CHAPTER THREE

Eva

The long drive back home was daunting but unavoidable. I had run away from home five years ago, taking a ride that stopped me far from Granny's home before I trekked the rest of the journey. It was not easy, especially with my broken heart but I needed it.

Nobody from home had even asked about me since then. Granny had to Inform Father herself that I was with her. So why is he suddenly interested in me joining the celebration? I had no Wolf and had no use being among the people who had shown me nothing but distaste.

I'm sure the Lycan royal family wants nothing to do with a bastard born outside a mate-bond. I was a pawn to be used and dumped just like Dennis or Daniel did five years ago.

I wined down the glass of the old jeep so that the patrol guard could see me. "Welcome, Princess Eva," a familiar face greeted me. I smiled faintly. Not much has changed over the years…

I could see several other vehicles driving into the kingdom as well. Maybe everyone was truly mandated to be there. I saw the frown on the maids' faces as I drove into the grounds of the castle. My clothes weren't doing me much justice when I climbed out to take my things from the boot.

"Eva!" Nessa's voice caused me to swipe my head in the direction where it came. She ran into my arms and held me in a choking hug before I could even help it. 

"Oh goddess, Eva, you have grown!" She yelped, looking me over. I was wearing jean pants and a white shirt which looked nothing like royalty. My cowgirl boots didn't help the look at all. 

I smiled at her. At five-seven, I was still no match for her five feet ten. Her beautiful wavy blonde accentuated her regal beauty, her breathtaking deep blue eyes making it a no-brainer for any Man to turn twice when they passed her. And don't even get me talking about her figure. She was truly born to be a Royal Beta. "You too, Nessa." I returned her smile.

"What are you all staring at?! Help the Princess!" She barked at the maids to carry out my belongings. I pressed her not to be so harsh. I haven't seen these maids before so I'm sure they don't know me.

I was quite surprised that the Lycan King still let my family live in the castle. I guess I thought the worst would have happened. Perhaps not…

"The Lycan entourage will soon be arriving with the King so we need to get you changed." Nessa nudged, grabbing my hand as we rushed up the stairs, stopping when we entered my old room and closed the door behind us.

"I thought it was tomorrow…"

"Well, plans have been changed. I guess the jerk just wants to take us by surprise." She scoffed before she pulled a really wide smile drawing close and taking my hand.

"I really missed you…" she pouted, squeezing me ever so slightly. "You didn't even say goodbye!"

"I'm sorry," I managed to mutter as guilt filled me. I was just in so much pain and she would have figured out what was wrong if she saw me in that state. Nessa was too smart for me to risk it.

"Fine. Let's get you ready!" She squeaked after we pulled out of our long hearty hug.

………

Nessa forced me to take a bath while the maids prepared a dress for me. She wasn't dressed for the occasion as well so we spent over an hour talking and rebonding while we got ready.

For some reason, I was glad that everyone was busy with the emergency celebration so none of my family members had come to meet me. Not like anyone cared to though, but I was sure Anisha, my younger step-sister, would have loved to take a bite of me if she had the chance.

"You look great, Eva." Nessa squealed as we stood to take a last look in the mirror before we leave. The maids had already informed us the Lycan King had crossed the border. My heart was already going haywire at the thought of seeing him again. 

"You too," I smiled back at her reflection behind the mirror. I was wrong, she was born to be a queen Instead. 

We practically wore the same One-handed Silk gown with a slit that ran all the way to the upper thigh. While hers was a beautiful Milk colour, mine was deep wine red. I groaned all through as she forced me to put it on. 

I don't know why I have to dress up so much when no one would acknowledge me anyway. I was still the Wolfless bastard child of the Alpha King and all this won't change anything. I bet no one would even remember me…

"Don't think I have not noticed how much more quiet you turned out and how you speak in monotones most of the time, Eva." I was always quiet and reserved. That was how I successfully hid my relationship with Daniel then. But maybe she was right. I had become too quiet. 

"Don't worry, Eva. Things will turn out well from now on. We will find a way to get back at the Lycans soon." She tried to assure me when I gave her a defeated smile. 

"He is here," Nessa's eyes flashed to her Wolf and my heartbeat skipped to the sky. It was trying to force its way off my body now. "Relax, Eva, I will be with you all the way." Was the last thing she said before we made our way downstairs.

Thankfully, everyone's attention was too focused on the arriving royalty so I had a chance to hide among the crowd. Nessa's warm hands on me were doing well in calming me down to an extent but was it enough? Definitely not.

I could feel his thick aura in the room already. The stifled whimpers I heard from several mouths gave everything away. His aura was too thick and intimidating. Thicker than the last time I saw him… 

Several towering bodies covered my view of him as Alphas surrounded him where he stood. I could still see his familiar hairstyle and intimidating frame but not his face. Everyone was just seeking his attention but I felt like running away. 

I saw Father lead the huge Man to his special VIP stand while my family came around where he stood. I felt Nessa squeeze my hand and I snapped my head around to meet her reassuring gaze. 

"Wanna go and meet him?" She asked and my heart rate sprang up again. "Calm down, Eva. We don't have to if you don't want to." I sighed in relief hearing that. I didn't expect her to be this understanding. I guess I was not the only one who matured a lot.

"Eva! My daughter!" Dad's familiar voice almost made me choke on the chilled red wine I was gulping down. I was already settled with Nessa on a far enough side of the hall, deciding to drink something to cool my nerves before I sneak back upstairs when his voice came.

I sprang around, in search of the voice, when I met his familiar penetrating emerald green eyes just behind Father, who was now standing before me and I froze.

The shock waves that went through my body made me lose grip of the Glass cup in my hand so it slipped and fell; catching the attention of everyone in the hall as the sound of shattering glass filled the room.