"Evening Miss, It's time to get you ready" Miriam's loud voice disrupted my thoughts as she entered the room.
"Okay " I smiled wryly moving out of the window and coming to sit on the bed as she hastily removed my gown leaving me bare with just my pants and bra. I looked down slightly embarrassed.
"How is Lily doing ma'am?" I asked remembering that Lily was assigned to sleep in the maid quaters yesterday.
"She's adjusting well just like you" She smiled at me. I was surprised by her response because I didn't quite understand what she meant but I still kept mute not wanting to be over inquisitive.
"By the way you're pretty with a gorgeous body miss" Miriam complemented and I smiled.
After Miriam applied a few things on my body, I was led to the bathtub. The bathroom was porcelain white and scented of herbs and minerals with hot steams seeping out of it. I drowned deep in the water letting it mud my face and body.
Few minutes later, I came out of the bathtub and dried my hair with a towel then tied it around my chest and went into the room.
Sitting on a chair facing the mirror, Miriam applied some oil on my hair then started brushing it.
"You know things are not usually what they seem to be" Miriam began, I stared at her reflection from the mirror to see her expression not saying a word.
"One day you'll get to understand it all" She smiled, but in between the widened cheeks, I could swear I saw a glint of sadness in her brown eyes.
"You remind me of my long lost daughter so I hope you get through this" She said giving my hair the final touch of greasing before bringing out a floral gown which had diamond stones attached to the edges.
The gown was beautiful. All my life I had never worn anything like this before, even my father never got me something like this. He's lost his love for me a long time ago. He only loved my stepsister.
I wore the gown hastily with the help of Miriam who zipped it at the back.
The gown exposed much of my cleavage as it curved a v line from the armhole. I felt embarrassed on how I was going to wear such exposing outfits to the banquet.
"Isn't this too revealing ma'am" I shyly asked looking down to the tiled floor.
"No it's beautiful" She complimented, giving me the final touch of light make-up on the cheeks.
"Done" Miriam beamed as I stared at my reflection in the glass mirror, my balls almost bulging out of their sockets in surprise.
"Thanks, this is beautiful ma'am"
"Let's go, we're almost running late, let's not get the Alpha angry" She bemused walking briskly towards the door as I trailed behind her.
"What's he like ma'am?" I asked as we strode down the stairways gently.
She looked at me in oblivion not getting who I was talking about.
"I mean what's the Alpha like?"
"Oh..." She mouthed "well he's the Alpha and he's just there miss" She said, I wasn't quite satisfied with her answers but I didn't want to ask further questions.
After few walking down the passage hallway that looked like a labrynth, we stopped in front of a metallic door and Miriam turned to face me.
"After this door, you'll get to meet different Lycans in humor because they're not what they seem to be"
"They're dangerous Ava and I'll advise you to brace up properly and help Astra especially with the Royal family" She hoarsed, I didn't miss the glint of terror in her eyes as she said those words. I was scared but remembering the shackles I've come through, I became determined to face anything behind the closed door.
"I'll lead you to the Royal table and go back to my duty but do not let anyone trample on you" She looked at me, seriousness clearly visible in her eyes as I nodded clutching to my long gown tightly.
"Have this" She said giving me a silver necklace I quickly wore around my neck.
Finally, she opened the door and a whole new feeling overwhelmed me.
Oh heavens, help me !' I muttered glaring my eyes into into top notch oblivion as I gently followed Miriam carefully. I didn't want to see anyone at all so I stared into space, looking at nothing in particular. I could feel the piercing gazes on me as each strand of hair on my skin already stood erect. The chandelier hung in the ceilings together with the dark- red lights, casted the hall with a warm yet dangerous gloomy look. Everywhere was serene, only the faint whispers and clinking of glasses and ceramics could be heard.
Arriving at a three step stair, we climbed up and looking up, I saw a familiar group of people dressed in Royal attires immersed in their conversation until their eyes landed on mine.
"Greetings Alpha king" Miriam hailed tugging my sleeves behind trying to pull my attention to do same but my eyes was already in scrutiny, searching for the one person I wanted to see but couldn't find him.
