My room was quiet and that was only because Prisca had stepped out. I wouldn’t have had a moment of peace to myself. Since I was careful not to associate with many people in the palace, I was always by myself especially when Prisca was not with me.I arranged the clothes in my wardrobe which had been scattered through looking for a lovely dress to wear for the ball. Finally, it was happening in a few days but of course, I was not enthusiastic about it.When I was in Moonbeam, I did not get the chance to attend any of those social gatherings because while everyone was out, I would be home attending to the chores. I knew of the annual ball that happened in the Moonwalker pack. Many royalties came from different places and I have never thought to be there. It did not make any difference now that I was in a Princess’s body.But Prisca had rummaged through my bags excitedly for a dress. I wondered why she was looking forward to it when she did not even have a date. Of course, I did not tel
-Aria-“Why are you still standing there?” I asked the maid who stood like a statue. “Go on and return this to the alpha. Tell him I am not going to be his date.”“Jasmine,” Prisca called in a fierce whisper, jabbing me but I paid no attention to her. The maid bowed and walked out while I adjusted on the bed with a mixed feeling. Pride and fear. Proud of what I had done and scared of what Adonai’s reaction would be.“Do you have a dead wish?” I was left alone in the room with Prisca’s shock to begin with.“No, I don’t. But what I do have is prestige and dignity,” I said with a raised shoulder and she shook her head at me.“You and your prestige and dignity are so going to melt under Adonai’s wrath. What the hell is wrong with you Jasmine?”“Why are you sounding like I have done something so hideous? All I did was reject an offer I was not interested in. What is so wrong with that?”“Everything! Everything Jasmine. This is the alpha we are talking about and do I have to remind you th
-Aria-I placed my hand on my chest while gasping for air after Adonai left and Prisca rushed in.“Are you okay?” she asked, hurrying to my sides. I straightened and nodded.“Damn, he looked really angry. You shouldn’t have done that Jasmine,” she said but I did not say a word to her and went to lay on the bed.I could hear her sneaking under the covers beneath me but I was too shaken to worry about her presence. I worried instead, about my state of mind and what had become of me.All the words Adonai had spoken to me still hung in the air and I was pained to think I had something mutual with him when he saw me as a mere sex toy.I winced in pain at the way he had treated me roughly like I meant nothing to him and how I had been helpless in his grip.I wondered if he was just a pretentious heartless man who would change his countenance like a chameleon because of what he wanted because a few weeks ago he could take all my acts and let me do as I wished and now I am nothing but a mistr
-Ariel-The ball had ended abruptly when Jasmine’s accident happened and I had stood up and gasped in shock just like everyone else in the hall and now wearing a sad face while waiting for the doctor with mother and a few others.If only they could see what was going on within me, they would definitely know that I was behind what had happened to Jasmine but since they couldn’t, no one would be able to point it to me. I was certain that Jasmine would not make it this time. Looking down at her almost lifeless body sprawled on the floor when she fell, it was hard to believe she would come out alive.Mother was sobbing softly on a stool while I tried to comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder while I allowed my tears to fall freely down my face. Some of the guests who had stayed back began to leave when it was approaching dusk. I looked around the room, Adonai was sitting silently but I could see that he was furious.Dante was standing with a blank expression on his face. He had as
-Crystal-Everything seemed to return to normal after a while and there were not many questions about the pregnancy as I was able to cover it well with the help of my very good for, Lisa.Asher had not been able to do anything because I had threatened to expose him if he did and Derick had helped me speak to him just as I requested as well.Although we were no longer living as before, Asher had maintained a distance and tried to keep away from me as much as possible. He was still mad and I did not expect anything less. But I believed with time he would get over it.I stuck around in the palace. Not like I had any choice of leaving anyway. I can’t. What explanation would I give for that? To the people, I am still the Luna.However, despite all the chaos that was not worried me the most. I had been feeling nauseous and sick of late and only got to find out I was pregnant.I had been cold to my feet but held myself till I saw Derick and announced it to him. He looked at me as if I had a
