Chapter 5

I wasn’t looking forward to school today. The plan was to avoid everyone, including Jimmy. Seeing Jimmy meant I’d be creating attention to myself and that was the last thing I wanted to do as I stared at myself in the mirror.

The ashes of the wilted particles from the sky during the midnight was still very much obvious. It was going to be getting cold soon. Here, in the woods, we had no specific weather. We just went along with whatever the moon goddess was going to be throwing at us. I guess we are casually walking into winter. I shivered. I hated that season the most. Dad was always coming home tired from cold duties at night. I sighed.

Looking around me, I could tell that there was a difference in the air in the morning. My body and mind had gotten to used to the repetition of everyday, still, without life and breathless. This morning was different. All air around me felt alive. Even I felt alive. I closed my eyes. Adam’s gave blinked in front of mine and I shut my eyes open immediately. Ever since he arrived, nothing had remained the same. Not even the stares I got more than often since the incindent at the classroom. Prince Adam was turning my life to shambles and I had to do something about it befire it was too late.

To match the quest for the day, I laid myself in black pants, a white T shirt and and overaw hoodie, it was going to do a good job in hiding my form very well. At times like this, I only wished I wasn’t 5’11 and I will be so small and not noticeable. I packed my jet midnight black hair in a bun, applied a lip chap and covered my head with the hoodie. It was time to skram.

“Hi, daddy.” I was giddy as I walked into the living room, sighting my juice drinking dad. He smiled at me and I knew I wasn’t escaping the questioning tonight.

“Hey, little one. How was your night?” I could tell he ha don’t had any wink of sleep. His voice was errly raspy. Sometimes I worried he worked to hard if he wasn’t a werewolf and was strong enough to re energize himself.

“It was okay. I wouldn’t ask that cause I can bet you haven’t had a wink of sleep.” I sounded irritated now. Sometimes, I was sure Alpha Elijah purposely used my dad because he believed he had no mate to care about at the late hours of the night.

“At least I get to sleep during the day.” Dad stood up and walked up front to me. With passion in his eyes, he adjusted the opposed flair of hair that had come up to my face. “And I also get to see your beautiful face before closing my eyes.” He ruffled my hair and I groaned.

“Do you always have to do that? You must have been a playboy while young.” I wrinkled my nose and he laughed.

“Believe me, all the girls wanted me. I was a hot stuff. But like I said, I only had eyes for one.” He winked and I laughed.

“So tell me about these rumors of my daughter I have been hearing, the prince?” Dad raised a brow up and I wrinkled my nose again.

“There’s not much to say. But I think you should know that erm, I think that I am the Prince’s mate. No big deal or anything.” I picked up a red apple and cut my teeth through it. Sweet.

“What? You are Oh great Prince Adam’s mate?” Dad’s voice was in amazement.

“What is Oh great? Dad, you should stop that. You are not Shakespeare. Even he didn’t use Oh great.” I rolled my eyes and enjoyed the sweet juice that sank deep in my tongue.

“He did use Shall I compare thee to a summers day” Dad rolled his eyes back.

“That’s besides the point.”

“I know but why didn’t you tell me earlier? If I hadn’t heard a rumor I wouldn’t have known anything about it. I am supposed to be your father.” Now, Dad sounded genuinely hurt. His voice had lost the amazement and was now laced with a tone of sadness.

“No, it’s not like that, Dad. I- I never expected to just be a Prince’s mate overnight. Remember the plan I had, Dad? Go to the human world, and stop feeling secluded. I don’t want to live as a royalty. I don’t know if you’ll understand. Telling you about the mate thing would have been that I was thinking of dwelling on it. I have no plans on doing that.” I was closer to him now, staring at his face.

His eyes settled with understanding, and then with love. “I know that, little one. And I will respect your choice however you’d like it. Remember, you are a star and it’s only that gets to make yourself happy.”

I couldn’t help the swell of emotion that suddenly settled on my chest. I loved him so much.

“Come here.” I said and dad laughed. He pulled me to his arms and hugged me affectionately.

“You are my little star. And you’ll always shine.”

I smiled, wriggling closer to him.

“Don’t forget to do the dishes when you get back.” Dad whispered and I fake cried and groaned.

We both separated and I glared at him as I finished my apple, “you never let me enjoy the moment while it lasts.”

“There’s no time for the lazy one.” Dad winked at me.

“Bye, I don’t love you.” I picked up my backpack.

“I hate you with all my heart too.” Dad yelled after me and I kicked the wall in annoyance. Such slimy old man. Always having his way every single time. It wasn’t like I was lazy. I just enjoyed to do my things at my own convenience, which is always almost never. But my point is understood, right?

So far, Operation avoid everyone was working quite smooth and alright. I had managed to stay locked up in the bathroom and avoided attending the usual Monday announcement at the common hall. I also made sure to avoid going for the announcements. Everything was going fine and well.

The black cloth seemed to match with my mood and my undercover operation. My luck began to blur when I rain into Martin during the switch from a lecture hall to the other hall. He was a combination of blond and white. Martin raised a brow up and stared at me in amusement. I faked a smile, and turned the opposite way, the determined to stab class at most when my eyes landed on Remy from the other side. I glanced up to look around my surroundings when I suddenly realized everyone had rushed to class and the halls was not filled with only me and the lycans.

They must be looking for Adam, I concluded and made to go sideways, probably to rot and die in the bathroom when Ella came out from the door, casually lounging and learning close to the door handle. I knew I was done for. I was surrounded by the Lycans and I knew I had no choice.

“You guys look amazing, see you all later.” I waved and smiled and turned the left way, my only way out when Edward suddenly appeared from nowhere. Now I was stuck. I turned to the closest around me, almost glaring at Martin if I wasn’t so scared he’d rip me into two with a single mistake.

“Is there something going on?” I asked, patiently waiting for them to answer. But none replied. They were all just staring at me like I was a piece of art or masterpiece they needed to draw in thirty minutes. I remained silent for a minute more befire I finally spoke up.

“Are we going to move on, or you all are going to keep staring at me like a prize that I am?” I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, I like her.” Remy exclaimed and moved closer to me. I became confused. Then the rest of the Lycan group all came closer and smiled at me.

“We are so sorry for the mysterious entry. We just always do that to have some fun.” Martin spoke up, his hands easily resting on Remys shoulder. One could tell they were very much obsessed with each other.

“Well, I would love to introduce everyone.” Ella suddenly spoke up.

“There’s me, Ella. Here’s my mate, Edward.” Edward finally glanced at me at the mention of his name. He nodded at me and I quickly managed a fake smile. I was still very much confused.

“Well, here’s Remy and Martin. You should know them both. I guess. They are cousins and best friend to our very own Prince, Adam.” They all exchanged pleasantries with me and I managed to deliver my fake smile well.

“I just wanted to say, I appreciate you giving Adam a hard time. You’ve won my heart.” Remy looked genuinely serious and I let out an awkward laughter. She really thought I was giving him a hard time. Clearing my throat, I quickly plotted out a way to escape.

“Nice meeting every one of you but I’ve seriously got class in few minutes which I already am late for. You are all beautiful by the way.” That last stamens wasn’t meant to be said at all. I went red.

“Trust me, we hear that a lot.” Ella winked and Remy giggled. “We’ll see you later Princess.” Martin finally concluded and they all vanished like they were never there.