Where was he? He was supposed to be here.
Miriam tapped my shoulders, snapping me out of my trance.
"Bow to the Alpha King, he's Astra's father" She whispered in my ear and I shifted my gaze to the scary looking man who shot lustful glances at me as he stared at my cleavages. I felt irritated and wanted to puke covering my cleavages from his predating luscious eyes.
The fuck, why would he stare at me like that?
"Greetings umm..Alp.. Alpha King" I stuttered feeling three sharp eyes gaze at me. One had a lustful grin on his cheeks while the two other females gave me a murderous look like they wanted to tear me apart.
"Why do you keep my Luna standing Miriam" I heard a sweet voice ring behind me. I knew who it belonged to and I was happy. I twirled around excited to see him. He approached swiftly with someone I recognized as his Beta trailing behind him. His cologne ripped through the air, muffing my senses to proudness.
If only fate was fair enough, I would scream to the whole world that he was my mate but remembering his rejection, I regained my stance.
"You May go Miriam, I'll take it from here" He said and with that Miriam bowed and left.
He turned to face me, flashing a smile at me and my heart skipped, even if it was fake, I still couldn't retract my heart from racing staring at his handsome figure.
He was just too handsome for me.
"Greetings father, permit us to sit with you " Astra said with a smirk, I could feel the tensed atmosphere between them as he grabbed my hands and made for the sit opposite his father.
I sat down and he sat beside me still clinging to my hands.
"You got a mutt as a mate Astra " Kalha ,a girl I later realized was Astra's stepsister said amidst the silence getting everyone hooked to the brim. A pure mixture of hate and jealousy clearly visible in her eyes as she stared at me.
But wait, why would she be jealous? It's wasn't like I was marrying her boyfriend or something.
"Even with the silver necklace she wore, I could still scent her weak wolf" She continued as everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"You got a werewolf, I mean a weak one at that as your Luna Astra?" The king growled at Astra who seemed to care less.
"I forbid that from happening in the Thrones bloodline" He bawled angrily hitting his hands on the table and attracting everyone's attention.
Right now, everyone in the hall turned towards us. "You do not get to choose whom I want as my Luna father, and as a matter of fact, I'm taking her in" Astra challenged getting pissed.
"I do not care what you have with the werewolves but she is my Luna" I felt proud the moment he said those words but deep inside me, I knew it was just a facade.
I sensed that things wasn't going to end well. I didn't know why I'm usually unfortunate anywhere I go but this time around, I wasn't going to let my bad lucks kick in and ruin things once again.
"You can't take a weak she wolf as a lu...."
"I am not weak !!!!" I yelled furiously cutting off the queen and standing up to my feet, right now everyone in the hall stood up in anticipation as shock bewildered their faces.
"Do you not fear what this mutt could do to you right now" I growled angrily at the Kalha girl not caring about the consequences I would face later. Right now I was really angry and mad.
Why would they call me weak?
In a blink, next to me, kalha shifted and attacked me from behind taking me off balance as furious growls emanated from her lips. Everyone scampered to a corner watching her as she scratched and bit me mercilessly. I didn't want to make a shift because even if I did, I wouldn't be able beat the ferocious she- lycan that attacked me. I let her feed on my blood, tearing my skin to akin. Painful yelp tore through my lips as she bit my neck.
"Stop !" Astra ordered amidst the fight but the she- lycan snarled at him daring him for a challenge as she scratched his legs with her claws drawing out blood.
I lost it.
I lost every bit of retreat and sanity as she hurt my mate.
How dare she hurt him?
I dropped on all fours and shifted. I soared high and attacked her fiercely with my sharp claws digging deep into her skin as my fangs crushed her limb bones. Terrified yelp elicited from her lips and horror seethed inside everyone in the hall as I tore her limbs apart and she was forced to shift and became unconscious.
Satisfaction consumed me as I watched her unconscious body on the floor but just as I was about to retreat, an angry snarl burled behind me.
I spun around and met the furious eyes of the King glaring at me.
***
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