★ELAINE★†TWO DAYS LATER†“You are all set, my lady. But first, do your fingers still feel sore?” Amy asked me while I shook my head in response. For two days straight, I refused to talk to anyone. The Alpha queen gave me punishment to embroidery large fabrics, so they could use them as curtains for the throne rooms and all my fingers felt weird and numb. The others made jest of me, most especially my stepsister but I didn't pay any attention to them. I did what I wanted to at that moment and I got punished for it. Nonetheless, that won't ever stop me from speaking my mind. I would no longer bottle in my emotions when they are raging through me. Although I carried out the punishment task all by myself, Amy helped me massage my fingers last night with warm water and ointment and I woke up this morning, feeling a little bit relieved and ready for today's competition. Walking out of my dorm, I head for the pack ground where everyone was already gathered. The people of Azria Kingdom ch
★ELAINE★After Alpha Damon left, I solemnly perched on the edge of the lake, watching the ripples on the surface and the crashing tides. My mind wandered to what life would be like for me after the competition. Would I have to continue keeping my relationship with Beta Adrian a secret? Should we hide the fact that we are mates from everyone? What would happen if they eventually discover the truth? A part of me also wondered if things would have turned out differently if Tania was still alive. Damn, I miss her so much. By now, she would be talking my ears off about how much winning this competition would mean. And that's why I wanted to do my best. Sometimes I wished there was something I could have pulled to save Tania from dying. Perhaps, an ointment, herbs, acupuncture...just anything. It's been months. Yet, it felt like yesterday when she was cheering me on during my archery practice with Beta Adrian. Why is life so unfair? No! Why is death so cruel? Picking up a stick, I bega
★ELAINE★My mouth fell to the floor in shock. What? Alpha Damon's sister? But... but, I thought...“You seem surprised. Damon never mentioned me?" She asked with an arched brow. I swallowed the hard lump forming in my throat. “Alpha Damon and I seldom speak. When we do, it's nothing of personal interest. I was shocked because I heard his family died under certain circumstances.” “Yeah, Uncle Flynn was a total douchebag." She said and I quickly covered her mouth to muffle her next statement. She cast me a questioning look. “You don't curse in front of the young ones," I whispered and she roared with laughter, startling the little baby in her arms. “I am sorry. I am sorry.” Gina apologized quickly. “At least, if my child has to resemble someone, it should be me." “But it shouldn't be with the cussing attributes." I countered and she succumbed. “Yeah, you are right." the smile on her face vanished into thin air, only to be soon replaced with a scowl as she spoke. “Uncle Flynn was m
★ELAINE★“I have been searching around for you, my lady. Where have you been?" Amy asked me. “Out. Clearing my head." I replied as I made my way into the dorm. “Please, Lady Elaine. If anything is bothering your mind, do not hesitate to discuss it with me.” I turned and offered her a small smile. “Yes, thank you.” Amy stared at me cautiously as if she was skimming through me then she picked up the folded linen on the bed. “You did very well today. Other servants were jealous that my lady came in second.” I arched a brow. “Oh, is that so?" “Yes.” she breathed. “Anyways, I will keep rooting for you to win the competition. I cannot wait for you to clinch that title and take it back to the Lycanfrost pack.” I cannot wait for that too, I thought to myself before crashing onto the bed with a loud thud. To say I was exhausted was the least. Unknowingly to everyone, I was up throughout last night practicing my grip and precision, so it was understandable for my body to feel weary. “Th
★ELAINE★†SEVERAL HOURS LATER†Darkness befell us like a large blanket. Crickets chirped through the night, frogs croaked... nonetheless, the atmosphere was balmy. “I hope you have your tools?" The Alpha queen inquired. “Yes, Alpha queen!” came our chorused response. “Good. So the reason why I said the next stage will be conveyed after dinner is that — it has to be done tonight. This second stage is all about hunting. You will be directed into the woods – where you have to hunt down any size animal that could make a course meal.” she raised a finger. “Note, the number of kills brought in determines each respective point that would be awarded to you all.” “Hunting." A voice said amongst us and the Alpha queen affirmed immediately. “Yes. Hunting. This is implemented because as Noble females, your life doesn't encompass only the glamour that comes with the title. Sometimes, you have to know how to help your people in terms of dire need. Maybe a war struck, and you are stranded in the
★ELAINE★“Ezekiel, Philippe.” The Alpha queen summoned two of her warriors and they stepped forward immediately. “Go into the woods and fetch me, Joanna. What's the color of her hair again?"“Auburn,” Tara answered. “You hear that. So I'm giving you ten minutes to comb through the woods and come back with her.” “Yes, Your ladyship!” They stooped before strutting off to carry out her order. I wonder what Joanna was still doing in the woods up till this moment. I understand she's thirsty for victory. However, it'd be right to play by the rules. Anyways, Joanna has always been that way, rebellious and a nuisance. “I don't think there is any reason why we should keep them waiting. Since it's just one person missing, we can record the score points, considering their number of kills. When the missing person returns, we will know how to shuffle it up.” Alpha Damon suggested. “He is right!" The jury chorused. “Besides, the ladies need to wash up.” Alpha Shinara pointed at me. “That on
★ELAINE★“What the hell, Lilian!” I roared in disbelief. I understand she doesn't like me. Regardless, she can't accuse me of something I didn't do. I would never think of murdering Joanna just to end her malicious acts toward me. Never! Lilian folded her arms neatly beneath her breast. “Don't you start lying, Elaine. I know what you're capable of, looking at what you did to me on our first day of arrival to this kingdom!” “That was because you and your mother provoked me first!” I interjected angrily. She snapped her fingers. “Exactly my point. Just because we did something of little reasoning. Because our approach happens to get on your nerves, you went ahead to give me torn lips, and swollen eyes. Should I mention the bruises all over my face then? So it can be compared to what you did to Joanna, considering the way she has been wanting to kick you out of the competition and pestering you for days.” Lilian pressed further. And incoherent murmurs emanated from the rest of the
★ELAINE★“I want to go and confront Lilian. She has no right to accuse me of Joanna's death.” More tears cascaded down my cheeks as I pulled out of Alpha Damon's embrace and made to walk away, but he held me back. “There is no need, Elaine. Confronting her would only make others believe you are this paranoid. As long as you didn't do it, act unbothered until everything is sorted out.” I scoffed. “Paranoid? After being outrightly accused of murdering someone in cold blood, do you think I should just let this slide?” I demanded. Already feeling offended that he could say such a thing to me. Alpha Damon shook his head. “You are not letting this slide, Elaine. Trust me on this. I want to remind you that you are here as a guest and I want you to stay still until I sort things out.” He said this time. “But I can't just sit around and remain silent as none of this happened. What if they keep trying to sabotage me and in the end, they make me look like the culprit?" I asked him, snifflin