
LAYLA'S POVI wake up feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I did not sleep much last night .One reason being I couldn't stop thinking of what my awful life will end up like after this and two because of the painful sensation in my stomach that strikes every time my stomach rumbles in hunger. I also feel weaker than I did yesterday.I look at the bread Mia had thrown in my cell last night but it already look soiled. I frown with disgust.I want to ask Mia if they are going to give us any kind of breakfast but I also don't want to strike a conversation with her again. But it seems like I really didn't have to because I hear her voice clearly the minute I stand."Thought I would wake up to no neighbour. But seems they are not in a hurry." She says. Was she waiting for me to wake up just to remind me of what I'm going through? Should I remind her that we are both locked up in dirty filthy cells with no food awaiting our sentence? But that will strike an argument and since yesterday I have know
AVA'S POVThings couldn't get any better than they are now. It's only a matter of a few hours before my good-for-nothing step sister gets dragged out of the pack house and get executed.I will no longer feel uncertain of the future. I will be able to figure out ways to please my prince without worrying about his mate ever showing up.I have never liked my step-sister anyway. She was always quite a loser and very naive.At first I didn't like her being part of our family because all she did was taint our family reputation with her wolf less status. All I wanted was for her to just leave. I didn't want to be associated with her since I was to be crowned princess. She would have brought shame on my status. None of our family member wanted her around anyway, not even her own father.She was that one person who I have been seeking to get rid off since I realized that I am not Nate Rowan's true mate. She gave me no choice. I talked to my step father who the prince had granted mandate to d
LAYLA'S POVThe two guards drags me into the council room and holds me down on my knees in front of my father and alpha Henry. My father stares down at me with a contempt on his face. Alfa Henry Immediately leaves his seat and steps forward his . "You have caused nothing but trouble in my territory," he begins. "Your father has informed me that you will continue to do so unless we take decisive action."My heart sink as I turned my gaze to my father. How can he lie so easily?"You have been found guilty of an attempted murder." The alphas deep rough voice speaks up again.My mouth slack as I look.at the Alpha in shock. They must really hate my guts. I wasn't expecting to be declared guilty without even being given a chance to tell my side of the story. But who I'm I kidding, I am a disgrace to his park so this shouldn't shock me at all.According to our laws, you are to be enslaved for life.The slave buyers are waiting, take her away." He authorises motioning to the guards. What's
LAYLA'S POVFor hours, Mia and I scrub dishes and wipe down sticky surfaces until my back feels like it will snap from exhaustion. My muscles ache painfully as hunger gnaws at my insides.“You should take a break, we’re almost halfway done,” Mia advises as she assesses my worn-out state.Almost halfway done? The thought is overwhelming, it feels impossible to keep working like this. It’s nearly midday, and we still have hallways to clean.“I’ll take a little break then go clean the hallway while you finish here,” I announce, forcing myself upright despite how spent I feel.“Guests will start arriving any time now, it’s better if we get done with the hallways first so we’re out of their way.” I suggest."Good idea." Mia nods her head in agreement."I will clean here while you do the hallways."I fix my long black hair into a messy ponytail before dropping two rags into the cleaning buckets. "You have long beautiful hair. And a very beautiful body, you should let people see that."Mia ad
LAYLA'S POVI thought palaces were built to be beautiful at every corner, but as the guards lead us deeper into the vast structure, the cool elegance of the exterior starts to fade away. It even looks worse when we get to the slave quarters. Seems like the luxurious rooms and stuff we passed on our way down were only meant for the rich royals to enjoy. The slave quater they have settled us in are more worse than a criminal holding cells. It looks more of a basement or an abandoned storage room, dimly lit by two oil lamps from both ends, half broken windows with a thick layer of dust coating them, dusty conners covered with cobwebs and a door barely hanging on it's hinges.It's cold, chilly and ramshackled with a musty odour that makes you feel like puking.After a while, they bring in seven more slaves. They look disheveled but healthy, just like us. We all lie down on the thin mats provided for each of us.If we’re subjected to the same work as normal servants, without pay,we might
Prince Rowan's Pov“I don’t have to tell you I’m here just because you didn’t join your parents for breakfast and lunch, do I?” Jason shouts as he walks into the training field behind me and Wilson.Before I chose Ava, I managed to keep my parents' pressure to find a mate at bay. Now, I’m fed up with their predictable meddling in my personal life. They always want updates on how Ava and I are doing and when we’ll plan our wedding.“They are piss—”“You don’t have to repeat yourself, I ignored you just fine the first time,” I groan.“I wasn’t going to repeat what I said,” Jason argues, making a silly face.“Whatever. Just keep your mouth shut.” I step aside to let William take his shot.“A perfect place for a hideout from your future wife, huh?” Jason mutters, picking up a bow and arrow from the rack and joining me and Wilson.“You can’t hide forever, you know. It’s only a matter of time before your mom or Ava starts looking for you,” Jason teases with a smile.“Speaking of mates, it’s
