I was giddy with happiness as I prepared to meet Stanley, he had asked me to meet him at Lovers Lounge.
Lovers Lounge is a famous place in town where most werewolves claim their mates.
It was the best day of my life, I was excited and anxious. I knew this was no ordinary meeting as Stanley must have planned to claim me.
Since I wolfed out at eighteen, I had been anxious about finding my mate. I found out on my nineteenth birthday and it turned out to be one of my friends, Stanley.
He had came to my apartment early in the morning. He had knocked and I was going to get the door when I felt a strange pull towards the door.
I knew the meaning of the pull instantly as I had heard my friends who had found their mates discussed it.
I pulled the door open and my eyes shone in amazement as I found my friend; Stanley. He was smiling brightly.
In one hand was a bunch of flowers and in the other was a wrapped gift.
"Happy birthday, Sky," He said richly and chuckled as he brushed passed me and walked into the room.
He was the only one that fondly called me 'Sky' which was the short form of my wolf; Skylar.
I shut my eyes as I was hit by a rich smell of lavender. I sniffled in noisily and moaned in satisfaction.
Skylar sprang up joyfully. "He is ours," she said to me and I nodded in agreement.
When I opened my eyes, Stanley had dropped the items on the table. He was walking towards me with and his eyes laughing at me.
He closed the distance between us and held my shoulders. He tilted my chin and we stared into eachother's eyes.
My heart beat loudly. Although, we have been friends since I turned eigthteen, we hadn't been intimate.
The newly discovered connection made me shiver. His closeness made his scent stronger and I tried to support my gait as I moved from one foot to the other.
He slipped his arm down from my shoulders to my middle and drew me closer as he supported my weight.
With his second hand, he tilted my chin until our lips met. Slowly, he took my lips in his and kissed me fully.
"Sky... Happy birthday," he breathed into my mouth and I moaned.
Slowly, he let me go and turned back to the table. I was still burning with passion when he unwrapped the gift and laid the olive coloured triangular box into my palm.
He wanted me to open it and I took the hint. There-in was a golden necklace. It shimmered brightly and I smiled.
"Thank you," I said and placed the necklace around my neck. He lifted up my hair and hooked the necklace for me.
His nearness and breathe taunted every single fibre on my body and I bit my lips to suppress the heat that coursed through my body.
Amidst the excitement, I decided to take caution. Stanley was more mature, he must have known that I was his mate but he did nothing. All he did was to get closer, he must have become my friend just to feel me out. Having realized this, I decided to wait patiently for his actions.
That day he left immediately after he had fixed the necklace for me. That was the last form of intimacy we had.
It's been three years now. My father and my step-mother had set me up on arranged dates. Most of which I told Stanley but he did nothing. I had thought I would end up in an arranged marriage as it was the norm.
It was a dream come true when Stanley suddenly asked for me to meet him at Lovers Lounge.
I still remembered the look in his eyes, it made me feel butterflies in my stomach.
We were meeting in the evening and I had to get ready.
I spruced my hair and I made it into a bun, it was my favorite style.
My pink gown stretched through my length and stopped above my knees. I loved mini gowns.
The gown gripped my waist and butts tightly, revealing my hourglass shape.
I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled as I fiddled with the pendant of the necklace that Stanley had given me three years ago.
I locked my door and I was ready to leave. Although I lived in the same pack house with my parents, we didn't share the same apartment.
I had been living on my own since I turned eighteen. I could not contain my joy when my father granted me the permission to live alone. Living with my father and my stepmother was hellish.
I was about to walk out of the pack house when I bumped into Becca; my step sister.
Her eyes roved over me from head to toe. When she finally looked into my eyes, she glared at me. A dangerous smirk played at the corners of her lips as she brushed past me.
I shrugged it off and draped my jacket over my shoulders as I made my way into the cold evening.
I took a stroll down to Lovers Lounge as it was not too far from the pack house. My eyes darted around as I made my way in.
Not too long, I spotted Stanley. He had chosen a vintage spot and it was easy to locate him.
My lips curved into a wide smile as I walked towards him. With the look on his face, he must have seen me earlier, but when our eyes met, he looked away gloomily.
At a closer look, I realized that he had a smug look about him and I wondered what was happening.
"Stanley," I called out richly as I made my way towards him. I took a seat opposite to him but he didn't look at me. He lowered his head and kept mute.
"Stanley? Are you alright?" I asked in concern and touched his fist.
slowly, he withdrew his had and lifted up his face.
He looked into my eyes and his alluring eyes shimmered with sadness. His lips moved but he didn't say a word.
Skylar whimpered as I stared into Stanley's dejected eyes.
Suddenly, he banged his fist on the table.
"You are not worth the wait!" He gritted out and breathed heavily.
