A BET OR A DEAL:
MY MATE OR MY BOYFRIEND
It started as a bet between a father and his daughter and a deal between the daughter and her boyfriend all for the sake of her mate.
Life is filled with up and downs. Learn in every situation because no one knows tomorrow - Lolaayo14
Life is nothing but challenges, the more you undergo, the more you learn - Bhavani T.
There is only one panacea for all worries, dear teenagers...God - Ehimen A.
"I, Alpha Kyle Damien Frost reject you Elizabeth Eleanor to be my mate", that says it all. Those were the words he had to say. To anyone, those words were suicidal but to Elizabeth, it was both a relief and a pain to her.
***********
~ ONE~
She was late. Elizabeth knew she had only two minutes to spare and the distance from the hall would take her four minutes. She was never a late person, always on time for anything but surprisingly she found herself in the position of who she was not.
Being someone she was not wasn't fun. Having to face the abuse and humiliation everyday from her pack was suffocating her. She could still remember how her life changed overnight.
She wasn't originally from the Chosen Lightning Pack but she was adopted by her parents, Elena and George. They died a year after she was adopted in the hands of a cruel man, not that anyone believes her. Ever since their death, her life has turned upside down. It was a roller coaster adventure as it began with her pack members accusing her of her parent's death and she had to face the consequences of becoming their slave. It would have been bearable if the pain only came from them but the addition of a family member made her life a living hell.
She didn't want to dwell so much in her misery as she was edging closer to the door with only seconds left when she bumped into a certain someone.
"Watch where you are going, bitch", It was Ryan that had ran into her purposely but of course he pretended to be the victim. She could no longer hold back her tears as she tried to move around him in order to get to class. She had come to terms with fate that her brother might one day be her downfall but there were questions burning in her mind. Though she knew Ryan was not accepting of her when she first came into their house but she can't figure what she had done wrong to deserve this unwanted hatred. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she focused on one mission, getting through class in one piece.
The classes went by successfully without any interruptions in which she could consider those few hours as her lucky day.
She got to her room situated at the further end of the hallway at the ground floor after tidying up the kitchen. She had her bath and changed to her worn out jean with black tank top while pulling her shoulder length black hair into a ponytail. She was about to jump into her bed when she looks at how her room is; It's small, yes. Something that truly befitted a servant but truly looking at the room for the first time since two years, she was grateful. At least, she had a roof over her head.
But the memories of her life at the Eleanor's were not far from her thoughts, she still remembered her room there. Even though the couple were of middle class, Elizabeth was satisfied with every little thing she had from them. They ensured she felt welcomed and was given a small yet beautiful room which had a very nice scenery when the curtains were drawn and the windows pulled open, she had her reading table and her walls were covered with the pictures of her favorite celebrities from Jennifer Lawrence to Justin Bieber. She smiled and thought, 'what a life!'.
"Urgh!!! I hate this", She whispered to herself as she wiped off the tears on her face and jumped on her bed while welcoming the darkness that seem to be her only form of escape.
"No! Please!", Elizabeth was tossing and turning with sweat drenching her clothes. She was trying really hard to get herself to wake up but something was holding her back.
"Please not them, don't kill them", She whimpered. Only when she was conscious could Elizabeth feel the hands of a man judging from the callousness. Startled but scared, she really wanted to stop that person.
"It is okay", The person assured while holding her hand and petting her hair.
Though Elizabeth was too tired to know the person that really cared to do an act of kindness for her and had really wanted to thank the person but she couldn't form the right words before she plunged into a deep slumber.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke up a minute late. She didn't bother taking her bath as she brushed her teeth, washed her face and ran out of her room dressed in yesterday's clothes.
Elizabeth was lucky. The pack members were still fast asleep so it gave her time to do at least half her chores before they woke up. She knew how much they enjoyed torturing her but she won't give them the satisfaction at least for today.
She was done with most of her chores and had prepared breakfast before some of the pack members woke up. She breathes out in relief and was thankful she had managed to pull it off.
