Chapter 4

The music still echoes in my mind even after the dance ends. 

He just left me after that, no goodbyes, no words, no glance. He just left me there standing alone as if what happened was just... Nothing. He just stopped dancing and left. 

I stood at the edge of the ballroom, my hands were still trembling both from the dance and from what is about to happen. 

"To all present." A voice echoed-- cold, formal, and powerful. 

Those words alone filled my soul with fear, sending shivers down my spine. I know that tone... The announcement is beginning and the chaos about to start. 

I clutched the fabric on my skin to calm myself and to stop my hands from shaking. 

Please don't say my name... 

I begged the moon as it shone brightly even behind the glass walls. 

"I, Alpha Kael Malrick of the Blackhowl pack, named my mate tonight before the moon and blood-- Jessica Gale"

Gasps echoed through the halls while my heart suddenly dropped as I stepped forward. 

No... No, this can't be happening! I immediately ran, trying to find where Jessica is but I was unsuccessful. 

"Excuse me," I pushed everyone on my way, not minding who I'm bumping into. I just need to find her. I need to get her out of here. I need to save her! 

Then I saw her in tears, being taken away by her parents to bring her into her room while everybody else cheered happily. They cheered! 

"JESSICA!" I cried but the Alpha's men were already with her. Some are even guarding the doors. 

No... I thought the Queen, her mother, already told her that she is not the Alpha's mate? How could this happen? Could it be...

No! It's impossible! Her parents will not do such thing to her. 

I can't let this happen! 

"Let me in!" I shouted in rage but the guards just won't let me go inside in peace. "Please! Please I need to see Jessica! I need to talk to her please!" I begged but was still not heard. 

"No one is allowed to enter! That's the Queen's order!" They pushed me until I fell on the ground, crying helplessly. 

"Go back to the maid's quarter." I heard Mrs. Wilma's voice from the back. Her sharp glaze darted towards me and her voice authorative, not letting me speak again a single word.

I can still hear the people clapping their hands and chanting the Alpha's name together with Jessica's. Celebrating the announcement made, while I am here, crying. 

I looked at the moon at the window of my room. Whispering, pleading, just for Jessica to be spared. I can't let her die when she was the one who saved me. I need to do something too. 

I can't let my best friend's warm smile be taken away by the world's cruelty. She should be punished like this! 

I did not bother sleeping. I was trying to come up with a plan on how I can take Jessica with me. I am trying think of a solution just to stop this mate thing.

The palace is heavily guarded with the Alpha's pack also guarding the palace. I can't get away without being caught, no matter how well I know this place.

Think Aria... Think. 

_______

At dawn, I immediately left the maid's quarter. By this time, every servant is already awake to do their work. I should find a way to reach Jessica's room without anyone suspecting of my plan. 

I cleaned the hall assigned to me and immediately prepared Jessica's breakfast. Maybe I can enter her room through this. I don't have a plan but maybe, just maybe we can figure out something once we talk. 

"Stop right there!" A guard blocked me when Iwas about to enter the room. 

"I am here to bring the Princess her breakfast. The Queen ordered me. She must be starving by now," I explained and he seemed to have believed me so he let me in. 

"Jessica? Wake up, fast! We need to get you out of here!" I whispered, enough to wake her up without anyone from the outside hearing me. 

I walked towards her and placed that tray of food in the table. 

"Jessica?" I called her once again but she didn't answer. "Jessica!" This time, I tapped her hand and even her face but she didn't wake up nor moved. 

She's cold... That what I felt when I touched her so I panicked. 

What's happening? Was she drugged to sleep this deep? 

I removed the blanket covering her and noticed her chest was not moving. "Jessica! Wake up!" This time I was already shouting, trying to feel her pulse and breathing but I felt nothing. 

"HELP! HELP ME PLEASE!" I cried and the door opened. The guard who entered pulled me and pushed me towards the floor to check on the Princess. 

"She's not breathing! Help her, please!" I cried once again but he did nothing. He just shook his head. Then I saw the alpha entered the room. His eyes colored with blood as he stared at Jessica. 

"Your Highness, she's gone," the guard announced as if this is just a normal thing for them. 

My whole body trembled but this time, not because of fear, but anger. When I glanced at the alpha I shuddered. I think... I think I just saw it a glimpse of a smirk from his lips. 

He smirked as if he was satisfied by her death and all I can think of is to avenge her... I need to bring justice for her death. I need to punish everyone including that dog! 

I left the room immediately as they called everyone to gather. 

I prepared the wine Mrs. Wilma asked me to give the alpha and gave it to him. He accepted it before giving me a cold glance.  

He sipped from the win glass as Jessica's death was being announced. Both anger and pain engulfed my heart but I can't cry... I shouldn't cry right now. She wouldn't like seeing me cry...

I left and stood with the crowd who were mourning now when last night they were just cheering even though they knew what was supposed to happen. 

They were never bothered the curse that was faced by his past mates and now Jessica suffered from it. 

Everyone was crying, telling how the Princess's warm smile would never be seen again inside the palace until we saw the alpha coughing blood before he passed out. 

"The Alpha has been poisoned! Someone poisoned him!" A loud voice roared through the palace. The people were starting to gossip and everyone was afraid of what might happen. 

"It must be the wine! Who served him the wine?" A voice in the middle of the crowd shouted while I was slowly escaping, hiding behind the people so no one can see me as I leave. 

I immediately ran fast. The alpha knows I gave him that wine. He knows I'm the one who poisoned him and I need to get away from here fast before they catch me! 

I poisoned him... And now again, I'm running away from an Alpha, with his whole pack chasing me.