Chapter- 3 "Glimpse of Past (Part- 1)"

Alice P O V

***

I finished my meetings, managed my schedule for next week, and sent an email with all details to Max, (Prince of Dragomair, the dragon’s realm). We have been best friends since childhood, and also business companions. He was the only person I trusted after Dad and Ellyn.

We were leaving for Entalia tonight, for tomorrow night’s ritual. By the time I exited the office building, it was dark outside already. I made my way towards my car in the parking space.

I opened my car door, and a sweet scent filled my nostrils. My wolf relaxed with the pleasure of the sweet rich scent of earthly forest rain mixed with the masculine smell of men’s cologne, but my mind went on alert mode. My wolf, Rhea, and I both recognized this scent very well. It was him.

My little human mind kept screaming for me to run! Runaway from this place, realm, and never looked back. Believe me, I wished the same. I wanted to run away, somewhere in light, away from the darkness of my past. Where he couldn’t find me again, but I wasn’t that lucky after all.

Rhea howled in pleasure while my human side was on alert mode.

I searched around my surroundings. Nobody was in the parking area except the guard on duty. Ignoring my scared little human, I sat on the driving seat and made sure to secure the doors, all the while keeping my sentiments in check.

The Inside of my car was still scented with his essence. It was hard to control my and Rhea’s emotions when we knew he was still out there, somewhere near me, watching my every movement like a hawk.

I noticed a bouquet filled with red roses with a small black shiny box peeking through the seat next to me. I panicked, while my wolf was in bliss, with the mere fact of the devil’s presence near her. She was bathing in the pleasure of his sweet, rich scent.

Rhea wanted nothing more than to step out of the car in search of her mate, my naïve wolf. I blocked my mind link with her and concentrated on the matter at hand.

Letting go of a shaky breath, I picked up a bouquet which lay there, mocking me,  daring me to do something. A card was flashing in it. I opened it to take a look.

In neat- curly handwriting.

“Congrats my love, I’m proud of you my Queen. And always here to protect you.”

No mention of the name, no need! I knew who sent this and why. I gulped another deep breath to calm my raging heart while I put the note and bouquet back down on the seat and opened a black box. Inside it contained a ring of white gold, crown design with beautiful sapphire attached on the edges of the queen’s crown. Crown.

And if it was possible, my mind panics more, and my heart beats fast like a hummingbird in a cage. He knew! No doubt, he knew about my crown ceremony tomorrow. The entire realm knew.

Suddenly, my phone beeped. I bounced in my seat at the small noise of beeps. I placed my hand on my heart, which was threatening to come out any second.

Before I pulled out my phone from my bag, the screen showed a text message from an unknown number. I frowned at screen, but opened the text -

“Whoa! Kitten, don’t panic. I still can feel your heartbeats. I love you, you know, right? Don’t worry babe, I’m always with you ♡”

I glared at my mobile screen with wide eyes in horror. Yeah! Right, he could feel my heart beating as I could his, but our bond was not that strong that he could feel my emotions or read my mind or talk to me via mind link. Thank goddess.

I threw my phone on the next seat and closed my eyes, letting cool air calm my wild heartbeats. ‘Not now Alice!’ I muttered to myself, and without showing any more moments of weakness and fear. I drove out of the parking area with a stoic face.

I wanted to show him that he didn’t have any effect on me, not anymore. I bet he was there, somewhere, lurking in the dark with that evil smirk on his face, enjoying the entire scene, and I would not give him any satisfaction. This time I set my rules clear: if the devil wants to play again, then,

GAME ON MATE! Be ready to lose this time......

***

I pushed the brake when I reached my apartment building and picked my phone. For the time, it showed 10 pm. Not much time left. I parked my car in the garage and walked out towards the back garden of my apartment.

In the moonlight, the back garden looked breath-taking. Beautiful nature greenery dipped in the silver glow of moonlight.

I closed my eyes and took a refreshing breath in the night’s chilled-air. Not much time left for our excursion back home, Entalia. From where this story started.

***

One year earlier......

In Entalia, Queen Amelia, the rightful ruler of the werewolf’s realm, organized a grand ball in her castle on the occasion of a blue moon.

In which all ten packs from the entire realm were going to be present in celebration, with their prospective alphas and their mates by their side. It provides a better opportunity for young or unmated wolves to find their mate with the blessings of the goddess.

I stood in front of a vanity mirror, looking at my reflection in it. A full-length royal blue silk gown, off shoulders with beautifully attached crystals, looking perfect on my pale skin. My chocolate eyes glittering with smokey eye-shadow, light make-up, and fabulously styled my waist-length raven-colored hairs in loose curls. My feet were hurting in 3′inch high black Gucci heels. And for the show I wore a beautiful white gold, sapphire ring on the right hand finger. Significance of the crown princess.

I was looking at exactly what my mother says, ‘Perfectly presentable royalty.’

Believe me, I hated show-off my royalty-card but sometimes I couldn’t help it. I mean I didn’t want to embarrass mom in front of the whole realm and..... Secondly, after reaching 20’s last month, it was my first attempt to search for a mate. Yeah! Seriously MATE?!

Just the idea of being mated with someone left me scared to death. The thought of spending my whole life with some crazy dominant-ass wolf who wanted my complete submission. Red flags!

Wolves were highly territorial creatures, and I belonged to the royal alphas bloodline and future Queen, so the concept of submitting to someone didn’t fit well with my character, but as per Queen’s strict orders, I must have to attend the party.

***

Before departing downstairs, I mentally prayed to the moon goddess that I wouldn’t find my mate in today’s party.

But I was unaware of the plans the moon goddess had for me...

***