Apphia
On my way outside, I see Gavin in the common area. He's making out with the pack slut, Calla. I almost puke at the sight, and the pain in my chest intensifies.
"Hey, slut, stop," Calla calls me in her nasal voice. I don't stop walking.
"Apphia!" she shouts. I stop and cock my head to look at her. "Did you not hear me call you?" she asks, getting off Gavi's lap and walks to me. "You said slut, and the only slut I see in this room is you," I say, making Nalani and Vivian burst into laughter. The two girls are never mean to me. Nalani tries to make conversation with me, and even go as far as to defend me from bullies. Calla gasps and attempts to slap me, but a growl from Gavin stops her hand in mid-air. I stare at my ex-mate; he has a blank expression. "Don't fucking dare hit my- her, Calla," "I won't fight her. Apphia needs to reserve her energy for Amir. He is taking her to his pack tomorrow, "Calla laughs. My eyes widen with fear. "What?!" Gavin, and Nalani boom, they exchange brief glance, shocked by their outburst. "Yes, baby. Didn't you hear? Alpha Amir wants her as a maid, but we all know the real reason," Calla winks at me. "Damn, he will fuck her every night," Rory adds, making the guys chortle The boys continue to comment about sex styles to try and what Amir will do to me. Gavin furiously growls at them, and suddenly bolts out of the room. "In all honesty, Apphia's hot and can be a supermodel. She possesses natural beauty with good bone structure," Orson, another pack member, says, raking his eyes on me. I shudder from his predatory gaze. They're talking about me like I'm not in the room with them. "She is tall and thin, with lovely skin and long legs. Her face card is lethal,"Calla glares at the men and then at me. "Yeah, if freaks became supermodels. She'd be the top," she sneers.
"Go kill yourself, freak. Oops, you have been promoted you to a sex slave," I curl my hands in a fist. I feel anger blaze within me. I turn towards Calla and punch her in the face, giving her a bloody nose, and bolt out. I've been wanting to do it for a while now. "Catch that bitch. We are going to show her today," I hear her scream. I run as fast as I can from the packhouse. They will beat me black and blue if they catch me. I run in the woods, towards the pack's border near the lake I like to visit. I stop running after I notice they have gone back. They were scaring me. I sit by the lake, catching my breath. I look up at the sky; thunderclouds are rolling in, obscuring the stars in the sky moments ago. It looks like a good night to die. I grab a razor from my pale blue dress pocket and stare at it. I grip it, ready to slice my wrist. It won't be as painful to end my life if I bleed out. My heart has been ripped out and stomped on. I've tried my hardest to survive, but I can't anymore. I need to free myself from the burden of the world. Once I die, I will meet my mother on the other side, and we'll be happy together. I dig the razor in my skin and slowly move it across my wrist. I gasp as blood; so much blood comes out of my cut. I panic and throw it to the ground, burying it with the dead leaves with my foot. I need to stop the bleeding. I tear a part of my dress and tie my wound tightly. Deciding I should continue running, I freeze when I hear Rory's voice. "I know you are still here," He must have stayed when the others left, "I know your mate rejected you tonight. It must suck to be you. No one to love you; let me help you," I clutch my lips with my hand, trying to stabilize my heartbeat, but I'm failing. "Your brother and father abhor you; your mate thinks you are an ugly skank. He is embarrassed by you, his words, not mine." he sings. He is enjoying the hunting game while I'm shaking with fear."Gotcha!" he wraps his arms around me from behind and says in my ear, "Your breathing is so loud,"
I try to elbow him, but Rory doesn't bulge. He untangles his arms around me and faces me. He gazes at me with a victorious smile. "I like hunting. I like it when you are the prey," Rory smirks. However, a scowl plasters his face when he notices blood from my wrist, and then an ear-splitting smile spreads across his face. "You tried to kill yourself but backed out such a chicken," he laughs like a deranged man. "Leave me alone, Rory," my voice trembles. I hide my hands behind my back; I don't want him to see me shake. However, I have never been so scared of Rory before. "No," He steps closer to me. I'm scared shitless right now. I trip as I back away from him. "Why don't we have some fun? Everyone was right, you know. You are hot," he muses. Ziora. Ziora. I call unto my wolf, but she doesn't come. It's like she doesn't exist. My skin crawls in disgust when Rory kisses my neck. I whimper and attempt to push him away, but he is so strong. "My father will kill you," "Your father doesn't care about you. The man wants you to go with Amir. Do you know