VERONICA
I hold my clothes tight with my last strength. Everyone stares at me precisely, wondering what gave me the nerve. Honestly, I don't know what gave me this audacity, but whatever it is, it should also not let me die at the hands of this Lycan."Let me go... you monsters," I scream, and I move away from the vampire. Tears clouded my vision as I stood. Inwardly, I am too scared to even breathe properly, but how I put up with the act of acting strong is one thing I don't know of."You are the stubborn one, huh?" "Kill her," he orders. My heart sank to my belly. Grandma died for me to live... And all I could do to keep her last request was to get myself killed? The fear of my blood being sucked until I drop dead on the cold, bare floor creeps up on me and hunts me.I shiver and move backwards with each of the vampire's approaching steps. I hear the Lycans call him Mike. He kept on moving until I got to my dead end. I was trapped by the crooked wall. I see a glimpse of a smile across Mike's lips when I can't move any further. I held my breath, waiting for him to bite off my flesh and feed on my blood.However, it occurs to me that I must never die like this. I have to succumb to pleading, even though it would hurt my pride. To hell with the fuckin' pride that will soon get me killed."I will strip." I said it nervously just when I felt Mike's teeth on my neck. His smell was disgusting—he smells like dirty blood, or should I say a dead corpse."Let her live," the Lycan man said almost immediately, like he was waiting for me to beg for my life. Mike grumbled in anger. He hesitates for a few seconds before getting himself away from me.I breathe out heavily, knowing that I have been relieved of not only the smell that could have sent me to my early grave but also the fact that I won't die with my whole blood sucked . It was as if I were pulling a movie show, as everyone watched me with keen interest. I will strip. Maybe they think I won't. It's not like I have some magical powers that would make me disappear from the cave or that I could use to open a portal passage to another world and escape forever.Slowly, still in the same position, I start to pull my clothes bit by bit, wishing that someone could appear and order them to stop and then take me away from here. Unfortunately, I pulled the last cloth I was on without anyone like that showing up.I sigh in disappointment as he walks towards me and starts to inspect my body. If only he knew how embarrassed I am at the moment; however, I still look directly into his eyes, pretending not to be surprised by him. At a point, he had to squeeze his face; I don't know why, but that scared the hell out of me. The other girls that were killed had the same face-squeezing experience before they were killed."Lock them up," he orders. I quickly put my cloth back on, and then we were dragged down a lonely aisle. I walked slowly, trying to find any clue or exit, but there was none. We walk along the route, which only has two exits; one will lead you back to the cave, while the other will take you to the place we are heading to, obviously the prison.As I was being led into the castle prison along with the other girls, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. The imposing walls and high towers of the fortress seemed to loom over us, casting a dark and foreboding shadow.We were herded through the gates and into a dimly lit hallway, where we were locked in a cramped cell with barely enough space for all of us to sit. The air was stale and musty, and I could hear the distant sounds of clanging metal and muffled screams echoing through the corridors.As soon as we entered the castle prison, I was struck by the overwhelming sense of dread that filled the air. The walls are made of rough, gray stone that seemed to absorb all the light, casting the interior in shadow. The air was thick with the stench of filth and decay, and the sounds of clanging metal and distant screams echoed off the walls.The hallway leading to our cell was narrow and dimly lit, with torches flickering in the sconces on the wall. The floor was slick with moisture, and I stumbled more than once as we were led deeper into the prison.When we finally reached our cell, I was horrified by the conditions. The space was cramped and crowded, with barely enough room for all of us to sit. The walls were damp and covered in mold, and the only light came from a small window set high in the wall. The air was thick and stifling, and I could barely breathe.I crouch to my feet, waiting and thinking about the next action. I am powerless, and even though they knew I was a werewolf, I wonder why they decided to leave me alive. Obviously, I have no powers, and I am more like a human since I can't even switch to my wolf form.My stomach rumbles in hunger, but when I look around, I see the others, especially a little girl of about ten years old, taken captive with us. I feel pity for them. Somehow it seems I am the oldest among the other fifteen surviving girls; they all rather look at me as if I were. And hopelessly, I cannot even do anything for them. The display of disobedience I exhibited earlier was just what my grandma says—that I should never behave like the others. for some reason that I was different." I am still waiting for that, which makes me