VERONICA.
Too late for me, as I stepped out, I noticed that our hideout has been surrounded by men with lamps in their hands. Many people were held hostage; I feel they searched every other house before stopping at mine.I see a man approach me; he looks exactly like the man I escaped from earlier."You won't run again; don't worry; you can't even if you wish to," he mumbles. His voice is the same as the man I bumped into; there is no doubt he is the one. He seized my hands and tied them both to my back, and then he bundles me into a trunk with the others. I feel like something is repeating in my life.I remember grandma; I will never forget how she died. And why she did that, I still can't figure out, especially why I suddenly was able to mind- link her. Although she wasn't my real blood, she took care of me and treated me like her real granddaughter. We were isolated by people. Everyone calls her a witch, including me, the daughter of a witch. I cared less and paid deaf attention to their claims, but at some points I really felt that Grandma might be a liar. not a witch but something powerful. I even had to find out that we were not related in any way.Tears flood my eyes, making my vision blur. I tried so much to hold it up, but that was impossible. I just lost the only family I ever had. I buried my head in my lap, ignoring whomever was there, and then sobbed silently. I stayed in that position for a second and then sat upright after realizing that those huge Lycans guiding us at the back of the trunk might think that I was too weak and resolve to weep because I was abducted. I clean my eyes with the back of my hands and then stare at the blank space, hiding the other tears within me.One of the Lycans guiding was instructed to come to us and start injecting something into our bodies. I watch as others drift to sleep immediately they were injected, so I had to refuse to be injected. However, a heavy slap to my cheek weakens my whole body, and I can't fight back. I gave in unwillingly. I only see dark clouds, and soon I become rather unconscious.About an hour later, I feel cold shivers run down my spine. I open my eyes quietly, although I flinched a bit, but I acted too calmly, remembering that I have been captivated. Sadly, it was water that was emptied on us. About ten of us lay down on a bare floor. I didn't even realize it when we got inside. If I had been awake, I would have mastered the road and planned for my escape, if I ever got a chance to live.My throat burned out of thirst; we hardly see water in the town; that whole container of water that was emptied on us is something I and Grandma could use for three whole days. I guess the Lycan channeled all the water to themselves and left one dirty dug well for the whole other communities. They weren't trying to discomfort the vampires since they only feed on blood—our blood most times or human's blood. It was us, the remaining werewolves, and the humans too they they plan to discomfort"Stand on your feet!" A husky voice commands. I turn around to see someone different from every other person I have seen that night. About twenty of us, humans and werewolves, were lined up in a single file, giving each other about six meters of distance. Good. He is definitely a lycan.I look around to observe the place we were in. It was dark, but not totally, because at different points of the cave-looking room, there was light, or rather a lamp that brightened everywhere a little, enough for me to see the person standing next to me clearly."Strip!" The man says My heart jumps to my flat belly. There were murmuring sounds among the captives. I held my clothes tight, not wanting to obey the order. I have never been naked in front of anyone, not even my grandmother."He said strip." Are you all deaf? "Or you don't want to live anymore?" One of the men who abducted us shouted. No doubt the man before us is someone of a higher rank. Maybe the beta, or Gemma, or... He might even be the Lycan King.Everyone starts to remove their clothes at once except me, of course. I would rather die, but then the man raises his hands, signaling that they should stop.Luckily, I am at the other end of where he stands."You. Strip," he says to the girl in front of him.Tears drop from her eyes as she