Chapter Five
Ulric All I wanted to do was give her the ointment and band-aid so she could cover up her cut. I never expected to be met with such a hot and sexy sight. My gaze was fixed on her cleavage, the revealing part of her breasts awakening the desires of my wolf, which I had been fighting hard to suppress. My wolf had been reckless ever since the moment I saw her, which meant I was reckless as well. Despite all this, I tried to keep myself in check so I wouldn’t do anything wrong or stupid, but with the sight in front of me, it wouldn’t be as easy as I thought it would. “Sexy bracelet.” The words dropped from my mouth. “Can I touch?” I thought it was all in my head; I wasn’t aware of when I opened my mouth to speak. I looked down at her, and the expression on her face seemed appealing at first, but it changed in a few minutes and she pushed me away, stepping back to the open area of the restroom. Luckily, the ladies who came in earlier had already left. “You pervert!” She yelled. “Was that what you wanted to do with me? Is this why you came here? To do this?” she questioned. I wished I had been more careful. I wished I had kept myself in check and never said that. She seemed really angry. I would be too if I were in her shoes. We just met, and on top of that, I said she wasn’t my type in Lucia’s presence. I acted like she was nothing, and now I was making such a comment about her. “Get out!” She barked at me. I wanted to leave, but that didn’t seem like the best thing to do. Aries pushed me to say what I said. Aries was the one who was attracted to this lady, not me, and trying to make her understand that would only make things worse. If it wasn’t because of the mate bond which Aries was pushing me to the edge for, there was no reason for me to look at this lady twice, as Maelis was the one I wanted to be with. She was the one I was waiting for. “I meant that.” I pointed, trying hard to find a way to control the damage I had already made. “Meant what?” She asked. I took a step closer, but she only stepped away from me, raising a finger at me as a sign of warning to tell me to stay away from her. “That mark.” I murmured. “I mean the scar, how did you get it?” I asked, still trying hard to divert the attention from what I said to her. “I was talking about the scar on your neck. I could touch.” When I saw that she seemed to be buying my story, I moved closer to her and tried to touch the scar around her neck but stopped. “How did you get these scars?” I asked. A closer look at the scar made me more concerned and sorry for her. She looked away and hung her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t need your sympathy. You lots are the same, finding a way to mock me.” She hissed and stepped away. I sighed. Forcing her to speak would only make things worse. Now that it seemed like I had already cleared the air, it was best that I took my leave. “I just came here to give you these so you could treat your cut.” I stated, held her hand, and placed the ointment and band-aid in it. “I don’t need you to help me.” She scoffed. “I am to look after the students’ welfare, and you’re not excluded. I will always stand up for you when it is needed. It is my responsibility.” I responded with a smile. “The next class starts in a few minutes.” I added and walked out of the restroom, heading to the class. Stepping into the class, Lucia welcomed me with her gnawing and questioning eyes. “Where have you been?” She yelled. I just took my seat and tried to ignore her, but as usual, it wasn’t possible. She kept on pestering me. “Did you go to her again? Isn’t she okay with the lesson I have…” “She has nothing to do with this, Lucia.” I cut her off. “Can’t I have some time to myself without you questioning me?” I shook my head. “I don’t want to share you with anyone. I should be the only one in your space, not some ugly burnt-face girl.” She leaned in. “I could tell my dad to break our engagement, but think about your mom and what she has been through,” she smiled and cupped my face, her fingers grazing my cheeks. “Think about what you’ve been through too, and how badly your brothers have been treating you. But getting mated to me will be your and your mom’s ticket out of that life.” “Take your seats everyone.” The professor came into the class, and Lucia placed a kiss on my cheek before walking away. Everything she said kept ringing in my head through the class that I barely listened to anything that was said by the professor. She was right, I needed to get out of the terrible life I was living back at the Castle. The life where neither my mom nor I was considered as part of the royal family. We were lesser than a substitute; even the slaves and maids were treated better than us. The Luna Queen saw me as a bodyguard to his son, and the Alpha King would never say anything, not even when they all started to treat me badly. Sometimes, I wondered if he was really my father and had the urge to ask my mom if I wasn’t his son and if that was the reason we were both being treated like outcasts in a place that was supposed to be our home. I was so lost in my