-Aria-I could barely sleep and kept rolling on the bed while I thought about my dinner date with Adonai. I could not tell if it was just excitement that perhaps I was getting on with my plans or if it was something else.I could not pretend it was because of my plans, but I knew there was something else. I felt something else. I hoped I could overlook and focus on what I needed to achieve. But it did not seem easy with a man like Adonai. He was too hot to be ignored.I decided I could have some fun with him while I worked on my plans. It would not be a bad idea, right? Except with a man like this, it was possible to end up forgetting the main reason you were with him in the first place.I would also not forget to be careful not to be discovered as Aria as well. It was a lot to deal with, but somehow I had the confidence that I could deal with it all. While I lay on the bed, waiting for sleep to come over me, I thought of Ariel and the last time she had walked into me and Dante.There
-Aria-Since I have been here I have not been to Ariel’s room and I had no idea how to find it. I was not even sure if she lived in this building. I hope so. I do not want to have to find another house. She was not a member of this royal family, but she is Dante’s fiancé, so she is most likely to have a place here.I would have to find out where she stayed. If I did not do it now, I would have to find it later. I should have gone on an exploit to find out all the rooms and houses of people Jasmine was related to or had a connection with.I dressed up and walked out of my room. I would ask a maid to ‘escort’ me to Ariel’s place. That way, it would not be suspicious that I was trying to find my sister’s room. Thankfully, she was in the building. Since I do not see our mother often, she was the one not here.I should also find out where she stays as soon as possible. Ariel ushered me in without an expression on her face. I looked round her room admiringly and caught myself before comment
-Ariel-I dropped the brush immediately Jasmine walked out of my room and scowled. It fascinated me how she thought she could play me for a fool and how she felt with her small act here in my room that I was going to believe her and let go of everything.Well, she is too late because all these while she has been escaping my wrath, and perhaps I have been too lenient, but this time around, I will make sure to get rid of her permanently for good. Jasmine is going to pay dearly for all she has caused me.Just before she even walked into the room I had been preparing my scheme. And the speech she had made here does not change anything. I am still going ahead to do what I need to do. I would never believe what she said. They were lies, all lies.Who the hell does she want to have a relationship with? Not me. I would never accept her as my sister. I hate her with everything in me and I wish she would just disappear. But since wishes are not horses I always have to make it happen myself.Jas
-Adonai-I was so impressed at the way Jasmine played the game that I had already begun thinking of ways I could apply her intelligence and strategies in real-life situations. Even though I always played this game to help me relax, I did know it helped me in making decisions when it came to the security of the pack.“You play so well,” I commented and she smiled.“Thank you so much.”“I think you would make a good council in the matter of the pack. I think I can trust you with that,” I said and she looked a bit taken aback.“Me?” she placed a finger on her chest and my eyes followed briefly before I looked up at her. “You think so just because I managed to win you over one game?”She laughed playfully but I was serious.“The game is a game of mind. Anyone who knows how to play this much must have some intelligence we could put in play and I think so about you.”“Oh…” she stopped laughing. “Well, if you think so.”“Tomor,ro,w I will be having some visitors from Moonbeam. The alpha had
“What happened to her?”“I don’t know, I just came in and found her on the floor with her head in her hands and muttering something about her baby or something…”“Baby?”“Yeah, I don’t know.”I heard the voices from a distance and soon, they began to sound near. I opened my eyes slowly and closed them again. Everything was blurred at first but when I opened it again it was better. I looked at them in silence for a while before they noticed I was awake.There was Prisca looking so worried, Adonai who was questioning her, and another man who I recognized at the doctor because the last time I had awakened like this in the body of Jasmine, he was the one that attended to me. Prisca turned to look at me and her eyes met with mine.“She is awake!” she announced and the men turned to look at me.“I told you she would be awake soon,” the doctor said as Adonai and Prisca approached the bed. I was still trying to process what had happened to me.“Jasmine, how are you feeling now?” Prisca said,
-Adonai-I was slightly upset but I did not know exactly why. If it was because Jasmine was ill and could not attend the party with me, or because of how she had sounded when I had gone to see her. I took deep breaths in a bit to steady myself. If I left the feeling linger I might as well end the party or it would not end up well.Soon Asher and his elders arrived in a troop with a lot of gifts of gold, precious stones, expensive scents, and foodstuffs. It was quite much, but I was not very moved. I had a tenfold of everything he had brought.I welcomed them into the empire while the guards and maids took in everything they had brought. I took them to the courtroom first because even though there was a party, I preferred we handled business first before pleasure.After we had all settled down with my elders and the elders from Moonbeam Park, Asher cleared his throat and began to speak.“I bring you good tidings from Moonbeam Park, great Alpha Adonai,” he started. “I am most honored to
