April's POV I watched Alexa's performance come to an end. I was so busy staring at Stacie and trying to get her attention that I missed most of the show. But I could tell from the uproar that it was amazing. I gave Lucy a gentle nudge, and she turned to me. "This is definitely Stacie," I said in a low whisper. There was a subconscious part of me that still had doubts. But I hadn't spent ten years with her for nothing. It had to be her. "I told you so. I knew it was her. I knew I could recognise her even in a crowd of ghosts. I knew that bitch was still living and breathing. The stubborn bitch refused to die." I shook my head slowly and turned back to the high table. I was curious. Why hadn't she come home if she had been alive all this time? Why hadn't she told anyone? Why was she in hiding? Did she do something that made her feel ashamed to return home? Also, what happened between Stacie and Lucy? I heard the spite and hate in Lucy's voice whenever she talked about Stacie. W
April's POV I took a step back, and Lucy gave me heartfelt congratulations."Thanks," I said shakily. "I was really nervous.""You shouldn't have been. You were amazing, and so was your painting."I beamed, and the same loud voice filled the air after the applause had died down."We shall now witness the third wonderful gift that our Prince has to offer His Majesty."Lucy was gestured to step forward, and I wished her luck through the mind link.All eyes were on her now, and she seemed a bit more braver than I was."My name is Lucy Kyle, and I am a programmer. I have created a program to solve the problem of organising the Empire’s finances..."A projector was brought out. It was connected to Lucy's laptop, and the entire hall could see the program."It is an accounting software made with simple codes to help organise..."As she spoke, I stole a glance at the high table. Conrad’s stepmother and brothers looked angry and bitter as they listened to Lucy.Come to think of it, they hadn'
April's POV Finally, the banquet ended, and I found myself back in Conrad's car. I was tired from all the festivities and dancing, but my mind was still working. My thoughts were all centred on Stacie. Wasn't that actually her? Why did she act like she didn't know me? Was it someone else that just looked like her? I also thought about the diary. Those things that she had written about me and the despicable things I did to her certainly weren't true. I couldn't wrap my head around it. Something didn't add up. The question was: what could it be? However, I really hoped that it was Stacie. If Dorian knew that Stacie was alive... perhaps things would return to how they used to be. "Are you alright? You look a little tense." Conrad's arm brushed mine gently, and I was pulled from my train of thought. I smiled at him and tried not to look so bothered. I really didn't want him to worry about me. "Uhmmm... Yeah. I am just a bit tired, that's all. I really enjoyed the party, but I
Conrad's POV I carried her carefully up to her room, my arms wrapped around her body and feeling the warmth exuding from her skin. She smelled sweetly of flowers and exotic perfume, and her body frame was light and dainty.Deep down, I felt a burning passion in my heart. I desperately wanted a kiss from her. However, I couldn't force it.Also, I had to keep in mind that I had business to take care of, and I couldn't afford any distractions.Still, I held her close to my body, and her soft skin rubbed against me with each step that I took.I had been admiring her the entire time we were at the party. I gave her this dress, and she wore it like a goddess. Her hair fell elegantly around her shoulder and seemed to flow with the wind whenever she turned her head.We didn't take too long before we got to her room. I gently opened the door and set her down. I looked on her bed and saw that there was a white fluffy mass curled up in a little ball."You have a cat? When did you get one?" I as
April's POVI woke up the next day, and the sun shone brightly on my face. I groaned, turned around and covered my head with a pillow, but the hot rays still reached my skin, and I felt a slight burn.I got up, and the sun was already high in the sky. How long was I asleep?I grabbed my phone and looked at the time. Oh my goodness! It was noon already.I managed to drag my tired body out of my comfortable and cool bed. I rubbed my eyes and felt my stomach growl, protesting its hunger. My head ached a little, and I remembered the party. I smiled to myself, then headed to the bathroom to wash my tired face.As soon as the cold water hit my skin, I was pulled to full awakening. My stomach didn't stop growling, and I rubbed it. I really needed to get something to eat.I walked to the door and left my room. I began walking down the hallway when a familiar voice called out to me."Are you up, sleepy head? I was just about to bust down your door and drag you out of bed."I saw Lucy walking
Dorian's POV I was in my office with my tax officer. He was going through the monthly tax records, and I was already bored before he could even start. "Alpha, the tax returns this month are drastically low. We probably need to raise the taxes in the future to meet the quota that the Royal Empire has set." I looked at him in concern and confusion. "What do you mean by quota? When did we have a quota set for our taxes?" I had been getting the pack taxes together for quite a while, and for all the time that I did it, I didn't realise that there was a quote that was set for the amount of taxes that we were supposed to give the Royal Empire. “I am very sorry, my Alpha; I guess I didn't inform you on time. The Royal Empire recently instructed at the beginning of the month that there is a set quota for taxes on packs under their jurisdiction. And the tax returns for the pack this month unfortunately did not reach that quota." I growled in anger and glanced at the paper with anger. I
Dorian's POVI went deeper into the forest, and it was silent. I felt that someone was watching me. I tried to act normal and walked cautiously.I picked two unfamiliar scents. I was right; they hadn't run too far.I was still walking further, and I stepped on a twig. The silence of the forest amplified its snapping sound.I was certain I had given my location away, but nothing stirred except for me.I took a few more steps, and suddenly, I heard low growls and snarls behind me. I saw two wolves emerge from the bushes. I retreated slightly, but I was blocked by another two.There were more than twelve in total.I looked at the fur around their mouths and paws; it was soaked in blood, the blood of my wolves. I could pick the scent of each of them off these bastards.I was totally surrounded, and it dawned on me that this was a trap."Who sent you?!"The anger in my voice was evident, but none dared to stand down.Suddenly, a fifth wolf emerged from the shadows of the trees. He towered
April's POV "How on earth are we going to find Lady Vivian," asked Lucy. "It's not like you can just demand an audience with the King and tell him that you need to see his lady." At that instant, an idea popped into my head. I think I could actually do that. "I have an idea. I can ask Conrad to help me set up a meeting with Lady Vivian. I can tell him that I want to ask her a few important questions. I am sure that he can set it up for me." Lucy looked at me sceptically, and I continued to try my best to convince her. "Lucy, this is our only chance at getting close to Lady Vivian. The resemblance between her and Stacie is way too much to be just a coincidence. We need to know if she is Stacie or not..." Knock! Knock! There was a frantic knock at my door, and I had to pause my discussion with Lucy and rush to open it. A maid stood there, and she seemed to be in a rush. "Miss April. I am sorry to bother you, but Prince Conrad requires your presence urgently." I looked at Lucy;