LAYLA'S POVI sit upright, groaning in pain. I had hit the van's walls several times as it kept rocking like we were traveling on a mountain of gravel. I can tell it's morning not because I am outside but because of the rays of light penetrating through the slim spaces around the metal door. The carriage has stopped too.A sudden loud bang on the door signals that someone is opening it . The noise wakes everyone and they all sit up.Someone pulls the door open letting it smack against the wall while dangling on it's hinges."Everyone out!" The man barks startling all of us. No one dares move out of fear."Are you all deaf?" Another big bald man yells, coming to stand beside the first. He looks scarier, everyone quickly gets to their feet and start to exit the carriage. On wobbly legs I follow behind.A tide of shock runs through my body at the sight of the hell we have been brought to.When I got forced into the carriage to be brought here I didn't know what to expect, but certainl
AVA'S POV I can't help feeling elated as our motorcade passes the majestic and verdant landscape on the way to the royal palace. Yes, the palace! Finally I am going to be where I have always wanted and have everything I have ever craved.I wasn't brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth. Raised in a cramped little house by a single mother, who raised me alone after my father walked out on us the moment I was born , my life hadn't been easy, no one cared if we sank or swam. For years, my mother worked tirelessly in homes and on farms, doing whatever it took to put food on our table. Eventually, she found a better job as a waitress at a local pack club. It was there that she met the Beta of our pack, and soon after, they were engaged.Moving into the Beta’s large house was a relief. At first, he didn’t treat me like his own daughter, but I welcomed the change from our previous struggles. We no longer had to scrape by just to survive.I thought I had everything I needed, until my fri
Layla's POV"Yes, you murdered a little kid," The man with the mustache hisses, slamming his palm down on the desk. The sound reverberates through me, sending a chill down my spine. "I didn’t kill her! I just hurt her a little." I try to keep my voice steady, but it’s hard when he looks ready to explode."Who cares? She’s dead now, and now I’m the one who’s going to take the loss for it by giving you back." He kicks a nearby chair, and it crashes against the wall. His fists clench tightly, and I can see him struggling to keep his composure."Talia... is... dead?" My voice shakes. I can’t believe it."You knew her name? Pathetic." A whimper slips from my lips."No! If she was dead, I’d be dead too, They wouldn’t sell me," I shout, desperate for him to understand."You will be executed soon enough." Donald snaps stepping out of the shadows of the room. I hadn't realized he was in here too."She died yesterday morning, right after I bought you! The little idiot couldn’t even wait until
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
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 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
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
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
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