thoughts, that I didn’t even notice what was going on in the class. The new girl was already back in the class, and she was being mocked after Lucia posted the video of where she was being beaten up by her and her gang on the school’s website. “Oh! Such a cry baby!” Someone teased. I watched as they continued to taunt her, so much so that even the professor had to leave angrily. She looked at me, and the words I said to her back in the restroom ran through my mind. Along with Lucia’s words, I didn’t know which to go with. I had said to her in the restroom that I would always stand up for her as it was my responsibility, but Lucia also made me understand that doing something like that could destroy our engagement which would automatically mean that my mom and I would have to continue living in the hell we were in. “The standards of the institution have really hit the rock. How could they admit a student like you into our school?” One of the ladies in Lucia’s crew commented. “Not just the social level, but also her face. I mean, she’s the ugliest person I’ve ever seen!” She added, and they all burst into laughter, along with Valko and Kael, who seemed to be enjoying the moment. “You all should go easy on her,” Valko stated and walked to where she was seated. “She has scars on almost all parts of her body already, don’t give her more scars.” He continued, and another round of laughter and claps erupted again. The new girl jumped up and rushed out of the class. I could see that she had tears in her eyes, and the urge to go after her became so hard to control. I stood up to leave, but Lucia blocked my way. “Where do you think you are going?” She demanded. Luckily for me, the call for lunch came up. “Am I not allowed to have lunch?” I grumbled. “Get out of my way, Lucia.” I walked away, but the new girl was nowhere to be found. I couldn’t find her anywhere. I tried to check if she would be in the restroom like the other time, but there were people in there, and I didn’t want to be tagged a pervert or lose the respect I had. The school was the only place I was respected and treated like a prince, which was the prefix to my name. It was the opposite whenever I got home. I took a deep breath in and out and headed for the cafeteria. I was supposed to eat with my brothers at our private cafeteria, but it doesn’t end it, it never did, and I wasn’t in the best mood for their troubles. I served myself and took a seat at one of the corners, hoping I wouldn’t be seen by the flea of admirers I had all over the school, but it didn’t work. They came one after the other, asking if they could join me, and I just let them do what they want. The school wasn’t just the only place where I was respected, but also a place where I was admired. “Lucia is on her way!” One of the ladies announced, and they all stood up, rushing to find another seat. That was the only thing Lucia was good for: taking these ladies off my neck. She took her seat before me, smiling from ear to ear as she peered at me, but all I could think about was the new girl, and where she could be after being treated that way. I had been in her shoes multiple times, and I knew what it felt like not to have someone who could stand up for you. I could only wish that she would be fine, even though Aries wanted to do more than that, but Lucia was in my way, as usual. “The blood moon harvest is next weekend, and as usual, you shall be my date.” She giggled. I nodded at her, even though she was the last person I wanted to go to the harvest with. Maybe, just maybe, I could have my way this year and go with the person I want.Chapter SixMaelisI wanted to avoid Prince Ulric, his brothers, and those ladies for the rest of the school day, so I headed to the school library. As I browsed through the sections looking for a quiet place to read, my eyes caught the billboard announcing upcoming exams in a few weeks, with a message encouraging students to study hard and wishing them good luck.On the other side, there was a notice about the annual Blood Moon Harvest scheduled for the next weekend. Despite the excitement surrounding the event and the activities planned, I wasn’t interested. I still felt like I didn’t fit in at the school, and attending the harvest would only exacerbate that feeling.My main concern was catching up with my studies. I knew I had fallen behind and needed to work twice as hard as my classmates to catch up.At the librarian’s desk, I joined the queue of students waiting to be served. While standing there, thoughts of the day raced through my mind — from the initial excitement of being a
Chapter SevenMaelis“Oh! Thank goodness you are here. I was just telling the Royal Guards about you,” my dad said with a big smile on his face as he pulled me towards the center of the room, right in the middle of the Royal Guards.My dad had a big smile on his face, one I hadn’t seen since my mom passed away. He usually wore a frown or scowl, glaring at me whenever he wanted to speak to me. But now, he was smiling from ear to ear, and I could tell he was genuinely happy, which he hadn’t been in years.What could the reason be? Why were the Royal Guards here? What news could they bring to make my father this happy? I searched for answers but couldn’t find any. The only explanation that seemed reasonable to me was that the Royal Guards were sent by the Alpha Princes. I imagined instances where I would have to choose between the Alpha brothers, scrutinizing them from their looks down to their behaviors. Those minutes I spent standing and waiting for an explanation were filled with dayd
