The Prince

PRINCE ROWAN'S POV

Could 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 bond while I can't. Can it be that I am the one who can't feel it?

"Your majesty, we are so sorry for interrupting but we have a very crucial matter at hand that needs your attention." The woman goes ahead to speak.

"That doesn't explain why you had the guards drag a young girl in front of the whole hall." I state impatiently. I have never liked the woman, she might be the mother to the girl I will marry but I think she is a self-centered woman with crazy cravings for wealth.

“The girl attempted to murder a seven-year-old child! She attacked an innocent orphan and—” The woman’s voice falters as she struggles to contain her emotions. Tears spill down her cheeks and she collapses into sobs.

“What? My little Talia was hurt?” My mate exclaims, rushing to comfort her mother, her face pale with shock

I don't know who the little girl is or how bad she has been attacked. The only thing that seems clear is that she is important or very close to my mate. Another thing I have learned about her mother is that she likes to exaggerate things.

“Where is this girl you speak of?” I demand

"Getting treatment, sir." One of the guards answers. "I witnessed her injuries myself, they are severe.” He affirms.

I can believe the words of a soldier. At least he may have an idea of what "badly hurt" should look like.

"And how do you know that it's this girl that attacked her?" I question.

LAYLA'S POV

Looking up at the Prince is like seeing human perfection standing tall right in front of you. Each one of his unique features seems the most stunning of all others I have ever seen. 

His pitch black hair is so glossy that it appears to be reflecting light. There isn't a single mark or spot on his flawless skin and I can tell it's sitting right on top of his massive muscles that have the thin fabric of his shirt stretched to it's limits.

His grey eyes still the most dazzling of his features. They have a bright brown ring around the pupils. They actually look unrealistic, especially now that they are glowing with rage.

I knew my step family can make up things but I never knew they can be this good at acting it. My stepsister has never once acknowledged Talia as her sister. She has always been just as selfish as her mother. 

Now, she feigns deep hurt, to gain the prince's mercy and show him and the crowd how bad of a person I am and they are doing quite a great job because I can already see the anger and wrath growing in the prince's eyes while the crowd behind us gasps in shock. 

"Today was her eighteenth birthday and she was going to phase for the first time. That's why she wasn't here with everyone else. We thought she had left the house to go shift safely in the forest. But when I later went looking for her in her room, I found her looking down at little Talia's bloodied body!" My stepmother answers the Prince's question with all sorts of lies.

He seems to believe her as I see his jaws clench with mounting anger.

My stepmother continues to inform him and the crowd of Talia's state and how I have always been the cause of trouble in the family because of my jealousy towards my angelic stepsister.

"You attacked a little girl?" The prince asks angrily as he steps closer and glares down at me. 

“I didn’t!” I protest desperately. “I found her injured in my room!” What else can I say? My family has painted me as a monster. And admitting that I haven't phased on my eighteenth birthday would be too shameful, especially in front of the powerful prince. It will give them more reasons to hate me and make them believe that it's the reason I'm jealous of my sister. I am so glad that my father is not in the room or this would have been worse. I still know that it's just a matter of time before he hears about it and completely disowns me.

Is the injured girl able to speak?” the Prince asks one of the guards.

“No, sir. She’s unconscious from blood loss,” he replies.

“Lock this one up in your pack cells,” the Prince orders coldly, gesturing for the guards to take me away. “And bring me anyone who witnessed this.”

Oh no! Not those cells! I have always heard that they have no lights, no bed, lidded by rats and the guards are not friendly at all.I really hope Talia will get well soon and save me. But even if she does where will I go? My family hates me and my father wouldn't want to be associated with the daughter who is wolf less.

“You’re letting her go free?” My stepsister wails as she rushes to the Prince’s side. “After what she’s done?”

Does she want me executed? I wouldn’t be surprised.

“I’m not letting her free,” he assures. “I simply want to ensure we don’t execute the wrong person. If she’s guilty, she will face the consequences.” He holds her close in a protective gesture.

Two guards forcefully take hold of each of my arms and forces me to stand and not so gently leads me towards the exist, halfway dragging me.