TRUE COLOURS

WILLOW’S POV.

My younger sister stole my birthright. Or should I say, my parents stole it and gave it to her. As the first daughter of this family, it’s supposed to be me sitting up there, with that crown on my head and being named “Heir Apparent” to my father’s throne. I should be the one smiling down at guests, nodding and accepting their congratulatory words and well wishes for my future journey as Alpha of this pack, however, I’m not and it’s all because of the one thing that has my parents and everyone else in this castle treating me like a lowlife outcast.

My wolf-less status.

When I turned eighteen, my wolf did not awaken. At first, I thought it was just a little delay and that in a few days, she would show up and I would become a full-fleshed werewolf, but days became weeks and then months and now as we speak, it’s been three years since I turned eighteen years old and I’m yet to feel my wolf.

That’s if I ever will.

“What do you reckon will become of her now that her sister has been crowned “Heir Apparent”, instead of her?” A mocking voice chimes from behind me and I don’t need to look to know that whoever asked the question is referring to me.

“What do you think? She’s going to keep being a servant in her father’s castle just like the rest of us. However, if she’s lucky, the good Lord Commander’s son, Miles Harrison, who’s currently her mate will marry her and take her away from here, even though I hope that never happens. The young Lord Harrison is way out of her league. As a wolf-less outcast, she does not deserve to be with a man as dignified as him.”

Those condescending words slice through me like a two-edged sword, each word cutting deeper than the last.

“No, she doesn’t. And I can guarantee you that Young Lord Harrison will not marry her. Just watch and see.” Another servant adds which incites sniggers from her fellow gossipers. I suck in a deep breath and turn to face them. I want to scream at them to stop talking about me as though I’m not here at all, but what’s the point? It’s not going to make them stop, so I walk away from the door from which I’ve been witnessing my sister’s coronation and take the nearest exit with tears burning in my eyes.

My parents didn’t even allow me to attend the coronation like a family member because of how ashamed they are of me. They don’t want me interacting with the pack members and reminding them of the fact that their Alpha and Luna birthed wolf-less outcast. That’s why my mother assigned me to work in the kitchen during the ceremony.

The servants were right. I’m a lowlife outcast and I do not deserve my mate, Miles Harrison, who is the first son of the Commander in Chief of my father’s army, but they are wrong about one thing. The fact that they think he will never marry me.

He will, because he loves me very much. He has told me so a million times already and I trust him. So, it’s fine if my sister takes my place as Alpha. I’ll still have a very bright future as Miles’ wife.

“Willow!” A stern voice calls and terror rakes its claws down my spine when I spin around and spot an angry looking version of my mother strutting towards me with such speed I cannot comprehend.

“Mother.” A heavy smack lands on my left cheek, sending my head swaying to the side.

“What are you doing slacking out here when you should be in the kitchen, making sure nothing goes wrong with your sister’s coronation party.” She fumes and I want to ask her how me being in the kitchen will ensure that nothing goes wrong tonight, but I swallow the words and simply stare at her with tears glistening in my eyes. “It’s pathetic how unreliable and incompetent you are! Now, go and fetch your sister.”

“Fetch my sister?” I ask in confusion, my left palm pressed against my assaulted cheek. Harriet was in the ballroom when I left the door I had been peeping from. Where could she have gone within such a short time?

“I believe that is what I said.”

“But I don’t have a clue as to where to find her.”

“That is not my concern. All I want is for you to find her as soon as possible and bring her back to the ballroom. You have five minutes. It’s almost time for the big announcement.”

“What big announcement?” The question slips out before I can restrain myself.

“You will know when it’s time. Now, go!” She shoves my shoulder and my legs start carrying me away from her presence even though what I want to do is stay and persist until she caves and tells me what the big announcement is.

I have a feeling it’s not something I will like.

The garden is the first place I go to look for Harriet. As I walk along the moonlit path flanked by well-pruned hedges which serve as a protective fence for the blooming flowers that line the garden’s entry, the flower scents wrap around me and something loosens in my chest. The fresh, cool, night air tickles my skin and for a split second, I forget about the horrible evening I am having and let myself revel in the beauty of the hush, but not empty garden. The sound of night crickets chirping rhythmically from the hedges, a soft rustle as a night bird takes flight and water trickling from the overflowing tiers of the massive garden fountain into the basin at the base and…

Moaning sounds.

Without thinking, my legs carry me as fast as they can towards the sound and the moment I turn a nearby corner, I’m met with a sight that knocks all the air from my throat.

Miles and Harriet are kissing.

I stay frozen on my spot as I watch them eat each other’s faces like it was their last meal.

“What is going on here?” I ask with a trembling voice and immediately, they break the kiss and face me, neither of them looking alarmed or frightened by the fact that I just walked in on them betraying me.

My stomach lurches with nerves when Harriet looks back at Miles with a smile on her face and says: “It’s time for the announcement so join me in the ball room as soon as you can.” She gives him a slow, passionate kiss before looking back at me, this time, frowning.  “For now, deal with this.” With that, she leaves Miles’ side and walks past me like I’m invisible.

Miles and I stand face to face, staring at each other in total silence for what feels like sixteen eternities before he finally steps forward, with that raw, unapologetic look still lurking in his eyes.

“What was that about?” I break the silence.

“Wasn’t it clear enough?”

“But you are my mate.”

“That means nothing.”

“It means everything!”

“You really thought I’d pick you, a wolf-less outcast, over your sister?” A dark chuckle tumbles from his lips.

“It’s not your choice to make, but the Moon goddess’. She formed this union between us.” I am still in disbelief of the fact we are even having this conversation right now.

He told me he loved me. Many times, if not every time we were together.

“And I have every right to break free from the union if I do not want it. That’s why the concept of second chance and chosen mates exist.”

I shake my head in denial.

“We’ll settle this properly after the announcement has been made. Excuse me.” He walks me and leaves the garden just like Harriet did a few minutes ago. I want to run away in the opposite direction and scream until my lungs collapse, but I need to find out something first.

I have to know what that big announcement is.

“…and now, the big announcement!”  My father chimes just as I slip into the ballroom. He has the biggest smile on his face as he looks from Harriet to Miles who are seated at extreme ends at the high table on the dais. The energy crackling between them as they stare affectionately at each other can power a small city.

Gods! They are so in love with each other, how come I never saw it?

“It is with great happiness and pride that I announce the union between two great families of this pack. Mine and that of my Lord Commander in Chief. My daughter, Harriet and his son Miles are engaged and their union will be sealed on the night of the next full moon.”

The guests erupt with cheers of glee and I watch through blurry eyes as my father beckons Harriet and Miles to join him on the stage. He then joins their hands together and looks back at the now quiet crowd and says:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Harriet and Miles, your future Alpha and Luna.”