“I reject this proposal”I boldly stated, earning a gasp from the room.
“What do you mean?”The woman asked with a confused look printed on her face.Everyone was shocked by my words,as they all paid each other glances before fixing their gazes on me.‘I couldn't care less because there was no way I was ever getting engaged to anyone. I mean, I'm just seventeen, for God's sake. I want to explore life first, go out with different boys, and have fun. Getting engaged to this mute freak sitting beside my father is out of the question’ I inwardly thought.The guy sitting beside my dad had an amused expression on his face and seemed to smirk like he was happy that I called off the engagement.Suddenly in a swift move the man flipped the table over, sending all the tasty treats flying across the room. Everyone stood up, surprised by his unexpected action"How dare she call off the engagement!" he yelled anger written all over his face,as his fangs started becoming visible which made me feel a chill down my spine."She didn't mean it, my king. She was just..." my father tried to explain, but the king silenced him by raising his hand up with now had claws on them."What's going on?!" the lycan king or, should I say, this maniac, voiced out, his rage evident in his tone."I can..." my father's voice came out trembling as he was beyond terrified of the intimidating looking king. The king grabbed my father's collar, lifting him off the ground as my father’s legs dangled in the air."I need answers!" he growled at my father, his fangs and claws now clearly visibly sharp, his eyes glowing dark red, making him look scary.I watched my father struggling to breathe as the maniac's grip on his neck tightened. I can't let this man hurt my father.I mentally thought."Hey, let go of my father!" I yelled, making the king gaze fall on top of me.I rushed towards them, I was fast enough but before I could do anything my father spoke."Ashley, stay out of this," my father managed to speak, even though he was being choked.I noticed my father started to black out before he was sent flying across the room.I couldn't just stand still; I immediately went to meet him."Get up, father," I tried helping him, but he pushed me away."This is all your fault! Why must you always do things to disappoint me every time!" My father's sudden outburst made me flinch,I could see the pain in his eyes."Father, I..." I called out to him, but he silenced me immediately, not wanting to hear my voice."Enough!" he yelled, his glowing yellow eyes now visible. I could see the storm in his eyes and how mad he was at me."Every time, you are always doing something to put my name in the mud. If it's not fighting in school or sneaking out at night, it's getting into trouble with the pack!" He uttered while standing up, his voice laced with anger and immense rage for me."Father, please hear..." My throat felt sore, and I managed to speak, but I was cut off."I wish you were never my daughter and had just died instead of your mother." My father's last words pierced into my soul.I looked for hope that he didn’t mean what he said in his eyes but saw nothing but hatred for me.I was told my mother died the day after she gave birth to me, and many people in the pack said I was bad luck. But my father didn't mind them and took care of me, even though we weren't part of the high-ranking werewolves. My dad had always made sure I was treated like a queen, and I have done nothing but bring shame to him,I scolded myself mentally as memories of how my dad took care of me replayed in my head."Your daughter is way too brave for a werewolf from a low rank," the lycan king who was watching the whole show from behind said, making my father's gaze fall to the floor."I'm so sorry," my father apologized, falling at the feet of the lycan king.I felt so bad seeing my father fall at his kneels and I couldn’t help but blame myself for this humiliation."Father, get up”I pleaded from behind but my voice came out a little bit too loud, bringing everyone's attention to me."Please forgive her for her mistakes. She doesn't know the consequences behind it," my father pleaded on my behalf, ignoring my words."Father," I called out, but he ignored me."Yes, it's obvious she doesn't know, but that's why I won't let this slide. Guards!" The lycan king had a cokd expression on his face, making my father's eyes widen for some reason."Guards!" The lycan king yelled, and immediately some guards came running towards him."Please don't do this," my father begged, while standing up.What's going on?I inwardly questioned what was happening."Seize her!" The lycan king commanded pointing towards my direction, and immediately they came towards me, holding onto my arm."What's happening? Let go of me!" I yelled, struggling to free myself from their tight grip.The guards started dragging me along with them as I tried to break free."Please don't do this, Ashley!" My father tried pleading with the king, but he was sent flying across the room by him."Father!" I yelled, seeing my father groaning in pain on the ground as they took me away tears flowing from my eyes."Ashley!" My father's loud voice brought me back to reality."Yes," I muttered completely dazed off,I saw everyone's eyes were on me which made me realize it was just an imagination.