3. ROSELINE— "I was going to do everything to keep Xavier for myself"

I gritted my teeth in anger as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

The princess had struck again. Wasn't it enough that her parents were the ones to inherit the throne? Wasn't it enough that she got to live the luxury that I was supposed to live? Now she had gotten herself another luxury. She was to marry the Prince of the North!

I violently pushed every beauty products and jewelry that were on my table with my right hand and they all went crashing into the ground. My anger did not subside. It only intensified. My body vibrated with every intake of breath. My eyes had switched from blue to orange. 

I felt a strong emotion burning in my throat and it took every ounce of power from me to stop myself from waltzing into Ariel's room and bashing her to death myself!

"What a crybaby she is! She would have ended up with her useless and lowlife warrior boyfriend. He is a peasant for all I care and I was happy about that. At least, she did not get to have a perfect lover but no! Everything had to change at the eleventh hour! Her dumb father had to go pull something like this! The bastard!" I exclaimed.

Was it a crime to want so badly what was rightfully mine? Was it a crime to crave it and want to fight for it?

My father was supposed to be the Alpha of the Sun Pack. He was supposed to be the King of the South because it was his right by birth. He was the first son. But Ariel's nosy father had to come and cause my father's death, therefore stealing the throne from him!

Now I was just a nobody. No one cared about me. I was sure I did not even exist to them. I was sure they only tolerated me and waited patiently for the right time to dispose of me.

I continued to boil with anger and I fought to control my breathing. My wolf became unsteady but I put it back at bay. Now was not the time to rebel against anyone. I could have my revenge slowly and eventually, I would have my throne back.

There was a knock on my door. "Come in," I called out.

A maid walked in and bowed her head. "The Prince of the North has entered our kingdom. He would be here shortly," she announced.

I nodded my head at her information and dismissed her. It was time to see the prince. She scurried out of the room and I found my way to my wardrobe. There were so many clothes. I searched through until I found an orange dress that dramatically flowed to the ground. I also chose orange as a symbol of our kingdom; the Sun Pack.

I brushed my hair again and practiced a gracious and warm smile. This smile always fooled everyone. When it was all done, I walked out of the room and headed to the front of the great castle. 

I was now standing outside the building under the cover of the moon and the stars. Candles and burning torches lighted up the path to the gate and illumination was not a problem. I carried a tray filled with white lilies. It was our tradition to welcome someone important with white lilies.

There was a great Moon goddess statue in the center of our grand compound and without being told, everyone knew they had to pay homage to the statue before proceeding. It was a beautiful masterpiece.

It was not long before dark cars started to pull up into the compound. Some flags were dark with a bright crescent moon on all of them. I was surprised they had cars, we did not have anyone. They were all lost to the great meltdown. All we managed to get was little electricity.

As the cars entered the compound, none of them paid attention to the statue. They all ignored it like it did not exist. Not one car stopped. This pissed me off and I knew I was going to show them a piece of Roseline.

The four cars came to a stop before us and they started exiting it. This was my cue to scold whoever the prince was for disrespecting tradition.

I began to descend the staircases that were directly before the castle to get to the men. I successfully descended it and was just heading to the men; when a white horse appeared in my face and neighed right before me. I yelped, tripped, and began to fall.

If there was one thing I hated; it was horses and the feeling was mutual. We both hated each other and this enmity was not going to end until we both died.

As I began to fall, the tray of flowers in my hands scattered around the place and started to rain down on me. Everything happened so fast yet so slow. I saw my end finally coming for me as my world began to twist upside down.

Suddenly, warm hands wrapped themselves around my waist and secured me so that I stopped halfway. I was no longer falling, he had saved me. He raised me to a standing level and that was when I saw his face.

The flowers still raining down on us only helped my heart flutter even more. His skin was as golden as olive. I could not know if it was just me but his eyes seemed to glow a golden color under the light of the burning torches. His lips were full like that of a woman's and I wondered what it would feel like to kiss and suck those lips. His eyebrows were dark and thick. His curly brown hair sat perfectly on his beautiful face. He was the exact description of a prince charming.

Time seemed to stop as we gazed into each other's eyes. I felt my body burning up and his hands that were still wrapped around my waist getting warmer and warmer. His golden gaze burned into mine and I could not bring myself to break away from him. I could swear that my heart fluttered and dragons came to life within my stomach. I was lost in a fairytale world and this strange man was the reason for it.

"Are you okay?" he spoke for the first time breaking the silence. His voice reminded me of the cooling sensation of ice cream on a very hot day. I wanted to taste him and know if the cooling sensation was everlasting.

"I— I'm okay," I breathed. I realized that my voice was gone and I found it hard to breathe.

"I'm sorry about my horse. I should have dismounted it before getting to you," he apologized.

"I— it's okay. I'm fine," I stuttered.

He let out a sigh of relief. "I'm Xavier. Xavier Russel, Prince of the North and heir to the throne," he introduced himself.

I widened my eyes at him. Then I looked down at his dress. He was wearing just a dark pair of pants and a leather jacket. His clothes and personality did not disclose he was the prince but his face said it all. I wondered why he had not come in the car like the rest. After all, he was the one we had been waiting for.

I immediately courtesied at him. "Forgive my manners, I should have recognized you immediately. I'm so sorry," I apologized breathlessly. My voice was slowly coming back to me.

"I'm fine. I don't like all this seriousness and formalities," Xavier brushed away.

I looked back up at him while my heart kept racing. "I'm—," he cut me off before I spoke.

"Ariel. Ariel Klaus, it's so obvious. . ." he began and paused as he gazed into my eyes. I waited for him to speak because I knew he wanted to add something. "It's a sweet name for a beholder of beauty like you. For a moment, I thought I had run into a celestial being," he spoke and smiled.

I wanted to tell him that he was mistaken but the way his smile warmed my heart caused me to keep it a secret. I wanted to touch his face and do things to him. The butterflies in my stomach began to flutter around like crazy and I did not know if Xavier was being sincere or not. I could only smile like an idiot.

I exhaled sharply. "Please, follow me inside. We have prepared a feast for you. I hope you enjoy yourself," I told him.

He smiled again. "I think just having you here is more than enough for me to enjoy myself," he breathed and this one came out very low; only for me to hear. 

I could not help it. I blushed. Who would have thought the Prince of the North would turn out this cheesy and sweet?

I led him into the building and his men followed. "This here is the grand reception area where we receive visitors but you are no ordinary visitor. I will take both you and your men to the grand dining hall where you will feast along with the Queen and King.

Xavier only smiled at me and continued to follow me quietly. I occasionally stole glances at him as we walked and I could not get enough. Why had he not shown up before? Where had he been all my life?

Most importantly, why was he promised to my dumb cousin?

After meeting Xavier today, I knew I wanted him all to myself. I could not let Ariel have it all. She did not deserve a man like him after she's been sneaking around with a mere warrior. Xavier deserved better and why not me who was the true heir to the throne?

I was going to do everything in my power to keep Xavier for myself. . .