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 them first and make sure they don't destroy what I have built.
I can't have a son of a poor peasant claiming I am his mate before my wedding day or the prince finding his mate and choosing her instead.
I refill my mate's glass of wine myself. I want no girl close to him. I look up to see my mother motioning to me to Join her on the other side of the dance floor.
I take the drink to my mate first before asking the guards standing by to not let any girls anywhere close to him. I can't help but worry that his mate might make an appearance at any of our parties. The guards smile and nod politely. I'm an angel so everyone agrees to all my demands.
I make my way across the crowded dance floor, people quickly move aside to make way for me without me asking. The extra show of respect is one of the good things that comes along with power and marrying the prince.
My mother quickly holds my hand and pulls me in a secluded place away from the crowd when I get to her.
"Careful, don't tear my beautiful dress." I snap at her as I forcefully pull my arm away from hers.
"I think he will dislike you more when he finds out your step sister is his true mate." She snaps back in a worried tone.
Her words make my body stiffen in both anger and shock to a point I feel like I will throw up. What! It can't be! That stupid worthless girl can never be mated to my powerful prince.
"How...I mean, she phased into a wolf today, right? She didn't look like an angel when the guards brought her in here. What are u talking about?" I demand. Damn the woman can be really slow at processing an answer. I feel like beating the information out of her. It takes her more than a minute to form words to explain.
"She is not an angel, not yet anyway. When the guards arrested her she did confess that she didn't phase." She affirms.
"Then that doesn't make her an angel or my prince's mate." I state.
"All werewolves phase on either their seventeenth or eighteenth birthday. Anyone who phases after that have very high chances of phasing into an angel." She answers in an impatient tone, like she is wondering why I hadn't figured it out and had to ask.
"Or she is just a worthless, wolf less girl that will never phase into anything." I once again snap at her. I would rather die than live to see my stepsister phase into an angel more powerful than I am. Or watch her get married to the prince and take my place. "She is already locked up and waiting to be sentenced anyway."
"Or Talia will recover and tell them what exactly happened." Mother snaps back at me.
Oh shit I didn't think of that!
I see my mother looking around with a worried expression and I realize our dramatic conversation has attracted the attention of some of the guests.
I turn to them and smile politely as I walk away to where the prince is seated.
"Is everything okay my love?" He asks when I settle down beside him.
I forge the brightest smile I can and hold his hand in mine to assure him. I sit by him for the rest of the party. I try to distract myself by trying the good foods that are being served but whenever I think of my step sister phasing into an angel and taking everything from me I feel sick and loose my appetite.
She might never even phase to an angel or even have a wolf but I can't take the chances I have to get rid of her as quickly as possible.
The problem is the only person who can get rid of her permanently is the prince and it gonna take a lot to convince him to do that especially now that I wouldn't want him going anywhere near her and he isn't as madly in love with me as I would have liked.
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
AVA'S POVNot everything has gone according to plan. But who knew things could get this better. I had planned to get rid of the little girl and get the doctor to inform the prince that she had succumbed to her injuries. But then the prince himself walked in the same time the little girl was breathing her last. Witnessed it himself.Now he tightly holds me on his chest as I wail and cry in pretense at the loss of my little sister. He doesn't look sympathetic and neither does he comfort me. He probably has watched too many people die on battle field to be. But I can see wrath building in his eyes as he tightens his arms around me and carries me out of the room, away from the bed where Talia's body lies unmoving.He carries me down the hallway and into my room where he gently places me on the bed without saying a word.The door suddenly flys open and my mother rushes in with a faked gloomy face."Are you okay dear?" She asks loudly coming to sit next to me. The prince regards her suspi
ROWAN'S POVFeelings are messy. They are responsible for the constant anger I have been feeling since my mate's little sister passed while I watched.I have watched too many people die, I have killed on battlefield myself.Yet none of that had prepared me to witness a unharmful little innocent kid succumbing to the pain of her injuries.People have always said I am too compassionate, but I have never and will never let compassion get in the way of justice. I hope they bring the girl back who was responsible for the attack. I'll make sure she knows exactly how it feels to die in pain.There is a sudden rasp on the door. I turn to find my servant Jason peeping in. I might have been really distracted to have not heard him coming considering my extraordinary sense of hearing. "I thought you should know that your parents have arrived and they asked that you and Ava join them for dinner." he announces, making a face.My parents have arrived? "They never mentioned they were coming,” I questi
WILSON'S POVThe girl jerks upright in panic hissing in pain in the process. Her face pales when I step into the shadow of light cast by the open Windows. Under the light she instantly recognizes me. "You don't have to be scared, I am not going to hurt you." I say in the most convincing voice I can master faking a sweet smile.It takes her a moment to snap out of her daze and she purses her lipslooking unconvinced. She must be remembering what happened yesterday. Yeah, words must be a very lame way of convincing her after I and my father had ordered her execution.She must be cursing me inwardly for making her pass through such excruciating pain. She takes a moment to think. I step forward taking a grip of her arm in hopes of easing the tension."Don't pretend you care about me!" She chokes out elbowing me hard in the chest. I hiss in pain but quickly regain my composure.She looks up at me her blue eyes showing too much innocence. My judgement was right. As I had thought earlier sh
