The Sacrificial Sheep

With every second that passed, the cold rain droplets fell relentlessly on Marianna and the chilliness in the air endlessly penetrated the spores of her skin. Perhaps, the coldness she felt didn't allow her conscious to properly rest well. 

Some minutes certainly had passed when Marianna's eyelashes began to twitch feebly. She could barely open her eyes fully due to the repeated drops of rain that invaded her eyes. 

Instantaneously, she shivered uncontrollably once she realized she laid in the heavy downpour. Sharply yet staggeringly, Marianna arose from the tarred ground. 

A head – splitting headache invaded her head as soon as she arose. A grunt of agony erupted from those chapped and blue lips of hers when she placed her trembling hand on the side of her head. 

As expected, the fall thrived in making her bleed. She could care less about that right now, since her major concern was getting back home. 

Marianna, however, found it virtually impossible – sure, the distance wasn't that lengthy, but in this downpour?

She would undoubtedly fall sick and well that would only make things worse for her. Gloria would never ease her workload; even if she was at the verge of death. 

So, Marianna dragged her shaking self to a backdoor which led to the kitchen – that was the only place she could think of. 

Her arms were encircled around her shoulders as she moved closer to the transparent window. Luckily, no one was there, but when she reached for the doorknob, Marianna batted her lashes in terror as the door didn't bulge. 

It had been locked from within! What was she ought to do now?

Minutes passed yet she remained standing under the rain. The wind made her skin covered with goosebumps, and her entire self shook vigorously. 

Eventually, she sneezed continuingly as a result of being in the rain for too long. Marianna gazed lowly at the dark sky; she felt so unfortunate right now. 

“Perhaps, my birth…was a mistake” came a mutter from her with the multiple drops of tears which rushed down her eyes. 

*

*

“Oh Nickolas, look at what that harlot did to your clothes!” Amaya spat, still evidently enraged by Marianna's action. It was rather too obvious it was a mistake, but the Royal Family would never consider it as one. 

Everyone was greatly irritated, Mariah exclusively; she was overly thrilled at the success of the plan. Then again, her facial expression contradicted her inward feelings greatly. 

“Oh your majesty” Mariah swiftly drew a napkin, arose from her seat then rushed to Nickolas. 

She crouched lightly, then proceeded to wipe the stains off his garment, but the heartless gaze he shot her way halted her movements. 

“Don't you dare touch me” his tone was utterly void of emotions. Mariah's hand hung in the air while he stood up. 

“Nickolas, don't act so cold to your potential mate!” Ren, the previous Luna, snapped, clearly displeased at his unappealing attitude. 

Although she was his mother, he didn't spare her a glance, neither spoke a word but turned, and left gingerly. Ren could merely sigh at his icy behavior. 

Mariah was beyond embarrassed, then again what could she do? Amaya noticed how depressed she seemed, so went steadily to her side. 

Mariah glanced beside her to behold Amaya, who had a sweet smile plastered on her lips. Her relationship with the princess was solely based on…looks.

Princess Amaya could singularly be described as an arrogant brat – although young, she was synonymous with the word obnoxious. 

She lacked respect for anyone who seemed ugly or less attractive; her love for Mariah was seamlessly because of Mariah's outstanding beauty. 

“Amaya, do you think he will ever like me?” her question was laced with relatable fears. 

Amaya placed her hand on Mariah's shoulder in a soothing and comforting way. “Of course. Brother can he quite unfeeling, but he's a sweetheart once you get to know him. Asides, he won't have any choice than to warm up to you eventually; you are his potential mate after all!”

Amaya's words filled her with so much hope as she smiled brightly – even though it was the first time the Alpha and herself saw, Luna Ren and Amaya concluded they'd be together. 

The Luna stepped forward and stood right in front of the two ladies. 

“Don't worry, Mariah. You two will be pronounced as fated during the Mating Ceremony” She spoke warmly only to get responded with a nod from Mariah. 

She couldn't wait for the Ceremony to be held – on that day, she would get mated to the most surreal creature she had ever set her eyes on. 

The Mating Ceremony was going to be held a few weeks from today, so her excitement knew no bounds. While they resumed the dinner, Mariah felt the unusual pace at which her heart beat. 

Initially, she assumed it was because of Nickolas' presence, but now, she recalled the same occurrence for some time now. 

Mariah paused in her meal before she gripped her chest tightly – pain plastered all over her face. 

