Aurelia's POV
"The Prince wants the Royal Hall swept and mopped before morning," Maggie informed me. Her eyes were sad and she looked everywhere but me.
It has been a week already. Who would've thought that time would fly so fast yet feel so slow when scrubbing the castle grounds and weeding till one becomes very familiar with looking at bloody hands?
I turned down Norton a week ago and ever since, I have paid with my blood, my sweat and my tears.
"Maggi," I called her name in a breathy whisper. "It's 10p.m. everyone knows that the maids retire to bed once it's 10p.m."
I clenched my fists by my side and bit down on my jaw. My resentment towards Norton grew inside of me like a tumour.
Why wouldn't he just let me be?
"I know," Maggie ran her hand up and down her arm as she shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
"But, he called me to his study and told me this. I can't make it up," I knew she wasn't lying and I wasn't saying that she was lying.
I was simply on the side that this was ridiculous! The Alpha Prince of Red Valley Werewolf City can't handle a rejection!
I was trying to make a logical sense out of Norton's actions. Actually, I've been trying so hard these days but each time, it makes me feel insane.
"I just got back from cleaning the abattoir," I huffed in horror with wide eyes. "Maggie, I smell like animal blood-"
"I know," Maggie's voice broke and I felt a stab at my heart. "I'm sorry,"
"What more does he want from me?" I whispered as my visions blurred with unshed tears.
It took me three days to understand what he said about breaking me. He was throwing me into the hard life without pausing for a break. It was exceptionally hard for me. I had lived the life of a Beta while my parents were still alive.
According to the rank in a pack, errands were run by the Omegas. For Betas, we were simply to acquaint ourselves with supporting the Alpha in running a pack.
Still, I couldn't complain. I wasn't trained to be lazy by my parents. I was simply not trained to work ridiculously like this. Even the Omega's didn't do this much.
"Fine," I sniffed and marched towards the door. "I'll get it done."
"I'd love to assist you with it but the Prince said-"
"I know, it's fine," I pulled open the door and looked over my shoulders. "It's just one hall and I have a long night. Have a good night, Maggie," I forced a smile at her and her jaw dropped with tears streaming down her face.
I stepped outside quickly and shut the door, blocking out my emotions before the tears would fall.
I made my way to the Royal Hall and once I got in, my shoulders slumped and my knees grew weak.
The Royal Hall was the biggest room in the castle. If carefully measured, this Hall was like an open field in the woods and I was expected to finish cleaning this before daybreak.
Just because I turned down one insensitive wolf?
I touched my collarbone, running my fingers over the necklace. Somehow, it made me feel less lonely and I didn't understand why.
My shoulders slumped in a sigh as I looked around the big hall debating on where to start.
I finally picked a corner and got down to work after mixing the soap in the bucket of water that had been provided.
"Are you kidding me?" I huffed in disbelief as I lifted the small brush that I was supposed to use for cleaning. "No wonder I couldn't find a mop stick.
The brush was exactly the size of my palm and I didn't even have a big palm. This was the perfect punishment indeed. It would take all night and I only hoped I could get it over and done with before 6am. tomorrow morning.
My arms still ached from packing blood all day at the slaughterhouse. It was an unusual task that his Royal Highness had deemed me fit for.
These days whenever he saw me, he would wear a smug look on his face and pass slowly with his hands behind his back.
No words needed to be said. I could already 'hear' the attitude and read the look in his brightened eyes.
I wiped the bead of sweat that was dripping down my face. It was over three hours already and my arms and knees were already sore. I rolled my shoulders and sat back on my heel as I looked over the remaining portion that seemed to be half a plot of land.
My stomach growled in hunger and I placed a hand over it. I had been cut down to eating twice a day and even the portion of food was a sorry excuse for satisfaction.
Reporting to the Alpha King felt stupid. Why would he pick my side over his son's?
"Someone is up early,"
I jerked in the direction of the sudden voice and was stunned to see Norton standing behind the door with his arms behind his back.
I hadn't even heard him come in. I guess I had been too deep in thoughts.
"Y-Your Highness," I greeted and lowered my head as once again my heart began to beat in fear, anticipating his actions.
Norton had proven to be unpredictable and it was a sad thing to underestimate him.
"You look good on all fours, Aurelia. I want to say it suits you but then, you could also look better as a Queen," the daunting smirk in his voice irked me. "But, it depends on you."
