“You're here.” Cleo expressed her joy when she saw me enter the dining area.
Everyone was waiting patiently. This was the same dining room where I had dinner every single day of my life as long as I could remember. It looked different today, just like everything looked to me since the day Lucas mentioned that I was just a common orphan.I looked at the people surrounding the table, the ones I had always called my family. The people that were always with me all this while now suddenly looked like strangers to me.I knew deep down that Lucas had messed with my mind. He was there too with a wicked smirk on his face. He was definitely up to something and I knew he was going to come after me.“Good morning, my princess. How are you doing?” My mother greeted me as I sat at the chair beside which was the only one vacant.“Good morning, my Alpha.” I greeted the Alpha-king Magnus who smiled back to acknowledge my greetings.“How are you doing Naomi?”“I'm doing well, my king.” I responded..“Your mother said something about you not feeling too fine. I hope you're okay, now?”“Yes, my lord.”“Was that the reason you ran out of the wedding reception like that?” Lucas asked, his lips curled upwards into a smile, revealing gleaming teeth. “Or was there something else?”There was just something about this man that I didn't like and couldn't figure out. There was this aura of cunning he had in him.“No.” I answered, rigidly. “I wasn't just feeling too fine.”“Ohh.. you missed so much from yesterday's party. I wish you were there.” Cleo said, excitedly.“She got a car.” Kiara announced even before Cleo could say a word.“Hey, that was my announcement to make and not yours.” Cloe was upset and scolded Kiara.“Well, it's done already. Live with it.” Kiara replied, ready to devour the food in her presence.“You are so annoying.” Cleo told Kiara and then turned to me. “It was a beautiful car, anyway. He got it for me.”“He? Who?” I asked.“Her suitor.” Anita replied.“I was the one she asked, not you.” Cleo turned back at her sister.“Well, she was just asking us all.” Anita jeered at her.“Both of you are so annoying. Naomi is the only mature one.” Cleo said which made me blush. I was being too quiet this morning and needed to spark up the conversation so no one would figure out what was going on in my head.“You mean that fancy car that I had seen at the ball party with the “Be my wife” banner on it?” I asked, knowing fully well that must be the car she was speaking about.“Yes, yes. You saw it?”“Oh. He proposed?”“Yes.” Cleo screamed, barely holding back her excitement. The girls and I giggled with happiness instead. I was truly happy for my sister, this was a big deal for her as I have always known Cleo as a marriage freak. She always talked about getting married and having children. Seeing her childhood dream come through meant so much to me.“Well, I have good news, myself. I have a suitor too. We met yesterday and had a connection. So??” Kiara started and we all laughed, even Apha-King Magnus.“What's so funny? I just made a beautiful announcement.”“This isn't the first time you're saying this. Remember last time, you said someone like yet we never met him and now, you're meeting someone else.” Anita replied.“Well, it's just complicated.” Kiara replied and we all burst out laughing again.“I really don't know what is funny.” She replied. “Let's eat. I'm so hungry.”We were all laughing and spending time together. We didn't realize that we hadn't started having breakfast. The maids were at the side waiting for a go ahead to serve us.“I'm so proud of you, Kiara. Let's see how long this new found love would turn out “ Luna Rapheal nodded. She was dressed simply today compared to yesterday when she was gorgeous.“You girls should let us eat.” She finally said.“With a nod of head from Alpha-king Magnus, the maids moved closer to the dining and started dishing out the food. They all did it slowly but steadily.“I'm better than Anita. She doesn't even have a man in her life, not even a rat.”“Don't call my name.” Anita countered, knowing fully well it was true.“Let's eat.” Alpha-king Magnus said. For some moments we ate in quietness before Lucas announced that he had something to say in the presence of the whole family.“Can't it wait? Maybe after breakfast.”“No. I want to make the announcement in the presence of everyone.”I glanced at him and saw him watching me eat my eggs. I almost choked on my food as I immediately started coughing.