PHOENIX I look around the familiar walls of the room I’ve been in for the past two days. I’ve been stuck here for so long that it doesn’t even appeal to me anymore. I’m still aware it is the most luxurious place I’ll probably ever see in my life but I still feel imprisoned. The only person I have talked to for the past two days is a maid that came in soon after Prince Ezra left on the first day. She told me her name is Kiara, she has been bringing my food to me. I haven’t seen Prince Ezra since he left that day. I’m starting to think it is because he has realized I’m not his mate, which I feel a little glad for. ‘Do you feel anything towards prince Ezra?’ I’ve asked my wolf, Maya, this every day since he came here and dropped that bombshell, but her answer is always the same. I don’t even know why I bother anymore. ‘No, I still don’t feel a connection.’ She replies, her tone somber. I nod to myself, knowing she is right. We can’t be his mate, I’m just an ordinary wolf, not even

PHOENIX I giggle as soon as prince Ezra walks out of the room after offering me my very first job. I now understand his appeal, and it is not only because he said he would pay me fifteen thousand dollars monthly. I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts slipping. I don’t have any business with men, talk less of thinking of them. Especially not the prince, he isn’t someone I should think about and once he figures out I’m not his mate, all of this will be over. I just hope to keep my job. I’m going to do this job so well that the prince won’t even think of replacing me after he finds out I’m not his mate. I vow. A sound of pure glee leaves my lips when I think of working beside Kiara, that just makes everything ten times better and I almost forget the letter from my parents telling me to stay. I shouldn’t even be upset, at least now when I do go back home for breaks, I’ll be able to help them out with the house expenses. I plop on the bed with a relieved sigh, thinking of my life

EZRAThe sound of my footsteps as I paced the empty hall is all that can be heard. I look down at my wrist watch again, then to the door and then the large ancient clock at the front of the meeting hall, above where the king’s throne is, where my father sits proudly presently. I’m too annoyed and my patience has run out fifteen minutes ago.I hate being kept waiting, especially when I would much rather be with my mate than being here waiting with him. I find that the former is much more enjoyable than this.I count another five minutes when I hear the sound of a door opening, I almost heave a sigh of relief when I hear the unmistakable sound of heels clicking. I have to fight the need to inhale my next breath, so as to stop myself from perceiving whatever God awful scent—or what is supposed to be a scent—the person marinated their body with.I know who it is even before I turn, unfortunately I can make out her natural scent even with all the too sharp perfumes she has on. I’ve been wa

PHOENIX  An angry voice has me jolting awake. With my heart pounding in my chest, I sit up, trying to blink away the sleep from my eyes. I look around the room, as confused as I was scared when I hear the voice again, still in that same high annoyed pitch. “Get up this instant!” Now that I’m not half asleep, I know it is Lady Gloria yelling. Why am I not surprised by that? What is she doing here in the middle of the night? I need to wake up early for my—“You’re late!” That single sentence makes the sleep disappear from my eyes and with wide eyes, I stare at her. It hits me like a slap on t

PHOENIX  A small gasp of surprise is the only sound I’m able to muster. I keep my head up even as Sibel wraps  her hand around my throat and shoves me against the wall. Trapping me with her armored body. “What do you think?” Sibel spits with venom coating her tone. “That using the prince would frighten me?” she laughs but it holds no mirth. “Don’t be stupid,” her lips turn down in an ugly sneer. “Do. No. Ever. Use him. To. Try. And. Scare. Me. Again.” she stresses, putting emphasis on each word. I only give her a blank loo