Riley's POV
"Yes, mother.""How many times do I need to remind you that I'm not your mother?"I stood still, brought up my right hand, and held my lips together. "Good," she said. "You're learning fast."She always told me to hold my lips whenever I said something she didn't like. It was something like a sign; one that depicted acknowledgement of a fault and a promise to do better. I didn't think I was wrong. I just had to do it.I lost myself in my thoughts as I wondered why she hated me so much. There wasn't a day when I wasn't reminded that she wasn't my mom."We found you by the witch's pond.""We picked you up and saved your miserable life.""You'd have been better off dead by the witch's pond. Perhaps, we made a mistake bringing you here, you worthless girl."It was all the same. Same thoughts. Same meaning. Same reaction. Just a different way of saying it. I was already getting fed up with all that was happening to me but what was I to do?"Don't tell me you're ignoring me, Riley.""No, I could… I mean, I– I didn't hear you, ma'am," I stammered. "I was a bit lost, ma'am. I'm sorry.""You're going to the alpha's house to help them out. Sharon demands your presence," she said. "I don't need to remind you that you must be on your best behaviour, which is thrash if I must say. Try sweeping the compound before going inside to meet her.""Yes, ma'am."I went back to my room and took off the black dress that I wore, which had a tear on either side. I didn't want to go to the alpha's house, putting on something so horrible. I opened my box and began to take out the clothes there, one by one, hoping to see something that would be a bit tolerable."Aha!" I screamed, rather subconsciously, as I picked up a brightly coloured yellow dress that had a few white patches. I'd had the dress for a little more than four years but I still loved it. For sure, it was simply a rag, just like the other clothes, but it wasn't torn. I quickly put it on and went on my way.On getting to the alpha's compound, I swallowed my spit. It wasn't that this was the first time but I was always amazed each time I got there. The land was so vast and the garden. Oh, the garden! The beautiful flowers and the sweet scent they produced could make anyone have the urge to spread a mat just outside and sleep till whenever. It had crossed my mind a few times. At least, it was better than that thing I called a bed. Anything was better than that.I walked right past the gate to the mansion and almost knocked when I remembered that I was asked to sweep first. Silly me! I looked around the compound for a broom and I found one, lying around, almost close to the waste bin which was just a stone throw from the mansion.I picked it up and began to sweep as carefully as I could. I didn't want Sharon to have any reason to yell at me, except for the fun of it. As I kept sweeping, I saw something on the floor, just a few meters away from where I was and my curiosity was piqued. I had to find out what it was.As I moved a bit closer, I saw that it was a book; a very small book and I wondered what could have been written inside. As I bent to pick it up, I felt a restriction from within me. What if it was a trap? What if it was something I wasn't supposed to see? Then again, I couldn't think of any reason why someone would leave something important lying around so I assumed it must have been of little worth. I picked it up and began to go through it.Then I heard a sound. Soft, subtle sounds that got much louder with time. Soon, I could hear war chants from just outside the gates and I knew who it was. The warriors of the pack were probably on their way to the alpha's house to give a report or whatever else they wanted to do.The warriors were feared by everyone and for a good reason too. They were fierce, strong and very skilled in the field of battle. It was their duty to protect the pack from intruders. They were trained by the alpha himself. No other pack members got that sort of privilege. I'd always admired them from afar; the way they fought, the speed they possessed, everything about them. I dreamed of being one of them. I never stopped dreaming, yet it looked impossible. Just like being treated like everyone else in the pack seemed.Yet, from a closer view, there was nothing to admire about these bullies. What's the use of having so much power if you'd use it to oppress the very people you were tasked with protecting? They poked fun at me and hit me whenever they felt. I always did my best to avoid them but it was simply impossible."Hey, you, what is it that you're holding?" One of them quickly approached me as soon as he sighted me from the gate. He dashed towards me, three other warriors with him, and grabbed the tiny book from my hand. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought they were going all out for one mighty man who had defied death in several battles. I didn't want to believe that they spent all that energy on a wimp like me."Have you read this book?" He flipped through the pages and glared furiously at me."No, I haven't," I replied. "I don't know what the content of the book is."I lied. Well, not totally but I did lie. I opened the book and tried to find out what was written but I couldn't. So I was being truthful when I said I didn't know what the content was because as much as I saw it, I didn't understand it at all."This book belongs to the alpha's daughter," said one of them to the other. All seven guards had arrived at the scene, wearing very long faces."How did she get her hands on this book?" The other one asked before turning to me. "You're a thief, aren't you?""Thief? No, not at all, " I answered, quite surprised that they'll think that of me. I had never stolen anything all my life and I didn't plan to do so. Sadly, they didn't know me. All they could see was a lowly peasant who would do anything to survive."Liar!"I saw stars flying around in my head as something heavy landed on my left cheek. When I regained consciousness, I was already on the floor, buttocks on the ground and hand on my cheek. I couldn't understand what was going on. What was in the book that made them so serious about it?"Let go of me!" I screamed, as one of them pulled me by the legs. I kicked him as hard as I could, and stood up, holding out my hands with my fists closed right and ready to fight. "Don't come any closer to me please.""What are you doing, girl? You want to fight?""No, I don't," I answered, lowering my hands. I didn't stand a chance as there was no point trying.Two of the warriors