PLAYING PRETEND

Davina's POV 

“Finally, I could have time to myself, sigh.”

Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I took a deep breath as I reached out to my flute lying just beside my duffel  bag which held everything I own. 

I was an omega; the lowest rank in the pack which was tough for me, not to talk about when you are being reminded of it each day. 

This was my predicament and each time I prayed to the moon goddess to help me. Nothing changed. She has been mute on me.

My status as an omega made my family detest me, my sister Lyra hated me so much that she didn't fail to show it whenever she had the chance to do so, not to talk of my mother who considered me a disgrace. 

As if being an omega was not enough, I was born mute and I could only use signs to communicate only to those who were interested in listening to what I have to say. 

Because of this, Alpha Lumen tagged me as a cursed fellow and as a punishment, he made me a slave in the palace, tending to the needs of the royal family. 

Armed with my flute, I stepped out of my shabby room only to meet Lyra standing a few feet away with her hands strapped across her chest. 

Quickly tossing my flute to the side so she wouldn't destroy it, I hurried to her side, making sure to keep a few meters away from her. 

“What are you doing here?” She snapped and at once I made a sign language, informing her I had completed my tasks but my response was followed with a resounding slap that sent me staggering backwards. 

She didn't give me the chance to recover before she grabbed the cuff of my shirt and then pushed me against the wall. 

“I hate you! Die already.” She yelled, hitting me continuously and despite my whines as she inflicted injuries on me, she didn't give up. 

“I might end up killing you with my bare hands since you are too stubborn to die on your own.” She yelled, hitting me across my face. 

At the end of her assault, she stormed off. 

Falling to my knees, I watched her departing figure, my heart tearing up as hot tears rolled down my cheeks in torrents. 

Hitting my chest, I raised my head and with my gaze fixed on the bright sky, I said in my head, “Father! If nothing is being done, I will end up joining you wherever you are in no time.” 

My tears continued rolling down my cheeks until my tear gland got empty and all I could do was to heave. 

Wiping my face with the back of hand, I pulled myself up only to fall back on my knees as I was weak. 

Several minutes later, I made my way to the woods, armed with my flute. 

Immediately I got to my favorite spot which was the stump of a baobab tree, a bright smile spread across my lips. 

Lowering myself at the stump, I quickly placed my flute against my lips, the melodious sound traveling in waves. 

Playing music always makes me lighthearted and happy. I literally forget about everything that was bothering me. 

Lost in the music, I heard the shuffling of leaves nearby and at once I paused, looking over my shoulder to fathom what was moving in the woods. 

With nothing or no one  in sight, I resumed playing my flute only for the shuffling to resume. 

This time around I rose, looking around the woods. 

Someone is here — I muttered, scanning my environment.

Fully convinced that there was a second presence, I began to walk further into the woods, the shuffling sound getting fainter. 

I continued this way until I found myself in the path that separated the pack from the woods.

Looking over my shoulder, I decided not to return to my comfort zone as I was still bothered. 

Out of nowhere, I saw Malcom, the son of Alpha Lumen but before he could look in my direction, I hid behind a tree, my heart ramming against my chest. 

“What is he doing here?” I pondered, holding my breath. 

He must be the one in the woods — I thought, craning my neck to see if he was still there but he was nowhere to be found. 

Just when I was about to disappear into the thick vegetation again, my attention was needed and so I had to appear in the palace. 

The moment a cloak was tossed in my direction, I knew at once what I am supposed to do. 

Making my way towards the laundry room, I kept my gaze to the found as I avoided eye contacts and bumping into my colleagues. 

We were all maids but I was despised by them, thanks to being dumb. 

Getting to the laundry room, I was relieved I was the only one present and at once I set to work. 

Still on this, a strong whiff of scent blew past my nostrils, piquing my interest in the process. 

Shaking my head, I tried to drive off the scent but instead it became even more pronounced that I couldn't ignore it. 

Abandoning the cloak on the table, I began to walk in the direction of the scent as a force pulled me towards it. 

My curiosity wasn't going to die off anytime soon until I found out what the scent was all about. 

“I wonder what she is up to this time around.” A maid whom I walked past said to her friend. 

“Probably to cause another havoc that would earn her some beatings. Her disability makes me even more furious about her existence.” Her friend replied and both of them burst into laughter. 

Thanks to my main focus, tracing the scent, I didn't listen to their comments as that was the least of my problems. 

Finally I got to where the scent was at its peak and immediately I swirled around, I locked eyes with Malcom.