I finally get past the first line of trees and check my wrist watch again. Only five seconds to midnight. I drop my bag and torch and wait for transportation to begin .My heart is beating hander than it was when I was running.
I glance at the watch again .One more minute to go.Shouldn't I be feeling even a slight symptoms of transformation I am way for?
I can almost hear the sound of my heart pounding hard.My wobbly legs are hardly supporting the rest of my quivering body as I have at the minute hand of the wristwatch tick past midnight while my body remains the same. I can't hear a sound from my wolf either.
How can this be happening? What act of transgression am I being punished for this harshly? Being denied a wolf in a kingdom of lycans and angels? Even the most immoral people I know did get a wolf. So why am I the only one getting past her eighteenth birthday without one?
I let myself fall to the dump ground as the tick tock sound of the watch carries on.Tears sting my eyes and I let them flow.I wish I can stop time so I won't have to live on the face this reality.
The reality that I am now officially wolf less and will Soon be homeless as well.And there isn't a single person or place I know that I can run to.
I curl up and let the negative emotions flow.The fear and pain inside can never end even if I cry a river.But it's the only thing I can do now.A part of me still holds a little hope that my wolf will soon speak even though it's already minutes past midnight.I moan in misery for hours yet nothing changes.
My clothes are dump with dew and I have an headache when I finally run out of tears. My whole body is trembling because of cold and of course dread as well. I look at my watch and immediately sit up with alarm.Its only an hour before Dawn.
I can't return back to the pack house when everyone can see me looking like I have been buried alive. They will immediately know that I have not phased and will be dragged back out in front of everyone as my father and stepmother will want to show how much they do not condone failure or shame.
If I wait until dawn I probably won't have a chance to gather what I need even though I don't know where I will run to.Would my father allow me to stay a few more days if I dearly beg him?
He will be furious to learn that I didn't phase on my eighteenth birthday even if he didn't seem to care if it was my birthday.I am a huge disgrace to him and rest of the pack. But he is still my father and should feel a little concern for me. I will kneel in front of him if I have to.All I want is a few more days to figure out where I can go start anew.
I will sneak back into the pack house though the backdoor now that it's dark and go straight to my room.I will wait there until morning when the party will be over and go see him in his office.
I pull myself back to my wonky feet and pick up my flashlight and bag. Guess I will forever be the only being in this kingdom that will always have to use a flashlight because my eyesight will never be strong enough to see through the darkness.
I wipe off the tears still blurring my vision and start my journey back to the pack house. I have never felt this scared of the house I have called home since I was born.Now just looking at the lights eliminating from it through the widows makes me shiver.
I can already hear the sound of jubilation from inside the house while still a few metres away.Guess my sister is having her best day.She is about to become a princess then become Queen once her lover gets crowned and the new King.
She hates me so much that I am certain she will want me out of their kingdom.I am most likely going to end up a wolf less rouge and probably won't last a month out there on my own.
I manage to get back into the house through the backdoor without being seen by anyone. It's like Everyone is in the party and the rest of the place look deserted.
I make my way up the stairs quietly then down the short corridor to my room. I am still shivering with cold and apprehension as I push the door open and step inside. I immediately freeze at the appalling sight that lay in front of me , something more horrifying than all I have been through already.
I momentary shut my eyes just to make sure I am not hallucinating .But Talia still lays on the floor in front of me with deep cuts on her body .The cuts look like they were made by animal craw s and are all over her feet and arms. Her dress is torn and though can't see the wounds on her torso,I can see blood is still oozing out and soaking the dress. There is even more on the bed where I left her sleeping, like someone had attacked her while on the bed while on the bed and dragged her breeding body down to the floor.
I make a faint, gasping sound and I rush to her side. Her wounds are deep and she has lost a lot of blood. But she has got a very weak pulse and her skin is still warm.
"Talia! Talia!" I call as I put pressure on the deepest wounds on her belly. She gasp in pain but the voice is feeble and I can tell blood is already choking her.
Her eyes slowly open and they are filled with terror. Tears flow out as she gazes up at me. She strains to say something but no words come out.
She has lost a lot of blood and may not make it but I still scream out for help,It's a huge mistake and I don't realize it until it's too late.
"Someone please come help!" I yell but my voice has become hoarse from all the running and crying and isn't loud enough to be heard from far.
I look down again at Talia's face and see that she is attempting to say something again. I lean down so I can hear super low whisper.
"Run.....now.....go please."She stutters.
I look around the room, searching for whatever she is asking me to run from. I don't see anything and look back at her in confusion.
That's when three of my step sister's maids rush in and immediately start screaming out loud .Not calling out for help,but accusing me of hurting the little child.
"You attacked a child?! What kind of a monster did you phase into!" One yells and my body stiffens with shock.
"I didn't hurt her,I found her like this!" I yell back in defence.But no one listens.
"Look what you did to a poor orphan! what wrong did she do to you!" the second one squeaks.
Talia is my only friend,how can they think I could have done this to her?" Only someone wicked like devil would do this.
It's however clear they don't want to listen to me. This being my room doesn't mean I am responsible for all that happens inside it even when I am gone .But they won't listen.
Perhaps they will listen to Talia.She can tell them I didn't attack her so they can stop yelling at me and call for help instead.
LAYLAS'S POVMy 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
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
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
I need to see his wings for myself. He might be a golden-winged angel, just like Rowan.“Can you fix my hair?” I ask, carefully applying makeup to my face. After a few moments, Jean finishes pinning my hair up. I glance in the mirror and am pleasantly surprised by how elegant the dress looks. I take a moment to admire my reflection. I look stunning. I hope the prince notices too.“You look beautiful, my lady,” Jean says sincerely. I can’t help but smile at her compliment.I’ve started to like her already. She may be older, but unlike the other maid from yesterday, she treats me with respect. I can see her being useful for getting me information too.Feeling satisfied, I step out of the room and go down the stairs, pausing briefly to check on my mate’s quaters as I pass. I make my way toward the royal dining hall when I spot two maids walking in the opposite direction, carrying fabrics for decorations. They’re probably preparing for the party Jean mentioned, the one the king is hosting
AVA'S POVToday I wake up to another old maid drawing drapes away from my bedroom windows. The sun beams brightly through the window blurring my vision. I wonder how she got in here. I am so sure I locked the door before going to bed last night.Isn't she supposed to wait until I am awake? But since I arrived here yesterday I have noticed that servants here are being treated with too much respect such that they have the guts to answer back or advice a royal. I swear when I am the queen I'll suck any of them that dares disrespect or one that isn't submissive enough. I stifle a yawn, my eyelids heavy with sleep."Good morning, my lady," the maid mumbles nervously upon realizing I'm awake. She begins tidying up, folding the clothes I wore yesterday and returning scattered items to their rightful places."What's your name?" I ask sweetly, knowing that if I am to thrive in this place I have to pamper someone to be giving me information that I cannot get myself.Maids are often the best sou