held my hands, one hand each, as they led me to the mansion. "You're going to explain to Sharon how you got your hands on this book.""But I didn't steal it. I picked…"A hard slap landed hard right across my face, forcing me to end my speech. Then I felt another, and yet, another. My eyes did see my ears and what they saw was too big for my mouth to say. I felt the urge to cry but I held it. We got to the door of Sharon's room and as they tried to knock, Imanaged to free my right hand and with it, I held back the hands of the one who wanted to knock and he turned around to look at me."Please, don't do this," I cried. "Please…"“What am I going to do?” she silently mumbled to herself as she frantically tried to come up with a plan to avoid facing her own wrath. All of a sudden, she felt a firm grasp upon her arm, pulling her back behind the safety of a pillar near a nearby window, away from prying eyes. She felt relieved and surprised – until she realized who exactly had grabbed her and whom she recognized.. Her heart sank slightly. Of course. Why wouldn’t it? It was Rachel. She had heard rumors that there was a consummated marriage between Darius and Rachel after her mating ritual to Darius. Apparently she’d had no intention of marrying either of them, much less Darius, but Rachel had always loved Darius anyway. Now, it seemed like they were having problems reconciling their differences over Darius. That didn’t matter anymore though, she supposed. Rachel hadn’t shown herself to be happy or supportive during Darius’ mating ritual, which was why she’d refused to speak to him when she’d returned
For the longest time, she hadn’t even thought about whether or not her feelings were reciprocated. To hear such heartfelt reassurances was definitely overwhelming…but what was she supposed to tell him? That she wasn’t interested in anyone right now, even though he was the one person she most desired to spend time with? How could she possibly confess something like that without sounding like she was lying to him? And yet…how could she convince him otherwise? Couldn’t he tell she was just playing along? Hadn’t she been doing the exact same thing? Before she could respond, a knock came to her door, effectively cutting short their discussion. Both of them turned to find a servant standing outside her chamber door. “Excuse me Your Highness, but your chambers are ready,” the servant informed her politely. “Please follow me.” Darius glanced in her direction briefly before nodding his consent. Once the servant had withdrawn, he released Riley’s hand and made his way inside his room w
Darius’s expression hardened once again, and he motioned towards the door. “Go to your chambers,” he instructed, his voice distant. “We’ll talk more later. But for now, I suggest you start by apologizing to the guard at the door for your behavior.” Feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension, Riley nodded and stood up, her legs feeling weak beneath her. She made her way towards the door, aware of the lingering gazes from the pack members around her. Whispers filled the air as she passed by, and she couldn’t help but feel the weight of their judgment. As Riley approached the guard at the door, she noticed the hesitance in his eyes. He seemed wary, as if unsure of how to react to her presence. She mustered up a small smile and spoke softly, trying to convey her sincerity. “I’m sorry for my actions,” she said, her voice filled with remorse. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” The guard’s gaze softened slightly, but there was still a hint of caution. “Just don’t let it happen
Finding Clyde.Jason:Clarissa’s resilience was the strongest I had ever come across, to apologize for an offense she had it committed, to hold back her anger and pain as though she too did not need to be taken care of. She was in so much by the conversation concerning Clyde’s pack, It worse obvious that we were digging up old wounds that had clearly not healed. Maybe that was why she was distant from me, and ask why she channeled her pain into trying to build a family for the lost ones like her. She inspired me so much, and I felt her pains so much that I wanted to pull her into my arms and ease all the pain away with my warm embrace, but I knew I could not do that, so I just watched.Apart from the stories they told, I was also very concerned about the whereabouts of Clyde. There’s no how he would have survived the dungeon for that long alone, without food, water. We had brought back all the war prisoners with us and we were slowly planning to begin a plan for a bigger and better p
Darius blushed furiously, averting his gaze. “Uh, yeah. Well, um,” he stumbled and cleared his throat nervously. “You see, I just…uh,” he struggled to find words as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “What I mean to say is…um…” he muttered, glancing back up at her. His pale cheeks flushed even deeper red as his eyes met hers. “Well, um, I’m just…hmm…I guess I like talking to you.” His face grew impossibly more crimson as he spoke, his blush becoming nearly unbearable as he attempted to justify himself. Riley giggled, enjoying the way he floundered. “Well, Dai, how come you never spend time with me?” I asked. “ I’m busy” he abruptly replied her. “Besides, why do you care anyway?” Riley’s eyes narrowed as she gazed sternly at him. “I know what kind of life you lead,” she told him bluntly. “We’re not really friends, are we? You never ask for my advice or my help. In fact, your attitude towards me has always been completely hostile.” A frown m
She was no stranger to the hurt she felt after each rejection. Her heart ached as she realized that Darius didn’t feel the same. She smiled as she gazed at Darius’s beautiful blue eyes, a smile so tender that Darius felt his heart tighten. ‘No, it isn’t you.’ She thought with a bitter laugh. ‘How could he possibly return my love if he cannot bear the burden of keeping secrets?’ She glanced away. ‘Perhaps I should just leave him and live out the rest of my life alone.’ Her voice cracked slightly, as though her resolve was crumbling. As tears brimmed in her eyes, she fought the urge to cry out, ‘I’ve lost everything! Why should he care? What does he see in me? A sudden, sharp pain erupted in her chest, as if a dagger had pierced it. She gasped sharply as she doubled over in agony, clutching her injured heart. It felt as though someone had stabbed her repeatedly, rendering her unable to breathe or move. Pain shot through her entire torso, threatening to ri