what he does to innocent girls like you? So, I'm just preparing you," Rory grabs my hair and yanks me to a tree. "Help me!" I scream. He connects his fist to my cheek, knocking me to the ground. Blood pools in my mouth, and I whimper, spitting out some blood. Rory gets on his knees and covers my mouth with his hand. I bite his disgusting hand hard. He loses focus momentarily, and I use this chance to crawl away on my hands and knees, but he quickly tackles me and turns me on my back, straddling me. Something in his eyes makes him look crazy. I kick him with my knees and struggle, biting and scratching him with my nails to no avail. He grabs my throat, "Stop it, please," I beg as he asphyxiates me. Rory punches me again and again until I lose consciousness.Unknown pov
I avoided attending social events. They were so tiring, yet here I was because my father, King Leondre Lavista, insisted I attend. I hate socializing primarily because I know how people feel about me. They fear me. No one says it, but I know it. I can smell their fear for miles. I was born with untamed power. However, that doesn't stop the annoying alphas from clinging to me and begging me to take their daughters as my mates. I have no desire to mate with any of their daughters. I only want to mate with the one destined for me, my true mate. I get a strong drink and gulp it. I'm feeling restless this evening. My lycan, Nico, is growling incessantly in my head. I don't know what's causing this. He doesn't talk, only that he wants to leave the party." Alpha Prince Nicholas, you're here," Daisy Zhang says, distracting me from my thoughts and turmoil. Daisy is the daughter of the Sunrise Lycan pack alpha female, and her beta mate. They are a wealthy, strong, and powerful pack.
Daisy believes we should be together because my father and her mother didn't work out. Her mother, Alaiah Martin, was obsessed with my father before she found her mate and had tried multiple times to destroy my parents' relationship. " Hello, Daisy," She blushes and coyly gazes at me through her lashes. Why does she always do this?" Hi, handsome. May I ask why you rejected my invitation to attend the alpha ball with me?"
" Excuse me, i should find my beta," I say, and walk away. I reject all her invitations, yet she continues to send them.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot my friend and beta Blade Barret. He is flirting with three women. Blade is a player. He walks towards me, a woman clinging on each arm. " Alpha, here you are. We've been looking for you," he says, grinning at the woman batting her eyes at me. I dismiss the women beside him with a flick of my hand, and they frown before leaving. " Why are you not mingling with the ladies? You will need to pick a Luna soon, Nicholas," he sighs in exasperation, " I hear the elder council mentioned it, too," The elder council is the pillar of the realm, and are wise beyond their age. They ensure the pack regulations are upheld. They believe an alpha is most potent and tamed when they have a Luna. If the elders are making comments of me needing a Luna, all eyes will be on me. Blade continues to notify me about the women at the party and their families, but I'm exhausted already. I glare at him, but he doesn't flinch. Apart from my family, he's the only one who can withstand my temper. That is why he is my beta; he is rational and intelligent. " I'm going home. I've had enough interaction for one night," I growl. " No, look at those women swooning over us. We can't disappoint them by leaving so soon," he begs, following me closely. " Stay then, Blade," " Argh, you have a way of blocking me," he sighs, getting in the car after me. We arrive at the castle in ten minutes. I climb out of the car and walk towards the door, but suddenly, I feel an abnormal pain in my chest. ' No. Help me, please,' I hear a whimper in my head. I freeze in my tracks; who is that?Apphia My eyes flutter open, and I feel the weight of someone on top of me. Sheer terror runs through me. I can't breathe properly. I fight to no avail. He's so much stronger than me. "Don't be a tease," he pants as he thrusts into me. A sob escapes my lips. "You're so dramatic, Apphia. I know you like it," "Stop it, please!" I cry. I hit Rory's chest, hoping he'd get him me, but he pins my hands over my head as he continues his assault mercilessly. "Help me!" I scream at the top of my lungs. He attempts to cover my mouth but fails. He smacks me, and I feel my lip split. I can taste blood in my mouth. "Why don't you just stay still!" he hisses, choking me. I feel like passing out again. I see a rock through my peripheral blurred vision and grab it. I hit him with a large rock against his temple several times. "Ahh," he screams, rolling off me. I use this change to stagger to my feet. There's a painful sensation between my legs because of his forced entry, and there is stic
