Monday is three days from today. I didn't know if to feel happy or sad as I pondered on every word my father had just said.
If the moon goddess can have mercy on me and make me successfully shift that day, then that would mark the end of my misery. My father won't treat me as badly as he does. I would have the slight opportunity of living that free life I dream of.
There was no reason why I shouldn't be able to transform like others, and since I was born till now, I hadn't felt anything to show that I wasn't a real wolf. As I shut my eyes, something flashed in and forced shudders to run up and down my spine, leaving me in shock and confusion again.
I just recalled the Lycan that Eric mentioned. He said the man came out of nowhere and not only saved me from them but also forced him to take care of me.
Why?
Does magic exist?
Because it's only magic that can explain this. All my life, I had only heard rumours about Lycans and their prowess, how they ranked higher than us. I'd never seen or touched anyone, let alone befriended them. So how did he locate me that day and save me?
This is just so unbelievable, and I wouldn't have accepted it as the truth if I hadn't seen how serious Eric was. Even when Stan was about to tell the Alpha about the Lycan, he had stopped him with a slap because the so-called Lycan had warned him to keep it a secret.
Wow.
All this sounds like those fiction stories in romance books.
My stomach made a long grumble with pain this time, and I gnashed my teeth, trying to push the outburst of tears to escape my lips. I was so hungry and recalled the food Eric had brought for me, which I had just lost. I felt like biting my tongue and dying.
My eyes darted to the clock, and it was almost 10pm, which was the time the Alpha ate his dinner, so I left the bed in a hurry. I have to dish out food for the Alpha while others can serve themselves as much as they want.
On getting to the kitchen, I could already see some of the royal guards filling up their plates, and the aroma alone was making me salivate, but I had to pretend like I felt nothing.
Without saying anything or glancing at anyone, I brought out the Alpha's special dish, which was cooked separately with the best ingredients and all sorts of meat and fish.
All I could do was swallow saliva a thousand times. It was so tempting to eat, but I knew better than to steal the Alpha's food. The punishment of being whipped isn't something bearable as it will hurt for an entire week without ceasing.
"She looks so hungry and pitiful. So bad that the food would be finished and nothing would be left for her..." Someone jeered from behind, erupting laughter from other guards.
Just when I thought they would all keep their smelly mouths shut till I leave. All I could do was secretly roll my eyes as I headed to the Alpha's room, where I was sure he would be.
My legs were very weak, and I had to rest at intervals so I wouldn't trip and fall. After what seemed like a journey around Mount Everest, I got to the room and clicked on the bell beside the door, waiting for his special bodyguard to come out to take the food from me.
Apart from sweeping the room in the morning, there is just no time I am allowed inside the room.
After waiting for some minutes, I pressed the bell again and again, but no one came out. It didn't seem like there was anyone in, so I took the food back to the kitchen.
There were no guards left except those who stayed around to check on me each time I cooked. It was already 10:00 and the Alpha wasn't back in his room, which meant something was wrong.
"Hey, what is happening? Why is the Alpha yet to return to his room?" I asked one of the guards, but got snubbed.
"Go check for yourself in the palace. Isn't he your father?" The other one replied in a mocking manner. He was just interested in reminding me how pathetic I am.
Instead of asking where my father was, I, among others, was calling him Alpha.
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I made my way to the palace. The first thing that caught my attention as I drew closer was the Beta scent, which was lingering in the air.
"What could bring the Beta to the palace at this time of the night?" I mused as I drew closer to the door. If everything in my life was normal, I should have opened the palace door and walked in, but hell no, I had no guts to do that, so I just had to eavesdrop.
"You mean your parents left for hunting and you haven't heard from them till now? This is strange." I could hear my father speaking to someone in a tender voice.
"I am scared, especially as I have no idea what happened to my parents." The voice of Nana came in, and I flinched at what she had just said.
"Nothing will happen to them. They went hunting and might have faced a little problem, but I am sure they will be back. No need to panic, my dear." My father cooed, making my heart pang at how soft his voice was.
From the time I was born till now, he had never talked to me in such a soothing tone. It has always been so harsh and full of hatred. It is just so clear he cared for her much more than me, and I am not so surprised. Even the royal guards and Omega get better treatment from him than I do.
"I hope so, alpha. But for now, I plead that you take me in. Please let me live in the Royal Pack House. " Nana whined, and I felt my heart skip a beat at such a request, which came so suddenly.
"Oh, that is thoughtful of you. I will protect you myself till the warriors and hunters find your parents wherever they are. You are welcome to the royal household. I will send for Ava so she will take you to one of the best rooms here." Dad responded, and it felt like all the blood in me stopped flowing.
I felt nothing but anger swelling inside my chest, as it was clear that my life would get worse having Nana here, and the love my father showered on her would also be a torment to me.
It is just fishy for her to make such a request. It isn't clear if her parents were really missing or decided to hunt all night, yet she was already here requesting to live here.
I pray the Betas return tomorrow morning and take their annoying daughter away from here.
"Hey!" A rough voice called my attention, and I shuddered a bit before turning over to whoever it was.
"Get your filthy self in." The guard snorted, without talking about my crime of eavesdropping.
"She will be staying with us till her parents are found. Now take her to that room beside mine. Serve her meal, and make sure she gets all she wants for the night." The Alpha, who had assumed the identity of my father, issued an order, his tone and expression identical to that of an Omega, or rather, slave.
There was nothing to show he was my father. I could only swallow hard and nod before facing Nana, who looked so happy as she thanked the Alpha. She bowed to him, and he patted her back and pecked her cheeks.
"Take care and don't be scared. Your parents will be fine," he soothed again, and I had to look away as anger filled me to the brim.
"Let's go." Nana said with a lopsided smile, and I led her away without looking back. Her presence around me was like a thorn in my flesh.
"You are a goner." I heard her mumble the moment we got to the room, and I stared at her with arched brows, wondering what she meant by that statement.
"Nana, I know this is a set-up." I sighed, and she burst into laughter, shutting the door before turning to me.
"You are smart, but you can't do anything about it. My parents are fine and will return soon to tell the Alpha that some masked men threatened to kill me. The only option left would be to abduct me for protection. I'll replace you, and make your life more miserable than it is now..." She smirked, and my jaw dropped as I cringed in panic.
"You can go. I am not hungry. The excitement already took away my appetite " she said amidst laughter, but I was too shocked to make any movement.
Just when I thought I had put Aurora in her place, here comes another person to make sure I have no happiness in life.
"Get out, you stink!" With that, she pushed me to the door.
I couldn't help the hot tears which seared my sockets and cascaded down my cheeks. It was more painful to realize there was no way I was going to report her.
My father will never believe me, and I'll be punished as they'll believe I was trying to blackmail her. She knows this and that's why she told me the plan.
I was about leaving when I heard her say something that caught my attention.
"Time to make Prince Jaden fall in love with me."
Who is Prince Jaden?