-Aria-I forced the bitter greenish content down my throat with my eyes closed and I almost puked it out.“Ah!” Prisca warned with a finger raised to my face. “You had better not else I would go get another one for you.”“I don’t like medicines and this one is bitter,” I complained, twisting my lips.“I know, but the doctor said this would make you feel better. I don’t want you to be ill,” she said.“But I told you I am fine already,” I pouted, but there was no need anyway. I had already taken the bitter stuff. The moment I saw it in her hand when she brought it I knew immediately that the taste would not be friendly. It was not. The bitterness lingered in my cheeks and completely destroyed my taste buds.I was about to rest back on the pillow when Prisca picked up another bottle. Hell no, there is no way I am going to take that.“Nothing is making me drink this,” I said with a strong resolve, shaking my head vigorously.“Don’t worry. This one is not as bitter as the first. The doctor
-Aria-There was silence for a moment, but someone was lurking at the door, I was certain of that. I squinted my eyes in suspicion and kept watching the door. I did not know what to think nor did I understand if the feeling I had was fear or otherwise. I would have followed my instincts to close the door.I heard a creak and jumped slightly. The door opened and Adonai walked it. I placed my hand on my chest in a bit to steady my heartbeat. Adonai looked at me like he was not expecting to see me awake and sitting on my bed looking like I had been expecting him to come in.“You are not sleeping yet?” He asked. He could see as much as that I was still awake and it was more of a statement than a question.“Why were you lurking by the door?” I had to ask. “You scared me.”“Lurking at the door?” he looked puzzled. “Which door? I just came here and entered immediately. Why would I have to wait at the door before coming in?”Now I was more confused. Was I imagining things? But I was sure some
- Zafa -It was such a dramatic evening. I couldn't help admiring Adonai for how well he solved everything. Ken walked away shamefully with the family he almost lost from the fire he created. Those innocent kids would have died because of his foolishness. I hope this teaches him the lesson he has refused to learn all these years.Everyone began to disperse, and I lost track of Loveth in the crowd. My eyes had been on her until she suddenly disappeared. I had wanted to have a word with her after everything had quieted down, but she was just out of my sight the moment I blinked my eyes.Was she avoiding me? Not after the hot night we had, right? Perhaps, she was just shy, or was it the moral guilt? I could not tell which it was. You can never tell with women.I might have to wait till she was done with the running and hiding games. One thing was certain, she wouldn't run forever.- Dianne -I dismissed the rest of the maids after dinner and finished the rest of the clean-up, humming a s
- Zafa -I woke up with a hangover and rolled off the bed. I walked straight to the bathroom to have a bath and felt much better afterward.I returned to find only a heap on the bed. Loveth was nowhere to be found. Now I couldn't remember if she was here when I had gotten off the bed or if she had left earlier.The memories from the previous night came rushing in and I felt a wave of excitement run through my veins. She had come to me.I knew she wouldn't be able to stay away for so long. That's my girl. Which makes things easier for me. I had thought it would take more to get her back but apparently, she was not as hard as she imagined herself to be. Leaving the army to stress me when all she wanted was a good fuck.I would have to let her know though, that doing what we did doesn't mean I had feelings for her. Sex wasn't love. After all, she was the one who came to me. Secondly, I was drunk so it wasn't me taking advantage of her.I knew how women can get when it comes to having sex
- Zafa -What the hell is wrong with me? Why have I allowed my emotions to get to me and make me treat Loveth the way I did?I did not mean to hurt her, even though I was upset with the way she was always with Dante. Now she has withdrawn from the army, and not only do I need her there, but that would mean she would be away from me.I can't have Loveth out. She is one of the best warriors I have."You can't resign...please," I instinctively added the last part. This is not the time to let my ego control my decisions, so I dropped it off and pleaded. But not even that could persuade her. She was rigid, so I decided to meet Aria instead. Perhaps she would listen to me.Aria had a blank look on her face when I spoke to her."Well, what do you want me to do?" She finally said when I was done."You could help me talk to her," I told her."I'm sorry but I can't. Loveth has made her choice and I respect her decision," she said."Luna please," I pleaded. "You know Loveth is one of the best w
