Chapter 1
Evie
Ten years later
“Come on, Evie, hurry up, we don't have all day.” The princess yelled as she approached me.
“Maybe you should come try lifting these luggage yourself, princess,” I mumbled.
“What did you say?” She retorted with furrowed brows.
“No... nothing, Princess Ava. I just said I need a few more minutes, and I'll be done,” I lied, grunting as I took another luggage and shoved it inside the car.
“Who the hell brings so many boxes just for visiting her boyfriend?” Cyan, my wolf, growled.
“The princess, obviously,” I replied with a sarcastic tone. To think she deliberately refused to bring any soldiers with her and took only me knowing she had such luggage! Thank goodness we’re on our way back to the palace already; this trip was long overdue.
“I'm so going to miss you, babe,” my senses heightened as I eavesdropped on her conversation with Alpha Warren.
“I'll be back soon, babe,” she began, placing a light kiss on his lips.
“Did she just say she'd be back soon? She's not taking us with her, right, Evie?” Cyan retorted.
I heaved a deep sigh in frustration before continuing. “It's not like we have a choice now, do we, Cyan? I'm her personal maid,” I replied.
“I just have to get to the palace before the full moon. I got a message that my brother had just gotten back from his alpha training. And Dad insists we have a full house on his return and crowning tomorrow.” Princess Ava’s voice came again, pulling her lover in for a hug as they both spent another eternity saying goodbye.
I felt my heart slam against my ribs; my nails dug into my palm, wondering if I had just heard correctly. Was Kieran really back? I wondered.
“Mate is back! Mate is back!!” Cyan retorted happily.
“Not now, Cyan, how about we get to the pack first to confirm?” I retorted, trying not to keep my hopes high, as I've heard several news reports about Kieran's return, but he never shows up. It's been ten years already since his promise, and I couldn't wait to tell him I fulfilled my end of the bargain. I seriously couldn't wait for him to fulfill his own end, I thought.
But each time I got my hopes high about his return, I ended up getting disappointed. I took a huge gulp down my throat, lifting the very last luggage into the car and taking the cool morning breeze into my lungs.
“Why is your heart racing so much?” The princess’s voice cut through my thoughts as she was about to enter the car.
“Uhm… erm… it's…” I stuttered.
“Never mind, get in the car,” she ordered.
My legs suddenly froze as I tried to move. I let out a sheepish smile on my face when I finally was able to move. I got to the other side and was about to open the door, but my hands suddenly grew cold.
“What the hell do you think you're doing?” She thundered, sending cold chills through my bones as I stared at her, confused.
“Uhm, I thought you said I should get into the car,” I finally spoke with a trembling voice as I bowed my head, unable to look into those bloody red alpha eyes of hers as her gaze bored into my soul.
“And?!” She retorted. “Don't tell me you really thought you were going to sit in the same car as me?” She fired at me sternly.
“I'm sorry,” I said with a bow.
“Sorry for your wretched orphan self,” she spat her words, a huge reminder of my lonely and frustrating life.
“Does she really have to remind you of that every single time?” Cyan queried.
“Zip it, Cyan,” I cautioned.
“There, that's the car you're using.” She said, pointing to an old, rusty, rickety car parked at the far end of the compound. My eyes immediately widened in shock as they moved from the car to her and back.
“But Ava...”
“What did you call me?!” She thundered.
“I meant princess... Princess Ava,” I corrected. “That car doesn't look like it has life in it,” I stuttered.
“Then make it have life, dummy!” She yelled, making me flinch.
“Is everything alright, baby?” A hoarse voice echoed. I looked in its direction and saw Alpha Warren coming out and placing a light kiss on her head. “I heard your voice from inside,” he added.
I just rolled my eyes, looking at the drama they were both displaying. “Give me a break already,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. They act like they are the only couple on the planet, I thought as I watched them with a scowl.
“At least it's a good thing that mate is back,” Cyan chimed, making my lips curl up in a smile. She was right; all this suffering was finally coming to an end. In a few hours, I was going to be Luna of the Moonfang pack and equal to this overbearing princess, I thought. I can't wait to see the shock on her face when I become her sister-in-law, that would be so heartwarming.
“Everything is okay, baby; it's just Evie who's stressing me out,” she complained.
“Evie?!” Alpha Warren’s voice thundered, making me raise my gaze to meet him in fear. “One more complaint, and you're dead meat, understood?” He snarled.
“Ye... yes, Your Majesty,” I replied with a trembling voice as I bowed and quickly made my way to the old, rusty car I was given.
I watched as they both shared a goodbye kiss before she finally got into her car and drove off. I exchanged glances with Alpha Warren before getting into my ride, but unfortunately for me, there was no driver in it.
“What the hell?!” I exclaimed.
“Did she really expect me to drive this?” I yelled, slamming my fist against the steering wheel in anger.
I turned on the engine, but the cranky sound I got sounded more like mocking laughter than the sound of an engine.
“Oh shit, I'm so done for,” I mumbled under my breath as I started my journey into the woods, heading back to our pack. I would certainly not get there on time with the speed this car moved, I thought.
“At least we're moving,” Cyan said.
“Shut up, Cyan,” I snarled in anger.
It's been several hours, and I was still in one spot. “That's it! I'm not doing this,” I snapped, getting out of the car as I felt my bones crack, my muscles bulge and fur getting all visible. I landed on all fours and took my heels into the woods, heading for the palace. My legs were certainly faster than that poison in the form of a car, I thought.