POV Athénia
I arrive in front of the king's office. I take a few deep breaths before knocking on the door.
" Enter." said the King
I open the door and see both my "fake mother" and my liar of a father sitting there — which only means one thing: trouble. I shut the door and bow respectfully, then straighten up with a face colder than ice.
"Do you know why I called you?" asked the king
I shake my head.
" You're truly a disappointment to this family." he started
My heart pounds hard. I've heard it so many times, but today… today it hit differently.
"I'm sending you to London." he declared
" WHAT!?" I shouted, I can't believe it. My own father is sending me away. My own father.
" Why!!?" I asked. My voice cracks, pain lacing through it. I've only just reunited with my brother, and now he's already sending me away?
" You're useless here. You're rude to everyone. You're spoiled. You're a weakness in my kingdom, Athènia." said the King
I can't believe this. No, no, no—this can't be real.
" I'm not going anywhere!!!" I retorted
" Do you think I'm asking you? It's an order." he said
" You know damn well I've never followed anyone's orders. " I said
" See, my love? She acts like a wild animal." said Fabellia
"Oh, so now I'm a wild animal, Fabellia?" I said, coldly.
" Show some respect to your mother." said the King
"She is NOT my mother. Fabellia GRONDS is NOT my mother." I shouted
Fabellia starts shedding crocodile tears.
"Nevine, did you hear how she just spoke to me?" said Fabellia
" Athènia, enough. Don't be such a spoiled child." said the King
"Spoiled?! (I laugh bitterly.) Who spoiled me? Wasn't it you? You always took the side of that thing you dared to compare to my real mother. For 10 years—10 long years—she beat me and my twin brother. You turned a blind eye every time she called us ugly, unworthy. You know what, Nevine GRONDS? You're the worst father of all time. What did you say to my mother, huh? 'Our unique love, trust me, everything will be alright..' you remember? "
I watch him freeze at my words.
" That's what I thought. I HATE YOU." I shouted turning and slaming the door behind me. I walk off, fuming.
" Calm down, Lis." said a voice, My wolf, Kora, speaks with a calm, soothing voice.
" I finally heard what he really thinks of me, Kora. And Jiji..." I said
" Don't worry, Lis. I've spoken to Arès. We have to tell Jiji because he still doesn't know you have a wolf just like he does." said Kora
I reach my room faster than I expected. I growl in frustration. No wonder they call me a wild animal. I've hated Fabellia forever and now I understand why. She's not even my real mother.
" Calm down, Lis." said my brother 's voice
I turn to see my brother standing by the door.
" What do you want?" I asked
"I felt something was wrong, so I came. Want to talk?" he replied
" Ugh… Fine, come in and shut the door." I said
He steps in and closes the door behind him.
" Tell him to use the silencing spell." said Kora
" Jiji, use a soundproofing spell so no one can hear us." I said to jiji
I watch him cast the spell and suddenly, I'm pulled from my body again.
But this time, I'm not in the past…
I'm in the future.
---
A man kneels on the ground, clutching his severed arm. I want to throw up. I can see two figures
" You demon." said the man 1
" Oh no, Dracos. I'm the incarnation. So, have you made your decision?" said the man 2
" I will never become one of your subordinates, Demon. And you won't lay a finger on the Chosen One." said the man 1, I believe his name is Dracos.
"What are you going to do about it, tell me? You're a dark sorcerer, Dracos but you are no match for me." said the man 2
"Who said I have to be the one to defeat you?" said Dracos
" Aren't you the one who dares stand against me even knowing who I am?" said the man
" And the first battle… wasn't it her the Chosen One who stood strong when all her allies had fallen? Wake up. She is the savior we've been waiting for for centuries. You may be stronger than us, but not stronger than her." said Dracos
Dracos coughs blood as the other man laughs maniacally.
" You think that'll stop me? Like I told Tevi — I'll kill the Chosen One no matter who she is. Don't worry your death will be less painful." said the man 2
He plunges his sword into Dracos and yanks it out swiftly. Dracos collapses. The man steps toward a young woman but he's blasted back by some kind of force.
I cover my mouth, horrified.
No… This is the second death I've witnessed, first that man , and now that Dracos.
This has to be some kind of cruel joke.
I shut my eyes, trying to break free of the vision. When I open them again… I'm somewhere else.
A council chamber?
Yes. I'm in the Council Room, and I see four people sitting around a round table. A tall man stands by the window with a glass of wine in his hand.
" My king, what should we do?" said the man 1
The man turns — and my jaw drops. It's Stanford GRONDS, the first King of Harmony.
" We cannot let Rickey destroy us. We already know what he's planning." said the first King
"My king, we must stay vigilant. They will target your family." said the man 2
"I know. I overthrew the royal family, and they're furious. But the law is clear: if a king mistreats his pack members, he must face those willing to fight him — and lose his crown if defeated." said the first King
" We understand, Your Majesty. But the STORM family doesn't back down easily." said the man 3
" There's nothing we can do about them now. The damage is done. All we can do is prevent people from learning what King STORM did." said the first King
" Then, my king, we'll organize daily patrols." said the man 4
" We'll protect the Queen and the Prince with our lives." said the man 2
" I trust you, all of you." said the first King
I close my eyes again, stunned. Two visions — from two different times. One in the future, and one in the past.
I can't believe this. I'm still shaken when I hear Junior's voice again.
" Lis? What's wrong?" asked Jiji
I blink several times, realizing I'm back in my room. I see Junior, visibly worried.
" Lis..." he called
" Jiji, we need to talk. Seriously." I said
" I'm listening. What is it?" asked Jiji.
"Do you remember the day you first heard your wolf's voice? You were thirteen. " I said
" How do you know that?" he said
I raise an eyebrow.
" Do I need to remind you that I'm your twin?" I replied
" Wait… That means you also have a wolf.fm" said Jiji.
" Yes. Kora told me about Arès… and about your first transformation." I said
" Why didn't you ever tell me?" he said
"Jiji, I didn't even know you had a wolf. Kora confirmed everything to me just a month ago." I said
" Wow… And her name's wolf is Kora, huh?" he said
"Yeah. She keeps saying how amazing Arès is." he said
" Do you think we inherited our wolves from someone? There are only sorcerers here." he asked
"I think I know who." I said
"Who?" he asked
" Our mother." I answered
" Her? That can't be..." said Jiji
" Not her our real mother." I said
" What!?" He muttered
" I owe you an explanation, my brother." I said
I look at my twin, who seems lost and confused and honestly, I've been just as confused.
But this has to be said.
And today is the best moment to do it, because knowing my stepmother, this whole "going to London" thing won't stop anytime soon.