-Aria-I sucked in a deep breath as I stood before the council yet again just like I had stood before them a few hours after I had reawakened in Jasmine’s body. Unlike the first time, I had no confidence in myself and what judgment would befall me.I had woken up to find out I had been unconscious for a long. Prisca recounted all that had happened to me and the memory returned. It was funny how my body wasn’t wrapped in bandages and I was still in good piece after that fall. Except for the thudding headache I felt, it was almost like It had not happened. But it did.I did not have the time to fully recover or even ask any questions when I was paraded before Adonai and the elders. I was to get even more shocked by the allegations that I had thrown myself over those stairs just to disgrace the alpha. My mouth threw open in shock. Like who in his right senses would ever do such a thing?I wanted to laugh and tell them there was no way in the world, I Aria would ever do that. Did they see
-Aria-I sat on the bed, resting my head on the pillow while listening to Ms. Ellen's ceaseless laments about what had happened. The meeting at the council had ended, and I am now in my room with Ariel, Prisca, and Ms. Ellen. My head was still banging and the talks were not making me feel any better."Why is all this happening to me," Ms Ellen lamented for the umpteenth time."Mother can you calm down please," Ariel said. She was obviously fed up and the irritation was obvious on her face. I could not tell if the expression on her face was one from the long-lasting beef she had with me or of one trying to put her feelings in check after a failed attempted murder.I could not get my mind off the thought of who might have been behind it. It could be possible that whoever it was that had killed Jasmine has returned with a stronger resolve to get rid of me for good and this time around, he or she is bent on achieving that no matter what. I was not safe anymore. I knew I wasn't from the b
-Prisca-I had not gone far after I walked out of Jasmine's room that I heard hasty footsteps behind me and I had no doubts as to whom it was.I did not know if I should hasten my steps to lose her or slow down so she would get to me. I knew she wanted to talk to me, there was something decisive about the way she was walking and I was certain nothing good was coming out of it."Hey you," she was already closing in on me and when she called I knew there was no way I could prevent it. I sucked in a deep breath to steady myself and closed my eyes briefly before turning round to face her hard countenance."I am sure you do not need anyone to tell you how much I do not like and approve of your relationship with my daughter, Jasmine. Do not get me mistaken. I have no reason to hate you simply because you are not opportune to be like us. But I would have loved that you stayed where you are instead of trying to force yourself where you do not belong."I opened my mouth to speak and she raised
- Prisca-"You...you followed me?" I stuttered. He stood up from the bed and walked towards me slowly. I moved back instinctively."Yes I did," he said casually. "I came to your house, but you were nowhere to be found, so I sat and waited for you. Where have you been?"For a brief moment, life left my body. I thought he followed me to the hideout and knew everything.Oh shit...I let out a deep breath of relief. Thank goodness."Uh...uhm," I swallowed hard. "I was just around, you know. The pack. I needed some fresh air so I went for a stroll.""So why didn't you return to the palace?" He asked further and I quickly thought of what I could say."Well," I chuckled nervously. "Just trying to escape from the tension in the palace. I mean, so much has happened in just one day so..."Adonai grunted and his eyes scrutinised me, perhaps trying to see if he could believe me or not."I had to come here because we needed to talk," he finally said. "About what's happened earlier. We are married b
-Prisca- "Who are they?" I asked them, trying hard to keep calm."We don't know Prisca," one shrugged. "But they did not look anything like us. They looked different. Maybe werewolves from another pack."What business does Aria have with other werewolves that they came for her? Or has she been having contact outside our pack all this while? That bitch, I cursed under my breath. She always manages to escape my hands.Gosh, I hit my fist against my palm. And I was this close to getting rid of her this time. I hissed and made for the door when the men called my attention."What do we do now?" They asked and I scowled at them."Get your failure asses back home. What else is left to be done when you have lost her?""Then what about our payment?"I turned round in disbelief to face them. Had they the nerve to ask me that?"What payment?" I scoffed."For the work we did for you. You haven't paid us.""You bunch of losers are expecting payment?" I asked."We had a deal. You cannot just send
-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 not reply b
-Adonai-It took a while before what she said registered in my head."Are you insane?" I retorted, placing a finger on the side of my head."No, I am not," she responded confidently."How then can you say such a thing?""I am only trying to help you, alpha," she said. "Think of what the people at the table will say when you return there without a bride.""And have you thought about what it would be when they also realize that you are not Aria?""They wouldn't have to know. A bride can be veiled. You are not under any law to reveal your face to anyone. I believe that they might think that is what you want and they will respect it."I hesitated, trying hard to think about what Prisca had said. She was right. I would be seen as a fool if I returned to the people with the news of Aria eloping with another man and there would be no wedding.It would be the second time I gathered people and something ruined the ceremony."You know what, you are right. But this is just for the ceremony. You