ApphiaI'm running as fast as I can. I don't know where I'm going, but I keep running for my life, tears rolling down my cheeks. I hear their thundering paws and footsteps behind me, their growls and snarls of excitement piercing through the forest as they enjoy the chase. I run faster. I hear a clap of thunder roll through the dark sky, and lightning strikes the ground. I lose my footing and fall to the dirt, landing on my knees and hands, but I get up instantly, dragging my legs and running again. Slowly, raindrops fall on me, and I get soaked. I'm so cold. I'm shivering uncontrollably. But the harsh cold and rain are unimportant right now. I need to get further from the men hunting me down. I can see the light not far from me. I'm thankful for the rain because it covers my scent and makes it hard for them to find me. My lungs burn with exhaustion, and my legs can't carry me anymore. I'm panting for breath. I need to hide, but there is nowhere to hide. I begin to slow d
Nicholas The wait is killing me, and my heart is cold. We wait while my mate is in the surgery room. My parents are talking to Blade, whispering while they send worried glances at me. A few hours later, the door opens, and the doctor walks out. Everyone jumps to their feet. " Doctor! Is she going to be alright?" my mom asks. The doctor gives her a pitiful smile. My heart drops to the floor. It isn't going to be good news. Doctor White glances at my youngest siblings. " Can you grab something to drink at the cafeteria?" she says. She doesn't want them to hear what she has to tell us. A shiver goes down my spine. They scowl and hesitate, but one glare from my mother, and they leave. " Prince Knox, please go with them," Dr White says to my seventeen-year-old brother. " I'm not a child," " Knox, please," Dad says sternly. He grumbles something unintelligent and leaves. Blade's pov I had stumbled to my feet when Prince Nicholas stood up, panicking. " What's going on?" He ig
NicholasWhat the doctor said hits me like a truck. The words sexually assaulted replay in my head. My legs finally give up as I exit the general hospital and sit on a bench. The rain is slowly coming to a stop, but it's enough to get me soaked. As the doctor's words ring repeatedly, I put my hands on my head. I think about the state I found her in. What could have happened had she not been able to use our mate bond to mind-link me? My lycan is growling and is sad all at once. However, we are both angry, and my body is shaking. I want to rip something apart. Blade sits next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. " Nick, the Luna will be alright," he says softly. " What if she didn't reach me via mind link? What could have happened to her?"" But she did reach you, and you saved her. No need to dwell on the what-ifs and why," Blade says, " Anyway, I know something that will make you feel slightly better, follow me," I glance at him. He gets on his feet, urging me to do the same."We
Gavin " Fuck, that feels good," I grab a fistful of her hair. Calla moans as she sucks my dick. At least she's fucking good at something. Her tongue twirled and played around my dick, making me growl in pleasure. I move my hips faster, and she follows my speed. I grab the back of her head, shoving her head down, making her go faster. "Yes, suck my dick faster," I move my hips into her, my dick going deeper into her throat. My body starts to shake as I cum undone. I spill my liquid into her throat, and she sucks me dry. I exhale, sinking into my office chair. Calla gets up, giggling and straddling me. " Did you like that, baby?" she asks. I nod, running a hand through my hair. " I did too, I enjoy pleasuring you, Gavi, imagine if-" " Don't speak, please," I've told her multiple times to shut her dumb mouth. " You've been so sullen and rude towards me lately," she murmurs. I growl and push her off me, " There you go again, speaking when I told you not to!" Cal
Nicholas " You've always been closed off, and I accepted it, but this is too much even from you," I ignore my mother's voice as I focus on my exercise. She keeps walking back and forth as I change my routine. "You are hardly sleeping or eating. It's unhealthy, we should have dinner tonight," "I'm fine, Mom," I growl, annoyed at her. " It's been a week since your mate has been in a coma. You don't talk about her to anyone. How do you feel?" she asks. My family has been on my case since I found my mate at the border, beaten. They are worried about my well-being since I've been more closed off than usual. "I hate that you bottle things inside, Nick. You won't explode if you vent or communicate your emotions out loud," I exhale and drop the dumbells, and face my dear mother. " I feel like fucking shit! It's been a week, and we haven't found who did that to her. They hurt her... So badly. I hate myself that I couldn't be there, that she had to suffer while I didn't.