hesitantly takes her clothes off. I notice how her body is shivering out of fear.He nods after inspecting her and then pushes her away while the girl falls hardly to the floor. She covers her chest with her two arms as she sobs silently.One thing is weird around here: everyone kidnapped is a girl; not even a single boy is there. I remember my grandma also saying that the Lycan's female specie has gone into extinction. This is because of something they said werewolves did years ago; she even said that a war happened when she was younger. It's all making sense right now. I think they will also be looking for a bride for the Lycan king, if that's not what they are already doing."Kill her," the man orders after checking on the third girl. She was still in her u dies and covered her chest with her hands, refusing to let it go.I see someone move forward with his canines sticking out of his mouth. He moves to the girl, and even with the crying and pleading from her, he ignores it all and sucks her blood until she drops dead.The room was in an uproar. There was mumbling, and I felt my leg, which was already on the cold floor, go numb from the winter cold. Every other person hurriedly took away everything covering them, including their hands and undies. I feel ashamed looking at them being disgraced. I wish I could do something to help them, but, sad to say, I can't even help myself. I am already expecting my blood to be sucked by that crazy blood sucker.The inspection continued, and two more girls were killed along the line, maybe because their bodies weren't mature enough; instead of letting them go, they were killed instead.Finally, he got to me, and before anything else, a hard slap that left me clashing to the ground landed in my cheeks. I felt my heart stop beating for a while, and then I got myself and my dizzy brain together again."How dare you defile my orders?" I understand you want to get yourself killed, but disobeying me will get you murdered even in your death. You will die" to "die again." He pulled me up from the ground with one hand. I didn't even flinch a bit. as he growls in annoyance."Reap it off," he orders the blood-sucking vampire. He came close to me and almost inserted his canine into my neck."I mean her clothes, you fool!" The Lycan man yelled.VERONICAI hold my clothes tight with my last strength. Everyone stares at me precisely, wondering what gave me the nerve. Honestly, I don't know what gave me this audacity, but whatever it is, it should also not let me die at the hands of this Lycan. "Let me go... you monsters," I scream, and I move away from the vampire. Tears clouded my vision as I stood. Inwardly, I am too scared to even breathe properly, but how I put up with the act of acting strong is one thing I don't know of."You are the stubborn one, huh?" "Kill her," he orders. My heart sank to my belly. Grandma died for me to live... And all I could do to keep her last request was to get myself killed? The fear of my blood being sucked until I drop dead on the cold, bare floor creeps up on me and hunts me.I shiver and move backwards with each of the vampire's approaching steps. I hear the Lycans call him Mike. He kept on moving until I got to my dead end. I was trapped by the crooked wall. I see a glimpse of a smile acro
VERONICAI shift my gaze away from him while he still looks at me with his furrowed brows. He surely has met me somewhere, but I can swear this is the first time I have seen his face in my entire life. "Who was blaring about food a while ago?" He finally got hold of himself and asked questions. Everywhere was dead silent as his deep, authoritative voice echoed. Even the growls and noises I hear from the other rooms have seized. I looked around to witness the accusing glare everyone gave me. I try to remind them with a coded signal from my face expression that "I did it all for us" and so they should not hand me over to him. "The girl over there, with the long hair and oval face," one chubby girl points at me. I knew I had long hair, but I never knew my face was oval; I always thought it was just a circle. After all, I have only had the opportunity to look at my reflection in not very clean water. I swallow hard, trying to hide my face. It wasn't so difficult for me to get caught.