‘Oh my goodness, what kind of danger did I just experience? Is this a sign for me not to do anything stupid like I normally do?’I inwardly panicked."So, what do you say about this engagement?" The woman curiously asked,her eyes studying my every reaction as she waited for my reply.I felt conflicted. Part of me wanted to say that this whole engagement thing was complete nonsense, but after the chaos that played out in my mind, I wasn't so sure anymore. Oh God, please help me find a safe way out of this situation, and protect my father as well. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to him because of me.At this moment, I couldn't help but wish my mother was still alive. She would have known what to do and how to get me out of this mess.I don't want to keep bringing shame to my father, and the idea of marrying into a royal family and becoming the queen was tempting. I had always wanted to be in a position of power, where peasants would bow before me, and my life would finally feel great.My thoughts made me smile."I acc..." Before I could finish my words, I was abruptly interrupted by the person I had assumed was mute."Wait a minute."What could be the problem now? I wondered anxiously.All eyes in the room were fixed on the guy whom I had assumed was mute and couldn't talk."What's wrong, son?" the woman asked, gently touching his hand."Yes, what is it?" The man sitting near the woman impatiently asked, giving him a stern look."What, uncle? I just want to talk to her for a minute," he replied coldly."I'm sorry, but uncle?" My thoughts slipped out, earning me a side glare from my father, telling me to be quiet."Yes, dear," his uncle gave me a warm smile that didn't feel entirely genuine.‘Calm down, Ashley. I know your imagination might have made him look bad, but don't let it cloud your judgment about him,’ my inner voice advised."So where is the lycan king?" I curiously questioned, ignoring my father's glares."He is dead," his mother replied sadly.Before I could speak again, my father's voice interrupted me."Ashley, be quiet, okay?" My father finally spoke, shooting me a stern glance, making me realize how awkward my question sounded."You see, my son is go
Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself despite the fear coursing through my veins. His red eyes were still fixed on me, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and curiosity about this mysterious prince."Reject the engagement," he repeated, his voice firm and unyielding."Why should I?" I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly. "Why should I do what you say?"A sinister smile spread across his face, revealing his sharp fangs. "Because I am the next lycan king, and what I say goes. You don't have a choice."His words should have angered me, but a strange feeling washed over me, a sense of submission I had never experienced before. I tried to shake it off, reminding myself of my own strength and independence."No, I won't just blindly accept what you want," I said defiantly, trying to regain some semblance of control.His eyes narrowed, and his claws dug into the wooden door behind me. "You dare defy me? I could crush you with a single thought."I swallowed hard
His intense gaze was fixed on me, making me feel like I was the crazy one for not remembering him after our little argument in my room."You're soon to be king," he said, flicking my head playfully."Argh!" I groaned, rubbing my head to soothe the pain.“What are you doing?" he asked, curious about my actions.I shrugged, trying to look for my father and uncle, but they had disappeared. Great, they left!The prince continued to stare at me oddly. "What?" I frowned, feeling a bit defensive."Why were you eavesdropping?" he questioned."None of your business," I retorted."Don't forget what I said before, turn down this engagement or else," he threatened, before walking away."Or else what, you..." I trailed off, relieved that he didn't respond. I didn't have the strength to confront him.Now, what should I do?‘That jerk wants me to call off the engagement for some mysterious reason, which I can't comprehend. Many people would kill to get engaged to me, so what's his deal? I can't imag
