Douglas POV
I get in to be with my dad, the king in his royal chambers, the part he entertained visitors. Even though I'm his son, I had to keep with the protocol. He had instructed me to dress corporately each time I came to see him and that, I did. Thank goodness, the queen wasn't around, I could have a heart-to-heart conversation with my dad without worrying about avoiding words that could hurt her.
I wondered where the queen had gone to and why. It was unusual for her not to be beside the king. Pandora was always with the king, if not convincing him to agree to her sinister plans, she would be scolding him if he didn't do what she asked. She was a devil in human nature.
"Why do you keep asking to be king, why don't you let me rule my subjects in peace?"
"Dad, you've already ruled for over sixty-years, it's due for you to transfer the mantle of leadership to me. I'm of age or don't you want me to be king?" He gave me a suspicious look, I'd have been afraid if not that he was my father. There's nowhere I wouldn't think of something sinister being planned if it was the queen looking at me this way.
I remembered what my girl, Nancy, told me before I left her. I always wanted her to be happy. After my mom passed away she became my only source of joy. I was determined to put a smile on her face, it's because of her that I'm fighting hard for the throne despite my dad's reluctance to hand it over to me. I was still in my thoughts with my dad staring silent and angrily at me when the queen came in, she was the replica of the devil. Her aura filled everywhere, the sensation of a pure wicked soul. I wondered if she even had a soul. I read in some books that vampires were different entirely from us. She must have a spirit then if she didn't have a soul!
"What are you trying to do, Douglas?" She stared ferociously at me. "I think I've been giving you too much freedom in this palace that's why you'd have to openly challenge your dad about his position." She muttered, almost to herself. Whenever she acted this way, her eyes turning darker, something evil was cooking up in her heart.
"I'm going to be king whether you like it or not Pandora!" I shouted boldly and she glared at me more ferociously, I snarled. My wolf growled at her. For once I needed to be firm, at other times I was afraid of her. I think that era is gone.
"Are you talking to me that way?" Pandora was puzzled, no one had addressed her in such a way before. I myself haven't before but I did this because of anger. I can't continue to be cut off from the throne forever.
"Dad you're letting this wicked woman that murdered my mother to stand tall as the only proud peacock. So disgraceful of you!" I spit on the floor though it was tiled. Their eyes widened in shock at what I did. I was despising them and sure I had no regrets.
"As for you, O wicked woman, you shall surely pay for what you've done!" I rose up in anger and stormed out of the room. Before I even got out of the hallway, guards walked up to me numbering about four of them and pulled me back up.
I didn't know what was going on. "Get your hands off me lest I make you pay for this insultive act." I struggled but their hands were firm on me. Then I noticed amidst my struggle that we had ceased moving, they held me tight. I looked up and in front of me stood the queen.
"It's an insult in your case but not when you despise your dad and I?" She spit directly on my face. I got so ashamed. At once I realized part of me was dead, my wolf was weak. I couldn't have any connection with it. For the first time I felt the effect of the evil powers my step-mom had, as a hybrid, a vampire and a witch. In totality I was weak and helpless.
"Follow me!" She gestured to the armed guards who pulled me further up the winding hallway while she led the way walking in all her majesty with pride and authority. I felt like kicking her with my foot and spitting back on her. Her long black cloak trailed behind her as she took every step up, it swayed with the gentle blow of the early morning breeze.
"I feel it's that useless girl that is causing you to behave in this way." She smirked. I wanted to ask her in what way I behaved but I felt it would be disastrous to do that. I might be possibly hurt and there was no way I could defend myself now my wolf was weak.
I had no other option than to keep quiet. The security personnel armed with guns and in black uniform led me up the stairs to the guest room of the queen. It was the room she received her guests, most of which met with a tragic end soon after. I recalled what she said about my girl, fear gripped my heart. "I pray nothing will happen to my only joy," I wept inside of me. Before Pandora mentioned her, she had some evil thoughts about her. If she did wrong to Nancy, I swear I wouldn't fail to avenge. Even if it was one second before my death, I will certainly deal with her.
Pandora opened the door abruptly, what I saw made my breath escape. Nancy was lying on the floor almost unclad with chains bounding her hands and legs. Her face swollen like she was beaten some minutes ago, she was downcasted. I stood helpless, the thought of avenging flew away. Here was something I better avenged but there was no power left in me. I sensed being useless and no longer a man.
"Say a word and your girlfriend, whatever her name is, will be gone forever." Every cell in my body burned into the inferno of betrayal, my dad was the betrayer. If he had been strong enough to resist Pandora's charms, all of these wouldn't be happening. Because of her, I've lost my mother, my first love, and now my only love surviving. "What would my life be like if I lose her?" I muttered to myself almost unconsciously, I felt faint as my sight turned blurry. The next moment I dropped.
