Denying her so fast.

It's been two days since Arielle left her mansion. She had woken up a few days ago lying on Zeke's bed, and had returned to her place immediately. She wouldn't want anyone to walk in and see her on the king's bed while the King himself isn't around. 

Astrid was always with him. The woman escorted everywhere she went around the mansion, and Arielle was slowly getting used to it since she couldn't convince the woman not to follow her. They hardly spoke to each other, and Arielle spend most of her time in the garden, reading the books she found lying around. 

It was extremely boring. She was thinking of taking another walk outside one of these days, hoping she would maybe see Zeke around like last time. Arielle was also having trouble trying to remember what happened while she was with him the last time.

She did recall the story and the kiss, but she couldn't remember exactly what made her fall unconscious. She hoped he didn't worry about it too much. Arielle has been alone most of her life and it hasn't even been up to a week she met Zeke and she found herself wishing she could see him again. She was already attached. Her wolf yearned to see him too, and it was too much for her to hold back. 

She stood up from the swing in the garden and walked inside, dropping the book where she took it from. 

"I want to take another walk," Arielle said to Astrid. The woman nodded gingerly, also glad that she would get to leave the mansion. But there was something bothering Astrid about Elle's relationship with the King. A few people had witnessed Zeke kiss her the other day, and there were now rumors spreading around the palace about it. So far from what Astrid has heard about the King, he doesn't seem too interested in the princesses around him. 

They stepped out and moved around a little. Arielle recognized the buildings Astrid had shown her the last time they did this and she easily located the small hut they had sighted the King, but disappointment coated her face when she didn't see him there. Instead, an elegant woman that looked like a Princess sat there alone, staring ahead like she was deep in thought. 

Arielle was just about to walk away when someone snapped their fingers like they were giving a command. Her attention wasn't even there till Astrid stepped in front of her, "My lady, Princess Olivia wants to see you," she motioned at the woman inside the hut alone. 

Arielle blinked,"Me?"

Astrid nodded, "Yes. She's from the Moon Royal family, the Moon pack from the east."

"Why would someone so important want to see me?" Arielle asked out loud, confused. When Astrid didn't reply, Arielle just felt like walking away. She didn't come out so some Princess could order her to come around but Arielle considered Zeke. Surely people around knew her as his guest, and her actions would also reflect upon him. 

Rolling her eyes, she made her way to the Princess. Stepping into the hut, it looked bigger on the inside. It was cozy, and definitely the perfect place to have tea. Olivia had long blonde hair, and her silver eyes made her even more attractive.

Olivia turned to the woman that had just walked in, and took in her appearance once again. Arielle was dressed nothing compared to Olivia. It was obvious who had more power between them. The Princess kept staring as if she was expecting something from Arielle, and it took a few seconds before it dawned on Arielle. 

She almost scoffed, annoyed at what she was supposed to do. 

"Greetings, your highness." She said to Olivia. Arielle didn't feel like bowing to her. 

"Have a seat." Olivia motioned at the chair next to her. Once again, Arielle took some time contemplating with her eyes moving between the woman and the chair before she took the sit, "I've been seeing you around. Who are you?" Olivia asked politely. 

Arielle had gone through many things in her life. Those experiences taught her not to trust people. She's met those who could fake an act, and would have you falling for their trap. As such, she's able to differentiate who was on her side and those that were bad for her. 

Right now, even though the Princess was trying to be nice with her words and actions, Elle could tell there was an alternate motive for all this. 

"A guest of the King," Arielle replied bluntly. 

"Arielle, isn't it?" She wasn't asking, "Where did you come from? I heard you came here together with the King."

"We've known each other for a short while. He invited me over, " 

Olivia noticed how Arielle didn't answer the question. The energy between both of them wasn't a good one as they were both trying to figure out the other. But while Olivia was trying to hide behind her smiles and little tricks, Arielle was true to herself and kept a stoic face on. 

"What Pack did you come from?" She enquired. 

"Is there a specific reason you called me here?" Arielle retorted, her eyes harder. She didn't like beating around the bush, "Your highness, it's better to go straight to the point," She pronounced. 

Olivia and Arielle locked gazes. The Soft smile that had been on Olivia's face disappeared, and she tipped her chin like she was suddenly looking down on Arielle. Arielle couldn't care less how the Princess saw her as. 

"You seem close to King. I need a favor from you. If you can help me, you would be rewarded abundantly," She stated. 

"No," Arielle immediately declined. She didn't want anything to do with anyone apart from Zeke. She wasn't asking or accepting any favors from anyone because she didn't want to get involved in their affairs. 

