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
- Zafa -I could not take it anymore, waiting for Loveth to finish whatever game it was she was playing, hide and seek or whatever. Ever since the day I had her, she kept running away. I did not know for how long she was going to keep doing that, so I approached her, bruising my ego in the process, but I did not mind.I waited for her in the lobby, and not long after, she came passing. Immediately she saw me, she turned around and went the other way."Loveth," I called, running after her. "Loveth please wait."I caught up with her and held her hand but she brushed me away."For how long are you going to keep running away from me?" I asked."For as long as I must remain alive," She said coldly."Why are you sounding this way? Even after what we had?""After what?" She feigned ignorance. "We never had anything. There's never been anything between us and even if there has been and you cared, you wouldn't have acted like a bitch to me.""But that was before now, Loveth. I thought that by
- Aria -Someone walked into my room and I thought it was Loveth."You should knock on doors before walking into a room so you wouldn't see what the mouth will not be able to speak," I said playfully without looking up from the clothes I was knitting."I'm so sorry about that, Luna," Diane answered, and I shot my head up to look at her."What are you doing here?" I scowled at her and she moved back as if she was scared though I could see from her eyes that she was not shaken a bit by me"I am sorry, I just wanted to see you," she said with the innocence that she was devious of."And what for? How can you not knock before coming in?"Didn't your mother teach you any manners? I was at the brim of asking that but thankfully held it back."I'm so sorry, Luna; I did not mean to upset you."The incessant apologies were getting on my nerves already. Worse because I knew she did not mean any one of it.I took in a deep breath to steady myself."What do you want?" I spoke the words slowly as i
- Adonai -Aria stopped dead at the door and I quickly pushed Diane off me. She looked surprised for a while that I did then followed my eyes and turned round to the door.She had no expression on her face when she saw Aria. Aria walked away quietly and I ran after her."Aria wait..."But she was too fast and I did not want to create a scene outside where the maids and guards were parading."Shit, shit, shit," I muttered under my breath as I returned to the room. "Why did you do that?"I turned to Diane and she looked confused."Do what?" She asked."Hug me!" I half yelled. "Why did you do it?""Why? I thought you said we were family?" She looked at me and her eyes were getting teary."Yes I did, but..." I did not know what to say anymore. How the hell do I convince Aria that what she saw was not what it looked like?"It's just a hug, right?" Diane said but I was not listening to her. I was thinking of Aria.- Aria -I closed the door behind me and breathed out heavily. It can't be wh
Dante -How can I escape this? The guilt came washing down on me all over again and now Adonai wants that lady to remain in the palace. It was her knowing eyes and strong resolve about her mother's death that gnawed me the most. She seems to know more than we think she does.I couldn't even sleep well, filled with the fear that she might creep in on me. Those ceaseless dreams I had sponsored my worry. There has to be a connection but only I knew and felt it.I strolled out of the palace to clear my head but even while I walked, the same thoughts clouded my mind. I did not know how long I had walked till I began to see trees and realised I was approaching the border.I stopped and sat on a big stone to rest. Not long after, an arrow flew past me, missing my skin with just an inch. I jumped up, and a werewolf pinned me down, scratching my face. I winced and struggled to get it off me but it was quite strong.It stopped fighting and transformed into a beautiful young lady. We remained s
- Adonai -"I don't think this is a good idea, Adonai," Aria said. "I understand you want to console Diane as much as you can but having her in the palace is not a good idea.""And why is that?" I wanted to know."I just don't feel comfortable with it," she crossed her arms over her chest"You were the one who accepted her as a cook here in the first place. You did not see that as a problem until now that we know she is the daughter of a woman who was like family to me. Come on Aria.""You don't understand. It's not about her being Maria's daughter. It's her sneaky behaviour I am concerned about," she stated."She must have acted that way because of the intentions she came with, to find out about her mother's death," I explained, and when I did, I realised that it was no solid reason."She believed we killed her mother!" Aria stressed. " I wonder what gave her the belief but her resolve seems strong. All the words in that meeting did not make any sense to her. I am worried that she st
- Dante -I took two steps backwards instinctively when Diane revealed who she was."I need an explanation as to how my mother died," she said amidst tears, and I looked at Adonai."I have no explanation for that, Diane. I am so sorry for the death of your mother but you must know that we all felt the same," he consoled."You leave me with no choice than to think you killed her then," she said."Why would I kill your mother? She was like a mother to me too. Hell, she took care of me from childhood. She has served this household since my parents were alive. You think I would want to eliminate her?""Everyone knows you, alpha Adonai. You don't have feelings and you don't care about my mother. Stop acting like you do. Because if you did, you would have tried finding those that killed her. But ever since I stepped into the palace, I never heard of you trying to. The only thing you've got are stories. I demand to know how my mother died and why she had to die."My heart ached within me. I
- 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