Again with this talk? Why wouldn't he just take 'no' for an answer.
"It's almost 2a.m." Norton announced and a dramatic yawn ripped out of him. He placed a hand over his mouth and craned his neck at me. "You need beauty sleep."
I balled my hand into fists wanting nothing more than to smack him but I wouldn't dare do that.
"I'm fine," I replied. "Your Highness," I added after a moment. I could neve forget his position.
He chuckled softly and when I heard his footsteps, my eyes fell at his feet hoping he would stop and stay away from me.
"Yes, I see that. Even after placing you on a diet... You're more than fine. Do you see what I mean now, Aurelia?" He stopped when he got close to me and I noticed I was already breathing hard.
"I'm trying to stay away from you," he whined. "You just seem to want my attention. You want my eyes on you, don't you?"
"Please," I found myself saying as I squeezed my eyes tightly. "... stop," I whispered.
My shoulders were trembling and I was chewing on my bottom lip to stop myself from shedding any more tears.
His voice was creeping me out, his words made my skin crawl. I wanted to get away from him and go far away to a place where he would never find me.
Different thoughts raced through my mind these past few days but I shunned them, praying that the moon goddess intervened in my case.
But with each passing day, the situation grew worse.
"No, you stop!" Norton declared in a bold voice that made me jerk. I stared at his face and found a look of contempt.
"You can put an end to all these. Just say it," he lifted his chin with his Alpha aura radiating around him. "Say yes to me and I'll make it all go away. You have the power in your hands."
He got down to my level and held my chin, pulling me softly into his face till I shuddered at the feel of his breath on my face.
My eyes widened when I realised he was too close to my face and his eyes were trained on my lips.
"Say it," he mumbled. "Say the words I wish to hear so badly-"
"No!"
I pushed away from him with all my might that I fell on my ass. My chest heaved as he stared at me with a heavy frown.
"You little bitch!" He yelled. "I see I've been going easy on you. You'll suffer for this. Get back to work! You ungrateful orphan..."
I tuned out his words as I watched him stomp his feet and whine for over thirty seconds. The sound of the door closing in anger announced his departure and in that instant, my mind was made up.
I needed to leave Norton's reach and it had to be now!
Aurelia's POVThe sound of the thin cane hitting my back made me jerk but there was nowhere to run to.The two guards who held my arm did it with such power and I wondered if I wasn't as little as I thought I was.Norton grinned maliciously as he watched them whip me with a thin but excruciatingly painful wooden cane."This will teach you not to put your hands on me," he said with satisfaction. In the end, he had dashed out only to return with a few guards to punish me, lying that I had pushed him to the ground.I counted over ten strokes with gritted teeth and when they finally left me, my back was bleeding.I was exhausted but I still had to clean the Royal Hall and I wasn't even halfway done. I cleaned myself up and got to work immediately.* * *"Ow, ow," I winced as the ice touched my shoulders but I had no choice but to relax into it."Sorry, dear, it'll be over soon," Maggie sighed as she watched Barbara, one of the maids I was
Aurelia's POVI stomped my feet on the ground over and over again to get rid of the mud under my worn out shoes. I looked up into the sky with a hand blocking the harsh rays of the sun that had made my clothes sticky with sweat.The sun should be coming down soon and once again, it will be nightfall.I dreaded the hours of the night.Our wolf senses were much sharper and stronger. Norton's guards could be close again to finding me. Our game of hide and seek was a dangerous one that I didn't enjoy but I don't see myself stopping anytime soon.Once Norton found out I was missing, he rolled out guard after guard and in all the three days of my journey, it has been nothing but fear and looking over my shoulders while keeping a watchful eye on coming across any familiar face.My clothes were torn from passing through the most unlikely places in hopes that they wouldn't follow me but their determination went beyond my expectations. I found myself running even in the middle of the night.I h
Liam's POVI ran my hands over the lapels of my dark suit as the maids polished my shoe and dressed me up with shaky hands.I watched and heard them gulp, each one of them afraid to meet my eyes. They kept their heads lowered and their hands moved in haste.I noticed they were trying not to waste my time and I was pleased at how dedicated they were to serving me and making me comfortable but I didn't see the need to hurry today."Take your time,"They jerked in shock at my voice but soon relaxed and bowed their heads before heeding to my adviceThere was no need to rush me even as the ritual wouldn't commence without my presence, I still didn't want to go so early.The Blood Moon Ritual was happening today. It was a day taken out for mates to find each other. This event happens every year but I have yet to find my mate.Every year, I sat on my throne and watched the wolves find their mate while I, their King returned with no one by my side.I felt like a personal Circus for the moon g