different, but it seems to never show up.I am terribly starving, and I think of what to do to get myself and the others something to eat."Heyyy.. get us some food... Anyone out there? We ain't gonna starve to death you knowww!!!!" I scream as I shake the iron straps covering the cell violently, ignoring the surprised looks from the others.There is silence, and my voice echoes to the far end. I don't know how many meters away they are, and it also seems no one would ever come to us. No one is there guarding us, but still, there is no escape for us. The fear of that immediately crept into me; that was reality. I keep my calm and watch the disappointed glare I get from the inmates."Are we gonna die?" The little girl is crouching beside me, about to break into tears. She asks with a shaky voice. I drew her close to me and let her wet my shirt with her tears. She cries. I hear her constantly calling out to her mother, and I look around; no one in there could possibly be the little girl's mother. I also notice one more thing. Only teenagers were taken except for this little girl and maybe me; I am no teenager; I just turned twenty a few weeks ago."What's your name, little princess?" I asked, not sure if I would get a response from the broken girl."Alice, my mother calls me that.""You've got a pretty name there, Alice." I say she's trying to lift her mood. She gave a faint glimpse. and stare directly into my eyes. I almost feel like tearing up. How could she look at me with so much hope in her eye? I can't even protect myself in here. not to talk of her or any other person."You are Veronica." Alice asksI nod, surprised that she knows my name. I never said my name to anyone else."Yes, Love. I am. "Don't tell me you guessed that.""More like I saw it," she says."You have powers?" "To see things?" She blinks her eyes as she nods her head. I am confused. Even if she was a werewolf, Grandma never told me that werewolves possess such powers.The doors clicked open, interrupting us from our discussion. Everyone looks up, waiting for the owner of the pitter patter footsteps that sound approaching the prison.I am scared... Maybe they will finally get us killed, and I am to be blamed for my useless noise for a meal.He finally arrived, and his cold gaze sent shivers down my spine. I don't know of the others, but looking at them, you can easily tell that they were all scared to death as well.Somehow, our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat. A lump suddenly grew in my stomach."Werewolf girl?" I hear him whisper. I am sure I have heard that voice. But I didn't see his mouth moving, although his expression shows that he asked the question. Why is he surprised to see me? Does he know me?VERONICAI shift my gaze away from him while he still looks at me with his furrowed brows. He surely has met me somewhere, but I can swear this is the first time I have seen his face in my entire life. "Who was blaring about food a while ago?" He finally got hold of himself and asked questions. Everywhere was dead silent as his deep, authoritative voice echoed. Even the growls and noises I hear from the other rooms have seized. I looked around to witness the accusing glare everyone gave me. I try to remind them with a coded signal from my face expression that "I did it all for us" and so they should not hand me over to him. "The girl over there, with the long hair and oval face," one chubby girl points at me. I knew I had long hair, but I never knew my face was oval; I always thought it was just a circle. After all, I have only had the opportunity to look at my reflection in not very clean water. I swallow hard, trying to hide my face. It wasn't so difficult for me to get caught.
VERONICAI've always despised Lycans, and the mere thought of falling in love with one made me want to retch. For years, I searched for my mate in silence, praying that the moon goddess wouldn't pair me with a Lycan.But fate had a twisted sense of humor. Now I find myself stuck with a Lycan man who seemed to be infatuated with me. I can't stand the sight of him, but I know I could use him to accomplish my mission."What the hell do you think you're doing?" I snarled, my voice filled with fury as I push him away from me. "What am I doing? What's wrong with you?" he shot back, his voice deep and masculine, his face etched with annoyance. "Why did you let yourself get dragged to my father, and why didn't you postulate in front of the king?"For a moment, I felt like a toddler being cautioned by her father. My heart is blank. I don't know whether I should hate him more or just a little less. "What's the meaning then?" "Meaning of what?" He replied impatiently. I can't even bring my
VERONICA"This is your room." "Stay here with your little puppy," Grimgor says, standing up to leave."Little puppy?" Alice," he answers reluctantly, and then walks towards the door.I feel grateful that he let me stay with the little girl. I can't even imagine how cruel her life can ever get since she lost her mother this very night as well.He slams the door behind him. Although not too loudly.The room wasn't too fashionable, like the one we stayed in to eat. It was just the perfect room for a rich man's slave. Not as shabby as where I lived and still not as standard as Grimgor's room, or whatever that was. I'm just realizing that the room is just opposite mine!I lay the bed down with the bedsheets and duvets that are on it. The room is also a bit dusty. I have to clean everything up before doing anything else. Alice helps out in the little way she can. After the whole little chore, I made a warm bath for her and then made her sleep comfortably on the bed.Remembering the whole e
