The Prince’s Unwilling mate

004 Ayla

When I woke up, I was in my own bed, dressed in a set of PJs.

Mom sat at the end of the bed reading. It was a love we both shared but I could tell from her body language now that she was just skimming over the pages. Not really reading even though it seemed like she was trying

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As soon as the sheet rustled as a result of my movement, she looked up with tears in her eyes. By now it was completely dark outside, so I must have been out for at least an hour, maybe even longer.

“Baby, are you okay? Why didn’t you tell us before?” Mom askedwhile huggingtightly.

I knew Hannah’s lashing out atwasn’t their fault. I knew that if I had told them about what Hannah was doing, they wouldn’t have let her get away with it.

“I am okay, Mom. It’s all healing. I could not tell you and Dad because it would get you into trouble with Alpha Phillip. It is not your fault.”

She huggeda little tighter, whispering how sorry she was in my hair.

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004 Ayla

Burying my head in my arms, I started to cry.

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And then two more strong arms wrapping around me. The two arms I least wanted to comfortnow but still I could not help but sink into the embrace. Unable to keep on fighting because I had been doing that for too long now.

“Oh, sweetheart, I am so so terribly sorry for not seeing what was happening to you. Please forgive me.” Dad kept apologizing as he hugged me.

I knew I shouldn’t be angry with him. It was not his fault after all. It was my own choice to hide the truth from him. However, I was disappointed at the fact that he did not fight harder for me. He just shrugged and gave up when Alpha Phillip told them I could not change packs. That was why I didn’t want to talk with him now.

“Is that why you want to move to White Oak to live with your grandparents?” He huggedtighter.

I nodded and tried to comfort Dad, “I know. Dad. But the least thing I want to see is you arguing with David and Alpha Phillip and leaving the pack. Alpha Phillip would never allow that. It will risk a war. Your know Uncle Cedric would go to war over protecting his family.”

“He would, and you’re his favorite niece who would have made it worse. Still, we could have talked about it as a family. Do you really think we

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wouldn’t be able to calm down and think this over before jumping into action?” Dad asked me, the hurt clear in his voice.

Makingfeel worse, now I felt like I didn’t give my parents enough credit.

“So what? You would just keep living here with Alpha Phillip after you know what he allowed. You would accept Hannah as your Luna when she is the one who keeps beating our beloved daughter up so severely?” Mom’s voice got louder.

“No, I will never accept her, nor will I accept David. He isn’t going to be a better Alpha.” Dad said with a stern look.

“He is a coward. Without a lead warrior and a pack doctor, a young wolf like him would be very less likely to go to war with an experienced Alpha like your Uncle Cedric. But your cousin Sebastian is only nineteen. Your Uncle Cedric and Aunt Katrina have to wait until we all move into the White Oak pack safely before changing the leadership within the pack.” He continued.

“I have discussed with your mother, Ayla.” Dad looked into my eyes. “We will play the waiting game.”

Playing the waiting game? What did that mean? Moving back to the White Oak pack when it would be safer or easier to do so? But I didn’t understand because Alpha Phillips had already denied me.

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004 Ayla

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“For now, you will go to the royal ball first. After that, you will go. visiting your grandparents and stay with them there. And when the Silver’s cback, they will explain you got injured and need to rest at your Grandparent’s place. By then, he will know what his son and possible future Luna did and allowed. I will give him the chance to keep it under the rug, as long as he allows you to stay with your Grandparents. for as long as you need.” Dad explained.

“What if Alpha Phillips doesn’t allowto?” I asked back.

“He will and he has to, Sweetheart.” Dad locked his eyes with me.

Moving to the White Oak pack seemed to be within reach now, and I hugged Dad happily, grateful for his decision.

“This might not be necessary if the Prince is smart enough to see how amazing you are, sweety.” Mom cut in.

I rolled my eyes. Deep in my heart. I know this would never happen. Hannah was right. How could I becthe Luna of all Luna’s after I was rejected to be David’s mate?

With all those old memories flashing in my mind, I felt my head spinning.

Mom and Dad had noticed how dizzy I was. They settledon my bed and forcedto take a good rest. It did my body good but I still had

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bruises and scars that hadn’t healed yet because my body was always busy healing fresh injuries. Now that everybody in my family knew I wasn’t worried about keeping them hidden anymore.

The last week of staying with the BloodMoon pack has been weird. Even after I was getting much better, they hardly letgo out alone.

Getting bored, I started to pack my belongings. Sadly, I couldn’t pack at lot. Dad toldto pack only the essentials in toiletries and clothing so I could take more small personal things with me. Mom promisedshe would at least send all my books out in pairs of two. And she insisted.taking the ball gown Grandma sent to me.

“Your Grandma said you should not hide yourself in those black things. If not to find a mate, then to show the other she-wolves, especially those of Blood Moon, that you are a queen in your own rights. And she would love to see this dress get used one last time. What do you say, Ayla?”

Caressing the beautiful gold dress on the mannequin, I recalled it was the dress my Grandma wore when Grandpa introduced her as his Luna to the pack. Thinking of it, I nodded in assent.

When both my suitcases were packed, I looked around my childhood room in the house where I grew up. It seemed like I was still living here. because I was running away from hlike an over-emotional teenager. To avoid being beaten daily, I pretended to be interested in marrying a

prince.

“Ayla, tto go.” Mom’s voice cdownstairs. “You won’t want to

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