ApphiaIt's serene. Very quiet. I love the quiet. I slowly open my eyes. The first thing I see is a high, bland ceiling. I scan the room with my eyes, turning my head. I'm surrounded by medical equipment. It's a hospital room—except it looks like a suite and it's airy. The furniture is fancy, all white. There are three people in the room. A young woman and a man chat buoyantly on a sofa on the left while a younger man, a teenager, occupies the other. He's furiously pressing on his mobile phone. "Our sleeping princess is awake!" The girl on the sofa gets up and comes to me with a perfect smile on her rosy lips. She is tall, gorgeous, curvaceous, and has flawless bronze skin. Long braids complement her soft facial features and clear sky-blue eyes. She wears a short blue dress and high-heeled shoes. She stares at me in awe, the look I get when people see my eyes. However, her look doesn't turn to disdain. She seems mesmerized by my eyes. "How do you feel, sweetie?" she asks
ApphiaAfter Nicholas and Blade leave, I stare at Lily. She has an amused look on her face. I squint my eyes; it's like she's reading me. I heard the royal family has unique gifts—they all do. What gift does the first princess have? " Telepath," she answers. She elegantly gets up from her seat and walks over to me. " I can read thoughts, put thoughts and images in people's heads, too," she explains; I'm stunned and unable to say a word. " However, I can't read yours, Apphia, and I have tried. It is the first time I've been unable to read someone's thoughts. How are you doing it?" " But you answered my question before I could ask," I murmur. " I just guessed you were thinking it because you realized we were royalty when Nicholas was on the phone," I bite my lips in thought. How come Lily can't read my thoughts? Not that I'm displeased about that. " Are... There people whose thoughts you can't read?" I ask slowly. "There are a few strong alphas who guard their minds, yes. B
Apphia"I missed you, baby," he breathes against my mouth. I throw my arms around him, and I feel tears escape my eyes once more. When he pulls away, he's smiling gently at me. "You missed me," he says cockily. "You're crying 'cause you missed me," he pulls me in a one-sided hug and kisses the top of my hair. " I'm sorry for making you cry, my love," I wrap my arm around his waist and lay my head on his arm as we leave the training field. I enjoy this moment; it's been too long since we were this close and in each other's company. Nicholas takes me home and back to our suite. He sits on the edge of the bed and pulls me in his lap so I straddle him. My arms are wrapped around his neck, hiding my face in his neck. He seems relaxed today. "I'm sorry I've been avoiding you," I face him, looking at him with a pout, "Don't do it again, please." He only smiles again, caressing my neck and melting my insides. Should I tell him I overheard his conversation with his parents? No, he will s
I explain everything about the wraiths to Nirvaan. I asked if there was a way to eradicate them without ending my mate's life, but as I feared, there was no way of doing that. Nicholas's words to his parents replay, 'Don't worry, mother. I'll only use this dagger when they try to escape into Apphia. I'll die first before this evil touches her and tries to take over her body and mind,' A shudder runs through me at the thought of my mate dying. Nicholas would kill the wraiths along with himself to protect me. "Is there a way to lock them somewhere other than a person's body?" I ask, but I already know the answer."Like what, milady? A vase?" he chuckles softly, his laugh deep and melodious. He inclines his head and speaks, "The wraiths need a powerful body to dwell, or they will escape and cause havoc unto the world," "Like mine," I say, remembering Savannah's theory about my powers eliminating the wraiths, "A werewolf with divine powers, the powers of the moon mother herself. I'm s
ApphiaI'm having breakfast with Leon and Emily the following morning. I'm frowning that my mate didn't return to our suite after asking me to leave his office. I tried calling and mind-linking him, but he didn't answer. When I searched for him, I found him in my old room, sleeping peacefully. I didn't have the heart to wake him, plus I was upset. I'm sure he's scared to sleep with me after what happened a couple of nights. I recall the conversation I overhead with his parents. There is a way to destroy the darkness plaguing him__ a dagger can kill it, but it will kill him, too. 'And it wants us,' Ziora murmurs… "Are you alright, Apphia?" Emily asks with a frown. "Yes, love," I answer. "Well, I've been talking to you, and you don't seem to hear me over your thoughts," "I'm sorry I've been distracted… Work," I smile at her. She nods and smiles back. After breakfast, we head outside. The siblings are going to school, and I, at the office; however, on our way there, we meet Bro
Nicholas There is a knock on my door, and it is pushed open. Dad and Mom enter. "Nicholas, son, why have you asked us to come?" he asks, taking a seat. My mom comes to my side, kisses my hair, and sits beside her mate. "I called you here because something has been happening lately," They share a glance, "What is it, Nick?" "Lately, the wraiths have been fighting me to come out," I explain, "How?" Mom asks, worried. "They are mostly attracted to power, and lately, they have been wanting Apphia's," Stunned silence. I battle the evil darkness within me, but they want to come out when Apphia is close. Like every other hungry creature, they want a taste of her divine powers. They do it often these days, especially when I'm vulnerable__ in my sleep. That's why I've been avoiding her lately. I open a drawer in my desk and pull out a dagger. My mother gasps and gets on her feet, angry. "Nicholas, put that thing away," her sharp, angry gaze regards my father, "Leondre, I thou
