Naynah's POV
Today was supposed to be the outing day, but all I feel is pain. Kemran didn't spare me last night. My body still aches so much I can barely walk straight.
"That's what you get for trying to play with your mate." said Ava
She sighed.
"Yeah, whatever… you could at learn help me numb the pain." I said
" I'll try." said Ava
I tried standing, only to stumble and nearly collapse because my legs couldn't even hold me. Of course, as luck would have it, I fell flat on the floor.
"Great start to the day." I said
I sighed. Crawling my way into the bathroom, I had no idea how I even managed to climb into the bathtub, but somehow I did. The water flowing over me was a relief. Just lying there, doing nothing, felt good. Still, I couldn't believe my mate came into my apartment and literally threw out the Alpha triplets—while they were naked. Yes, I know, even blindfolded, my ears catch everything. He came to see me and told me I belonged only to him. So he knew I was his mate all along… yet he still chose to hurt me by sleeping with Evera.
" Well, to be fair, he was very skilled." said Ava
"Oh please, he's nothing but a massive asshole." I said
I finally got out of the tub, feeling almost like the pain had never existed—thanks to Ava.
" You're welcome, darling." said Ava
Wrapping a towel around myself, I stepped out of the bathroom. When I glanced at the bed, I realized it was broken, the sheets a mess, stained with blood. That bastard. He sleeps with Evera all he wants, but I can't even mess around with other guys? What a filthy hypocrite.
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you. Not that it matters—he can't hear your insults anyway. Only I can." said Ava
I shoved the stained sheets into the laundry. As for the broken bed, I'd figure something out later. Throwing on a t-shirt and jeans, I let my hair fall loose, grabbed my bag, and locked up behind me.
Outside Kemran's apartment, Evera was curled up asleep by his door. Figures. They must've had plans for another wild night together. I snorted as I stepped into the elevator.
" So what now?" said Ava
"We hurt him. That's all it'll take. Pain—and he's finished. That's our mission. We can't just let this go." I said
I boarded the bus where the elite students were gathering. Everyone was there—except the princess's little group of friends. The ones I killed. At least she's gone now. After a while, we pulled up to a forest.
" Alright, kids, we're here. Wait for the others before I hand out your keys." said Mr Kendrick.
By "the others," he meant the princess's friends. He treated them differently, I noticed. My eyes flicked up just as Kemran's gaze locked on me. I ignored it and walked over to the Triplets.
" Hey, boys." I said
" What do you want?" asked Mathieu
" Last night didn't exactly go as planned. How about tonight?" I said
" Sorry, not happening. We're not getting caught up in your mess again." said Octavius
They walked away. Damn it. My plan was already falling apart. When I turned, I caught Kemran smirking at me. That smug bastard—he had something to do with their rejection.
Then came the sound of a car engine. "The majesties" had arrived. They stepped out like celebrities, walking as if the whole world should bow.
" Athènia." called Mr Kendrick
"Don't be ridiculous. She's gone." I said
I tried to hide my irritation, but shit. The boy in the middle shifted, and my jaw dropped.
"Athènia." said Mr Kendrick
" I'm sorry, Mr. Ken. I was sick." said the princess
No way. I stabbed her with my own hands. I saw her die. Yet here she was, standing right in front of me, alive—slowly recovering, maybe, but alive. Kendrick's lips curled into a sly smile.
"Funny, they said you were gone." said Kendrick
" And we're sorry for that, Mr. Ken. She told us not to tell anyone because she didn't want to bother people like she always does." said Mara
" Now that you're here, I won't be bored anymore." said Mr Kendrick
" I'm sure you won't." I said
She smiled at him. And Kemran was watching, jealous. Ugh. Who does he even want, me or her?
" Since everyone's here, you'll form teams of four." said Mr Kendrick
" No need to discuss. We four will do." replied the princess
Excuse me? Who does she think she is, the Queen of England? No way he'd accept that.
