{3rd Person POV}The skylight roof of the Ballroom was slowly being retracted and everyone was marveling at its glory— until an ear-piercing cry shot through the silence.Everyone swiveled in every direction but nobody could figure out what or who had made such a staggering sound, not until the Princess limply fell off the Dias and slammed into the ground. Everyone shot their gazes at the Dias while the Lord Alpha made up for his absent-mindedness by swiftly hauling Isla off the ground and into his arm.But almost immediately, he nearly dropped Isla as she started trembling roughly in his clasps. This was happening against the gazes of hundreds of subjects and everyone immediately became confused with the sight.Guards and Generals had already circled the scene to assist the Lord Alpha who was still trying to contain trembling Isla in his strong grip. While this happened, the Lord Luna stood in a corner with shock and panic written all over her expression.Kayla and Cayden casually w

{Isla’s POV}Andrea just stood there, staring at me like I had just popped out of a horror movie.I know I have used that line before but that’s the look she gave me.She fought to hide her uneasiness but I could see past the faint smile and slackened pose.“Andrea?” I called and she stiffened up slightly.“Is that you, my Princess?” She asked after a slight hesitation for which I chuckled.“Huh?” I thought it was a silly question. “Of course it’s me,” I said. Why is she acting so tense with me?Andrea slowly made her way towards me. She still looked really uneasy and I was beginning to think it had something to do with yesterday’s event.I still hadn’t discussed anything with my Mum or Dad or asked any of my questions. I had slept off on my Mum’s lap only to wake up today with a headache and no mum beside me. Afterward, I took my bath, changed into some new clothes, and jumped back into bed. For some reason, I hadn’t felt like leaving my room, even though questions were still bubbl

{Isla’s POV} I took my bath for the second time today and changed into some new clothes. My former ones were ruined because of… I don’t even know how to describe what had happened. Thankfully, the Old Witch Lady was about to explain. We were about to go to her now. Cayden was outside my room waiting. He was my escort as instructed by the Witch lady. Her words. “Let the handsome hunk hold the girl.” I had given Cayden that name, “handsome hunk”. But let's ignore the fact that the Witch uses it to mock me. No one had understood why The Old Witch lady had instructed Cayden to hold me but not could object since the Witch seemed like the only one who understood any of this. For this cause, I would permit Cayden’s touch even though it would burn me and I hated the idea to my bones. Cayden’s a Monster and last night’s steamy session with my sister is proof of this. I fucking saved your mother from burning and you repay me by sleeping with my sister? How— Okay, I’m deviating here.

{Isla’s POV} So I might have chatted with a Witch for a whole evening. But since we had been in a Meeting Hall, I might as well call it a meeting. In fact, it should be called a meeting, with or without a meeting hall, because the contents of our dialogue were weighty enough to be tagged ‘important’. Finally, I understood the severity of the situation I had gotten myself into. You would think that being Cursed is the worst that can happen to you until you’re told that your deliverer was the same person that caused you to be cursed in the first place. Fate is really playing games with me. I know I had once played a similar game, but I’m done. I don’t want to play reckless games anymore. The Ugly Old Witch had said getting with Cayden would fix everything and I had replied to her with 15 words. “I would prefer to die of this torment than to get back with that Monster.” Count it. It’s fifteen words, and I meant every single one of them. Getting back with Cayden would be a to

{Isla’s POV} Would I be required to sleep next to him too? No. Hell, no! The Witch lady had only said he should lay a touch on me anytime I was about to create chaos. Which happens anytime I think too intensely about the Mating moon night or feel any strong emotion. Which can’t practically happen while I’m asleep. So… I don’t need to be near Cayden to sleep. Phew. That realization gave me a breather. I’d rather end my own life than sleep near that Wretch. I’ll never be— Okay, this is no time for loathsome confessions. I need to sleep. I took out, unfolded, and spread my sleeping bag on the buffalo grass beneath my feet. The atmosphere was cold and windy now but some Warriors had set a campfire near my axis so that it took the temperature to equilibrium. Cozy equilibrium. I looked around. It was dark now but there were two other Campfires at some other strategic points and I was at the heart of everything. The warriors had naturally set up camp around me. It was their