Chapter Eight Valko“The Alpha King mentioned in the last meeting that he would love for his sons to find their mates before the next pack feast,” my uncle, also an elder of the pack, informed me. He turned to me with a smile, his brown teeth baring at me. “Have you found your mate yet?”That was one of the questions I hated to be asked: Where is your mate? Have you found your mate? Can you feel her presence? How long will it take to get to her? I hated all these questions, but they wouldn’t stop asking me. The questions only opened up my insecurities, revealing a part of me that I always tried to forget.How exactly could I tell all these people that I had no wolf? I had never felt its presence, and I didn’t think I ever would.“Valko,” my mom called. “Have you found her?” she asked.I forced a smile onto my face and shook my head. “Not yet. But I am sure I will find her soon,” I responded, knowing full well that was a lie and I might end up with no mate.“I can find the perfect wom
Chapter NineMaelisThe gate of the Royal castle was so big that a family of elephants could pass through it all at once. I had never seen a gate so big in my entire life, and I had thought that the first time I would enter this royal castle would be to seek employment as the royal physician. But here I was, being bundled in to work as a slave.Tears kept rolling down my face, no matter how hard I tried to hold them back. My heart felt like it was ripping apart. Never in my life had I imagined that things would get so bad that I would end up as a slave. I always thought that if I could get admitted into the institution, I would do whatever it took to graduate as a qualified physician and prove everyone wrong, especially my stepmother.I was ecstatic when I received the admission. I thought my dreams were finally going to become a reality, that my far-fetched dreams were finally within reach. But now? My dreams were farther away than I could have ever imagined. I might never become a p
Chapter TenUlricBeing at home is supposed to make up for the long day at school, but not in my case. It rather determined how bad the stay at home would be. It determined the amount of trouble I would have to put up with, as it was always double whatever happened at school.Sometimes I get tired and too overwhelmed, and I just want to quit everything, maybe go away with my mom and find a good place for us to live and start a new life. But my mom’s hopes were on me, and she wouldn’t be happy to see that I had given up.My mom was the only reason I was in this fight to begin with. Even though I had topped my brothers in every Royal class and training we’ve done, I never had it in mind to go head-to-head with them for the throne. But seeing how my mom was being treated and how she had been subjected to so much abuse and shame, I just couldn’t let her live like that forever.It wouldn’t even end with me. If I didn’t do anything to change the situation for my mom and me, then every singl
Chapter ElevenMaelisMy legs felt as though they were glued to the floor, I couldn’t move, and the same applied to my brain, it couldn’t come up with any way to escape the impending danger and chaos that would be caused by the brothers if they were to see me, standing there as one of the new recruited maid.I looked around, my eyes desperately searched for a way out, but I couldn’t find anything, I couldn’t think of a way out of this mess.I kept my head bent, maybe hiding my face could save me, but that wasn’t possible, anyone who knows me well would recognize me even if my face was hidden. The scar on the side of my face and neck would expose me.“Keep walking!” One of the guards leading us to our rooms yelled out.I looked up, and that was when I realized that the other maids had gone far beyond me. I picked up my legs and rushed to join them, finding a way to move myself in between them just so I wouldn’t be recognized.“Stop and greet the princes.” Another guard ordered, and we
Chapter TwelveUlricStanding there and waiting for my father, the Alpha King, to come in felt like forever. I already knew what my fate was, but I wanted to strongly believe that he would make the right judgment this time.He was always quick to make judgments and would even listen to my brothers over me. I was like the child he never wanted, but it was still confusing why he was acting that way. Until we were thirteen, my father was all over my brothers and me, treating us equally, without any preferential treatment for anyone.Though the other people around us treated me just the same way I was being treated now, my father and brothers were different. I always thought if I had their support and love, I wouldn’t care about how the palace maids or their mothers treated me. All of a sudden, the people from whom I gained my strength changed towards me. They were the shoulder I could lean on when I had any problems or was maltreated by any of their mothers or palace maids, but they move