“What's wrong?” Luna Rapheal asked.My mother's hands were already at my back, caressing me like it was going to stop me from coughing. She offered me water.“It must be because of the news I am about to share with you, all.” Lucas made this comment and I could only stare at him. I didn't know what this man was planning but whatever it was, it was dangerous. Everyone waited.“I know you guys might think that whatever I'm going to say is stupid but I need you all to think about it properly before giving an answer.”“What is wrong?” Alpha-king Magnus asked. He seemed to be in suspense exactly the way we were, waiting.“Since Naomi here doesn't have a suitor yet. I propose to marry her.”It was the greatest shock of my life. I couldn't even block my eyes when I heard this. Lucas was asking to marry me? Old and unattractive Lucas?“What?”Everyone was dumbfounded and shocked that for a second, no one ate. It must have had the greatest effect on me because immediately I shut my eyes, I had a vivid image of me and Lucas in a beautiful venue. I was in a wedding gown and him, dressed in an exquisite suit.I immediately got back to my reality and screamed in the worst possible way.“Never!”It was disgusting to think that a man I had always looked up to could think of something as stupid as me getting married to him. “Lucas?” My mother called out his name in shock. “Really?” “Listen to me first. I have a good reason for this, it might not make sense now but it will eventually.” He explained, trying to calm everyone down, especially Alpha-king Magnus. “Let's talk in your Chambers. I'll explain everything to you.” I was the one who he should be explaining to not the Alpha, but me, the one he wants to get married to. I watched as everyone slowly got back to eating like Lucas had said the most normal thing. “Excuse me? Why would you say something like that?” I looked visibly angry as I asked. He was about to say something when the Alpha-king stopped him from speaking by a raise of hand. “Naomi, let's eat. This issue will be discussed and addressed soon.” He continued with his food.I signed. All I wanted was just to eat with my family but it seemed I couldn't even eat
I found myself waiting patiently at the garden for Lucas. I hoped that whatever it is he wanted to say was very important because I wouldn't like to be seen with a man like him. I didn't like to be seen with men like Lucas especially in this situation. This made me hate him even more. He came after minutes of waiting."Why would you keep me waiting for this long?" I asked him when I saw him. "I'm not as Jobless as you are." I retorted. He chuckled, then looked up to me. "You don't seem to like me very much, do you?" "Does it matter?" "Well. It doesn't." He answered and found a seat for himself. "I think you should make yourself comfortable because this would be a long conversation that you wouldn't like to miss." "Make it short. Your presence irritates me." I argued. That was the only thing I could do. Lucas had power and usually got whatever he wanted including women except me. The only reason he also hasn't slept with the other Princesses was because he was related to them. H
“Mum?” I called from outside when I saw that her room was locked from within. “Naomi?” She called out to me.“Yes, mum. It’s me” I answered and immediately, she unlocked her door. “I was just making sure it was you.” She opened the door wide enough to let me in, then locked it again.“Are you feeling alright? Why was your door locked?” I asked, “I'm okay. I just wanted to have a little rest.” “It's fine.. if you say so. I just wanted to speak to you.” I told her hoping she would listen to me.“About Lucas’ proposal to marry you?”“Mum?” I exclaimed. “I'm shocked that you're saying this.” I want to sit on the only couch she has in her very large room. This was the very couch she had with my father before his death, they shared a lot of memories on this same couch as she had told me.“I didn't say you are going to marry him. I only asked you a question.” “Oh. Mum, I hate Lucas so much.” Luna Isabella smiled, her beautiful set of teeth glinting in the light. She was the most beauti
