Chapter 22: Chapter 22

"You mean the same pack where Ava is staying?" I queried quickly, sitting up from the bed at an unusual speed.

He nodded, and I found my legs reaching the ground and leading me to the bathroom. Maybe at that moment, my brain stopped working, because I didn't know when I took my bath and got dressed up.

"Wow..." Carl exclaimed with wet eyes filled with emotions while watching me comb and perm my hair in front of the mirror.

Just then, my brain began to work again, and I realized how stupid I had reacted once again over Ava.

I turned to him with a forced frown.

"My prince." He bowed with a cheesy smile.

"I am not anxious to meet her. Stop overthinking and let's get going." I shrugged, knowing full well that my lie was useless.

"Yes, my prince. Time to meet your ma...." I knocked his head playfully, but made sure it was hard enough to push the remaining word back into his mouth.

"Now go and get whatever I am handing to them, I'll be waiting for you at the garage. Don't waste much time, I still need to sleep after returning." Laughter was what he gave as a reply before scurrying out.

He already knew it all.

"My dream just came true!!" My wolf screamed in excitement, and I could only shake my head with a smile.

"You're falling in love alone. Not me and you." I rolled my eyes, quickening my pace as I felt more anxious to meet Ava. It was like my parents read my mind and knew what I badly wanted.

"If I were not your wolf, I would have believed I was the only one feeling this way for her, but unfortunately for you, I can sense every feeling going on in your heart. Just look at how it is racing." My silly wolf jeered, but I had no time to respond as I made my way down the stairs.

I could have gone to the palace to greet my parents and act like I hated the errand they were sending me on just as I always did in the past, but I was afraid that it would be so difficult to hide.

How can I act angry when I am going giddy with excitement. I don't know why I badly want to meet Ava. Maybe after I see her, my curiosity will cool down and I'll end up hating her like every other lady out there.

*******

Ava's POV

My whole body was aching so painfully from Nana's whip. Just yesterday, when I thought it would all be over, little did I know, it was only the beginning of my misery.

Her parents returned from wherever they were hiding yesterday morning and lied that their captors threatened to take their daughter next. The Alpha believed such a flimsy lie, and accepted their request to let Nana live here.

"Rubbish!" My lips broke open as I shed more tears at the hotness on my flesh. It was like the whole plan was to get me tortured more because, immediately after she was officially relocated here, she began to beat me for the slightest mistake.

I reported it to Dad, and he slapped me.

I told him I never wronged her, but I didn't believe her, and when she came up with unreasonable lies, he believed her and warned me never to lay a finger on her, or he would deal with me himself.

Was there any pain that hurt more than this?

It was morning, another day, and I was almost done cleaning everywhere, which had not been so hard for me all these years, but with the bruise from her whip, I felt like I'd faint before I'd be done tidying up.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I began to hear some information from the royal guards as they discussed among themselves, but I refused to believe it was true.

"Please, is it true that Prince Jaden is coming here today?" I asked one of the guards that watch me while I cook.

"Yes, and just as Nana said, he must be coming here himself because of her. He wants to see her after the first meeting at their Lycan kingdom." The guard replied in antsy, and shudders ran through my spine on hearing him mention Lycan.

"Is Prince Jaden the Lycan prince?" I inquired and he nodded, making me remember what Eric had said that day. A Lycan who forced him to take care of me.

Does this correlate in anyway?

"Hey, what are you thinking?" The other guard tapped my head with a gawking stare on his face.

"Nothing..." I shook and went over to warm up the food, which was already preserved in the fridge. I was lucky there was already cooked food because I am not in my right senses now and might end up cooking rubbish.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about this visit. I felt he was here for me, and as much as it sounded so ridiculous, my head couldn't stop making me believe that.

Why the hell would he come for me when he doesn't even know of my existence.

And, that guard just said he had met Nana in the kingdom before. Gosh! I must be stupid to think he's here for me when it's obviously for Nana.

I was almost done dishing out the Alpha's food when Nana walked into the kitchen with her very beautiful gold-colored gown with shiny pearls. Her face was well primped with different kinds of make-up that gave her a perfect appearance.

Every piece of jewelry she wore was pure gold and diamonds that I could only stand still and gape at. She looked magnificent and royal.

"Don't stop drooling, slave." She mocked me, and it hit me so hard that I quickly looked away in shame.

"Quickly make some mouthwatering, savory, and tasty bread toast with eggs, which would be served to my boyfriend. He gave order that he shouldn't be served any food here, but I have to serve him food as his future queen." She smiled happily.

"Okay, I'll do as you say." I replied with an inner hiss.

"You do the cooking or whatever, while I'll serve him myself. Don't you dare tell them you made the dish. In fact, I don't want to see you in the palace when he comes!" She screamed as I struggled to hold back the scornful words that were building up inside me and trying to escape.

"Okay..." I forced out, and he snorted before leaving.

For real, she was going to claim she was the one who made the dish. I thought Nana was only wicked, never knew she was stupid too.

I was already done when the pack bell rang to announce his arrival. That was how much we respected the Lycans, as they were greater than us.

My eyes turned wet with tears as it just dawned on me that I might never see the prince.

"Hey.. Ava." Someone called my name, and I looked up to see three guards stepping in with Nana.

"Now, go into your room and lock your door. You can't come out till he leaves, and I know you will try sneaking out, so these men will be at your door." She smirked and grinned as she inhaled the enticing aroma of toasted bread and fried eggs that had just permeated the kitchen.

She walked proudly over to the counter and nodded in satisfaction at how I had arranged it all. I should have made the dish badly to punish her for treating me badly, but I couldn't do that. I wanted Jaden to enjoy my food. It was stupid how I smiled all the time I was making it.

It is just sad that someone else would take the credit.

"Take her away. He must be close to the royal packhouse now!" She ordered the guards, and I was dragged away to my room, forcing my heart to boil in anger and sadness.

This was their only chance to see him, but Nana just decided to shatter it all. It was so hurtful that I burst into a loud cry as the door of my room was shut.

I lay on the floor, sobbing and muttering his name to myself, hoping for a miracle and for him to appear in my room.

With nothing but agonizing pain aching my heart, I sat on my tattered bed, facing the wall while crying all to myself.

It was up to an hour and I was already hearing the faint sound of activities going on in the palace. For real, the Lycan prince was in the same building as me, but I couldn't see him.

I don't know why this hurts so deeply. My heart seemed like it was on fire. Of all the tortures I have experienced in my life, this could be the most agonizing one.