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Story: The Rejected Princess
“I’m sorry, Desmond,” I said quietly. “I promise I’ll be there for the next event.”
Desmond stopped crying when he heard my promise and wiped away my tears with his plump, little hand.
“I have the best mother in the world.” I am not sad anymore, so don’t be sad either, Mommy.”
Desmond’s understanding hurt me more than it helped.
I was the daughter of the Silverhowl Pack’s packmaster, and I had been in love with Jalen, the heir of the Snowshade Pack, for five years.
That was the reason I struck a deal with a witch.
“I’m willing to give up half of my life to be with Jalen.” I was young and ignorant at the time; I only knew the sweetness of love, not the bitterness it could bring.
When the witch drugged Jalen and locked us in the same room, I realised how far things had gotten out of control.
I pounded on the door in panic, my voice trembling with rage. “No!” I don’t want to force Jalen to do anything. He’ll hate me for it!”
The witch cackled eerily, “Silly girl, you’re meant to be together. He likes you, too. If tonight goes well, he will marry you.
I broke the door handle in rage, but the witch had cast a spell on the room. There was no way we could get out. Things got worse when I started to feel my body burn up.
“How dare you drug me too?!”
“Of course, I have to drug you, babe. Enjoy your night!”
It was too late. Jalen’s body radiates heat like a furnace, and his breathing is heavy and uneven. His glowing eyes reflected the ferocity of a beast in the moonlight. He pushed me down but did not mark me.
When the sun came up, I was aching all over and feeling weak, whereas Jalen was already dressed. His back was to me, and he spoke without emotion, “The Snowshade and Silverhowl Packs will form a marriage alliance; let us get engaged, Helen.”
I assumed it was a declaration of love. Instead, it signalled the start of my nightmare.
Jalen failed to return to our room the night of the engagement.
When I went looking for him, I overheard Jalen talking with a friend.
“I envy you, Jalen,” his friend remarked. “You were raised to inherit your pack, and now you’ve married Princess Helen, the most beautiful woman from the Silverhowl Pack. She’s completely devoted to you.”
Jalen swirled his wine, his face shadowed and his voice cold. “She’s not bad. I used to like her. But how could I love someone so easy? The thought of her drugging me and forcing herself into my bed disgusts me.”
His words struck me like a blow. I stumbled back to my room, unable to come up with an explanation for what had happened. The next day, Jalen set out for the battlefield to reclaim the Snowshade Pack’s lost territory.
I remained in Snowshade Territory, managing affairs with the assistance of my Silverhowl Pack colleagues. I poured resources into Jalen’s campaigns and kept myself busy at work, finding solace in my responsibilities.
Eight months later, Desmond was born prematurely. I begged Jalen to return for the Blessing Ritual, but I never heard from him.
Desmond stopped crying when he heard my promise and wiped away my tears with his plump, little hand.
“I have the best mother in the world.” I am not sad anymore, so don’t be sad either, Mommy.”
Desmond’s understanding hurt me more than it helped.
I was the daughter of the Silverhowl Pack’s packmaster, and I had been in love with Jalen, the heir of the Snowshade Pack, for five years.
That was the reason I struck a deal with a witch.
“I’m willing to give up half of my life to be with Jalen.” I was young and ignorant at the time; I only knew the sweetness of love, not the bitterness it could bring.
When the witch drugged Jalen and locked us in the same room, I realised how far things had gotten out of control.
I pounded on the door in panic, my voice trembling with rage. “No!” I don’t want to force Jalen to do anything. He’ll hate me for it!”
The witch cackled eerily, “Silly girl, you’re meant to be together. He likes you, too. If tonight goes well, he will marry you.
I broke the door handle in rage, but the witch had cast a spell on the room. There was no way we could get out. Things got worse when I started to feel my body burn up.
“How dare you drug me too?!”
“Of course, I have to drug you, babe. Enjoy your night!”
It was too late. Jalen’s body radiates heat like a furnace, and his breathing is heavy and uneven. His glowing eyes reflected the ferocity of a beast in the moonlight. He pushed me down but did not mark me.
When the sun came up, I was aching all over and feeling weak, whereas Jalen was already dressed. His back was to me, and he spoke without emotion, “The Snowshade and Silverhowl Packs will form a marriage alliance; let us get engaged, Helen.”
I assumed it was a declaration of love. Instead, it signalled the start of my nightmare.
Jalen failed to return to our room the night of the engagement.
When I went looking for him, I overheard Jalen talking with a friend.
“I envy you, Jalen,” his friend remarked. “You were raised to inherit your pack, and now you’ve married Princess Helen, the most beautiful woman from the Silverhowl Pack. She’s completely devoted to you.”
Jalen swirled his wine, his face shadowed and his voice cold. “She’s not bad. I used to like her. But how could I love someone so easy? The thought of her drugging me and forcing herself into my bed disgusts me.”
His words struck me like a blow. I stumbled back to my room, unable to come up with an explanation for what had happened. The next day, Jalen set out for the battlefield to reclaim the Snowshade Pack’s lost territory.
I remained in Snowshade Territory, managing affairs with the assistance of my Silverhowl Pack colleagues. I poured resources into Jalen’s campaigns and kept myself busy at work, finding solace in my responsibilities.
Eight months later, Desmond was born prematurely. I begged Jalen to return for the Blessing Ritual, but I never heard from him.