★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
★ELAINE★†The Next morning†With my heart in my hands, I trudged to the dining table. I couldn't go for lunch and dinner yesterday because of my burning anger towards Lilian. I felt like if I went, I would engage in a big fight with her and then I might be blamed for murder because I won't hesitate to put an end to her miserable life. Nonetheless, Alpha Damon's sister Gina spoke with me last night. She advised me on so much and I was willing to take her word for it. Alas, why I decided to go for breakfast. As soon as I walked through the entrance of the dining room, several scornful glares were tossed my way by the female contestants. They seemed to be judging me like I'm a villain who shouldn't be among them. “Don't pay attention to them, Elaine,” I said to myself and tried to think of any past event that could make me smile. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself as I sauntered towards the large table and then took a seat. The female seated at my left immediately shifted her cha
★THROWBACK TO THE NIGHT TARA DEPARTED FROM ELAINE ★Smiling sheepishly as she made her way to the other side of the woods, Tara felt proud to have gifted Elaine that squirrel. She hoped to keep making Elaine smile and wished Elaine was her Luna instead of Joanna. To be truthful, Tara doesn't know why she liked Lady Elaine, but she knew she adored the young lady so much. There was something about her that was just so likable. So accommodating and so charming. But then a rustle among the bushes made her discard her thoughts as she tried to capture whatever animal made that noise. Crouching her posture, she moved quickly in that direction then steady her spear, ready to strike the animal. And just when she parted the bushes and was about to strike, she met Joanna there instead. Joanna jumped, startled. “How dare you aim a spear at me?” Joanna bellowed after regaining her wits. “I am sorry. I didn't mean to... I thought it was a—” Tara made to apologize but Joanna shut her up with h
★ALPHA DAMON★Furious, aggravated, provoked... What could be the proper word to describe the rage coursing through my veins? I could not believe the culprit has been right there all along, while the female competitors blamed Elaine. Especially Lilian. Pointing fingers at Elaine without having concrete evidence of the incident was absurd.“Summon the Alpha queen, the jury, and the rest of the female competitors here this instant. Tell them, the Lycan king, Alpha Damon has called for them.” I commanded with my eyes feasted upon the culprit then at Elaine. “Yes, my lord.” the Guard stooped before scurrying off to do my bidding. Still, my attention remained on Elaine. At this moment, I wanted to engulf her in a deep warm embrace because I knew the amount of emotions surging through her veins. On the other hand, I felt like snapping the other lady's neck like a twig. How dare she?! How could she murder someone in cold blood and remain mute about it? What did she feel when the rest ca