Chapter 5 The Sleeping Beauty

Chapter Five

The Sleeping Beauty

/-Jade-/

"You're getting it all wrong, your highness. I am really not who you think I am. I grew up on the streets of RedClaw pack..."

"RedClaw? What is that?" She asked with genuine confusion. I couldn't even blame her for not knowing.

They were Elites after all and RedClaw was merely a lowly werewolf pack.

"It's my pack," I answered.

"Nonsense!" The Queen blurted almost immediately. "You are not one of those lowly wolves. You are from one of the most prestigious Lycan dynasties. Your pack, Moonspire, ruler of the northern and southern regions, is a worthy ally of ours. I can only imagine the terrible experiences you must have gone through."

I stared blankly at her. It was obvious that nothing I would say would get through to this woman. Unless, of course, I risk my uncle's head and mine and confess my real mission here.

"Is that so?" The King asked with a hint of sympathy. "I can't even imagine how much you must have suffered, without a home or family. Those lowly wolves must have cost you trouble, didn't they?"

His words hit me harder than I anticipated. A wave of sadness swept through me.

"Perhaps if she saw the face of the one she loves, it would help revive her memories," The Queen suggested.

No! No! No! We absolutely cannot do that. I couldn't take things further than this. It will only bring more trouble for me and increase the consequences of my offence.

"You can't do that," the White-haired man cut in. "This woman is not Annabelle. She is a criminal and must not be allowed near the Prince..."

"And who asked for your opinion?" The Queen cut him short. "You are always so quick to forget your place, aren't you?"

"It is my duty to protect the Prince with my life and eliminate all potential threats," his tone darkened and dread pooled in my stomach. "If any harm comes to him..."

"You will simply bear it," The king interrupted. "Or did you forget what you are, Levi?"

Levi...

Was that his name?

His eyes lowered, shoulders slouching in defeat. "No."

"Good."

I was beyond curious now. What was he? From his aura, anyone could tell he was more powerful than the Lycan King himself so why was he letting them walk over him?

I shook my head, trying to get those thoughts off. This man didn't hesitate to fling me over a bannister. I shouldn't feel sorry for him!

Despite that, I kept my mouth shut and followed them. It wasn't my place to tell them how to run their family.

As we ascended the stairs, I couldn't help but feel him behind me, and it sent a trail of goosebumps down my skin. My heart was constantly racing as my mind brought up many scenes of him stabbing me in the back.

"Are you uneasy, dear?" The Queen asked softly. "Does he bother you?"

I gulped hard and she rested her hand on my shoulders.

"Don't worry, he cannot hurt you even if he tries," She told me with a reassuring smile. "You are royal blood. If he even tries to harm a hair on your head, he will lose his sanity and bleed from every hole in his body."

A chill crawled down my back. That wasn't reassuring, it was a death sentence wrapped in a smile.

I gathered courage and glanced over my shoulder. Those rose gold eyes looked right through me as expected, but at the same time, he moved up two steps until he was beside me.

"I'm certain you know that doesn't apply to imposters," his tone was calm yet void of emotion. "Make one wrong move and I'll kill you before they even realise their mistake."

Sweat broke out on my forehead, and I gripped my dress tightly for support. He walked past me like he didn't just threaten me and when I looked at the Queen, she seemed pretty oblivious too.

I willed myself to stay calm even though I was panicking. How the hell did I even get into this mess? My uncle didn't even think twice before abandoning me. Heck, he must be plotting to leave Skyspire already.

I was led into a different hallway, heading towards the east wing. The servants bowed as we walked past them until we finally got to a set of double doors.

The guards opened the door and I waited for them to enter before trailing behind them like a lost puppy.

The room was big and spacious. All the furniture was on point, and it was pretty much the kind of place ordinary wolves could only dream of having.

They led me past the living room to the main bedroom and my breath hitched.

There, lying amidst the sea of pale satin sheets, was the most handsome man I had ever seen.

He looked almost ethereal. Raven-black hair swept across the pillow, a few loose strands brushing against his impossibly sculpted face. His skin was pale, almost glowing, and his lashes were long and dark, fluttering ever so slightly with every breath. His lips were parted just enough to reveal a sliver of his teeth.

So this was the Lycan Prince. The one whose fiancé I was mistaken for.

The one they claimed I loved.

My stomach churned. I had so many questions. Like why he was asleep on his father's birthday.

"Isn't he divine?" the Queen whispered, stepping closer to the bed. "He's been like this ever since the plane crash three years ago. Sleeping. Not in a coma or anything. It would be foolish to assume it was just a normal crash."

"You mean he hasn't opened his eyes in three years?" I gasped. "How is that even possible?"

"We believe that the plane crash might have been a result of a collision with a cursed energy, but we can't say for sure. We've tried everything! Doctors, healers, sorcerers, name them all, but all to no avail. If only Levi had been on that plane with him, my baby would still be awake," She paused. "Or perhaps he is just waiting. For you."

I didn't respond. Couldn't.

Not when every instinct screamed that getting involved with this sleeping god-like creature would lead to my death.

And what did she mean by waiting for me? Was Annabelle supposed to do something when they found her? Why did she even think that Levi being on the plane would have stopped the crash? He might be powerful and all but in the end, he was still human. Not a god.

I let out a wince without realising it. My head was hurting from overthinking.

"You feel something, don't you?" the King asked, watching me carefully. "A connection?"

No, I felt terror, but I didn't dare say that. At this point, there was no turning back. It was better to pretend until I could get out of here. I nodded faintly to his question.

They seemed satisfied with that.

"I knew you would. Perhaps," the Queen said slowly, a smile forming on her lips. "...a kiss might awaken him?"

What?! Was this some kind of joke or something?

I spun to face her, stunned. "I... I don't think that is even a possibility. Maybe some time... or more rest..."

"Oh, don't be shy, dear," she cut in gently. "You're his mate. His body will know you. His soul already does."

I blinked at her. What kind of conspiracy theory was that? What did she think this was? A sleeping beauty retelling? All because her son was cursed with eternal sleep?

"Her Highness is right. We should take all the chances we have," Levi said suddenly and my head snapped to him. "Since you are indeed Princess Annabelle, you shouldn't have a problem with kissing your mate."

I gritted my teeth. The bastard! I should have known he wouldn't just let me pretend my way out of this. To make it worse, his face remained blank, like he had no malicious intent towards me.

And those were the kind of enemies one couldn't afford to have. I would have preferred if he outrightly smirked at me like the evil asshole he was!

"Go ahead," The Queen urged. "Give it a try. Even if it doesn't work, it doesn't really change anything."

Those words brought some form of relief to me. Since I had nothing to lose, I might as well get it over with.

It's not like he'll wake up furious at the wrong girl kissing him. Life just doesn't work that way.

I stepped forward. One, two, three hesitant steps, until I stood at the edge of the bed.

The prince's chest rose and fell softly as I watched him up close.

I leaned down, trembling slightly. My hand hovered above his chest, and the absence of a mate connection made my breath catch.

I didn't feel him. Not the way a true mate should.

But the Queen's eyes burned holes in my back.

So I closed my eyes. Inhaled. And pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

A spark shot through me. An instant danger alert. I opened my eyes to look at him, just in case and as expected nothing happened. I was ready to pull away when those lashes fluttered. My heart skipped as his eyes slowly opened.

Before I could even react, a hand shot up, gripping my throat and flipping me onto the bed.

Gasps echoed around the room as I choked on my own scream.

The once-unmoving prince was now on top of me, pinning me down with a strength I couldn't fight even if I tried.

My eyes locked with those fiery amber eyes.

You've got to be kidding me!