VERONICAI've always despised Lycans, and the mere thought of falling in love with one made me want to retch. For years, I searched for my mate in silence, praying that the moon goddess wouldn't pair me with a Lycan.But fate had a twisted sense of humor. Now I find myself stuck with a Lycan man who seemed to be infatuated with me. I can't stand the sight of him, but I know I could use him to accomplish my mission."What the hell do you think you're doing?" I snarled, my voice filled with fury as I push him away from me. "What am I doing? What's wrong with you?" he shot back, his voice deep and masculine, his face etched with annoyance. "Why did you let yourself get dragged to my father, and why didn't you postulate in front of the king?"For a moment, I felt like a toddler being cautioned by her father. My heart is blank. I don't know whether I should hate him more or just a little less. "What's the meaning then?" "Meaning of what?" He replied impatiently. I can't even bring my
VERONICA"This is your room." "Stay here with your little puppy," Grimgor says, standing up to leave."Little puppy?" Alice," he answers reluctantly, and then walks towards the door.I feel grateful that he let me stay with the little girl. I can't even imagine how cruel her life can ever get since she lost her mother this very night as well.He slams the door behind him. Although not too loudly.The room wasn't too fashionable, like the one we stayed in to eat. It was just the perfect room for a rich man's slave. Not as shabby as where I lived and still not as standard as Grimgor's room, or whatever that was. I'm just realizing that the room is just opposite mine!I lay the bed down with the bedsheets and duvets that are on it. The room is also a bit dusty. I have to clean everything up before doing anything else. Alice helps out in the little way she can. After the whole little chore, I made a warm bath for her and then made her sleep comfortably on the bed.Remembering the whole e
VERONICAI stop once I feel the cold, rough surface of the wall behind me. My heart races as I try to keep my voice steady. "I don't know what you're talking about," I stutter.The man in front of me, whom I assume to be Prince Ezra, narrows his eyes. "Don't lie to me," he growls. "Why were you lingering around the castle?"I glance around, panicking, hoping someone will come to my defense.Fortunately, Prince Grimgor did, but not in the way I expected. "Leave her be!" he screams, standing between us. "She's with me."Ezra sneers. "Brother, don't be foolish. Or mad at me" He places his hands on his brother's shoulder. "I'm just doing a quick investigation. You don't expect me to turn a blind eye to a stranger lurking around the castle, do you?"My guess was right; this man is Grimgor's brother. But why were they fighting against each other? I watch as they glare at each other with fierce looks that send chills down my spine. If I ever had a sibling in my whole lifetime, I would have t
VERONICAIt's been weeks, and nothing has improved. The same daily routine of waking up as early as 4:00 a.m. Tidy my room, take my bath, and then force Alice to wake up, which she would sluggishly do and take her bath only to go back. I have managed to ask one of the servants to help me tutor her in the little way she can. I didn't even go to school either, but I miraculously know how to do some reading.I'd go out to watch as they make breakfast for the Lycan King and his family. They said I must learn how to do it because the king could randomly select someone to make his breakfast, and a little mistake could cost one's life. Afterwards, I tidy Prince Grimgor's room and do repeated cleaning whenever he has a bad mood and takes it out on me. Before everything, it would be midday; I would take my breakfast and then continue with work.So annoying. Life here is more difficult than I could have ever imagined. However, I am a bit relieved that I wasn't still in prison. Theirs seems to b
VERONICAI tiptoed back nervously, not knowing what would become of me should I get caught.However, just on the last hallway to my room, I unknowingly hit a flower vase with my leg. Luckily, it didn't chatter, but it made a very alarming noise. calling attention to the figure I saw at the end of the hallway."Hey, come with me!" he gestured. I look around beside me and at my back, trying to confirm to whom exactly he was talking.I pointed to myself when I clearly couldn't see anyone behind or beside me. "Do you mean me?" I ask tenderly.Prince Ezra has very little patience. I know that, and yet I am crossing the line."Yes you... Just follow me!" He says it impatiently. I guess he is short of the annoying word he would cuss at me with."Sorry." I bow my head in apology and start to run over to where he is. Before I get to him, he's already in his office. I followed suit almost immediately.There is something very striking about Ezra. His presence alone gives me shivers,maybe because
VERONICA"Veronica, what are you doing?" Emily asked. "You haven't prepared yourself yet.""For what?" I reply, "Confused.""For the presentation ceremony," she said sternly. "I forgot to instruct you on the things you need to know."I nodded, feeling a little apprehensive. Emily was usually very demanding, but today she seems different. Maybe it is because she knew the stakes were high and that any mistake I made would reflect poorly on her.As I stand there, unsure of what to do, Emily walks towards me and offers me a seat on my bed."Good morning," I say, trying to be polite."That's not necessary," she replied sharply. "We don't have time for pleasantries. You need to get ready now."I felt a knot form in my stomach.. "What should I wear?" I asked, hoping for some guidance. And preferably hoping that she won't have anything for me, and then she will suggest I just go back to sleep.Emily smiled and opened a large trunk she had brought in. "I have just the thing," she said as she