"What…?" I tried to ask questions but he suddenly rose to his feet and pulled me by the arm.
He was so forceful that I couldn't resist him.
I rose to my feet and he dragged me along. He dragged me to a secluded corner and threw me against the wall.
"How could you?!" He yelled bitterly and began to walk towards me with hatred written all over him.
I shook in trepidation as he closed the distance between us. He slammed one of his palms into the wall just beside my head and dragged my chin roughly.
"Spill it out you slut!" He yelled and my brows crisped up in confusion.
"Slut!? What are... Stop the crap!" I yelled back and jerked my chin forcefully out of his grip.
"Why? Why did you do it!? I know… I know you knew that I got close to you because we shared a thing… the mate bond… I …I was only waiting for the right time to claim you… but what did you do? You shameless whore!" He yelled and kicked the wall angrily.
"What did I do!? What are you talking about?' I asked heatedly.
"Do not play pranks… I know it all. I know how you have been having illicit sex with all the pack members, even the Alpha's son!"
"What!?" I yelled in disbelief.
"Yes! I knew it all. I had wanted to overlook it but I can't anymore."
"Stan, you are kidding, right!? What the fuck are you talking about. This is just a baseless assertion, you should have tried to confirm…"
He cut in and broke into a feat of laughter. His laughter sounded so scornful that I almost bashed his face.
"A baseless assertion? No way! Your step-sister just left here now, she told me everything. She couldn't have made up such lies against you! She told me all about your escapades! Common! Deny it! You bitch! Fuck! I am done here!"
I stood transfixed to a spot and could not utter a word.
Stanley paced the premises. He finally walked up to me and yelled, "I can't have anything to do with a whore like you. No I won't have you,"
"Stan, I..." I called but he cut in and screamed out loud.
"Listen! I! Stanley Roberts! Reject you, Ashley Oscar of Moonlight Pack as my mate!" He yelled.
My eyes shone wide as a steady jolt of aches course through my head. It felt like I was hit by lightning.
"What!? Stan!" I yelled and tried to speak but I couldn't articulate any word.
Stanley groaned in pain. He hit his chest continuously as he pranced away.
I wasn't spared either, an excruciating pain gripped my whole body as I watched him leave. Skylar went mad. She howled in desperation and I groaned in pain.
I staggered backwards until my butt hit the ground. The pain of betrayal that I felt hit me harder than Stanley's rejection.
I did not believe Becca could do this to me.
She went out of her way to make such groundless rumors about me all to ensure that I lost my chosen mate.
I staggered my way back to the pack house.Whilst Skylar howled in anguish as she tried to contain the clutches of her pain, I suffered a more excruciating pain.My heart was in so much pain that I lost my way. When I came to, I realized that I was in the pack house and I was standing in front of my parents apartment.I wasn't supposed to be here, I was supposed to be back in my room, I lectured myself and wheeled my way back to my place.My body was stiff and I couldn't take a step. I wanted to leave but I was angry and embittered. I felt cheated and I wanted to break even.Instead of turning away like a coward, I marched into the corridor and pressed my way back into my parents' apartment.Just as I lifted my hand to turn the door knob, I heard yellings and I decided to eavesdrop."How could you dad!? How could you do this to me!? And mum? I am ashamed of you… how could you agree to give me out in marriage to that lame prince!? Prince Regan!? No way." Becca yelled."Listen, Becca, w
Alpha Simpson summoned us into his office. He was the pack's Alpha.While we made our way out of the hall, I beheld the carriage that was sent by the king. It was supposed to take the bride down to the palace.My heart skipped a beat as we walked past it. King Muna never makes empty threats."Mr Oscar, this isn't a joke. King Muna will definitely massacre your whole family by this time tomorrow if you did not dance to his tune. He even sent an edict," Alpha Simpson said looking earnestly from my father to Becca."King Muna is unpredictable, if he gets angry, things might not end with your family alone. He could annihilate the whole pack." Alpha Simpson added, looking at Becca squarely."I will do it!" I screamed without thinking."Good radiance to bad rubbish!" Becca retorted scornfully."How dare you speak up! You unfilial and unpatriotic fool! You would rather prefer that everyone get killed, right?" Alpha Simpson yelled in his alpha voice and we all shivered.Becca flinched, she bo
"My prince! We are here with your bride; Ashley Oscar," one of the eunuchs announced. "Let her in!" a cold voice ordered with authority. The door opened and closed almost immediately as the eunuchs took their leave. Right inside the room, I felt the strong aura I had felt while I was with the king. Although it wasn't as intense as the king's, it was strong enough to make me shrink. My head remained bowed as I waited for my fate. "How dare you make a prince wait! I waited for your arrival for days," An angry voice emanated from a corner of the room. Silence fell and I remained in my position. How could I tell him that I am not the original but a substitute. Revealing as much as that could jeopardize my effort. Suddenly, a low and muffled sound of pleasure hit the room. It was followed by a loud smacking of lips, chuckles and moans. "Lift up your head," the prince said in between moans. I lifted up my head and staggered backwards in shock as I beheld the prince. On his lap was a
