PRINCE ASHER

ASHLEY’S POV 

“Hold on!” I yelled, running towards the gate. My backpack was pulling me back and the traveling bag in my left hand was weighing me downward, but none of that was enough to stop me. 

“Gates close at 11pm! All the packs received the information.” The guard said, struggling to close the gates. Luckily, it was a very heavy one and allowed me room to arrive. 

“I know. I know.” I responded. “But if it wasn’t an emergency, I wouldn’t be late,”I explained, handing out my pack badge. 

“Crystal pack,” he read, “some lousy girl…” the guard hesitated, “never mind. You're welcome,” he held the gate slightly open and let me through.  

I rushed into the premises and found everyone walking in one direction. None of them had a backpack and I didn't want to be fished out so quickly, so I hid my bags in one corner and went along with everyone else. We all converged at a hall and I took  a seat at the back. 

“The council will be here any minute,” a voice announced as everyone else settled down. I looked around, extremely nervous. I knew the fact that I had gone through those gates meant that this could only go one of two ways–either very bad or very good. My heart was racing very fast. 

“We welcome you all to the fifth edition of Summer Royal Academy,” a man came up on stage with the speech he started from the office beside the stage. “You all know the reason you’re here. The twenty-five packs of the kingdom hold a quinquennial training of its princes, who will not only lead their pack to greatness, but also the kingdom to unity and positive advancement. Everything here is important, including your relationship with one another, and you're advised to treat it as such. The kingdom of Achaia is depending on you.” 

Everyone in the hall clapped energetically as the man finished his speech. “How about we begin with an introduction?” The man said, “Let’s begin from behind. You,” She pointed at one of the guys in front.  

“Prince Xavier Abel of Red Moon pack,” I immediately recognized him as the jerk who had insulted me and told me I wouldn't pass as Zeta's daughter and that I didn't belong here. I rolled my eyes to the back of my skull.

“And you?” I heard a voice  from a distance. “You!” The next time I heard the voice, it was accompanied by a pat on the shoulder by another prince sitting beside me. I was snapped back into real time. 

I got up, took a good look at every single person seated. I felt naked before them, like they could see right through me under the straight array of white lights that was over our heads in the hall. 

“Prince Asher Smichtt of Crystal pack,” I introduced, after gulping in a good amount of saliva. 

Well, that was my new identity now–Prince Asher. I no longer wanted to be labeled the weak and useless princess, who needed a man to amount to anything. I needed my father all my life and his attempt to marry me off meant that he believed I needed a man. I also needed to prove to the entire Achaia kingdom that princesses are just as good as princes. It was about time for a change. 

****

“Here’s your room. I hope you’re excited about the next three months,” The guard stopped at the front of an apartment, handing me a key. 

“Thank you very much,” I took the key from him, eager to go in. I needed a bath and also needed some sleep. It had been one hell of a day. One day I didn't think it would change because of a hair cut, some facial hairs and change of clothing, but here we were. 

“You’re welcome.” He responded with a smile. “I must say, I am quite excited to have you here. I really thought your father would not allow you to be here. I’m glad to see he remembers the importance of the camp.” My heart dropped to my stomach as he spoke and I realized he knew my father. I held up a very faint and sheepish smile. ‘Was this the part where things go from really good to really bad?’ 

“After you were born and your mother died, he dissociated from the other packs of the kingdom. He didn’t say a word to anyone about the beautiful child your mother had.” The guard looked at me with so much admiration in his eyes. 

I was in awe. Outside the pack house, all they knew was that my mother had a child. I wasn’t sure if to be angry that my father tried to hide me, because he was ashamed I was female, or to be thankful that his well kept secret afforded me the opportunity to be a whole new person out here. Since I wasn’t sure of my feelings, or what answers were appropriate, I kept smiling at the guard. 

“Alright! I’ll let you settle in now. You should rest.” I thanked the guard again and watched him walk away until he was out of sight, then I shut the door behind me and heaved a sigh of relief, leaning against the door. I could not believe my life. Everything still felt very much ethereal. I didn't get to digest it, before the door tried to forcefully open from behind me. 

“Who's there?” I pushed back very hard. I got no response and although the push back stopped, the person continued knocking on the door, the next knock more aggressive than the last. “Kill me,” I whispered as I opened the door. I froze right at the door. 

His ocean blue eyes were still as dreamy as I remembered from the morning. ‘my arrogant god in pink’, only this time, he was wearing a powdered blue skin vest that matched his headphones. The seconds I was lost in his eyes felt like an eternity, but only because I could live the feeling for an eternity. 

“How did you find me?” I probed in a tender voice. Confusion immediately overtook his face. 

“What do you mean? I live here,” he walked right past me and into the room, taking off his shirt. Again, I froze in time, trying to process what was happening. ‘I had to live with the same arrogant prince I had a huge crush on?’ 

“Prince Vance Louis of Half moon pack,” he said, “and you are?” he probed, while I thought, ‘was it too late to tell the truth?’