Chapter 2 Alyssa

They were always told as little kids that the moon goddess didn't have any favourites, she loved all her children all the same but that was proven to be a lie. The fairytale Lycan Queen definitely had the ones she blessed with all the luck in the world, and Alyssa Silver happened to be one of them.

She was as beautiful as a painting, comments taken from the words of people, some even called her a delicate flower that was meant to be gazed upon and not touched.

She also had supportive, albeit an overprotective, family. Blessed with the best friends, and her pack adored her immensely.

In a way, you could say that she had it all. A goddess in her own time, and to her own people.

However, that didn't stop the dark thoughts from slipping into her mind once in a while. Today being one of those days, Alyssa stared numbly at the shining pebbles underneath the gushing stream. She was looking but not truly looking at the water, her downcast reflection staring right back at her.

Her friends, Sophia and Laura, were having their routine baths early this morning. She preferred doing it by this time because they was rarely anyone around by that hour. Although, it was possible that they all knew that this was when she was usually here and so stayed away from the stream.

Her father always pleaded with her to stop bathing in the local stream but she found that it always cleared her mind better than when she did it at home. And she needed to that a lot, today especially.

"... You're getting it all wrong, Sophia! It's me."

"No, it's not. I have a better chance than you."

"You do not."

"I do."

"Alyssa!!"

She blinked rapidly, gaze focusing on the naked ladies several feet from her. For some reason, the stream wasn't doing a great job at clearing her head today.

"Between I and Sophia, who do you think has the chance to be more elegant?" Laura asked sweetly, batting her lashes and Alyssa cocked a brow.

"Uhh," Alyssa looked between both girl's eager faces and cleared her throat, "I think if given the chance, you both will do great."

Laura rolled her eyes and kicked water towards where Alyssa sat.

"You're supposed to pick just one person!"

She shrugged, fixating her eyes back onto the water. Alyssa wasn't interested in their conversation in the least, they always argued over the same thing. Sometimes she wondered if they were the real twins and not the other way around.

"Well, I know I can singlehandedly beat everyone in battle and that's not what elegant ladies do," Sophia boasted as she padded her way out of the water, the morning sun gave her bronze skin a golden look.

Laura scoffed, right behind her, "You mean, everyone but my brother. He's the best fighter in the pack."

Alyssa threw the last pebble in her hold into the water, satisfied at the loud plop that echoed as a result.

"We can leave now, right?" She asked, walking towards where they were busy drying themselves off.

Both nodded and she smiled, although it was hesitant. The sun was almost up which meant the pack people would be awake and that meant that she would definitely meet them along the way.

Alyssa wasn't in the mood to interact with anyone this morning, she just wanted to go home and snuggle on her comfortable bed.

"Are you okay?"

Her eyes darted towards Sophia who was peering at her thought suspicious lens. Alyssa quickly looked away and shrugged,

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Sophia stepped forward, brows snapped together as she muttered, "You can tell me if you're not, you know? I'm aware that today is-"

"Can we go now?" I cut in with a shrill tone, walking past her towards Laura who'd already put on her dress, "I'm famished, aren't you?"

Laura, bless her soul, understood what I needed and she smiled wide, playing along,

"I am! I think we should get moving now," Laura threw Sophia a look, "Don't you think so too, Sophia?"

Sophia eyed me skeptically and sighed, relenting, "Yes, we should start moving now if we want a headstart."

Alyssa threw both of them grateful smiles, she knew it wasn't in Sophia's nature to drop something once she had a hunch but the last thing Alyssa wanted to do at the moment was talk.

Talking would mean her opening up. And opening up would lead to feelings pouring out. And that in turn would result to tears.

Alyssa had made a solemn vow never to cry today. It had been working so far in the previous years, she wasn't about to ruin it now.

The walk back to the pack house was eventful, her plan to avoid everyone backfired and a throng of children and women welcomed the moment she stepped into the town square. Usually, she would be in a merry mood to receive them, even staying to chat but today was not a good time.

She did try her best to reciprocate their excitement, especially at the child who'd given her flower and called her a 'fairy.'

"I love how they never get tired," Laura commented the moment we were out of the village, "They all adore you."

Sophia chuckled, "It's natural, she is the pack princess after all," She shot Alyssa a teasing grin.

A brief thought occured to Alyssa's mind and she wondered if that was all there was to her. A princess to be adored by many.

It'd been like that from the moment she was born and she did appreciate it but these days, bleak thoughts of the future plagued her head.

"It comes with the title," Alyssa joked back, forcing a smile onto her lips.

They arrived at the packhouse and Laura left first, saying that she had an errand to run for her father. While Sophia escorted to her to the front doors,

"You didn't have to walk me all the way," Alyssa told her but Sophia cocked a mischievous brow.

"And let you father have my neck? No way!" Then she leaned forward, "You should go inside, princess."

Alyssa knew what she was doing and rolled her eyes. Then she placed a hand against her chest, fluttering her lashes timidly,

"I'm sure thankful I have a strong warrior to protect me, I don't need to be scared of anything."

Sophia snorted while she walked into the house, waving goodbye as she slammed the door close. Alyssa wasn't at all surprised to see different persons roaming around the hall.

"Lady Alyssa."

"My lady."

The all greeted with heads bowed as she walked past each of them, responding with a smile and nod as her father had thought her. She was thankful that she didn't bump into any of her family members, those were last people she wanted to see.

The moment she made it into her room, she shut the door and locked it behind her. Alyssa plopped onto the plush mattress, spreading her limbs tiredly. She expelled a heavy breath, her chest rising and falling slowly.

She didn't know why but the ceiling looked interesting to her and the longer she stared at it, her throat tightened until it became hard for her to breathe.

Alyssa tried not to breathe and pursed her lips as she could feel her cheeks burn. She tried to distract her wandering thoughts but was helpless, her eyes stung and she could feel the tears rising up. Just as she was about to burst, she heard a loud swinging sound and shot upright,

Her brows furrowed together when she saw where the noise came from. It was her window, and it was wide open.