ROWAN'S POVMy breathing is hard, my chest puffs up and down as I stare at the unconscious figure lying at the center of the stage. Her long strands of wavy black hair sticks to her injured, bloodied neck. I'm sure I have seen the girl somewhere, just not sure where.Two guards grab the unconscious girl dragging her to a huge stone block that has been placed on the raised stage. Despite being quite far enough I can clearly smell the blood emmiting from the stone block."People like this should never be allowed to exist among us. They seek only to destroy what others have built. So I sentence this heinous thief to death!" Wilson's father announces and the crowd cheers. "By beheading!""She doesn't deserve to be beheaded for stealing a fucking crown. You're not going to stand here and watch this happen, are you?" Jason whispers barely audible over the sound of the cheering crowd. I take a look around, I can see disgust in the eyes of every person."Wilson should handle this. It's his pa
THIRD PERSON POVWhen the alpha king entered the room all guests present looked in his direction and bowed but he merely gazed or payed any attention to them as he welcomed his son on the raised platform.He turned to face everyone as he announced. "My fellow friends, I thank you for finding it in your time to join me in celebrating the phasing of my beloved and only son. " The crowd errupted in cheers. "This night will also be the start of his worthwhile reign." He continued.Wilson barely listened to what his father was saying. If given a choice, he would rather be crowned after finding the girl he is looking for. She will bring power in his reign. People respected packs reigned by angels but they feared and befriended packs with golden winged angels. With her he could build a powerful kingdom like Rowan's. But the moment he walked into the party hall, his reluctance to take the crown vaporized instantly when he took in to the big crowd of Luna's, alphas and the best warriors of ea
AVA'S POVI can hardly sit still. Pacing on the space between my bed and the bathroom door, my stomach burns with tension. I have been waiting stifly in my room pacing, taking deep calming breaths trying to get my anxiety under control.I pear out my window into the back alleyway. The bright yellow rays of the setting sun beams through my window. Letting out a groan my teeth mercilessly worry my bottom lip. For a moment I contemplate going out there myself. It will be getting dark soon and my maid Jean has not yet returned with the information I need.I take a deep breath through my nose. I won't be lying in a fetal handle on my bed whimpering at the edge of insanity. I can't lie the motives I have for the evening party horrifies me. Yet I know if I don't range on I will loose everything. I can't blame myself for protecting my needs.I have always tried to always give people a chance. But so far Wilson has not impressed me one bit. Saying he and my step sister infuriates me is puttin
AVA'S POV"You found her. Is it done?" I ask looking at the guards I sent to search for my step sister expectantly. What else would they be doing here if they haven't found her. There is no doubt that she has been found but I need to know she is gone before I start questioning how Wilson found out I sent them."Yes we found her but.." One answers."Yes!?" I finally can put everything about my step sister behind me. I wait in anticipation for them to tell me they have gotten rid of her. "But we don't have her, yet." The other adds and my body convulses."What do you mean by you don't have her." I demand my face alight with fury. Anger soaks into the cracks of my happiness. "Did I not give you enough money to buy her back?" "It's Jonathan who bought the girl my lady?" The first guard explains."Who the hell is Jonathan? He doesn't like money?" I question seething as I wait for what they will say.They both look at each other as if not sure of the answer to my question."Someone fuckin
ROWAN'S POVParties always feel like work to me more than entertainment. After a long fucked up day of arguing with my father yesterday I was ready to get away for a few days. I only agreed to come here because I needed a break from all the pressure, well aware that the upcoming days will be a rollercoster.The day is still young and seconds are passing like minutes and minutes seem to take years. I can't wait for this to end.I turn and spot Ava with her maid coming down the hallway. She is in a broze coloured ball gown with matching luxurious jewelry she ordered before we left for this pack yesterday morning.How her sledder body manages to carry around the heavy gown is beyond me."That corset dress must have costed prince Rowan a great sum of a fortune." Jason dramatically hisses shifting at Wilson's side to get a better look at Ava. "Was it really worth it?" "Only when you consider it has changed her shape and created curves that were not there before." Wilson snickers smiling s
AVA'S POVMy muscles tighten involuntarily as Wilson walks alongside Prince Rowan as we make our way towards his father's office.I hope like hell he won't tell Rowan anything or try looking for the girl himself before I manage to make sure my step sister is no more.The good thing is growing in the kind of family I did, you learn to get off rocks while you still can and by all means possible. Before leaving, I'd discreetly arranged for my personal guards to track down my step-sister. Four trusted men, well-paid to buy her back and get rid of her as far away as they can. I need to keep the probability of her ever being found at zero.After I am sure she is gone for good, I can freely and confidently tell Wilson the girl he is looking for is no more. Wilson had slept most of our journey, claiming to be exhausted from yesterday's training. A part of me had wished he'd never wake up. Rowan's casual question breaks the tense silence. "Have you found your mate yet?"I keep my eyes down,
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