Prince Regan"Giddy up!" I yelled as soon as I settled on Maximus; my best horse.It neighed and I smiled.I fastened my disguise and held Maximus' reins."Giddy up!" My shadow guard yelled from behind me.Both horses surged forward and galloped into the wild.With our wolves' eyes peering into the dark night, we guided our horses down the uneven terrain that leads into one of Coleen's most sacred forests.My two swords nested in a quiver strapped to one of my sides. Although my shadow guard is capable, I was not ready to take chances.My mind was not at ease which was unusual, although the reason wasn't far fetched. I just got married.Maya, my bride could bump into my chambers even without requesting for her. And as a matter of fact, she can't discover my secrets, she is one of my enemies.Marrying an enemy is like sleeping on coals of fire but I damned the consequences and did it for a greater course."Giddy up!" I yelled again and Maximus obeyed. I had to return to the palace as s
Ashley’s POV, Falling and rising, I stumbled through the pack house to my apartment. I staggered in and slumped on the floor, hugging my regalia. My heart was shattered into a million pieces. The fact that Prince Regan had treated me like garbage and placed a curse on me made me hate myself. I remembered Becca's betrayal and Stanley's rejection. What’s more? My mate even called me a whore. The pain I felt in my heart was so raw. I hit my chest repeatedly and howled as I cried my lungs out. I cried myself into a stupor and at some point, I slept off. When I woke up, it was dawn. I felt so weak and miserable. I dragged myself up, and my knees almost buckled as I made my way to the comfort room. I saw myself in the mirror and gasped. My eyes were sour and red. My hair was disheveled, I was a total mess. I made up my mind not to shed any more tears. I washed my face and packed my hair into a messy bun but I still look so disoriented and out of place. It was a new day and I w
Regan’s POV, I was still seated in the carriage when Simpson; the pack's Alpha showed up. He had an air of arrogance about him, one which I wouldn't condone."You are welcome, my Prince. It must have been a tough journey. I am ashamed that one of my pack members put you through the rigor of traveling down the uneven terrain of Collen," Simpson said, bowing his head."Insolence! Mockery!" I yelled down at him and beckoned my guards to help me out of the carriage."I am sorry my Prince…" Simpson said and I smirked.As my clutches were passed to me, one of my guards attempted to help me stand on the clutches. I balanced my gait firmly and struck him on the head with one of the crutches"How dare you!?""I deserve to die!" He fidgeted and fell to his knees with blood streaming down his face."Gather everyone, a royal edict is here," I said to Simpson as I hopped along."They are waiting at your command, my Prince," Simpson said and I hopped on, ignoring him.I turned around and I noticed
Regan’s POV, Ashley's cold grip on my leg sent shivers down my spine. The feeling was alien, but I ignored it. I smashed her bloody hands on the floor and balanced on my clutches. With my shoulders held high, I limped out of the hall without looking back. My guards filed out right behind me and behind them were Simpson and his guards. Everyone shuddered and kept mute like they had just seen a ghost. A subtle smile spread across my face and I felt accomplished. Simpson and his guards bowed while I settled into my carriage. My guards filed up on either side of the carriage and we proceeded out of the territory of the Moonlight Pack. The journey back to the palace was more hectic than I had thought, but I wasn't deterred, I made someone a scapegoat already. The news will travel far and wide, and no one will despise me anymore. I’m a damn prince! Slowly, the carriage descended and we journeyed into the woods. It was Twilight when we approached the palace. My face contorted into
Ashley’s POV, My eyes fluttered open, and all I saw was darkness. My mouth was dry and my body was sore. A painful moan escaped my throat but couldn't escape from my chapped lips. I was weak and I could barely move. My vision was blurry and I blinked my eyes, repeatedly. Gradually, my vision became clear, but even at that, I couldn’t get a sense of anything. I was in a light plain gown, laying on something hard, perhaps a wooden bed. Attempting to adjust myself, I pricked my sore skin and moaned weakly.Immediately, someone dashed towards me and that was my father. ‘Ashley!”His gloomy eyes pierced into my soul as he whispered my name hoarsely. “Are you alright? Are you alright?” Anxiously he started checking me out, obviously relieved to see me awake. My gaze settled on my stepmother and beside her was Becca. They were both snarling at me which isn’t something new, but the new and puzzling question is 'what I’m doing here in a strange room? How did I end up here?'I gazed back