Chapter 20: Chapter 20

"Go check for yourself in the palace. Isn't he your father?" A maid chimed in, replying in a mocking manner. She was just interested in reminding me how pathetic I am.

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?

I don't know why, but as soon as she mentioned that name, I paused, and turned back to her.

"Why are you staring at me?" She snorted, with resentment and envy filling her eyes. The smile that was on her face initially vanished and was replaced with a deep frown.

"I am sorry...but..I was just a bit curious about what you just said. Who is Prince Jaden? I have never heard such a name in this pack, and I am just too curious to know who he is. " My question seemed to trigger something in her as she stared at me with arched brows.

Her eyes were scanning through my face, and I felt so unease. I knew I shouldn't be talking to her since she chose to hate me, but I just couldn't resist this urge. The name Jaden was ringing strangely in my head, forcing out some unusual urge to know more about who he was.

"Are you asking me about Jaden? For real?" She grimaced, leaving her bed and walking closer to me at a slow pace.

A heavy sigh slipped from my lips as I tried to calm the sudden reaction my body was having as she mentioned Jaden again. That name was making my heart skip a beat and accelerate at intervals.

"How dare you ask me about Prince Jaden, my boyfriend!" She snorted, and it was with great effort that I was able to push out the outburst of laughter that almost left my lips.

She was standing in front of me, and in her eyes, I could see how pitiful she was already. It was so clear that what she just said was a big lie of consolation, and it is even funnier how she expected me to believe that.

"I am sorry...I shouldn't have asked you that question." I apologized before taking my leave while she kept her gaze at me without blinking till I was out.

Even if she doesn't tell me who Prince Jaden is, I will find out by myself. At least I know his name already.