Chapter ThirteenMaelisI watched as the three brothers walked out of the throne room, leaving us with the alpha king.What I had just witnessed was a display of power and wisdom. I initially thought the alpha king was being biased when Prince Ulric was dragged away, but I never expected him to do the same with Prince Valko. Even Prince Valko was as surprised as the rest of us.When they were both taken away, I wondered what the alpha king was going to do next. How did he intend to uncover the truth if he wasn’t going to hear from both sides? Were they being interrogated wherever they were taken?I was still pondering when the alpha king ordered Kael to step forward and explain what happened because he was the only witness. The alpha king emphasized the importance of Kael telling the truth and not being biased.Kael stood silent for a few minutes, likely debating whether to tell the truth or align with someone. From what I had observed since meeting them, if he were to side with anyon
Chapter Sixty-sixMaelisIf I were told to write a test on how I feel, I would fail miserably because I just couldn’t put my feelings into words, no matter how hard I tried.I wanted to hate Ulric, to resent him for what he did to me, but I just couldn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, even after everything he had done. Why? Why can’t I hate him? I couldn’t have the good things go my way, and even the bad ones seemed to be working against me.He hurt me, he betrayed me, he broke the trust I had in him—what more could I do but hate him? But my heart was working against me. I found myself being drawn to him even when I wanted to pull away.I watched as he dragged his legs out of the room, and a low gasp escaped my lips. I was completely confused, unsure of what I wanted or what to do. I knew I would have to make a decision sooner or later, but how could I do that when I didn’t even know what I wanted? When I was still so confused? He did all of that to me, he hurt me more than I coul
Chapter Sixty-fiveUlric Kael told me to leave, and she didn’t say anything to stop him. She let him embarrass me like that, and she even added to it.All I was trying to do was make up for my mistake, to show her that I care about her, and I didn’t mean any of the things I said. Why can’t she see that? Why can’t she see my sincerity? I’ve tried to show her how much I’m willing to do to make things right, but she doesn’t even notice.Will she ever give me the chance to show her how much she means to me? Will she ever let me back into her life? I know I messed up, and I’m willing to right my wrongs, but she isn’t giving me a chance, and it’s driving me crazy. I’ve never been this restless about anything; I’m losing my mind.Even though they told me to leave, I couldn’t bring myself to go without knowing what they were going to do. I couldn’t just trust Kael with her like that. Kael isn’t just dangerous—he’s deceptive. He’ll deceive her and leave her with nothing.What deal was she tal
Chapter Sixty-fourMaelisI was helpless and hopeless. This was the exact thing I had been trying to avoid. I thought this little secret of mine would remain hidden after Ulric made Lucia promise she wouldn’t tell anyone about seeing me in the castle, but I was wrong, totally wrong. Nothing goes as I want them to do, I had forgotten that.I dragged my legs away, unsure of where exactly I was heading to. Going to the class would only set me up for more drags and taunts from the other students, and I couldn’t take it. The worst part would be Ulric standing up for me, and acting like the hero in my pathetic story when he was also one of my tormentors.How could I have been so stupid? How could I have been so vulnerable and soft to give him the chance to get to me so easily. All of these could have been avoided if I hadn’t been attracted to him and given him the chance to have his way with me.He used me! He fucking used me!The thought of that made his words ring in my head again, and I
Chapter Sixty-threeKaelHow could she? No one has ever talked back to me like that, no one dares to look me in the eyes and speak to me in such a manner. The most annoying part is she’s nothing but a mere slave, my personal slave, and she had the audacity to challenge me? The nerve of her!No one dares to do that!I was the prince, the future alpha king of this great pack, and I wouldn’t tolerate any form of disrespect, especially not from someone as insignificant as her. Even the pack ministers and council doesn’t dare to look me in the eyes to talk back at me! How dare her!The way she looked at me, so bold, so defiant—it made my blood boil, my skin thicken with fury. I wanted to tear that defiance out of her, to break her completely, to show her just how insignificant she truly was. Yes, I knew I made a mistake, I mistook her for someone else, and almost forced myself on her, but no one is above mistakes, or is she? She acted like she has never made any mistake in her life, I m