The next morning, I was feeling too tired to stand up to do anything. I was weak and hungry all at the same time. When I finally woke up and checked my time, I found out that it was too late for breakfast. We had visitors to welcome so I had to dress well. It was Cleo's suitor, he was coming to make things official between them both. The sun was bright enough and everything was ready for them to arrive. I had just taken my bath when I heard a knock at my room door. I wasn't dressed so I asked who it was from the inside. .“It's me, Vanessa. The Alpha wants to see you. He says you should come immediately.” The maid answered. “Alright. Tell him I'll be there shortly.” I said out loud and then wondered why the Alpha would want to see me. “Was it because I didn't make it to breakfast today?” I thought. I was on good terms with Alpha-king Magnus but I never had a close contact with him. He was just a step father to me, he was my step sister's father. I gave him the respect as the man
I was shocked by what I heard. Lucas was really out for me and I felt it when Alpha-king Magnus gave me options and gave me two days to make my choice. “You have just 2 days to give me an adequate answer or you'll have yourself to blame.” Those were the exact words he said to me before making me leave his presence. I noticed the sudden change of attitude of the Alpha when we talked about Lucas. I wondered what Lucas must have told him that made him suddenly turn against me. Alpha-king Magnus was a kindhearted man who loved his brother so much and would do anything for him. He was the kind hearted one while Lucas was the evil being and the manipulator.When I got back from the Palace, I didn't feel like talking to anyone or even doing anything. I just felt so sad and confused. I didn't want to bother my mother anymore even though I knew she had to know about the new development. I wanted to talk to Lucas but I knew he would never like to speak quietly with me. After all, I made hi
I walked out of my room with the little box I had packed. I had finally decided to go into exile than stay here and be a toy in the hands of Lucas and his accomplices. I couldn't wait for the Alpha to ask me out, I had to go on my own.After the discussion I had with my mother yesterday, I knew there was no hope for me in this Palace. How was I supposed to stay silent with everything going wrong in my life? Lucas was about to make me his slave in the name of his wife and no one saw anything wrong with it.“After all, you guys aren't related.” Everyone said to me like it was some sort of acceptable.I knew I was going to lose the comfort I enjoyed as a Princess of the Royal house but I was willing to take that risk as far as I had my freedom. My father's inheritance was taken away from him by this Royal Palace, I just needed who it was that ordered the death of my father. Was it Lucas or Alpha-king Magnus? Who was it that made a helpless 8 year old fatherless?I was angry that I was
“You think you're smart? Is that what you think?” Lucas asked me. He faced me but I didn't look in his eyes.We were at the garden beside the Palace Chambers.“I'm not acting smart, I'm only trying to save myself. That's all.” I answered.“Save yourself from what?”“From a monster like you.” I said, not missing a beat.He laughed. “You can't run away from me, I'm everywhere and at all times, too.”“I'll do everything I can to expose you, Lucas. Everything in my power.”“That's the funny thing Naomi, you don't have any power. You're just a spoiled powerless brat that can do nothing.”“I don't care what you think. I'm leaving.” I insisted.“You can't run from me. Naomi you have to understand this so it'll be easy for us all. Running away will definitely complicate issues so I advise you to stay here and do as I want.”“What about what I want? Or doesn't it matter? Doesn't what I want matter to anyone?” I asked. I was getting upset with the way he was trying to cajole me into marrying hi
Little did I know that my true journey had begun. I was leaving Ice crest wolf pack, all by myself and for the first time ever. It was overwhelming to think that I had finally left Lucas behind me.He was all in the past and I needed to think about my future. The life I wanted to Iive from henceforth didn't require any distractions from my past. I wanted to find out my legacy, I wanted to know how my father died and what really happened. Was he murdered or killed?I had been walking for hours now and looking around, there was no village or clan nearby. For a minute, I regretted not accepting Alpha-king Magnus' offer. It didn't make sense to me anymore so I had to sit for a while.I prayed and hoped that I wouldn't encounter any strange creature in this strange place where I had found myself.“Please send me a helper, o moon goddess.” I prayed desperately, hoping she would hear me. I looked around to see if there was something I could eat but I didn't find a thing. I was surrounded by