ALEXIS' POVSaturday morning feels odd and unusual today. Like something out of a routine I have gotten used to for years. On a normal Saturday morning, I would be dressing up and getting prepared to go to work but today is different. I am now unemployed and without a job.I had woke up earlier; at the same time I wake up to get ready to go to the cafe but as soon as I tried to lift my weight off the bed, the realization that I have been fired from my job the previous day hits me hard like lightning bolt and I sink back to my bed without letting myseld sulk any further. Infact, I refuse to sulk. It is Ms Bell's loss. I am sure she can never find someone as dedicated and passionate as I was.When I go back to sleep and wake up again, It is almost 10am and I drag my feet lazily to the kitchen where grandma Rivera is making breakfast. My pyjamas are wrinkled and my hair looks a hot mess. I look like the original definition of depression even though I am sure I am not close to depression
ALEXIS' POVThe market is quite busy today and the noise is deafening. It seems as if there is a festive season coming up that everyone is preparing for. Clothe stalls are the stars of the day and even Aurora's parents' stall isn't left out. "I can't wait for the enthronment of the next lycan king. My mother says it's the most fun event in the history of Redwood." A young girl who looks my age tells her friend as Aurora and I help them pick some dresses from the hangers. My ears prick on instinct as soon as they mention the enthronment of the next lycan king. Donovan. How close is his birthday?"My grandmother told me the same." The other girl replies in all smiles as she measures a dress with her body, standing in front of the full frame mirror. "I heard he rejected his mate. You know what that means for us?"I lift my brow a little at her words. Rejected his mate? Where did she ever hear that absurd lie from?"I know!" The first girl squeals in absolute delight and she stares dre
ALEXIS' POVGrandma Rivera stares at Paisley as if she had just seen a ghost. It is expected. The old woman had only heard terrible things about the girl and witnessed some herself. So, having the same girl come into our house out of the blue is something that can struck anyone dumb."Uh...hello, grandma Rivera." Paisley waves meekly at her and the old woman only stares on in disbelief. Her eyes travel between me and Paisley and I offer her a reassuring smile in return and an eye language that communicated that all is fine."Excuse me, grandma. Paisley is here to help me with something important." I jump in to rescue the day, pulling Paisley by the hand and heading to my bedroom.When we get to my bedroom, Paisley spends a minute scanning my small old bedroom and insecurity takes over me instantly just like it was the day Donovan had come in too. I wonder what she would be thinking about the room now? A filthy den?"I like your bedroom." She comments and I stare at her as if I had hea
ALEXIS' POVPaisley and I go through the clothings in my closet and the more we go through them, gathering piles and piles of clothes on the floor, the more frustrated I get. There is literally nothing close to suitable that I can wear to the party. I am almost thinking of giving up when Paisley comes up with another idea."Why don't we try this mini dress I bought from the market today?""No. That is not even an option, Paisley." I shake my head in objection. The last thing I want to do is lend someone else's dress to attend a party I am not even sure I would be attending in the first place."Fine. Let's make a deal." Paisley suggests and I give her a go-ahead look. "Since it is a new dress that I haven't worn yet, I could sell it to you and voila...it's all yours. You don't have to return them to me again."I give her a long calculating look, my head scanning through the amount I have saved up in my savings. "How much would it cost me?" I asks fearing for the worst. Knowing the typ
DONOVAN'S POV I take a deep breathe before knocking on the door of Alex's house. As I wait for a response, my eyes wander once again around the environment like it always does ever since I have started coming here. I still cannot believe there are slums like this in Red Wood. All my life, all I have ever known are the high walls of the fortress. The tall buildings and exquisite suites and mansions. I would never have thought in my wildest imagination that places like this exist in Redwood. The door finally creaks open and I immediately compose myseld as grandma Rivera's small frame stands before me. She offers me a welcoming smile and I smile back and greet her."How do you do, grandma Rivera?""Very well, my boy." She replies me, her kind eyes all smiles. "Very well.""That is good to hear." I adjust the cuff sleeves of my shirt and clear my throat before asking again."Uh...is she in?"The gods. Please let it be a yes."Alex? Yeah. Sure."I give a controlled sigh as relief washes
ALEXIS' POVI cannot count how many heads turn to get a glimpse of Donovan and I as we step into the premises and walk past the gathering, arms in arms. Most of of their faces bear surprise and disbelief and some girls stare at my dress, green with envy and hatred. I almost begin to feel the nervousness in my body rise to its peak but Donovan gives me a gentle stroke on the back of my hand with his thumb, gentle and caressing in a way that communicated dont-you-worry, ive-got-you.We sight Donovan's friends sitting on a lounge by the poolside and as soon as their eyes land on us, I can almost feel my feel shaky and my head screams at me to turn back, run away and never return to the party. I mean, what in the world am I even doing here, surrounded by sons and daughters of the higher ranks?"Hey. Sup?" Donovan fist bumps the guys who while shaking Donovan, have their eyes glued to me, unmoving. I can almost see their mouths slightly agape as they stare at me, taking in the sight of my
ALEXIS' POVYou know that feeling when you feel all alone and defenceless and then there is this help...like a saviour from the heavens. Or what those literature nerds would call knights in shininh armour. Now, imagine that saviour or knight or whatever you would like to call him, is in form of a man, hot enough to weaken every girl by the knees. That saviour that makes you feel special even though just a moment ago, you were feeling like the worst piece of crap. That is how I am feeling right now as Donovan joins our small gathering, his dominating aura strong and foreboding. Yet, I am not afraid. Rather, I feel safe and protected under his power and authority."You know, I never thought you'd be one to stoop so low just to get under the skirts of a better." Lori has a wicked smile on her face as she eyes Donovan terribly. "You and I know you don't give a fuck about her. You only want to lay this good for nothing witch."I feel a bit of doubt creep into my heart but I stop it on tim
ALEXIS' POV If this is how heartbreak feels like, then how worse can it get when you have completely let your guards down and you have fallen deeply in love with that person? My whole body feels entirely beaten and weak and it takes so much effort to move my legs. My guts threaten to release the tears that almost choke me and I bring a hand over my trembling lips to stop whatever show to weakness it is about to spill out with the tears. I will not cry. I will not allow them make me cry again.My aching heart threatens to explode under the intensity of my spiralling emotions. I cannot feel myself anymore. I cannot hold this anymore either. I have to get a room and let my emotions out. I reach for another door and give a quick and impatient knock, hoping it would be empty and when I do not get any response from within, I gently push it open to be greeted by the emptiness of the large and exquisite bedroom before me. Quickly, I get in and shut the door behind me before sinking on the