When the prince fell, Pandora gestured to the guards to get him up. She felt that he was pretending to be sick because of what was happening. "Get him up quickly," she commanded in her thick, fiery voice, her bloodshot eyes darkened. One of the guards struck Douglas a blow right in the face when they pulled him up to rise up but he didn't. Lucinda, my PA hid her face in shame and horror. It was a sickening sight, tears escaped my eyes. "What're we gonna do about this?" I asked her but she was so affected by what was happening to look at my face or even answer me. I wrapped my hand around her shoulders in comfort. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll do something about this!" I tried to comfort her with these soothing words. A swollen spot appeared where Douglas was struck. He was truly unconscious. "Call the pack doctor to come drive him to consciousness, I want to see as his beloved is done away with." A loud sinister laugh followed, my eyes turned golden. I was truly annoye
DOUGLAS POVMy heart is broken as the guards lead me out of luxury, my rights as the wolf prince and privileges of a future king to the dungeon as Pandora ordered. I have no say in this case and I don't know what would happen to my love, Nancy. She's my world, life and everything. I don't know if I would ever get to see her again. Now my world comes crumbling, would it ever bounce back?Today I had woken up to a bright day, hoping to be successful in my quest when I got to meet my father, little did I know that I'd be in such a condition. A tear stream down my face and I quickly wiped it off with the back of my palms.The guards lead me to their hilux van at the edge of the lane that leads from the castle to the field. One of them is already opening the back door for me to get in. Few hours ago, I was the respected prince, but now a cared-less-about prisoner with a bleak future. This might be the last time I'll ever set my eyes on this beautiful place I'd always called home even afte
CASSANDRA POVInside the room with the queen, I felt all the hatred and anger I'd bottled inside me for years resurfaced. Pandora could see the vengeance in my eyes, her eyes turned bloodshot in anger as I confronted her. A war was set to begin between both of us. "Why would you let your stepson be in prison for three years without caring to release him? What has he done to you?" I asked in an angry tone with serious hate in my eyes."Why do you care, is he in any way related to you or what makes you think you have the authority to confront my decision?"I got puzzled at how Pandora would dare speak with me that way. "Do you know who you're talking to in such a manner?" "Who cares? Are you not the crowned wolf queen, should that make you feel right to interrupt with my authority in this kingdom? Let me warn you for the last time," she said with so much seriousness. "If you don't learn to mind your business and stop meddling in my private affairs, I'll make you join Douglas at the du
When I arrived at my apartment, the glass residential house at Matama Estate, ten kilometers from my Foundation's residence, I went straight to the bathroom to wash myself. The sun has been so hot and I needed a cool shower as it was getting to noon. Eva emerges from her room and steps in front of me. "Glad you're back. Hope you weren't hurt? What happened at your encounter with the queen?" She was so anxious to know what went on between us. I mean no true friend would care less. "Nothing really, I'll inform you later. I need to take lunch. I'm really tired." I was exhausted actually and I needed rest. Eva knew I'd loved to be left alone at this moment. "So can I bring in your food from the kitchen?" I nodded to her enquiry. She turned to leave while I continued to my dressing room. Eva wasn't only my staff at the foundation but a close friend, she's the one I shared most of my life experiences with except the spiritual, who I was. That's a no-no.After work, she comes home to my l
"When I arrived at the palace, there were so many guards at the gate, staff all around and even at the castle where the king and queen reside but I got past them." I began. Eva's eyes fixed steadily to me like she was the accuser in court paying attention to the verdict of the judge which was me in this case."So how did you get past them?" She asked with a frightening gaze and her face shaking in terror."What do you mean?" I joked. "Do you play with me?" She smiled."I know you're a shifter but like, come on, tell me how you did that." Eva urged."Whatever!" I gestured with my hands and burst out into laughter. "You haven't really told me anything." I knew she wanted to discover how I passed through the heavily secured residence of the king and queen without being obstructed by the security personnel who are permitted to let only those with passes in. She was earnest to know this."Well, you seem too curious." I decided to place Eva in a little suspense before I told her what happ
I retired to my bed after a while. I need to have a nap before evening. I've decided to go out with Eva. It's quite okay for me to celebrate her decision to join with me in fighting this course. It's not an easy one, so celebrating someone that has agreed to walk with you through the good and dark times is a great deal.Sleep always proves a great refreshment to my body and spirit, I felt quite relaxed and bubbling with energy after I awoke. It's 3 PM and too early to get up from my bed, especially as I have nothing to do at the moment. While on my bed, my mind framed thoughts of Douglas. Though covered with sorrows and a mournful look, he is still a charming prince with his charming blue eyes and shiny black curly hair. His muscular stature makes him the dream of every girl, I think it's even affecting me quite well even though I'm not like every ordinary girl. The clock seemed to be ticking away into the time I had planned for. Few hours had passed after I spent time with Eva. She
I wondered why the thought or sight of Douglas shot electricity through my spines. It has come way too much often in me that I have to remind myself of my original status and mission. "Well, you know I'm not here to crush on him but I have my own feelings towards him.""I knew you've something cooking up in your mind towards that handsome prince." Eva teased, rolling her eyes."Shhhh!" I gestured with my index finger placed across my lips. "Who tells you that?" "I know that." Her voice was so confident even though she was smiling sweetly like I had achieved a fortune she really admired and cherished, even more than myself. "Eva, I'm here to help Douglas out of the prison and nothing more. Don't you pity seeing your prince and the rightful king in prison, that you're here talking about love?" Eva seemed not to be bothered by my statement, the mindset that I was crushing on the prince had so soaked her mind to ponder on reality. I wasn't into Douglas that way, the way she thought al
I was busy straining my head and eyes, trying to figure out who it was that Eva was referring to. By the way she looked in that direction, I suspected it was no joke. But what would Douglas be doing here when he was imprisoned?The sound of my phone notification draws my attention from the direction I was looking. Avelyn Cian appears on top of my screen, she was the Chief of Staff at my foundation. It must be something really serious. I opened the message body to see the greatest shock of my life."Ahhhh!" I exclaimed with my eyes and mouth very wide apart. No one must have noticed except Eva sitted opposite me. A popular music played at the moment and people's attention was directed towards it. They swayed their bodies according to the rhythm.In the picture she sent, Douglas was lying bandaged at various parts of his body. "He was severely beaten by the guards upon the order of Queen Pandora as she came to visit." I wept as I read Avelyn's statement. What did Douglas do to deserve a