Hazel's POVI was literally walking on clouds as I strolled down the hallway. Everything was suddenly much more beautiful. The tapestries, the paintings, the ornaments, the chandeliers. Everywhere was full of vibrant colors and exhilarating scents. I suddenly found myself humming a tune. Formerly, I wouldn't have dared to hum in the hallway, as it wasn't befitting of a prince if a maid or servant should see him. But at the moment, I didn't care. I felt I would burst if I didn't let out the joy in some way. I was looking out from an arrow slit, savoring the beauty of the evening sky when I heard horse hooves, followed shortly by the sound of the portcullis being raised. I knew it was my parents, back from the wild goose chase I had sent them. But I don't care, even though I knew it was likely my father would flay me. Nothing could dampen the joy in my heart. As a matter of fact, I thought I had better meet them head on and break the news. Perhaps, that way, I may be able to diffuse
Mia's POVWhen I arrived home two days ago, my parents were not home. Apparently, they have traveled to some neighboring kingdom. There was no one to tell my good news. I was absolutely sure Penny wouldn't rejoice with me, so there was no use sharing the news with her. The only other person was Xavier, but when I called at his place, he wasn't around. In fact, I had called at his house two days ago right after I returned from the palace, but he had not been around. I called on him two more times, but got the same result.I felt like I would burst at the seams with joy if I didn't tell someone. Luckily, just as I was getting ready to go and check on Xavier a fourth time, my parents returned from their trip.After I helped them with the load they brought back, I broke the news to them directly. My mother stared at me, not daring to believe it. She cupped my face and looked deep into my eyes, as if trying to find some hint of a prank in my eyes. Obviously finding none, she put her hand
Xavier's POVI registered the scent a little too late and leaped, but the hare slipped from right under my paws and scampered off. I was the last line of defense, so that was a lost game. For the third time that day, I found myself letting the game escape from right under my nose. And it was honestly frustrating. My mind was wandering too much, trying to imagine what Mia would be doing right this instant at home. How did her date with the alpha prince go? Did she have a good time? Was she forgetting about me? How long are we going to last as friends at this rate? "Xavier!" the leader of the hunt's sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Without knowing, I had descended into thoughts again. "You want us to starve this winter? You know how winter is around here," he told me. I couldn't talk, since I was in my wolf form. So I growled to show my frustration. The leader came to crouch at my front. He scratched me behind the ears. "What's up, attaboy? What's got you so messed up to
Selena's POVMy mother's face told me plain as words that something was seriously wrong, even before she spoke. My heart skipped a beat as I thought of everything that could have my mother worried. She was usually never worried, preferring to take everything in stride rather than worry unduly. So, for her to carry such a heavy face, the issue at stake must be very serious. "What's it, mother?" I asked her once she was within talking distance. "Hazel…" her voice trailed off. I could see she was struggling with how to break the news to me. A sense of foreboding filled me. What was it about Hazel? "What happened to Hazel?" I asked her. "Well, he's going to be crowned the Alpha King in less than a month's time!" my mother finally broke the news. I immediately became confused. Coronated as the alpha king? Hazel? How was it possible? "Wasn't he supposed to have a bride before he can be crowned as the Alpha King?" I asked my mother in confusion. "That's the problem. He has a bride!"
One month later…Mia's POVI took a deep breath and closed my eyes to calm myself.'You can do this,' I told myself. 'It's been a month. You're familiar with all the people there, and the manners expected of you," When I opened my eyes, Hazel's soft green eyes were looking at me with some amusement. "You won't ever stop being nervous, will you?" He asked me. I blushed a little. "This…this is different. It's the last thing that can come between us. I've got a right to be nervous," He chuckled. "You didn't think so at the coronation ceremony, and that is more important than this in my opinion. You know, it wouldn't really befit the Alpha King to have a nervous Luna, would it?" "No, it won't," I agreed and took his hands. It was time for the final party where I would be declared as his Luna, and introduced to his friends and all the nobility and other persons that mattered. I even heard some alphas from other kingdoms would also come. If that isn't something to be nervous about, th
Mia's POVThe hostility in that one sentence had me gasping. I had met with Hazel's mother before now, and we had gotten along pleasantly. But now, she sounded like she would like nothing better than to throw me out of the window. I took some involuntary steps back. But she covered the distance as fast as I created it. "Answer me," she gritted out. "You have not transformed?" My heart beating rapidly, I shook my head. "Are you saying no, or are you saying yes?" she asked. "In fact, don't reply. I want to see your wolf now!" she commanded. There was no time I ever felt ashamed of my inability to transform than at that moment. I wished the floor would just open up and swallow me. "I said I want to see your wolf!" Hazel's mother growled. Hazel stepped forward, but a raised finger from his mother froze him. I could feel the fury cascading from her in waves that threatened to wash me out of Hazel's life. "I…I can't transform, your Highness," I stuttered. She huffed. Without a word,
Mia's POVI waited with bated breath for Hazel to arrive at the room. He seemed to be taking too long, which was making me very anxious. The uncertainty of whether he would succumb to his parents' pressure was killing me, so I started pacing the room to get off some pressure. That was when the door opened and Hazel stood there, his face unreadable. For a full minute, I was frozen. We stared at each other wordlessly while my breath kept getting shorter and shorter till I stopped breathing completely. Yet, he said nothing, just looking into my face with that unreadable look. I could have burst with anticipation, and my face was actually heating up from holding my breath for too long. At last, I couldn't endure it any longer"Say something, Hazel! Please?" I begged. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Mia. But I can't have someone who hasn't transformed yet as my Luna. I can't compromise the throne because of love, though I wonder why I should love a liar like you. Why didn't you ever tell me you
Xavier's POVI received information that the hunting party would return that day, so I went to meet them. I had left them before the hunt was over, so it was only proper I helped them cart the game home. As it happened however, we had to sleep the night outside the capital city to avoid wandering the forest that bordered the city at night. It was a dangerous thing to do with all the fresh meat we carried on us. The next day, we walked into the capital city, and immediately smelled the excitement. The air hung heavy with it. Something had obviously happened. Something huge, and exciting. "What's up?" the hunt leader asked me. "Dunno. Everywhere was calm when I left," I shrugged in response. "Your guess is as good as mine." I was just as confused as he was. Just then, a man passed us. We stopped him and asked him what the problem was. "Well, Prince Hazel declared his luna yesterday,* the man replied. Was that it? I felt my heart break. So, Mia was really gone. Every of the rites