She remembered last night as her face clearly showed her emotion, confusion. She had no idea whom that voice belonged to and judging from the gentleness of his tone, she didn't want to believe he was from this pack or was he?
She was brought out from her thoughts immediately she heard the annoying voice of Ashley. Elizabeth knew it was time for Ashley's daily gossip and tried as much as possible to make herself invisible but stop short when she understood the subject of her statement.
"He is coming next week and I can't wait", Ashley, the pack slut said as she adjusted her short blue skirt to show more emphasis on what she meant. Elizabeth couldn't help but roll her eyes knowing there was a double meaning to her words.
"Ashley....", Naya sighed and then continued," You know that Marianne is the regent queen and might also be the Queen Luna so stop trying so hard".
Naya is friends with Marianne and Ashley. She is what Elizabeth refers to as wolf in sheep's clothing or a double sided witch. Anyone who took notice of Elizabeth knew she was slower than usual but of course, they were all focused in the living AIDS gossip leader.
Ashley scoffed and faced her friends who were behind her, "Who does she think she is? If I become the regent Queen, I will make her my maid", Elizabeth stopped herself from laughing. There were two ways to this either Ashley becomes Marianne's maid or Marianne ensures Ashley be at least thirty miles away from the prince and secondly, Elizabeth knew what the prince taste was as she felt the pang of jealousy coursing down her veins.
After Ashley and her 'friends' with the other pack members left, Elizabeth entered the dining room to clear the mess. Elizabeth sometimes wonder why she is the only pack maid but she knew asking questions would only cause a few hours of intense pain.
"And what is my dearest sister doing here?", She knew who that voice belongs to and noticed the hint of sarcasm in it. Elizabeth refrained from rolling her eyes instead she bowed and moved on to what she was doing. Few minutes later, she felt pain shoot up in her left arm. "When I'm talking to you, you stop whatever you are doing and listen. Do you hear me?". she knew she should act like the elder sister instead her brother has taken up the role and deemed it fit to ill-treat her.
"Yes", She answered and hurriedly cleared the dining room under the watchful eyes of her brother.
She didn't go to school that day after receiving the regular beating from her brother. Elizabeth curled up on her bed when she heard a soft knock on her window. She was so scared of standing up and pieces of the scene of her parent's death was flashing repeatedly in her head.
She finally got the courage to stand up but it seems it was late as the person slid it open and crawled in. Elizabeth took three steps back because she was so wary of the stranger but was shock due to the fact that she could feel a sense of familiarity with him. The man moved closer to her as she kept on moving back until she hit the wall. She could now see the man clearly. He had a thin frame with a brunette hair and hazel eyes. He was dressed in a black t-shirt with trouser and complimented his look with a red sneaker. In one word, he was handsome.
"Let me go", She said weakly and the man gave her a smile while placing both hands above her head. She was terrified, bad thoughts going through her mind.
"My name is Paul Lockwood", She heard him whispered.
Elizabeth froze and bowed.
"You don't have to do that", He said while smiling softly at her.
Elizabeth slowly raised her head until she made eye contact with him and saw him smiling.
Elizabeth eyebrows furrowed, clearly confused, "You are the beta's brother, right?", She asked not sure why someone of a higher power would not find pleasure in her misfortune. Even her mate did.
Paul loosened his hold on her hand, probably taken aback by her question, "Yes, I guess my lack of connection with my brother brought about that question, right?".
Elizabeth groaned.
"What's wrong?", Paul asked.
"I dislike when someone answers a question with a question", she sighed and chastised herself when she remembered the presence of whom she was in.
"Oh?", Paul scratched the back of his head. Elizabeth smiled at him and hit him. She couldn't tell where this courage was coming from but honestly, a huge part of her was okay with it.
Paul faked gasped and said, "I am sorry? Did you just hit the beta's brother?", He said faking an angry face.
