13. Choosing an Ally

MAEVE'S POV

I watched as Dalia looked at me with a hopeful and needy expression, for once she looked at me like I actually mattered, like I'm not some charity case.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Maeve tell me you're taking me right now, stop trying to play pranks." She said her voice twinged with hope.

My eyes dashed to Nyla beside me, she didn't say anything in fact she was smiling.

"The Queen Bee now wants help? What have you done for Maeve? Like the prince said she should take someone who has her back but you Dalia, you do not care about her. You've been watching how she has been abused in this pack by your playboy and his little terror group but say nothing. And now you're worthy of becoming her selected partner?" Nyla sneered.

Dalia's eyes flashed with anger, she couldn't dare hit Nyla. She was just a common pack member with no sort of power without Caden.

It was telling she rushed here to meet me without going to him. I think deep down she knows she's being played and not valued.

"So you think you're worthy then? A slav—" Dalia bit back.

Nyla rolled her eyes seeming unaffected by Dalia's outburst, "I'm not as shameless as you are. I wouldn't make her choose, I'll let her take that decision out of her own freewill. And I pray she picks neither of us, just so I can rub it in your face every single second of every fucking minute."

"Y-you—" Dalia stuttered pointing her fingers at Nyla as she slapped them off casually.

"Stop it both of you. Dalia I'm still thinking about the whole Academy thing. I'll make my decision before the the time is up, but for now I need to be alone," I said calmly.

Dalia's eyes widened like she couldn't believe what I was saying, "you're only saying this because mom isn't here. You better not abandon me because she never did that to you." she said going away in anger.

I turned to Nyla giving her an apologetic look, but she didn't seem to care at all.

"I just want the best for you, why not try and make a connection with someone from another pack? I'm going to be hanging around trying to look for my handsome mate since the selection ceremony has been ruined, I might as well be my own damn matchmaker." She said trying to leave me be but I quickly held her elbow.

"Come with me"

*****

I took Nyla towards the prince's guest room through the quiet corridors of the pack house, I had seen him quietly leave the ceremony grounds.

I know I was pushing my luck, trying to go question him but I needed to do this.

We had taken the turn to his bedroom but then I saw both Valoric and Riven standing in the hallway outside his door, staring at me like they were waiting for someone.

Valoric's eyes immediately found Nyla beside me, and I watched something flicker across his face - surprise, then interest. Nyla, for her part, was studying him with that calculating look she got when she was sizing someone up.

"She did come here," Valoric said handing him a pouch of coins, though his gaze kept drifting back to Nyla.

Did they bet on me?

"You're here to thank me I suppose," Riven said calmly.

Thank him? More like pull every beautiful strand of your luscious hair. But I couldn't say that so instead I went, "I am thankful for the opportunity my prince but I would have been even more grateful if I wasn't thrust into a bloodbath Academy where all my enemies would be camped."

"I think it's the perfect place for you because no sensible slave would have the temerity to make me do their bidding. And even have the audacity to question me for it. Let me give you advice slave, those wits you think you have you better put them to use. Now get out." He said coldly.

I clutched my dress by my side tightly, looking at him. I couldn't believe how quickly he changed. This was the Shadow Prince, the Royal Lycan Prince and I was a fool to let my guard down even for a bit.

But something in his eyes... there was a flash of something that didn't match his cold words. It was gone so quickly I almost thought I imagined it.

The tears threatened to come but I swallowed them and what was left of my pride.

"Yes My prince," I said, dragging Nyla along who I knew was internally sending him a death glare.

Then I heard his voice call out stopping me in my tracks.

"Smart people do not let their emotions cloud their judgment. Choose wisely, and when torn between how to best cut off a painful thorn, look for someone who would do it for you, that way you get it all. That's my final word of advice." He said cryptically, leaving me standing in the dimly lit hallway while I realized that I now hated this "slave girl" label and I'll prove all of them wrong.

Blood Moon Academy would be my stepping stone to the top.

I turned to Nyla as we walked back through the stone corridors, "I'm selecting you," I said firmly.

Her eyes widened in shock. I picked her not just because she was a friend but I knew she would never betray me and that is who I wanted on my side if I'm being thrown into this battle of blood.

"What about Dalia?" She asked quietly.

"We just have to find someone who would take off my painful thorn." I smiled.