Back Then

The past

LILITH 

“Clean my room, Lilith,” Fatima spat out, her voice dripping angrily. I rose to my feet, my body trembling with fury, and pivoted to confront her, my face contorted with seething rage.

“What in the world? Didn’t you see I’m doing something--” As I stumbled over my words, she snatched up my unfinished masterpiece, letting it slip through her fingers and crash to the ground. A smirk spread across her lips as if reveling in the destruction she had caused.

“Do what I’ve said, or prepare to face the wrath of my mother, whose fury knows no bounds.” I shook my head, desperately attempting to regain my composure—with trembling hands, I reached down to retrieve my precious painting, only to be met with an unexpected force.

She ruthlessly shoved me so intensely that my body hurtled toward the unforgiving ground.

“Fatima, I plead you . . . I held this precious thing close to my heart, and let me tell you; It’s our beloved mother you’re trying to scare me--”

“So what if it’s our mother? I am their favorite; they will do anything for me!” she boomed, kicking my toe.

“So, I couldn’t care less!” she exclaimed, her voice dripping with disdain. “I’ll return later, and if this place is still unclear, I’ll unleash my fury upon you with my own hands.” Her eyes rolled with such intensity that they seemed to emit a menacing aura — as she walked out of the room.

My heart raced as I swallowed hard, feeling the lump in my throat. I reached up to brush away the tears that streamed down my face, unable to contain my overwhelming emotions. 

I’ve decided to toss my half-finished painting into the trash, hurling the chaos aside, and meticulously arrange the messy bed.

I gently placed my hand on my chest, feeling the rapid thump of my heart beneath my fingertips. I inhaled a lungful air, summoning the courage to leave the room. Little did I know, the sight that awaited me would be nothing short of astonishing. There, before my eyes, stood Lucas, the son of the mighty Alpha King, conversing with Fatima. To my disbelief, they were talking and sharing genuine smiles that lit up their faces.

“What is your sister doing here?” Lucas erupted into laughter, his booming chuckles filling the room as if he had just heard the most absurd joke in the world.

My heart pounded like a wild drum as I sprinted into my room, the door swinging open behind me. I dared not waste a moment to lock it, for I knew all too well the wrath that awaited me at the hands of Fatima.

I shifted my gaze with intensity towards the window, fixating my eyes on it. In a sudden and unexpected turn of events, the door swung open. “Fatima, I couldn’t care less about Lucas, alright? You’ve got him, and I beg you, please spare me from any physical harm--” My words stumbled to a halt as I abruptly pivoted, my eyes widening in surprise as they landed on Lucas, who stood at the door.

My throat tightened as I swallowed hard. “Wait, where’s my sister?”

“She was called,” he interjected, his voice dripping with smugness as a mischievous smirk danced across his face.

“Seriously, Lily? Do you not give a damn about me?” He interrogated, causing my heart to race as he strides closer.

I avert my gaze, refusing to meet his eyes. “Get out of here—”

“I know you like me, Lily. The thing is, I don’t like you, and I’ll never like someone like you, and I couldn’t even care less about you.”

“So cease this charade of entitlement, pretending you possess the audacity to feel envious whenever I am in your sister's company. I love her,” he whispered, his voice filled with a tender longing.

A sharp pang pierced through my chest as his words hit me, but I summoned every ounce of strength to plaster a broad, albeit strained, grin across my face.

“Well, Lucas, that’s completely irrelevant to me. I’m not as desperate as you think--” Before I could utter another word, his hand seized mine, forcefully guiding it towards his lips, compelling me to press a hesitant kiss upon them.

I got my eyes wide open, and as someone’s foot was coming, he pushed me away.

“What the hell, Lilith!? Are you that desperate to kiss me!” My eyes are stretched wide, taking in every detail. 

I’m completely lost in the whirlwind of confusion. I felt . . . betrayed.

Fatima strides into the room, her eyes shooting daggers with a fierce glare.

“And then I might have to beat you up,” Fatima said.