“You're transferring!" Emily's voice burst out, her face displaying sheer astonishment.A heavy sigh escaped me as I closed my locker; I turned to face her, finding her gaze already locked onto me."Before you say anything, just hear me out," I began, attempting to assemble my thoughts coherently."Go ahead, then," Emily retorted, her arms crossed firmly, her expression resolute."I know you're mad," I started, but she cut me off before I could continue."Mad doesn't even cover it. You swore we'd graduate side by side and pick a college together…" Emily started listing off our shared promises, a gleam of nostalgia in her eyes as if she were replaying those moments.Those promises had been made when we were kids, barely teenagers; to be honest, they'd slipped my mind over time."I get it, I really do," I interjected, knowing full well she could list those promises for hours if I let her."So, why are you leaving me?" Emily murmured, her eyes turning slightly glassy, a hint of puppy-dog
The girls wore identical expressions of astonishment upon hearing Ashley's words."What did you say?" Emily, Ashley's best friend, was taken aback, her tone shaky despite her efforts to remain composed."I said I'm transferring to Elite," Ashley declared confidently, eliciting gasps from the school hallway.A sudden rush of students surrounded Ashley and the girls."Who's going to Elite?""Is it really you, Ashley?""Did you join the high-ranked wolves secretly?""Can you take me with you?"The questions came pouring in as everyone's attention shifted to Ashley, who couldn't help but smile smugly."Quiet!" Ashley finally commanded, and the hall fell silent.She began pacing, with everyone waiting eagerly for her next words, including Emily."Well, you see, I'm transferring to Elite High School," Ashley proudly announced, a beaming smile on her face."Wow!""Ashley!"A group of students erupted in cheers and chants of Ashley's name, leaving Emily feeling envious as she quietly exited t
Ashley had just about prepared to glance at her phone when a sudden commotion erupted in the cafeteria. It was as if a pack of wild wolves had just discovered their long-lost mates. “There she is!” one of the girls cried out, pointing towards the table where Ashley and Emily were peacefully enjoying their lunch. Panic washed over Ashley as she leaned in to whisper to Emily, "What’s going on?" Emily's shudder in response indicated that she was just as clueless. The group of girls encircled Ashley's table, their predatory gazes locked firmly onto her. In the tense atmosphere that followed, Ashley and Emily exchanged anxious glances. The cafeteria's other wolf students began murmuring to each other, sensing trouble. “Sarah, what’s happening?” Emily whispered to their friend, Sarah, who stood beside her. "Apparently, they heard about Ashley transferring to Elite…" Sarah began to explain before she was abruptly silenced. “Silence!” a girl from the group shouted, splitting the pack int
Ashley's POV In the whirlwind of the moment, it had completely slipped my mind that I wasn't among those privileged girls who had chauffeurs waiting to whisk them away from school. How could I have been so naive as to hop into a stranger's car without a second thought?"I'm so sorry," I stammered, directing my apology toward the stern-looking young man before me, whose age seemed to fall somewhere between 18 and 20, though I couldn't quite pinpoint it."Would you mind getting out of my car?" he demanded in a commanding tone that sent a shiver down my spine. His face remained stoic."I'm so sorry," I repeated, facing the car door. I turned the handle, ready to make a hasty exit when I noticed the curious gazes of many of my former classmates fixed on me. Instinctively, I closed the car door, reevaluating my decision."I thought I told you to…"I acted swiftly, placing my hand over his mouth to cut him off. His eyes widened in surprise, a look of shock crossing his face as he stared at
The morning unfolded with a series of sensations that danced through my senses. I awoke with a slight wave of nausea clinging to me, a reminder that my stomach was on a quest for sustenance. Simultaneously, hunger growled within, signaling the need for fuel. Today was the pivotal day that had long hovered on the horizon—a day that carried with it the promise of transformation. It marked my entrance into the renowned Elite High School, a place rumored to hold the power to redefine destinies for the better.In the quiet of my room, a familiar melody pierced the stillness. The opening strains of "Save Me" by BTS spilled from my lips as if on impulse, the lyrics capturing the unspoken emotions that swirled within me. Music had always been my sanctuary, a faithful companion that offered solace when words failed.Drawn by the song's cadence, I embarked on the familiar ritual of awakening. My bathroom beckoned, offering a haven of purification and renewal. Shedding the constraints of clothin