- Loveth -"Hey," I heard someone call and turned round slowly, recognising the voice. Not again..."How are you doing today? Loser?""What do you want this time?" I asked Sheila with a sigh. She was facing my existence with those two puppets of hers."Funny of you to think I would want anything from you," she said and they giggled. Talk of sound effects."Well, you keep budging me, leaving me with no choice but to think you want something," I told her, and she frowned."Well maybe I do," she moved closer and pulled my hair to its roots. "Maybe I want you to shut your crab up when I am talking to you.""Let go of me," I sucked in the pain. I would not give her the pleasure. But she still held on, pulling it harder."Or what, you're gonna fight me like you did last time? You never learn, do you? You think you are something because Zafa let you off the hook the last time."I knew she was trying to provoke me to react so she would leverage on it but at the same time, I would not have he
- Loveth -I did not know how I lost hold of my emotions and fell into Dante's ready arms. Love for Zafa was causing me so much pain, and he was doing it intentionally, yet I could not help it."What is the matter, Loveth?" Dante asked softly into my ears and I was tempted to tell him. I moved away and wiped my tears."I'll be fine," I said with a smile."Are you sure?" He asked with a look of concern on his face. "You can tell me anything.""I know and I appreciate you for your concern.""Hmm," he breathed out, observing me. "You promise?""Yeah." But even as I said that more tears gathered in my eyes, and I had to leave quickly.Immediately, I made a turn, and someone grabbed me roughly by the arm."What the hell," I gasped in pain and turned round to meet the angry eyes of Zafa piercing into mine."What is wrong with you?" He said between gritted teeth."You're hurting me," I struggled to get out of his grip while wondering what the hell he was talking about."Are you so cheap that
- Sheila -I brushed my hair gently, making sure it was well-straightened. I loved my expression in the mirror—so pretty. I took my time. I am attending a council meeting as the assistant general of the army with Zafa for the very first time, and I have to look my best."You're still here?" Miley said when she walked into the room. "Zafa said to make sure you're there early.""Why worry about that? I'm just trying to look good," I said and she shook her head. I don't think that is a good idea, Sheila. You should have done all that before now.""Pssst," I waved her off as I adjusted the lip gloss, which needed no adjustment. When I was finally satisfied with my looks, I blew her a kiss and walked out the door with her staring after me. There was nothing to be worked up about, I rolled my eyes. It was just a meeting, and I'm sure everyone goes late for events as well.When I arrived at the meeting, the confidence I had gained seemed to have abandoned me at the entrance. All eyes turned
- Dante -"There is something I have been meaning to ask you, brother," I said to Adonia and he looked at me expectantly. "The new cook..." I trailed off."Okay?" He pushed when I suddenly went quiet."Who is she?" I asked and he pursed his lips thoughtfully."She's just a young lady who looked for the position in the palace and got it because of her skills," he replied."Right. But the chief cook has always been someone we know. At least, someone like Maria who has been with us for years. We trust her with our meals. I would have to say this lady is young and inexperienced but she has good skills.""Well, Aria thinks Dianne is doing well and if she thinks so, I trust her judgment."I wanted to ask him if he observed something strange about her, or familiar with her cooking but I was not certain how that would sound so I let it slide."Is there anything the matter?" He wanted to know. "Did you notice something?""Oh, I was just wondering," I covered up.Later that day, she found me as
- Loveth -I tried everything possible to ignore Shelia but she was bent on getting into my skin until she mentioned my parents and I lost it.I lost my parents at a very tender age when they both had to go to war. They did it for the pack and not just for me but many rumoured I was a forbidden child and that was why my parents did not mind leaving me behind.But I knew my parents loved me. Yet, as the rumors thickened, I could not help but worry about it."Get off me!" Sheila screamed but I did not listen to her. Her puppets, Ashley and Miley came to fight her off me and I beat them all."Hey!" I heard a masculine voice and I was already ready to pounce on whoever it was as well. I turned round but the familiar scent made me stop in my tracks."What the hell is wrong with?" Zafa asked, dragging me by the arm."Don't ask me, ask her," I retorted, pulling away."What happened?" Zafa turned to Sheila who was struggling to catch her breath."She was not doing her job well and I corrected
-Prisca- Yes! My plan has finally worked. I am going to exchange marital vows with Adonai and legally be his wife.It does not count that I am impersonating Aria. He is not going to be tied to Aria in reality but to me.I sat beside him, before the crowd with my face veiled and a sly smile across my face which no one could see.A few people had suggested I take off the veil so they could behold my face but Adonai politely declined. No one pushed it, and I successfully got tied to Adonai.I had feared that Dante would have wanted to expose me because he didn't seem pleased with the plan, but he didn't.I was led to Adonai's room while the party continued in the hall. There I took off my veil and sat comfortably on his bed.He was not here yet, for he was still having some drinks with his visitors. I chuckled happily. Alas, my dream has come to pass.The door opened and I quickly adjusted. I hissed when I saw it was Ariel."What are you doing here?" I asked sharply. She did no