ALEXIS' POVThe market is quite busy today and the noise is deafening. It seems as if there is a festive season coming up that everyone is preparing for. Clothe stalls are the stars of the day and even Aurora's parents' stall isn't left out. "I can't wait for the enthronment of the next lycan king. My mother says it's the most fun event in the history of Redwood." A young girl who looks my age tells her friend as Aurora and I help them pick some dresses from the hangers. My ears prick on instinct as soon as they mention the enthronment of the next lycan king. Donovan. How close is his birthday?"My grandmother told me the same." The other girl replies in all smiles as she measures a dress with her body, standing in front of the full frame mirror. "I heard he rejected his mate. You know what that means for us?"I lift my brow a little at her words. Rejected his mate? Where did she ever hear that absurd lie from?"I know!" The first girl squeals in absolute delight and she stares dre

ALEXIS' POVPaisley and I go through the clothings in my closet and the more we go through them, gathering piles and piles of clothes on the floor, the more frustrated I get. There is literally nothing close to suitable that I can wear to the party. I am almost thinking of giving up when Paisley comes up with another idea."Why don't we try this mini dress I bought from the market today?""No. That is not even an option, Paisley." I shake my head in objection. The last thing I want to do is lend someone else's dress to attend a party I am not even sure I would be attending in the first place."Fine. Let's make a deal." Paisley suggests and I give her a go-ahead look. "Since it is a new dress that I haven't worn yet, I could sell it to you and voila...it's all yours. You don't have to return them to me again."I give her a long calculating look, my head scanning through the amount I have saved up in my savings. "How much would it cost me?" I asks fearing for the worst. Knowing the typ

ALEXIS' POVI cannot count how many heads turn to get a glimpse of Donovan and I as we step into the premises and walk past the gathering, arms in arms. Most of of their faces bear surprise and disbelief and some girls stare at my dress, green with envy and hatred. I almost begin to feel the nervousness in my body rise to its peak but Donovan gives me a gentle stroke on the back of my hand with his thumb, gentle and caressing in a way that communicated dont-you-worry, ive-got-you.We sight Donovan's friends sitting on a lounge by the poolside and as soon as their eyes land on us, I can almost feel my feel shaky and my head screams at me to turn back, run away and never return to the party. I mean, what in the world am I even doing here, surrounded by sons and daughters of the higher ranks?"Hey. Sup?" Donovan fist bumps the guys who while shaking Donovan, have their eyes glued to me, unmoving. I can almost see their mouths slightly agape as they stare at me, taking in the sight of my

ALEXIS' POV If this is how heartbreak feels like, then how worse can it get when you have completely let your guards down and you have fallen deeply in love with that person? My whole body feels entirely beaten and weak and it takes so much effort to move my legs. My guts threaten to release the tears that almost choke me and I bring a hand over my trembling lips to stop whatever show to weakness it is about to spill out with the tears. I will not cry. I will not allow them make me cry again.My aching heart threatens to explode under the intensity of my spiralling emotions. I cannot feel myself anymore. I cannot hold this anymore either. I have to get a room and let my emotions out. I reach for another door and give a quick and impatient knock, hoping it would be empty and when I do not get any response from within, I gently push it open to be greeted by the emptiness of the large and exquisite bedroom before me. Quickly, I get in and shut the door behind me before sinking on the

ALEXIS' POVMy eyes meet Donovan as Randall and I walk back to the party. He is seated on the lounge with Lori sitting crossed leg beside him and wrapping an arm around his back. My heart tug at the sight. It isn't enough that they took me for a fool and had sex behind my back and now they are trying to show it off in my face? How bad could I have wronged them?My own hand reaches for Randall's on instinct and I wrap my fingers around his. I can feel his own body tense at my sudden hold and I am thankful that he does not try to fight me off. I can see Donovan's gaze locked on our interlocked hands and he sits upright while we walk to the lounge directly in from of him and sit close beside each other. Even Katy looks between Randall and I, speechless and completely blank in the face. I am certain seeing me with Randall is more than shocking."What the fuck are you doing?" Randall whispers and I reply in a whisper too and with barely moving lips."Just play along.""Good thing you guys