As the morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room, Ashley stirred from her slumber, her movements slow and languid as she stretched beneath the covers. With a soft yawn escaping her lips, she blinked her eyes open, adjusting to the gentle light that flooded the room.As her vision cleared, Ashley’s gaze fell upon Thorian, his form nestled beside her in peaceful repose. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she watched him sleep, his features softened by the morning light.But as she shifted beneath the blanket, the realization of their nakedness washed over her, sending a flush of warmth to her cheeks. Hastily pulling the covers closer to her body, she glanced down, a blush staining her cheeks as she took in the intimate scene.Gently tapping Thorian’s shoulder, she whispered his name, her voice soft and barely audible amidst the quiet of the morning.“Yes, darling,” Thorian groaned in response, his arms instinctively tightening around her as he
As Ashley and Thalia descended, Ashley’s heart pounded with adrenaline, her instincts kicking in as she maneuvered through the air with precision. With a surge of determination, she increased her speed, reaching out to catch Thalia before they hit the ground.Time seemed to slow as Ashley’s arms enveloped Thalia, her grip firm yet gentle as she cushioned their descent. The impact sent a shockwave through her body, but Ashley remained focused, her priority ensuring Thalia’s safety above all else.As the dust settled around them, revealing Ashley cradling Thalia in her arms, the onlookers gasped in awe and disbelief. Thorian, his heart racing with fear, was the first to reach them, his concern etched into his features as he approached.“Are you okay, Ashley?” he asked, his voice filled with urgency as he surveyed her for any signs of injury. Ashley managed a weak smile, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she nodded in reassurance.Fenrisa and Thalassa arrived next, their expressions a
clatter of trays and the murmur of conversation providing the backdrop to their lunchtime rendezvous. Alarina dipped a fry into a dollop of ketchup as she leaned across the table, her eyes fixed on Ashley with an eager curiosity. “So, tell me about your first night in the royal house,” she prompted, her tone filled with anticipation.Ashley, lost in thought, absentmindedly twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. Memories of the previous evening flooded her mind, causing a soft smile to tug at the corners of her lips. “It was…” she began, her voice trailing off as she searched for the right words.Alarina arched an eyebrow, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. “Oh, come on,” she teased, nudging Ashley playfully with her elbow. “Don’t leave me hanging. I want all the juicy details.”Ashley let out a soft sigh, her cheeks flushing pink at the memory. “Well, maybe it was…” she admitted, a shy smile tugging at her lips.Before she could elaborate further, their conversation was
Without hesitation, Ashley reached out a hand to Thalia, offering her support and solidarity in the face of adversity. Thalia looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and gratitude as she tentatively accepted Ashley’s gesture of kindness.With a gentle touch, Ashley helped Thalia to her feet, her expression firm yet compassionate. The surrounding students watched in silence, their earlier hostility now replaced by curiosity and uncertainty.“Are you okay?” Ashley asked softly, her concern evident as she glanced at the milkshake splattered across Thalia’s clothes. Thalia nodded, her voice barely more than a whisper as she struggled to compose herself in the aftermath of the ordeal.Turning her attention to the other students, Ashley’s gaze hardened as she addressed them with a steely resolve. “This behavior is unacceptable,” she declared, her voice carrying an air of authority that demanded attention. “Thalia is a fellow student, and she deserves to be treated with respect