"Of course. The rest of you—girls with girls, boys with boys.'' said Mr Kendrick
Seriously? Playing favorites with Athènia again? Students whispered that the princess was probably sleeping with Mr. Ken to get special treatment. He handed us our cabin keys, and eventually, I went off alone, wandering into the forest.
The trees were massive. I reached a lake, the water glistening like glass.
"Wow. This place is stunning." said Ava
" I know." I said
As I admired the view, a strange voice called to me. I followed it into a cave. Torches lit themselves as I walked deeper.
"Maybe you should've thought before stepping in." said Ava
" It's not too late to turn back." I said
I spun around—only to find the entrance sealed off by a solid wall.
Taking a breath, I turned back. The only option was to find another way out. I tried path after path, but every time I ended up back at the same spot—seven tunnels, always leading me here.
" Trapped too, I see." said unfortunately my mate's voice. I looked up and there he was, leaning against the wall. My heart jumped; I hadn't heard or even sensed him.
" That's because you were focused on the voice." said Ava
She was probably right.
" What are you doing here?" I asked
My voice echoed against the stone.
" Let me guess. The voice." said Kemran
I nodded. He stepped closer.
"You can try every path you want, but none of them lead out." said the prince vampire
"You can give up if you like, but I'll keep looking." I said
I moved away, but before I got far, he grabbed my wrist—tight.
" Let go of me, vampire." I said
" And what if I say no?" said the prince vampire
He pulled me closer, his face just inches from mine. He leaned in as if to kiss me—but then I caught a scent. Familiar. Too familiar.
" Athènia. She's here too." said Ava
Panic shot through me. I ran, following the trail until I found her. Without hesitation, I tackled her to the ground.
" Ahhh!" screamed the princess
" Why aren't you dead?!" I said
Frustration clawed at me. My plan to kill her had failed.
" What are you doing here?!" I asked
" Take a wild guess." said the princess
I couldn't believe it. She'd followed the same voice. With one swift kick, she launched me against the cave wall. Shit. I hadn't realized she was that strong.
" Damn it." cursed the prince Vampire
He rushed over, staring at her—the one thing I hated most.
" What!? Want my picture?" said the princess
I struggled to stand, glaring at her smug expression.
" What, disappointed I'm not dead? Sorry, but I'm the daughter of a sorcerer king. Did you really think he wouldn't protect me?" said the princess
Damn it. I'd forgotten that little detail. Kemran's furious eyes turned on me.
" You tried to kill her!!" said the prince Vampire.
" Of course I did. I was sent here to kill her—just like you, idiot." I said
His reaction confirmed it. He cared for her more than I thought.
" So it's true. Your parents sent you both to kill ME." said the princess
I glared at her, but she only clutched her chest dramatically.
" Ouch. So much hatred." said the princess.
She tied her hair back into a ponytail while Kemran helped me to my feet.
" I don't know why you're both here, but I need to find out what this so-called "alliance" really means—and who that woman is." said the princess
Kemran and I exchanged a glance.
" And I know you want to find out too. So here's my offer: we discover the truth together." said the princess
She looked around, closing her eyes as if searching for the voice again.
" Why did you try to kill her?" asked the prince Vampire
"Because it's my mission." I replied
I crossed my arms defiantly.
" I'll follow her. I want the truth." said the prince Vampire
" And you think I don't?" I asked
"Clearly not." replied the prince Vampire
I raised an eyebrow.
" Like me, someone must've pressured you into this "alliance." You tried to kill the princess without even knowing what it meant." said the prince Vampire
I turned toward Athènia, who was already walking into the third tunnel. The torches ignited ahead of her path.
Naynah: Fine. We'll talk later.
I followed, Kemran close behind. I didn't know how she planned to track the voice, but I wanted the truth too. He was right—I'd acted out of anger. My real mission had been to uncover the meaning of this alliance. But I'd let myself stray. Now, I had to set things right.
Who knew what fate had in store for us? Maybe this alliance would end in chaos… but for now, even if only for a short while, I'd side with her—if only to uncover the truth.