“Mariah, are you okay?” Amaya inquired worriedly but wasn't answered since Mariah fell off from her seat unconsciously. 

~~~~~~~~~

Constantly, the warm water droplets fell on his bare body – he felt very blissful. Here in the unbelievably spacious bathroom, standing under the shower was Nickolas. 

The dampness of his jet black hair added profusely to the otherworldly features his face possessed. His almond shaped eyes were shut while he basked in the pleasures of the warm bath. From the tip of his perfectly sculpted celestial nose down to his alluring board chest was drenched. 

“Ha!” a satisfied sigh slid away from his glistering reddish thin lips. He spent quite a great deal of time before he exited the bathroom. 

A fluffy immaculate white bathrobe covered his nudity yet his damped hair stuck rebelliously to his face. 

Slowly, his eyes traveled to the carelessly tossed soiled garment which laid on the floor – he thought of the maid who fell on him. Absent-mindedly, he averted his gaze to the closed window – he could vividly see the harsh balls of water slamming on the glass window. 

Nickolas instantly cleared her from his memories, then proceeded to get dressed simply for bed. Minutes passed by when a knock kissed the door continuously. 

Nickolas grunted; he knew too well who possessed the audacity to disturb him during his bedtime.

He went to the door, and when it was opened, his radiant face popped up. Predictably, he was similarly dressed for bed, but unlike Nickolas, who seemed fatigued, he was beaming with energy.

“Alpha Nickolas, can I come in?” Giovanni asked while blinking his eyelashes repeatedly but unnecessarily. 

Giovanni Carlson was easily the parasite Nickolas had been desperately trying to get rid of, but like every best friend, he couldn't shake him off. 

“No. What do you want? It's late Vanni” he retorted and although sounded mean, Giovanni shrugged. 

“Came to see you. Y'know, I couldn't come to dinner cause, y'know, I was really busy with a hot lady!” he smiled cheekily. 

Nickolas stared at him disbelievingly – he was capable of showing his emotions when he was with Giovanni. 

His Family was even an expectation – Giovanni has been the only thing close to a brother to Nickolas. 

“Just get lost” he growled yet Giovanni giggled sweetly. “Come on now, Alpha, tell me when are you laying with that hot lady? I saw your potential Luna and goddamn she was… Smoking!” he wriggled his eyebrows naughtily and, as expected, the door banged raucously in his face. 

“Hey! Alpha Nickolas? Open up!” he yelled, yet Nickolas remained noiseless. Giovanni, however, smiled before speaking again: “Goodnight Nick” he said gently, then left.

Meanwhile, Nickolas could be seen staring blankly outside his window. Unexpectedly, a leery aura filled the room, accompanied by a light gush of wind. Nickolas could feel his presence yet didn't bother to glance at him. 

“You have to find her quickly. Your majesty, your lifespan will continue to diminish drastically until you claim your mate. Stop hesitating!”

Behind Nickolas stood a seemingly old man – his hair was void of hair, his skin was as pale as a dead person's, and the length of his gray beard was astounding. 

He was Nickolas' guardian. 

“Get lost already” Nickolas muttered, nonchalance laced in his tone and almost immediately, he was all alone again. 

He kept gawking endlessly at the heavy downpour, then subsequently scoffed loudly. 

“Mate. I, too, pray she shows up”

•

THE NEXT MORNING:-

The Royal Palace was peculiarly empty that morning, solely because of Mariah. Here in Gloria's manageable abode was surprisingly Luna Ren, Amaya, a shaman and Gloria.

Mariah, on the other hand, laid unconscious on the bed with the shaman examining her. Gloria stared intently at the shaman yet was greatly afraid of what might be wrong with her daughter. 

Luna Ren and Amaya were quick to inform Gloria about her daughter. Thereafter, Gloria insisted her daughter be brought to the house. 

Finally, the shaman was done, then he turned to behold the anxious faces of the ladies. “So? What's wrong with my baby?” Gloria asked apprehensively – no one could comprehend how scared she was. 

“It was just a minor fever or cold or something, right?” Amaya added, obviously distressed. The shaman had to inhale deeply, then broke the news to them. 

Immediately, shock replaced the fearful countenances on their faces and soon, Amaya screamed. 

The boisterousness of her scream echoed throughout the house, and Marianna, who just stepped in, grew curious. Despite her cold, now pale and feverish body, she headed towards the scream. 

She arrived at Mariah's room, then stole a peek – her curiosity and fear escalated simultaneously once her gaze fell on the Royals and an unconscious Mariah. 

Needless of the unwanted gazes she was bound to receive, she pushed the door open. 

Everyone's attention turned to Marianna and for the first time in ages, Gloria's eyes lit up towards Marianna. She felt uncomfortable at their intense stares – had she done something wrong?

“M-m-m-mother?” Marianna couldn't help but stutter – she was basically dying. Yet, they didn't care; none did. 

“Marianna you'll prove your essence of being born soon” Gloria mumbled gleefully and unknowingly got Marianna more confused. 

“I… Don't understand” she hushed softly then the shaman stepped forward. “Your sister here” 

Her eyes roamed around Mariah again – she didn't look so good with those swollen legs and feet. 

“What's wrong with Mariah?” she questioned, concerned. The shaman again heaved before he spoke. 

“She has a few weeks to live due to the failure of her heart” He eventually spoke and Marianna's eyes doubled in fear. 

“What!”

“Yes. It's true Marianna and the only way to save her is through a heart transplant” Gloria went sharply to stand in front of Marianna who was now… frightened. 

What was she implying at? The look in her eyes didn't sit well at all with Marianna – why did she feel unease?

“The only person who is a suitable donor is you. So” Luna Ren marched to Marianna and Gloria stepped back. 

The lingering aura of superiority around the Luna was intoxicating to the extent Marianna trembled more. 

Ren stared emotionlessly into Marianna's eyes before she spoke unfeelingly. 

“You, Marianna Clarkson, are to give your heart to your sister, Mariah Clarkson; Alpha Nickolas' future Luna. Do you understand me!”