Apphia The following days were peaceful and wonderful. I talked to my brother on the phone and Facetimed him once a week. I was happy that our sibling bond and relationship had grown immensely. However, Nicholas was distant from me. When I asked, he dismissed the issue by changing the topic. He has been accidentally 'falling asleep in his home office,' I try to peek into his mind, but the mental shields are up and tight. I think his avoiding me has something to do with the wraiths that almost attacked me. "Penny for your thoughts?" Drake asks. I shake my head no. "Are you nervous about seeing Vicky?" I ask as we pull up in front of the Altamirano manor. We are visiting Vicky because she told me she was unwell. "No, why would I?" "Because things didn't work out between you two," "I didn't want things not to work out; she just wanted more, and I wasn't ready for that yet," he explains, looking pained. I think back to when I entered his head and saw blood and death; he had lost
ApphiaI straighten and greet them all. I present my motion to nominate Maximus for the council. Their expressions are different. Some are agreeable to it, while others shake their heads no. "The Lycan Island pack were collectively punished for years, and all of us are guilty of their suffering; it's time to make it right, really right. We have accepted them in society, but have we, you, really?" I ask, "They are still treated like outsiders, despite everything they have accomplished on their own, with no pack backing them," I point out everything the pack has performed, how they have maintained the realm's security, and what the alpha has done. I guilt-trip them by mentioning the young children and women who feel shunned and not welcome everywhere else in the city. 'You're doing amazing,' Maximus says in my head. I don't know if he realized that he had mind-linked me. 'Thanks, but I'm shaking,' I say through the mind link. 'I can't see it. You sounded soft-spoken but firm and
ApphiaI take another look at them. That's Maximus, talking with Daisy__ I think they are arguing, and boy, is she pissed. I tear my gaze from them and focus on my mate. We are dancing happily together, without a care in the world. He looks so carefree, smiling and twirling me. He kisses my forehead after the song dies down and grabs my hand. "Still want to dance?" he asks. I shake my head, "No, but I am hungry," I grin, kissing him. He is pleased to hear that. He takes me away from the club, "There is a food truck not far from here. The sandwiches are soooo good," I moan, remembering the ones Joe brought me at work. Nicholas frowns, but I pout, and it works. We stroll across the streets unhurriedly, enjoying the starry night, and street lanterns. The cool air is welcome; it has been warm lately as we welcome the summer season. Eventually, we reach the huge food truck. Attention from the people draws to us. They recognize us—maybe only him. They bow, awestruck, most insisting
Apphia The pain is transient, but it leaves goosebumps on my skin. I look up at the woman who bumped into me. She's tall, with long ginger hair and dark, dark eyes. She bows to me low in apology. " I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," her voice is raspy but high pitch. My mate is by my side, asking if I'm alright. I nod to him. " I'm sorry for bumping into you, my Luna. " The woman bows again and walks off before I ask how she knows I'm Luna. " How did she know I'm the Luna?" I murmur. " Everyone knows you're the Luna," he says, kissing my temple. I look back in the direction the woman has gone but don't see her anymore. " That woman made me feel odd, Nick," I tell him. " What do you mean?" " I felt pain in my chest and on my scalp when she bumped into me," I explain. " I'll look for her. Stay here," he says, ready to leave, but I grab his arm, " No, It's okay. Maybe I'm just tired and need some rest," " I can find her, and you can read her aura, her mind," he insis
" Allies?" he breathes, eyes on me. I only nod with a slight smile. He is not happy. Maximus is watching us, interested. " Leave," Nicholas orders my alpha guest__ my ally. " No, he's not leaving," I firmly say. " Apphia," he warns. " Nicholas," I retort. " I don't want you associating with this man," he says. " Well, there is nothing to be done now, is there? We have been allies for the longest time," I inform him. " How long exactly," my mate grits." seven- eight months," Maximus answers, glancing at me momentarily. Nicholas growls at him, " Apphia is just using you for your position. This man doesn't care about you and has nothing to offer," " I ensured her reputation wasn't tarnished in the eyes of your people and other packs because of your ex-girlfriend. I identified and dealt with entitled alphas and lunas who were pissed that she came into the picture and ' stole' their daughters' prospects to become Luna Queen; I mitigated for the Luna in her projects, and I made su