VERONICAI stop once I feel the cold, rough surface of the wall behind me. My heart races as I try to keep my voice steady. "I don't know what you're talking about," I stutter.The man in front of me, whom I assume to be Prince Ezra, narrows his eyes. "Don't lie to me," he growls. "Why were you lingering around the castle?"I glance around, panicking, hoping someone will come to my defense.Fortunately, Prince Grimgor did, but not in the way I expected. "Leave her be!" he screams, standing between us. "She's with me."Ezra sneers. "Brother, don't be foolish. Or mad at me" He places his hands on his brother's shoulder. "I'm just doing a quick investigation. You don't expect me to turn a blind eye to a stranger lurking around the castle, do you?"My guess was right; this man is Grimgor's brother. But why were they fighting against each other? I watch as they glare at each other with fierce looks that send chills down my spine. If I ever had a sibling in my whole lifetime, I would have t
VERONICAIt's been weeks, and nothing has improved. The same daily routine of waking up as early as 4:00 a.m. Tidy my room, take my bath, and then force Alice to wake up, which she would sluggishly do and take her bath only to go back. I have managed to ask one of the servants to help me tutor her in the little way she can. I didn't even go to school either, but I miraculously know how to do some reading.I'd go out to watch as they make breakfast for the Lycan King and his family. They said I must learn how to do it because the king could randomly select someone to make his breakfast, and a little mistake could cost one's life. Afterwards, I tidy Prince Grimgor's room and do repeated cleaning whenever he has a bad mood and takes it out on me. Before everything, it would be midday; I would take my breakfast and then continue with work.So annoying. Life here is more difficult than I could have ever imagined. However, I am a bit relieved that I wasn't still in prison. Theirs seems to b
VERONICAI tiptoed back nervously, not knowing what would become of me should I get caught.However, just on the last hallway to my room, I unknowingly hit a flower vase with my leg. Luckily, it didn't chatter, but it made a very alarming noise. calling attention to the figure I saw at the end of the hallway."Hey, come with me!" he gestured. I look around beside me and at my back, trying to confirm to whom exactly he was talking.I pointed to myself when I clearly couldn't see anyone behind or beside me. "Do you mean me?" I ask tenderly.Prince Ezra has very little patience. I know that, and yet I am crossing the line."Yes you... Just follow me!" He says it impatiently. I guess he is short of the annoying word he would cuss at me with."Sorry." I bow my head in apology and start to run over to where he is. Before I get to him, he's already in his office. I followed suit almost immediately.There is something very striking about Ezra. His presence alone gives me shivers,maybe because
VERONICA"Veronica, what are you doing?" Emily asked. "You haven't prepared yourself yet.""For what?" I reply, "Confused.""For the presentation ceremony," she said sternly. "I forgot to instruct you on the things you need to know."I nodded, feeling a little apprehensive. Emily was usually very demanding, but today she seems different. Maybe it is because she knew the stakes were high and that any mistake I made would reflect poorly on her.As I stand there, unsure of what to do, Emily walks towards me and offers me a seat on my bed."Good morning," I say, trying to be polite."That's not necessary," she replied sharply. "We don't have time for pleasantries. You need to get ready now."I felt a knot form in my stomach.. "What should I wear?" I asked, hoping for some guidance. And preferably hoping that she won't have anything for me, and then she will suggest I just go back to sleep.Emily smiled and opened a large trunk she had brought in. "I have just the thing," she said as she
VERONICASooner than I expected, the king appeared. Although not as I expected. He is looking all old and sick, like someone who will drop dead soon. His wolf must have helped him walk upright, and even a smile he couldn't fake He went up with all that mean face until he got to his gigantic seat and sat. Facing the rest of us. We all bowed gently to him for about a minute.I was glad enough to see his face. It looks like what I had before; maybe he was in my nightmare. His face is unforgettable, but I can't even find a trace of where I have met this man before.I see Mike. Standing at the back of another man who was dressed like a king too. Although it was obvious that the Lycan was superior, the man sat side by side with the Lycan king.I was so distracted that I didn't even know when the other ladies were asked to go out. I almost stumble while I hasten my pace as Emily taps me.They had to form a cue when I got out; I had to stand as the last person. As I walked down the long line,