Aurelia's POVI felt the air sucked out of my lungs as I stared into those dark eyes that seemed to scan me like I was a piece of art ready to be explored. I wasted no time doing the same.His black hair fell across one side of his face landing on his thick dark brows that furrowed slightly in shock. Those hard jawlines looked sharp enough to cut and his lips were full and inviting.His pheromones were slowly stroking my desire, wanting to fill me with need and longing. I glanced at his arms and admired his wide shoulders and his biceps. He was simply a work of art.His focus was on me and it felt as though I could feel his hands gliding under my clothes. My mate looked like a god on that throne and the way he stared at me left me feeling naked and bare before him.I found him, Mother. I thought to myself as I touched my necklace over my scarf. My lips curled in a smile and I took a step forward in his direction when someone leaned beside him.His eyes grew darker, forcing me to halt
Aurelia's POVThe guards were shaking like a leaf and so was I.We were yet to lay eyes on him but his mere presence and his deep gruff voice was enough to shake us down to our very core."W-What do we do?" One of the guards asked with a frightening tone. He sounded like he was about to piss himself."I've heard about the Purple Sun City. What if... What if the Lycan King-""Shut up! He is definitely too busy to worry about trivial matters like this!""Keep it together! We've come a long way searching for this bitch. We cannot return empty-handed-"They were still arguing when something, with the speed of light, moved past us.The wind blew up in my face, slamming me hard but it wasn't as hard as how three of the guards fell to the floor lifelessly."Wh-What was that!"One by one they dropped to the floor and soon it remained just me and the guard holding me as a shield.I was panting with my heart threatening to fly out. I couldn't recall that werewolves could move with the speed of
Liam's POVAndre shut the door to my study with his hands over his mouth as he stared at me in shock."Swallow it," I turn away from him and head to where a bottle of scotch sat. I poured myself a drink and brought the glass to my lips, emptying the content in my mouth.Even after tasting the blood of trespassers-- If I could remember correctly, I bit one's head off-- I still wanted something down my throat."My Queen?" I mumbled to myself, tasting the word and shaking my head. "Did you, by any chance, smell the mate bond on her-""I apologise, my King. I was overjoyed when she said that," he placed his hands over his crotch area and lowered his head.He was much calmer now than when he blurted that out."But, was she telling the truth?""Oh, I see. We're acting rationally now, are we?" I cocked a brow and folded my arms. Andre looked away. He was most definitely feeling ashamed of his actions."Forgive me, my King. I let my emotions get the better of me," he apologised once again but
Aurelia's POVWas he… My mate was… he's the Lycan king!I stared at him with a gaping jaw. His expression only hardened into a frown as he stared down at me with a look that instilled anxiousness in me. His eyes were so deeply trained at me, one would think I was a puzzle he was trying to piece together in such little time."Is this anyway to greet your saviour and the King?" He inquired in a bold and deep voice that shook me out of my trance.He was right. Just simply staring at him was outright rude. Despite him being my mate, our rank put us on a whole different level from each other.I lowered my head instantly, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I-I was in shock so I didn't… I was trying to process the information… I hope you're not offended, your highness-""Offended?" his voice came from behind and I lifted my head to see he wasn't in front of me anymore. I hadn't even noticed when he passed. "When you're done giving honour to the breeze, you can shut the door and look at me."I sl
Liam's POV"Please, let me leave," she said again with a broken voice this time. She sounded close to tears.Her head was still lowered and her shoulders trembled softly. Was this fear directed at me or was she cooking up something in her head? If there was one thing I knew about women, thanks to Emma, it was that they were constantly assuming and making up scenarios in their head.This one before me was no different. Only that I didn't feel a certain way with the way she cried. The mate pull was stronger especially with her scent in the air.Was she trying to tempt me? She would have to work a lot harder than that to actually make me feel something more."Are you in your head again?" I wondered aloud and saw as she stiffened. "For a second there you make it seem as though I want you to stay." I folded my arms.For saying such bold and cold words in a nonchalant way, my wolf wasn't feeling the same way. He whined and paced in my head. Her scent was killing him but at least one of us w