"I am sorry, My Lord", Elizabeth said mocking a salute as they both smiled.
"On a serious note, please consider me as a friend?", He requested using a serious tone.
Elizabeth was taken aback but nodded, "Why aren't you in school?", She later asked after coming out of her reverie.
"I've thought of ways of approaching you for more than two years now but it's either you were busy with school works or helping your parents out and after they died, well you just weren't available", He explained.
"Why are you trying so hard?", She whispered sadly.
"Because you are worth it. I believe you when you said you had nothing to do with your parent's death. We are alike Lizzy. I was ignored because I can't shift".
"I am confused. Your explanation is for the after and not before", She said as he chuckled.
"Yes, you are asking why I'm trying so hard because you are obviously thinking of your parent's death. When I first saw you, your eyes were glued to a book at the library. I don't know, I just felt a pull to you but my logical reason is since you are new, I could find a friend in you but I was so shy to approach you";
"So your shyness cost you a friendship of more than two years?", Elizabeth joked as he smiled.
"Can we take a walk? Everyone is at school", Adding the last part to prevent a negative response.
"What about Alpha Max and Luna Claire?".
"They traveled to the U.S for a meeting with the Royals".
Elizabeth was silent trying to think of who or what might give her problems but when she came up with none, she nodded.
"You promise to bring me home before lunch time?", She asked knowing what lies ahead if she delays in her duties.
"A promise. Shall we go My lady?", He said faking a British accent while placing her arm in his bent elbow.
"We shall, My Lord".
They were walking to their favorite meadow without realizing it, "This is my favorite place", They said simultaneously. They smiled at each other and sat on a fallen wood.
The meadow wasn't far from the pack house but was unattended to which made Elizabeth wonder why. The meadow had been of great help to Elizabeth. It had a quiet feel and the feel of the waterfall made it more serene which made it seem like home to her where she could talk without interruptions, nurse her pains without anyone asking questions. They both closed their eyes to feel the breeze and they could hear the peaceful flows of the waterfall not far from the meadow.
"I hear you sing here", Paul said breaking the silence.
Elizabeth turned to face him and urge him to continue and when he didn't, Elizabeth looked at him suspiciously, "Have you been spying on me?".
Paul immediately denied it probably thinking she was serious until Elizabeth started laughing.
"You think it's funny?", Paul asked irritatingly.
Elizabeth stopped laughing and mouthed a sorry as they fell in a comfortable silence.
"Could you please....you know sing that song again?", He asked avoiding eye contact.
Elizabeth laughed again.
Paul stood disappointed and was about to leave when Elizabeth stopped, "Sit and enjoy", She said sarcastically
Elizabeth cleared her throat and started," I feel lost going through life with nowhere else to go. Those I feel are mine are either gone or against me. I know I can live through it because I believe in myself.
Chorus: you live only once, so make the best of it. You live only once, so show them how it's done. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. So that means it's me against the world.
2: I felt rejected, I felt betrayed, I felt broken. They thought they've done their worst, funny right? But everything will soon be revealed sooner or later.
Interlude: My friends left me, my family is gone leaving an enemy behind but I thought you will be there. I guess I counted my eggs before they were hatched........so what I think of is: Back to chorus.
"Wow!", Paul said as if he was out of breath, "You have a beautiful voice, that was nice", He complimented.
"Thanks", Elizabeth said while blushing until she remembers her chores, "What's the time, Paul?".
Paul looked at his watch and noted they were ten minutes early, "Ten minutes past one", He replied.
"I have to go, see you next time", Elizabeth said and smiled as she walked away.
Paul was about to follow in her direction when he saw a fallen bracelet that possibly belongs to Elizabeth and picked it up. He read the words engraved in the bracelet which made him gasped. He knew what they meant which only fueled his suspicions about one person.
On her way back to the pack house, Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. Her mind might be wary of her new found friend but a huge part of her keeps telling her how right it felt. Her mind wandered to the day her freedom was taken away from her.