LAYLA'S POV"Why am I having this feeling that this deal is not working in my favor at all?" We hear the boss' s voice complain as Donald opens the door to usher us into the office. He goes ahead of us to join his boss on the other side of the room.Jonathan leans against the wall looking pissed as hell. His eyes snap to me the moment the door clicks shut behind us and a fresh wave of panic hits me as I feel his gaze flit over my face. I really hope he will not recognize me."Why don't you just take all the healthy ones?" The boss bargains making Jonathan shift his attention from me of which I am very grateful. "Are you warry of doing business with me?" Donald leans and whispers something into his boss ear. His boss nods his glum expression easing."What about you take the others at that price. But you leave her with us." The boss says pointing his finger at me. I thought he and Donald wanted me gone as quickly as possible.Why change his mind all over a sudden. I am well aware non
AVA'S POVBile rises in my throat at Wilson's question.“Who is she?” I hear a chair scrape across the floor as he pushes it away to stand directly in front of me.I stand frozen, my feet and tongue immobilized, struggling to process his words.“Wha…t! Why would you wan…t…” I stammer, biting down on my tongue.“You mean, why would I want to know who she is?” His dark laugh bubbles up, sending a chill down my spine. “Yes, why would you?” I try to sound composed, but my voice comes out as a squeak.His question brings back memories of my stepsister. My mother believed she might be the one to phase into a golden-winged angel, perhaps Prince Rowan's true mate. As long as I don’t know Wilson’s intentions regarding this so-called true mate, I can’t risk revealing anything.“You already have her mate wrapped around your small finger. What I want from her is none of your business. Now tell me who she is,” he demands, his heated glare piercing through me.I fidget, scrambling for a convincing
AVA'S POV"What is it Jean?" I try to act more polite and not take my anger out on her. I don't want to scare her away yet when I still have no one else to depend on for information."You have a guest." She announces a bright smile lighting her old wrinkled face."A guest?" I ask confused. "I haven't made any friends here yet. So I have no idea who it could be."Prince Wilson is here to see you!" She says ethusistically like she is talking of a small god and I feel my heart skip a beat. The fucker followed me! What does he want? I thought I had made it clear that I don't like him back when we were in his room."Should I let him in my lady?" Jean questions confused at my not so happy expression.“Do I really have to ask for permission to.” Wilson interrupts, pushing the door open and striding in.“Leave us, Jean, and lock the door behind you,” I command, cutting him off. Rumors of him being my mate could ruin everything with Rowan and tarnish my reputation.“You don’t want them to kno
LAYLA'S POVThe carriages comes to a halt before the grand entrance and we walk slower to watch. The doors swing open and two men clad in guard uniforms leap down. They are followed by a towering figure draped in opulent garments that scream nobility. He appears young, perhaps in his early to mid-twenties, but his presence radiates authority and power. “He’s dressed too finely for a slave buyer. He must be royalty.” I whisper to MiaMia nods, her gaze fixed on the huge man. “Definitely a royal or someone close to one,” she murmurs.We watch as the man with the mustache approaches, his gait forced and exaggerated, with Donald coming from the field. A wide, strained smile stretches across his wrinkled face. “Sir Jonathan! What an honor it is to have you here unexpectedly,” The moustache man exclaims, his voice taut with tension as he extends a hand for a shake. It's funny how humble the inhumane idiot can be when faced by a more powerful person. "Where is Prince William? We haven’t
LAYLA'S POVThere is a sudden rumble and the door to the room cracks open. The Donald guy from yesterday strolls in, escorting two servants into the room.They are carrying bowls which I am sure are filled with the same soup from yesterday. It tasted horrible but again why would anyone waste their resources and their precious time making a decent meal for slaves."Everyone up!" Donald shouts. I detect a hint of anger in his voice. Is he still mad over what happened yesterday with his boss? Of course he must be and I am sure I am in his shit list for it. Those who were still asleep sits up from their sleeping positions.The servants starts handing over the bows filled with Little soup. I take mine and Mia's. It smells horrible just like the one they had fed us yesterday."You better get used to that princess. It's going to be your everyday meal." Donald smirks when one of the girls makes a face at the bow of the soup she has been given. I take a few spoons and hand the bow back. Ten m
AVA'S POVI have never thought that I will ever find myself in the middle of a situation that I will be incapable of coping with in my life.My shoulders slump, the excitement I had slowly trickles out of my heart. The sweet scent that had filled my heart with warmth and hope a few minutes ago now smells like something foul and disheartening.It is not just the realization that the sweet smell that is hitting my nose isn't emitting from the man I value the most and has planned my whole future with that has rendered me immobile at the center of the hallway. The realization that the new angel may be my real mate makes anger and distress settle deep into my bonesThe first thing I think of is turning and running out to find somewhere I can cry my heart out freely without a hundred of eyes watching me.But the prince is a few steps away from me and running out would be more than embarrassing. Probably the crowd will think I am running mad. I try to force a smile on my lips hopping it will