CHAPTER 20
LYLA’S PO.V
Within the blink of an eye, a week had gone by and it was my birthday. Zander still hadn’t told me the real reason he went to see Camilla but I respected the fact that he told me about the lunch in the first place.
He was the first to wish me happy birthday with a small cupcake in bed that ended up steamier than I expected. I flushed pink just thinking about it. We still hadn’t gone all the way with each other but I wasn’t as scared as I was before, in fact, I was anticipating it now.
Helena was the next to wish me a happy birthday when she arrived in the room with the designer. The mating ceremony was scheduled for ten a.m. and we had about four hours to get ready and be at the venue.
I was rushed into the bath and Helena literally timed me. By the time I emerged in a robe, I was pulled into a chair and the entire getting ready session began. There were never less than three people touching me at the same time.
By the time they were done, my scalp was burning and my fingers felt numb from the heat of the water. But there was no rest period because another lady came in and started poking, prodding and pulling at my face in a bid to apply makeup. It wasn’t as bad as I made it sound, mainly because Helena was with me and she was also getting ready.
It was almost 9: 30 when I was done with everything and the designer hurried up to usher me into the dress. It was still as beautiful as when I first saw it and it felt amazing as I admired the finished product. They
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paired the dress with white heels, a beautiful silver necklace and teardrop earrings.
“You look beautiful,” Helena said to me and I took the time to admire her own outfit.
She was in a dress that was the color of the bright morning sky. It had single straps and stopped in the middle of her thighs. It also hugged her figure like second skin and she paired it with matching colored heels and large hoop earrings.
“So do you,” I whispered and I saw the ghost of a smile form on her lips.
“I want to take you somewhere, before we leave,”
I tried to ask where she was taking me but she kept her lips sealed. I followed her down the stairs and stumbled when I saw the two figures waiting at the foot of the steps.
Rachel and Anastasia stood there like holograms with wide smiles on their faces and I wasted no time running over to my friends and throwing myself in their arms. They embraced me just as hard and I briefly heard Helena excuse herself from the room.
“You are going to be Queen,” Rachel said as we pulled away, “I can’t believe it; this palace, you, it is all so different and overwhelming. I am so proud of you Lyla.”
“I am too,” Anastasia squeezed my hand and offered me a smile I couldn’t immediately reciprocate, “What’s wrong Lyla?”
“I-,” I trailed off, “It just seems too fast,” they waited patiently so I could explain, “He,barely even knows me and I wonder if part of the
CHAPTER 20
reason he is doing all of this is for his own benefit.”
“Lyla,” Rachel began but I cut her off.
“I know what I feel Rachel, I just need your advice on this one.
“You are not the Lyla who left our pack that’s for sure,” Anastasia said, “That Lyla was always cowering but here you are talking about how you feel.” she grasped my hands in both of hers, “I cannot tell you what to do but what I can say is for you to do what you think is best.”
“I agree with Ana.” Rachel jumped in, “We cannot tell you what to do because we don’t know him or this family and we wouldn’t know if you are right or wrong. If you don’t want to go through with it then don’t but do not allow fear to stop you from having a wonderful life as Queen.”
“Thank you.” I whispered as I tried to stop the tears from falling.
Both girls gave my shoulders a firm squeeze and we wrapped ourselves in one large hug like we always used to do.
“We should be leaving now,” Rachel said, “Whatever you do, just know that you have our full support.”
They left the corridor and Helena returned almost immediately and rushed me towards the car while muttering that we were already late. As we hurried into the waiting car, Helena told me everything I needed to know about it.
I would have to walk down a makeshift platform to meet Zander at the end and the mating ceremony would take place. She let me know that we were the only two people who would be allowed to wear white and that the others were to be in pastel colors.
When we arrived, she wished me good luck and rushed into the
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ceremony through the other doors telling me that I would be given a signal on when to enter. I watched her leave and I was left all alone.
I decided to take a seat on one of the large sofas and waited. I tried my best not to let myself overthink but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something I needed to know but wasn’t being told.
Cluttering snapped me out of my thoughts and I heard something like shuffling and footsteps behind a wooden door. I was alone and I knew I shouldn’t but I decided to inspect it.
I slowly made my way over to the door and pulled it open only to see Ender crouched down beneath some suits of armor and eating a piece of pie. His eyes snapped up to me and I saw relief fill his features as he realized who had caught him.
“Let me guess, you’re hiding from Helena,” I said and he gave me a sheepish smile, “Come, you’ll stain your suit.”
I helped him out of the closet and dusted off his tailored purple suit. He had gotten rid of his tie already and it was sticking out of his back. pocket. His hands were stained with blueberry from the pie and so were the corners of his mouth.
I had him sit on the sofa I had just stood up from and went into the kitchen to retrieve a wet rag so I could wipe down his hands and face.
“I’m not a baby,” he flushed pink as I cleaned him up, “I can do it myself.”
“I know you can but I need to make sure you do it right or Helena will have both our heads.”
He laughed softly at my words before suddenly adding, “I was coming to see you.”
CHAPTER 20
“What?” I was taken aback by his confession.
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“I snuck out to see you but I got distracted by the pie,” he flushed as he admitted the truth. “You look pretty.”
“Thank you Ender; so do you,” I took my seat next to him, “Why did you sneak out to see me?”
He opened his mouth but then closed it almost immediately as if he wasn’t sure whether he should be telling me or not.
“You don’t have to tell me,” I said finally, “But tell me how things are going inside.”
“Everyone is waiting for you,” he repeated the same action as earlier- opened his mouth to speak then closed it again.
I realized what his issue was the moment he started to look around- he wasn’t sure if it was safe enough to tell me and if anyone was listening in. In an attempt to make him feel safer, I squatted next to him so we were eye level.
“You can tell me,” I whispered, “No one has to know.”
He sighed before finally speaking, “I think Camilla is planning something bad today.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I heard them.”
