5. Anklet & Solution

When Orla got back, she was relieved that nobody was awake and that she has returned on time. She hurried straight to the bathroom to remove the dark makeup she had been using to conceal her true identity.

After much discussion, Orla came to the conclusion that now is not the time for her and her boyfriend to run out together because her father is on high alert and they won't be able to get very far from the pack house before getting caught, let alone escape this place, securely. Her lover has promised her to execute a plan before fleeing, and he has also promised not to allow the Alpha Aiden to forcibly mate her with another until she is still alive.

She came out of her thoughts when something dug in her leg.

"My anklets!" She exclaimed

She removed them when she was running in the forest and held them tightly in her fist and when she came back she placed them aside before dipping her leg into the bathtub, so she searched them and found only one anklet, which tensed her and caused her to search the entire bathroom for the second one. The only place to look was in the bathtub, which was still filled with water. She was about to dip her hand in the water when her maid entered the bathroom and interrupted her.

"Princess Orla!" she exclaimed "What are you doing?" Her jaw dropped and her eyes wide, as she looked down at Alpha's daughter, who was sitting on the floor, ready to dip her soft hand into the dirty water, the action which according to her doesn’t sit well with her position.

"My… my anklet, I am looking for it. You know they are my favorite," Orla explained to her while still sitting on the floor.

They are her favorite anklets as they were gifted to her by her lover.

"Please don't make me feel guilty. I have been appointed to assist you. I will find out when I clean this bathroom"

"Dacy, I believe in you, and I want this anklet at any cost; consider it a gift from your side for my 18th birthday."

Orla trusted her maid and exited the bathroom, praying that she hadn't lost one of her anklets in the dungeon or on the way to it, as this would cause further havoc in her life.

The news of her affair, which reached her father's ears, has already created a storm in her peaceful life, and the news of Lycan King being her mate has exploded on her like a bomb. She is not in a position to handle any additional stress or bad news.

When they entered the room, Dacy returned with a beautiful gown in her hand, similar to the one that Princess wears on special occasions.

"You need to change into this," she instructed.

"Go and tell your Alpha that I am not going to get ready for anything or anyone," Orla said as she leaned back in her chair.

"I know you don't want to find your mate, but I don't think now is the time to argue or fight with the Alpha. If you want your father to accept your love, you would have to win his trust first. You know his nature, he seems tough from the outside only. Right now he is blinded by anger because he doesn’t want you to mate with someone who is not of your status. Though he would not punish you because you are his only daughter, he will surely punish him," she told her.

Even Dacy was sounding reasonable at the moment, but Orla couldn't think clearly.

"Dacy, don't you think you talk too much?" Orla inquired as she sat back on the bed with a long sigh.

"Pardon me, Princess," she said as she knelt.

"Dacy, you have helped me every time I needed you," she said, "so could you help me with one more thing?" Princess Orla asked with a lot of hope in her eyes because she was sure that Dacy have the solution to her problem.

"Yes, it would be my honor to assist you in any way," Dacy said.

"Is there anything we can do to change my scent?" Orla shifted a little ahead to emphasize her words.

Lycan King has smelled her original scent and she is certain that he will be present at the mate ball, which means he will recognize her in the evening as well, which she does not want.

"Scent?" Dacy exclaimed as she took a step away from her Princess who was now making illicit demands "It's next to impossible to change one's scent,"

"But it is not impossible. You know that!" Orla protested "There must be something we could do,"

The hope in Orla's eyes compelled Dacy to think something. She can't bear seeing her best friend in this state.

"I know a witch," Dacy said unexpectedly, causing Orla to jump out of her bed and stand on her toes in excitement.

"Come along with me!" These were Dacy's last words before she grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the room.

Taking her wrist in a tight hold, she led Orla through the pack's houses and towards the woods. They were now shifted to their actual wolf state, Orla golden and Dacy grey while they kept running towards their destination.

The only thing Orla kept telling herself was that she was doing this for her love. And the mere thought filled her body with new vigor. This helped them to reach their destination faster.

Both of them came to a halt in front of a small hut. Dacy gently tapped on the wooden door of the little Hut, which appeared to be in poor shape. Both of them again shifted into human form.

"Who?" a feminine voice from within asked, sounding extremely old.

"It's me, Dacy," she said and the witch opened the door.

"My child, how are you?" the witch inquired, to which Dacy merely smiled and gently nodded.

The witch turned her head towards Orla. Her face was riddled with wrinkles, and her hair was entirely white indicating her age which was already told by her voice.

"Princess Orla?" she said, her brow furrowed.

And Orla nodded.

"You have grown up into a beautiful woman. When I first saw you, you were quite small " Orla simply smiled. She was at a loss for words.

"What brought you here?"

Orla looked around to make sure there was no one else around.

"Sorry, kid. Come in first" She allowed both girls into her hut, realising Orla's predicament.

Something crossed Orla's legs, causing her to look down, and she discovered that a black cat had crossed her path. Orla looked around and discovered a small wooden table in the center of the cottage with a flower pot and a red mushroom on it.

She made both of the girls sit at the same table.

"Actually, I want you to concoct a potion for me that will conceal my real scent," Orla stated flatly.

"How is this possible, and why do you wish to do it?" inquired about the witch.

"Please don't ask so many questions. We don't have much time" Dacy stepped in "I brought her here with high hopes. Only you, I suppose, could assist us with this. Please give her what she requests and do not tell anyone. This is my humble request"

"I promise there will be no harm to you," Orla said.

"Ok" she simply nodded, unable to break the hopes of the young girls sitting in front of her.

Dacy's pleadings and requests affected the witch, and she rose from her seat to create the potion. She mixed the liquid in different proportions in another bottle and brewed it together while both of the girls stared at her intently. She put the potion into another little container and gave it to the princess with a big smile after a few minutes of brewing and reciting numerous warps.

"Keep in mind that the smell won't last more than four hours and its smell will evaporate faster when you sweat, and once this bottle is finished, I won't be able to prepare another one for you"

The Princess examined the potion and calculated that it would last for a month, which would be sufficient for her to carry out her plan.

"Thank you so much," Princess said to the witch, "Please remember me in mind for any future needs. I would be happy if I could be helpful to you in any way"

~~~~~~~~~~~

When Orla climbed the steps, dressed to the nines in a magnificent gown with her long hair properly curled, she noticed that the ballroom was already packed with youngsters who seemed quite of her age.

"And here comes our birthday girl, Princess Orla Coinin," the host exclaimed, and different faces turned to her as she was the chief guest, making her feel awkward.

"Smile," Dacy said from behind the Princess,

Smile?

How could she smile when she was suffocating inside?

This hall's luxury is piercing every nerve in her body. This vast place is not where her heart dwells. She merely wants to flee to a place where she can find love and peace of mind.

If they think she will welcome their guests with smiles and rainbows after destroying her tranquility, they are mistaken.

If they believe she will do as they say after beating her beloved to death, they are mistaken.

If they believe she will become weak after being blackmailed, they are mistaken.

After all, she is the Alpha's daughter from one of the most powerful packs. Her veins are filled with the same blood of revolt and hatred.

The hair on her arm stood up as she felt someone staring at her. Her world came to a halt when she turned her head in that way.

Angus Lincoln, the Lycan King, was standing there in all his glory and authority. His pack's males were standing behind him, demonstrating his strength.

The guest's gaze was drawn to him as he arrived, but his gaze was fixed on Orla. His stare was so intense and piercing that she shuddered in her position. He was staring at her as if she were his prey, ready to pounce whenever he got the chance.

Dread coursed through her veins, and the only thought that sprang to mind was,

'Did Lycan King identify me?'