SAMANTHA
"It's all this lady's fault!"
Molly's eyes blazed with anger as she looked at me with clenched teeth. "If it were not for her boldness, would I be this angry? My prince, will you really punish me because of this commoner? This slave?!"
Finnian's frown deepened on his face. Maybe he'd finally claim me. His gaze fell on me. His voice was gentle but investigating. "Is that true"
"No!! No, that's not true," I mused. I bit down on my lip, trying to defend myself. I knew that no matter what I would say, it would only take the Grace of the moon goddess for Molly not to take it out of proportion.
"Alright." Finnian nodded. His tone seemed as if he believed some of Molly's accusations. I hoped that was not the case. He then turned towards his servants and calmly directed them. "Take them to their rooms."
"My prince," Molly's face twisted with shock, her voice rising in a sharp pitch. "Are you just going to allow her to leave? Just like that?! No!! I can't let that be!"
"That's enough!"
Finnian's face darkened and his voice hardened. "If my father learns that you have been causing a scene, you won't get away with it!!"
"But.." Molly still wanted to protest, her fury was rising above the heavens.
Ignoring her, Finnian ordered that the servants usher, dress and take me and the other ladies away. What a man! What a respectful man!! And he is my mate!!
The earlier gossip seemed to have died down because the hall was now quiet. The servants bowed their heads down and followed his command, trying to extract us from the scene.
Before I left the hall, I could not resist stealing a glance back at Finnian. My heart danced in my chest.
For someone that has been surrounded by a lot of bad rumours, especially the bad rumours that floated around the three Alpha triplets, he was shockingly nice and kind. Polite even. He carried the true essence of a gentleman.
Then my eyes moved to Molly, who looked at me with such wickedness that sent sparks through my body. She looked like a beast about to tear its prey into pieces. Pretty sure she could throw me into a piranha infested most of she could.
I quickly turned away. Refusing to look around anymore.
Molly was not to be played with. Her power was strong and her influence was large. If her hatred toward me continued, I don't think I will be lucky next time.
Did she suspect I was the mate of the triplets? Had she somehow seen or smelled? Was that why she behaved like this?
All this was because of Amanda. The traitor. And my Fiancé, John, I wondered what he was up to. Had he sent search parties to look for me? Had Amanda told them I was dead?
Was he mourning my death? How was my mother coping?
With a deep sigh, I entered the room one of the servants showed me.
My thoughts kept preying on me. Tiredness and exhaustion weighed my mind.
In this pack, I was nothing more than a tool. A lowly wolf subjected to the orders of those above her. There was nothing left for me.
To make it worse, Jayce, the harshest prince seemed to have his eyes on me. He wanted me to stay here and he promised to look for me again. It felt like I was walking on eggshells.
Tears burned my eyes and moved down my cheeks as sobs escaped my throat. I could not understand how life became like this for me. Why did I have to endure so much suffering?
I did not know how long I laid on the bed but by the time it became dark, my tears had dried up. I stared at the ceiling, feeling so empty. Wondering what I would do next.
********
Deep in thought, I remembered that one of the servants had murmured about a garden. She said we should go there if we ever felt bored and consumed.
Perhaps I could go there and clear my mind? Could it help me escape this place? Would there be a secret entrance?
As soon as I reached the garden, I realized how boring and large it was. It seemed the more I walked, the more the place widened up. It was an endless maze of flowers.
I found myself in the same spot for the fourth time. Today couldn't get any worse. I was lost!
I stood there, frustrated, unsure of which direction to turn to.
"Samantha? What the hell are you doing here?"
A familiar voice called out and I broke through my daze. I froze. It was my fiancè, John.
He had come here. And he was walking towards me!!
Praise be to the moon goddess. This was the highlight of my day. He looked for me!! Finally, I was going to be free!!
I rushed to hug him but he stopped me. His eyes were cold as ice. John? Why was my Johnnie so cold?
"I asked you a question," he slurred. His eyes held so much hatred. "What are you doing here?"
I didn't understand. "John? What's the problem? Amanda set me up ? I was so scared. I passed through a lot in the hands of the lizard Alpha. I almost gave up. I thought no one would come to save me. Thank my stars you're here!"
He didn't seem convinced. He pushed me to the side. "Amanda. Amanda is my new mate. We're set to get married soon."
What?!
"Amanda told me how you asked the lizard shifters to defile you. She told me all the things you did and how you called me a bastard. So you lied?" John said. "So you're not a virgin? You betrayed me?"
What?! I couldn't believe this? That wench, Amanda!
My fists clenched and the hatred I felt for Amanda grew. I wish she were here so that I could beat her up. Was it not her betrayal that kept me in this place? How dare she say things like that about me?
John's face hardened.
"How dare you believe her, John. You're an ingrate! I kept myself for you and this is how you pay me back?"
John was the beta's son of the pack I had run to when I was eighteen years old. He was probably here on official duty.
"I love Amanda more. What's complex about that? Why can't you deal with her? I don't want to hear your side of the story because I don't want anything to do with you anymore."
Everything hit me immediately. So, John and Amanda planned to set me up, so they could get married? They used this as an excuse, so they could tell people I was the one that cheated?
Anger consumed me and I walked closer to John. Summoning every strength I had in me, I slapped him very hard, across the cheek!