Chapter Sixty-twoUlricMy heart sank as I watched her leave in tears. I wished there was something else I could do other than just watching her walk away in pain. I wished I wasn’t that helpless and could help her out of this situation she was in.Now, the entire school has gotten to know that she worked as a maid in the castle which will only make her stay in the school here tougher than it was before.Even if I wanted to help her, she wouldn’t take my help, believing that I was the same as everyone else here. She said that to me.I wished I could turn back the hands of the clock and addressed the issue I had in some other way, other than just letting her off just like that. I could have handled Ella in another way, I could have tell her off by doing something else, but I jumped too quick into conclusion, and let her go. I said things I wasn’t supposed to say to her, I made her feel unwanted when I in fact wanted her to be with me every single minutes that passed.I made her feel li
Chapter Sixty-oneUlricI wished there was something I could do to avoid the impending chaos, I wished I could help her out of this situation, but I was helpless, just standing here and watching her.The moment she walked into the hallway, everyone turned to her, staring at her as though there was something on her body that they wanted to remove with their eyes.She looked worried and confused, I was sure she was trying to figure out why they were all staring at her like that.She had been through a lot in the last couple of hours and I didn’t want this to add more to the way she was feeling, but I wasn’t sure of how to go about it.She continued to look around, staring at each and everyone’s faces, as though she was trying to figure out why they were all gazing at her from him. When our eyes met, she glared at me for minutes before withdrawing her gaze and turning away.My heart sank, I never though it would be so soon. I knew we might never get to be together at the end of everythin
Chapter SixtyUlricI wished I could take back every single word I said to her, I wished I could take it back. I wished I hadn’t said that to her, but what could I have done? How else could I have made mother happy?I was still in my room that morning with her on my chest as I swirl in the aftermath of our lovemaking, and I wanted more time with her. I wanted us to relive all those moments again, I had no single regret because they were the best moments of my life. Until mother’s head court-lady walked in and met us in that compromising state.Apparently, she had been knocking for minutes, and I was way too lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear her knock. All I was just doing was staring at Lis’s beautiful face and her sexy body, wishing I could have myself inside of her again, and imagining how great a morning sex would feel, until she barged in.Lis who was way too drunk and lost in her sleep couldn’t hear any of that. I tried hard to force Ella not to tell mother. She was one of m
Chapter Fifty-nineMaelis A deal? I was unsure of what he was talking about, or what deal he could have in mind.“What do you say? Are you in?” He asked.I just stared at him for minutes, wondering if he was up to t another mischief or was really serious this time. But I still couldn’t see that remorse in his eyes, he doesn’t seem like he feels wrong for doing that to me, so I couldn’t really believe the words he said.“I’m waiting, you are wasting my time.” He grumbled, peering at me as though there was something on my face. “Are you in?”I shook my head. “Not until I know what the deal is.” How does he expect me to accept to a deal without knowing what it was?Even though I was a maid, it didn’t mean I was dumb and didn’t know my right. How could I give in to a deal without him telling me what the deal is about first.“Well, it’s a smile deal.” He began and moved closer to me.I raised my hand, gesturing that he steps back because even being too close to him now makes me feel unco
Chapter Fifty-eightMaelisThe kind of relief I felt was immeasurable, I had never felt so much relief since I got into this palace. It was as though everything had been put into a pause just so I could have a breathing space and catch my breath from the constant troubles and pain that I had been going through.Thinking about pain, I felt that sharp pain shooting through my parts and up to my chest to cause a sudden tremble escaping my body. I just laid there on the bed, staring at the ceiling as different though raced through my banging head.I couldn’t remember much of everything that happened last night, but I had a faint memory of some things, and I began to put the scattered pieces of the things I remembered together.I remembered following prince Kael to his room and how he boasted after making me his person slave, and then sending me to get a package for him, I remember all of that very well, I knew all that happened.Then, going back to his room and finding him sniffing a whit