-Adonai- I took in a deep breath to steady myself when Maria approached me, her face strained with worry and told me Aria was nowhere to be found.I had asked her to go get her since the ceremony was about to start."What do you mean by she is nowhere to be found," I asked, my voice in a low whisper so the people at my table would not hear."Even I don't understand myself," Maria said. "But she is not in her room and no one seems to have seen her."No, this cannot be happening now. I braced myself and tried to remain calm."Uhm, gentlemen, I will be right back," I addressed the men at my table."Is everything fine?" Dominick asked as I excused myself and I told him all was well. All was not well at all. A few minutes to the start of my wedding the bride is nowhere to be found.I walked with long strides towards Aria's room with Maria following steadily behind me."I was wondering if she had to quickly do something outside the palace because it doesn't seem like she..." Maria trailed
-Aria- I groaned in pain as I opened my eyes. I tried to move but discovered I couldn't, I was tied firmly to something I could not see, a pole or something.What's going on? I tried to think. The last thing I remembered was being prepared for my wedding and then strange faces appeared in my room.I looked up sharply when I realised what had happened. I was in an empty room that was void of anything normal in a location I could not fathom.I recognised the faces in the room as the ones who had walked in on me."Who are you and why did you kidnap me?" My throat was dry, as well as my voice. None of them bothered to give me an answer."Hey, say something. Who sent you?" I pushed."Keep it down Aria," a very familiar voice said. "This is not the palace where you speak anyhow you like and everyone is answerable to you.""Prisca?" I muttered under my breath but she heard."Tis me, yes," she stretched her hands out in a show of dignity. "Flesh and blood."I looked on in shock. Is this a dr
-Aria- I was being dressed by the maids for the wedding when Adonai walked in, and they all trooped out to give us a moment."Is anything the matter?" I asked, searching his face."Not really," he replied with a small smile on his face. "I just wanted to see you."I rolled my eyes at him."You see me every day," I pointed out."Yeah," he replied with a sigh as he walked to a stool and sat in front of me, his eyes watched me tenderly."What?" I shook my head with a chuckle."You know, there is this old story we heard while growing up," he said."Okay?""That you become too excited and overwhelmed about someone or something because you are about to lose it.""Hmm." I breathed out. "Never heard about that before. But why are you talking about that? Are you thinking I might leave you?""No. I am relating it to how excited I am about getting married to you," he said and took my hand in his. "Are you ready to become Mrs. Adonai and Luna of this pack?""You think I am ready?" I threw back a
-Adonai- Today is the day I officially get married to Aria. I was sure my face radiated the joy I felt within. I could not hide it.I walked around the building, watching as the maids and guards ran around to put things in order. It is going to be a very big ceremony. Invites have been sent far and near, and all the provinces and clans, big and small packs, would be gathered for the wedding.Werewolves coming from far distances had arrived the night before. Dante approached me with a grimace on his face."So you are finally getting married to Aria," he commented."So am I," I said with the same energy."Well, how does that make you feel?" He wanted to know and I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to discern his reason for asking."Complete, I guess. A man with a family.""Mmm," Dante hummed and nodded. "True.""And after this, you also have to settle down as well. You have a fiancé already, so that wouldn't be hard, I guess?"He chuckled."Well then, after you."While we spoke, alpha Do
-Aria- My heart skipped a beat when I lifted my eyes to the door and saw Adonai. He walked in with a blank expression on his face, approaching us slowly."Adonai, Zafa here was just telling me that he was leaving the pack. It was what we were discussing before you walked in," I jumped in to explain hurriedly when he had not asked me anything.Adonai did not respond. I tried to read his expression, but he hid it well. He stood beside me and faced Zafa, who looked back boldly as if Adonai had not walked in on us almost about to kiss."Is that so?" Adonai finally spoke, addressing Zafa."It is indeed so," Zafa confirmed, unshaken."But you did not tell me," Adonai said dryly. "You came to my wife to tell her but I am not aware of what is going on.""She was the one that sent for me first," Zafa replied. "And I did plan to tell you, though, she is the reason why I came to this pack. Either way, you would have known anyway."I was worried about the way the two were going. I wouldn't want