Olivia was taken aback at how fast Arielle had refused her. She didn't even hesitate a second, or even think about it. 

"You can't be serious. Gaining favors from someone like me is a dream come true for others," Olivia's eyes twitched as fury began running through her. It annoyed her more that Arielle had said no even before she knew what the favor is, "You really should consider it. The Moon Pack is a strong and versatile family. Our connections are globally wellforged. I'm sure everyone has some wish of some sort, we could help out each other," She pushed, hoping Arielle would begin to give in. 

"I have myself. I'm enough for me." Those words from Arielle had Olivia's hand turning into fists. She was trying not to show her emotions on her face, and all this while she noticed Arielle was still very calm and collected. 

People usually fell at Olivia's feet. She was of Royal blood from a strong family, and her wolf was very strong too. She had a powerful aura, and was always the centre of the crowd. She had men from other royal families asking for her hand in marriage. She literally had everything a she-wolf could ever wish for. It was the first time anyone was denying her of something so fast. 

"Will you always be enough for yourself?" 

Arielle tilted her head to the side, "I've always been, and I will always be," She responded so smoothly that anyone listening would have believed her, but it only added to Olivia's anger. 

"As many others, I am very interested in the King," Olivia announced, gauging Arielle's reaction, "In short, I would like to become his wife and Queenof Euscarria. I was actually hoping you would be able to talk to him for me, but you aren't interested. If that's the case, just make sure you don't get in my way," She tipped her chin even higher, making her statement. 

Arielle shook her head softly and looked to her right where the trees gently danced to the wind, "I don't remember holding you off from your path to doing whatever you want. You want the King? Go after him. I have nothing else to say," Arielle then stood up from her chair and turned to leave, "I wish you Good luck," Arielle added, glancing back at the woman. 

Just as she was about to take a step, Olivia said behind her, "Don't say I didn't warn you." 

"I didn't know I was amongst the competitors for the king's heart. How fascinating," 

And with that, Arielle walked out of the hut and Astrid strode closely behind her. As soon as everyone was out of sight, Olivia's eyes hardened and shone Golden yellow. She was mad and her body was twitching badly. She hated how useless she felt in front of Arielle, and how Arielle hadn't been fazed one bit. 

She was sure Arielle was the same woman she heard Ezekiel having dinner with the other night whom was also the same person he had kissed and hug that same afternoon. She was deeply annoyed that she was already losing before she even did anything. 

As she sat there losing her mind, Olivia's maid arrived. 

Seeing her Princess in distress, she quickly went over and worried asked, "What bothers you my princess? I was only gone for a few minutes. What happened?!" Bianca placed a hand on Olivia's shoulder. 

Olivia's eyes were still boiling from anger. She had grown up with Bianca and known her for more than half of her life. Bianca has always been loyal to Olivia and assisted her in so many obstacles the Princess had faced, and so Olivia told her about her encounter with Arielle and what happened between them.

Bianca was surprised there was a woman out there who could press Olivia's buttons without even trying. Being one of the closest to the Princess, She knew just how much Olivia was trying her best to get close to the King. It was the first time Olivia was having feelings for a man, and bianca was proud to see whom Olivia's heart had chosen... But obstacles were already in their path. 

"Did she tell you how she met the king, or how intimate their relationship is?" Bianca asked, trying to fully understand the situation. Their first step would be to have the upper hand. 

"No! But weren't you here when he kissed her the other day? You saw, didn't you? It's clear they're more than just ' King ' and ' Guest '. Even after you asked around and found out the King was less busy the other night and I came over to see him, I'm sure I heard him having dinner with her. Because of that, he refused to see me!" Olivia wanted to punch the wall so bad, but the property wasn't hers. If anything, she wanted to Punch Arielle herself. 

"If she's not of royal blood, it would be easier to dispose of her,"

"And the King?" Olivia asked Bianca. 

"Well, he doesn't have to know. First, we need to find out something about Arielle that she would want no one to know. That means we have to do a thorough background check on her and see where she came from." That was one of the reasons Olivia loved her maid. Bianca was very smart and fast. The decisions and suggestions she had given in the past had proven fruitful. It made Olivia trust her, knowing she had someone like bianca beside her. 

"Good. I guess it's time I gave Hermes another call," Olivia's eyes had a wicked gleam. With Hermes's expertise and help, she could already see herself knowing one of Arielle's deepest and darkest secret. Then, she would put the redhead in her place.