New Life
Elora opened her eyes, a loud gasp escaping her lips, fists tightly clutching the sheets as her cold sweat trailed a line down her neck, her eyes took in the familiar space of her bedroom and she was immediately brought back to reality.
The cold breeze blew in from the curtains as the moonlight streaked in casting a bright light on her pale features. From here, she could see her reflection in the huge mirror in front of her bed, as her brows pulled together in fright, her tiny frame still shaken from the horrid memories.
She must've fallen asleep while remembering her past life.
But what she saw in her sleep wasn't just a horrible nightmare like she'd hoped, that was exactly how her life had ended.
Miserably and pitifully, all for a man who didn't even deem her worthy enough for a respectable manner to call off their engagement.
But she surprisingly woke up to another chance just three days ago.
Three days during which she had meticulously prepared herself for the inevitable rejection and had faced the arrogant scum of a prince and her pretentious stepsister this evening.
She had reincarnated, and she got a new chance at life, She has rewritten her story and broken free from the engagement.
And now, she would only live life for herself and forgo all her past hurt.
It was a new beginning after all, although she didn't know what she did to deserve a new life, but she'd be damned if she met such a cruel ending once again.
The morning sun shone through the heavy curtains in Elora's chamber. Casting light patterns on the cold glass floors.
The air was filled with the scent of lavender and vanilla,
Elora sat by the huge windows, her blue eyes blankly staring at the fighting grounds below, where the warriors rigorously trained. Her raven black king hair cascaded down to her waist, a stark contrast to her soft pale skin.
Her eyes followed their every movement with longing as they trained.
Even though she was a princess, Elora was never given the privilege of being around these warriors, much less having the opportunity to train with them like the others.
Although Elora absolutely loved the complex art of Archery and the freedom horse racing gives, she could only dare to watch from afar. She wasn't allowed to ask for training.
After yesterday's saga, Elora planned to immediately leave for a cottage near the sea and plan how to live this new life, but her father had denied her request to leave.
Something was brewing. She could feel it, her father wasn't the type to care about her well-being enough to keep her in the castle with him.
Although she still didn't know the purpose for this second life of hers, one thing is for sure, she craved for freedom … freedom from this choking, tyrannical world where the strong prey on the weak. Staying here in her father's home was a no, she needs to find a way out immediately.
A sudden knock on her door jolted her from her reverie.
A male servant stood next to the door.
"The king summons you to the ceremonial hall," he curtly announced, disappearing down the corridor without sparing her a glance.
Elora's heart sank. Although her father's summons were rare, they rarely ended well for her.
The corridors leading to the hall seemed longer than usual, every step echoed ominously as she approached the huge doors of the place.
Throughout her past life, she was rarely permitted in spaces like this, and the stares of so many eyes on her made her skin crawl.
Inside, the hall was draped in a golden glow from the morning sun. Tapestries showing off the kingdom's glorious battles adorned the crystal walls, and the relaxing scent of burning incense lingered in the air.
Seated on the throne King Haze watched his youngest daughter, his presence commanding as ever.
"You asked for my presence, Father?" Elora asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded in agreement, his gaze cold and calculating. "Yes, Elora. I think the time you served a purpose for the kingdom."
She swallowed hard, bracing herself.
" Despite the unforeseen failure of the engagement between you and Prince Regan, I've managed to arrange a union between you and Alpha Azazeal of the Crimson Sky Pack," he declared.
No emotion. No hesitation. Simply the decree of a king who had always considered the existence of Elora as an afterthought.
The words hung silently in the air, heavy and suffocating.
The High King of the Wolves. Alpha Azazeal Hades.
The name alone sent shivers through her.
Humans have been under the Rule of The Powerful and instinctive Creatures— The werewolves for centuries.
Although, the humans live their lives separated from the wolf packs, the world of the wolves was not foreign to Elora, because the wolf king Azazeal governs all in existence.
Tales of how deadly and Brutal the mysterious leader who is in charge of both humans and wolves are known in every world.
The rumors portrayed him as a tyrant, a wolf who was chosen by the goddess herself, to rule over all, and because of his blood thirsty brutality, he had been cursed for centuries to be mateless.
He is the most powerful wolf in history, the highest chain in the wolf and human hierarchy.
Being acquainted with him means power and luxury … if only he weren't a cold beast whose name alone is enough to send dangerous enemies fleeing. And now, she was doomed to be the one who would be married to the mateless beast forever.
Elora's knees almost gave in from beneath her "A— Alpha Azazeal?"
Alpha Haze's eyes narrowed. " The alliance is forged for the protection of our kingdom. Do not even think to question my decision."
Elora instinctively clenched her fists at his forceful tone. She had no say in the matter. Her voice, muted by her family for so long, would not make a difference to her fate.
She scanned the room, looking for someone, anyone who might object. No one did. Not her stepbrothers, who hardly noticed her. Not the queen, who was silent. And obviously not her mother, who would be delighted to finally get rid of her this time.
She had attempted to speak, to ask why she was the one chosen, rather than her older sisters. But the cold stare King Haze pinned on her froze her mouth shut.
"You will fulfill your obligation to the kingdom Elora, this is the least you can do after the stupid stunt you pulled at the banquet yesterday," he said simply.
She wanted to argue, it wasn't as if she was the one who called off the engagement first, why was she bearing the brunt of it all?
But there was no use wasting her breath, she had already been dismissed, and her future had been decided against her will.
A myriad of emotions surged within Elora — she felt fear and disbelief. This wasn't the direction she planned this new life of hers to go, all she wanted was freedom from this bondage she called her life. And now she's being caged with a monster.
"We have taken care of everything You leave by sunrise ." Her father's voice sounded concluding the meeting.
" Understood?"
" Yes father, I understand," she murmured, her nails digging into her palm.
By the time night came, the reality of her situation sank in. There was no escape.
The maids had happily brought in her wedding gown earlier, the stunning dress sat in the corner, and Elora made no move to try it on.
Elora sat in front of her vanity, the moonlight casting a silvery glow over her pale features. As her chambermaid brushed her long hair soothingly.
She sadly gazed into the mirror, her reflection stared at her —dainty and Ethereal, but the heavy weight of her impending future pressed heavily on her shoulders.
A lowly human princess and a cursed Alpha king. How befitting, she mocked inwardly, a slight, bitter smile playing on her lips.
The girl she's staring at in the mirror didn't look like a high queen. She was the image of a lamb being led to slaughter.
Her father's words echoed in her ears.
"You ought to be honored, Elora. It is a privilege to marry High King Azazeal ."
Elora shut her eyes, wishing she could not feel anything.
To survive this life, she would have to become what her mother had always wanted, A ghost no one sees.
And she would do everything to remain unnoticed by the monster.