Chapter 2. The Call Back Home

*Prince Vincent*

The following night, just about a few days when the summer break is about to start, Maleficus visited me in my dreams. The old man who stood by my side when I was younger. The one who acted like a father to me when my real father choose to prioritize the throne and the duties to the pack at the top of his priority list. Maleficus the wizard of the Langston Palace and the old man who has visions of the future, my father's great counselor and someone who deeply cares about me occurs in my dream that night.

"Vincent! You need to come back home as soon as possible!"

The old man's appearance is the same like how I remembered him when I was just an eight year old little wolf. He showed me a lot of his tricks and kept me occupied instead of my father. He was always there, guiding me and teaching me in most of the things that I needed to learn as the son of a great Alpha King inside and outside the Langston Palace. Aside from my aunt Jasmin and her mate Alpha Zero, Maleficus is the next individual who truly cares about me. That is for certain.

I wonder how urgent the matter in the Palace is, that I should come home immediately.

"Oh, Hello there Maleficus! I wonder what's the rush? My summer break will soon come in just a couple of days."

A genuine smile appeared in my lips when I meet his gaze. The serious expression that his features display is making me aware that the circumstance is not to be taken lightly. But I couldn't help to tease the old man, I've missed him.

"Prince Vincent, I believe that it's about time you prove yourself to your father, the Alpha King."

Now this is interesting, my body stiffened and I took a closer look at his face. He is standing right in front of me, I would have embrace the old man if I haven't known that his form is not real. We are only talking in a dream. This is all because of his magic.

"Is that really possible now? I mean, I had taken a number of chances to make him be proud of me but it didn't happen."

I tried recalling a few incidents when I was younger, my child self has never spent an entire day with the great Alpha King, my father. The insecurity laced in my voice is undeniable.

"Prince Vincent, this is a good opportunity. Please follow what I have to say, you are going to war with the rogues that created an army of enemies in the City. I foresee your great victory and the happiness it will give to your father so you need to come back soon."

My heart ache inside my chest, for how long must I do the things that my father wants. And for how long before I could get his recognition of me as his only true heir.

"Alright! I trust your vision Maleficus. I will take the first flight in the morning."

He exhaled calmly and a tiny smile broke his lips which he rarely does. "Thank you Prince Vincent! We will discuss the matter further on your arrival. See you in the Palace soon."

And just like that I woke up from my dream. Glancing at the dark small room of my student dorm, I could already tell that it is still dawn. I have a little bit of rest before finally taking the flight back home.

*****Ashley's POV*******

I can't remember how and when did I start ruining my life in high school, when I was supposed to be a very good only child of the town's Mayor. I am the daughter of Mr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Penelope Snipes. My father is the head of the town, while my mother owns a fine diner. We aren't what you called the filthy rich and famous, but my father have inherited a vast land from his ancestors and is a very down to earth man who loves to help others. His heart is as big as this town.

I myself is quite popular at the biggest high school in town too, me and my two other girlfriends. Maria and Marga. Both are wolves, in this town it is pretty common that humans and wolves are mingling with each other. That and the fact that we are also the school’s talk of the campus. The fame is alright, i feel like i am born with it since my father and grand parents are politicians. But at school there is another popular girl too, her name is Carmela.

A pretty wolf girl who lives in the Langston Palace, Marga and Maria are both envious of her, their eyes follows her every move. They always love to talk about her, which i understand since they both wanted to get closer to the Palace and the so called King of wolves. If humans have the Mayor in town, the wolves have their great Alpha King who leads the pack and stands in a throne exclusively for wolves.

"Hey Ash! Is it true, that your invited to the Palace party?"

The smile across Marga's face made me think if she is happy that i got invited or is she mad? "Yeah, I received the invitation last night. My parents were happy about it, but i'm still thinking if i should go."

"What!? why would you think twice into something like this? Goodness Ash, most of the girls in our school wanted to go but the Great Alpha King only invited the students in our class."

My head turned to see Maria who's smile is genuine beside Marga. We decided to meet up at the towns local shopping mall and get some refreshments before going to shop for a good dress for the event.

"Well, you know that I am just human and i am guessing that most of the guests are wolves."

I voiced out what I'm really feeling. "Come on Ash, that didn't seem to be an issue for the Alpha King. Please come with us, we want to see how it will turn out for Carmela."

Both of their faces were glued at me, with the obvious hope in their eyes that I would agree. I would hate to turn them down like this, they are my true friends. Maybe they were a little bully towards other students in school but not with me. And we didn't really hurt anybody, they just love to make fun of other girls fashion and awkwardness.

"Alright you two! Maybe I should get myself a dress too."

"Yes! Now that's our girl!"

They both happily stood up from the seat in front of me and we started walking close together in search for the prettiest dress in the shopping mall.

It was not easy to choose a dress, it took us the whole day to finally decide on the clothes that we should wear. I took something in a short mini  dress. It is designed to fall away from the body with an off the shoulder neckline. The short length makes it ideal to wear in a summer night, just simple but i thought it would be enough, I don't wanna steal the attention from the birthday celebrant. Unlike Marga and Maria who choose to buy the most daring dress that any sixteen year old girl would not dare to wear.

But both of them are already gorgeous on their own way, unlike me who's more slim than sexy. The two girls are already filled in the right places. Maybe this is the difference between the wolves an humans. I still look like a little girl compared to the two who are already acting like they were eighteen. They are particularly sexy and that includes the boys too.

We arrived at the party together in separate cars. "You are going to be fine Ash, no worries. I am friends with Alpha King Jack. He assured the safety of all the guests in the party."

My Dad smiled and look at me while I checked myself once again on the small compact mirror that I carry inside my bag. "I am not worried Dad, I'm just making sure that I look alright. I don't want to let anyone spread  the rumor about the Mayor's daughter looking all shabby at a party."

My father chuckled. "That's ridiculous Ash sweetheart, you look amazing tonight. You look even more pretty in that beautiful dress of yours!"

I take a good look at myself and notice how my chest is still flat and not even showing in the ruffled off shoulder dress, I pouted my lips in a pretty pink lipstick and ran my fingers over my black straight hair.

"Thanks Dad, it's time for me to get off the car now. Marga and Maria are already waiting for me."

"OK sweetheart, enjoy the party and call me whenever you wanted to come home already."

My father move a little closer and give me a quick peck in my forehead. “Enjoy the party sweetie.”

“Thank you Dad!"

I push the door of the car open and got off, trying my best not to fall down on the high heels that I only wear on special occasions.

"Hey Asley, over here!"

I heard the voice of Marga and Maria calling my name. I almost did not recognize the two from the heavy make up that they are wearing. "Hey you girls!"

We give each other a little hug and started leading the way towards the heavily on guarded huge steel gate of the luxurious Palace. The whole place is surrounded with beautiful teenage boys and girls like us, dressed up appropriately for the event. As we entered the hall, the music played by a group of foreign musicians filled the air. The place is filled with antiques and expensive furnitures, which made most of the guests envy the owner of the Palace.

It is the first time I have seen a place as luxurious and beautiful like this that I couldn't help but wonder how it would feel like to be able to live here everyday.

"Hey Ash, Marga has this little plan as a gift for the birthday celebrant."

"What plan?"

I frowned and watch the girls with me, base on the smile playing on Maria's lips I could feel that this plan will not end well and I also wonder what it is.

“Yes, that's true. Watch and learn Ashley."

Marga wink and turn her eyes around looking for the particular figure of a beautiful girl who's celebrating her birthday in this evening.