The tension hung heavy in the air like a suffocating blanket, wrapping around the scene where two women, mirror images of each other, stood facing off. One woman was confined within the dilapidated confines of a cage, her clothing in tatters and her appearance worn and ragged. Despite her frailty, there was a certain fire in her eyes, a determination that belied her physical state.The other woman, standing outside the cage, exuded an air of confidence and superiority. Her features mirrored those of the woman within, but where one was downtrodden, the other was poised and composed. A smirk played at the corners of her lips, a silent acknowledgment of her advantage in this confrontation."You," rasped the elderly woman from within the cage, her voice barely more than a whisper. Despite her feeble appearance, there was a strength in her gaze as she locked eyes with her counterpart."Yes, Amanda Blackwood," the queen mother replied, her tone steady and unwavering. The name she spoke belo
On a dark night enveloping the kingdom in a shroud of mystery, Thorian's mother, the queen, took a solitary stroll, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls of the palace. The night seemed to hold its breath as she made her way towards the dungeon, the only sounds the faint rustle of her garments and the distant howl of the wind.Unbeknownst to her, she was not alone in the darkness. A figure trailed behind her, silent and watchful, causing a prickling sensation to crawl up her spine. Instinctively, she turned, her heart leaping into her throat at the sight of Ashley standing there, illuminated by the pale moonlight."Oh my goodness," the queen mother exclaimed, a gasp escaping her lips as she clutched at her chest, her pulse racing with fear.Ashley raised an eyebrow, her expression one of genuine curiosity as she approached the queen mother with cautious steps. "Apologies, mother, but did I startle you?" she inquired politely, her voice laced with concern.Rolling her ey
Ashley’s mind raced with questions as she processed her father’s revelation. “A human hybrid? What does that mean?” she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief and confusion.Her father took a deep breath, preparing to explain. “Your mother was human, but I am not. I am from a different realm, and you inherited some of my abilities,” he clarified, his expression grave as he gauged Ashley’s reaction.Ashley struggled to comprehend the magnitude of her father’s revelation. “So, that’s why I’ve always felt different,” she murmured, a myriad of emotions swirling within her.Her father nodded solemnly. “Yes, and there’s more you need to know,” he continued, his tone somber as he delved into the complexities of Ashley’s heritage and the challenges she would face as a hybrid.As Ashley listened intently, she realized that her identity was far more intricate and mysterious than she had ever imagined. With newfound understanding came a sense of empowerment, but also a burden of responsibilit
Startled by Thalia's unexpected revelation, Ashley's eyes darted to her father, who appeared increasingly uneasy, avoiding any direct gazes. Ashley, growing suspicious, observed her father's evasive behavior, reinforcing her apprehension that the circulating rumors might indeed be true.Reacting swiftly, Ashley lifted her dress and hurried to her father's side, urgently inquiring, "What's happening, Father?" Surveying the crowd, she noticed that all eyes were fixated on her and her father, heightening the tension in the room.Casting a perplexed look at Thorian, Ashley, her voice hoarse and on the verge of breaking down, called out, "Thorian." The hall buzzed with murmurs as speculation about Ashley's situation circulated among the attendees.Undeterred, Thalia, wearing a smirk, confidently stepped forward, revealing a mysterious black substance wrapped in a cloth. "So, you're not going to disclose your true nature to everyone?" Thalia inquired with a sly expression, maintaining an un
The day of Thorian and Ashley’s agreement finally arrived, enveloping the air with a blend of nerves and excitement. Ashley, having weathered the initial storm of her revelation to Alarina and Emily, now stood in her room, readying herself for the impending engagement. Her best friends burst into the room, adorned in fine gowns, radiating beauty and anticipation.“Hey, girls,” Ashley greeted, a hint of nervousness in her voice. Emily, however, couldn’t conceal her impatience. A groan escaped her as she complained about Ashley not being ready, with everyone eagerly awaiting her presence.In the midst of this impatience, Alarina stepped forward, a calming presence in the storm. “Emily, do you even realize how significant today is for Ashley? She needs to look her absolute best,” Alarina insisted gently, trying to diffuse the tension.“But we’ve been waiting forever,” Emily retorted, her frustration evident. The room buzzed with conflicting energies, a mixture of excitement and impatienc