Disha
" You are doing spectacular, Lady Haniya" commented our dance instructor Neil.
Since we are Indian specifically Punjabi therefore our Coronation decoration, food, dance, etc will represent our roots. Which was fine with us as we are proud of our country and ethnicity.
" Haniya will be the highlight of our dance," Asha muttered looking exhausted from the dancing.
" Haniya loves to dance since she was a baby," I said while looking at Haniya who was performing gidda.
Gidda is a folk dance mostly performed by ladies. And gidda is Dadi Ji's ( Grandmother's) favourite dance, whenever she gets an opportunity to dance gidda she gladly takes it. Most of the time, Dadi Ji ( Grandmother) takes Haniya with her to dance. Maybe because of that Haniya loves to dance.
" Haniya's dancing... is just perfect. Her feet are tapping at the same time as her clapping. I can't correspond my hands and legs like that," Roshini whispered.
" I hate dancing," Yasmin claims
" That's because you are lazy," I said.
" Okay, Ladies... You all have seen Lady Haniya dancing. I want you to dance like her. She was graceful and expressive and her dancing was communicating to me that she enjoyed the dance and she is proud of her ethnicity," Neil said looking at Yasmin when he spoke the last sentence as Yasmin isn't expressive during the dance. Her facial expressions were similar to a zombie which annoyed Neil.
" I will try my best," Yasmin muttered.
" Now, let's practice from the beginning... Where you all will dance the Bhangra together, then your gidda dances," Neil announced and clapped for us to assemble to dance again.
We did dance practice for two hours then another instructor came to teach us about table manners. Which was an easy one to learn as we knew most of it earlier because our school taught it and we used it on daily basis as well.
Then a half-Pakistani and half-Indian designer took our body measurements. Asha, Haniya and I decide to wear a kameez with straight pants along with phulkari. Phulkari is a Punjabi folk shawl which mostly has mirror embroidery on it. Nina and Roshini decide to wear Anarkali kurta and pants. Yasmin decides to wear a dhoti with a blouse.
Lastly, Edward's cousins Charlotte and Elizabeth arrived to teach us about our body posture, proper gestures and talking manners. As royals still behave formally as they avoid using slang or behaving informally during the ceremony. We can't bend our back at any cost or shift our weight on one leg during the ceremony.
" It feels like I am back to old age," Haniya mumbled.
" I always feel that whenever I had to attend the ceremony," Elizabeth said.
"It has its advantages and disadvantages," Charlotte spoke.
" Do you know how many people will attend the ceremony?" I said since we weren't told.
" Royals around the world are invited and everyone has given their word to attend as it's a historical moment. The older generation of descendants of the Lunar Wolf will come... as the younger generation is given the responsibility to work temporarily in the absence of the guest that will arrive. As their work should be monitored for twenty-four hours. All the Alpha and Luna's were invited due to short notice only ten per cent will come. But others have sent their regards through email. I believe they will send gifts as well because of customary," Charlotte explained.
" What sort of gifts we will be receiving?" Nina and Haniya asked.
" Jewellery, wines or any expensive stuff. Some will send extraordinarily stuffs like property, cars and what not," Elizabeth answered.
" I will like to receive gifts that are properties, bonds, and shares of their companies," Nina shared her list many everyone laughed.
" We will keep that in mind," Charlotte and Elizabeth said simultaneously.
" Come on, we have a surprise for you six," Elizabeth spoke after a while of silence. Then we all left the castle that will hold the Coronation ceremony.
Turns out Elizabeth and Charlotte had planned a pampering day for us. We went to the spa for massages, manicures and pedicures which were relaxing after the long practice.
" Even though I don't get tried like before but it feels nice to relax after the practice," I said.
" Your body won't be feeling tired due to healing but your mind feels the tiredness," Elizabeth said.
" It's your body that self heals, not your mind. That is one of the reasons that supernatural creatures can suffer PTSD, trauma or depression," Charlotte continued.
" Do you know the therapist who is aware of the supernatural?" Asha asked which made Nina glare at her.
" Yes," Elizabeth said.
" Can you give me the contact number? And is the doctor good?" Asha questions again.
" The doctor is one of my friends and he is completely professional. He is also the best therapist in our world as well as in the human world," Elizabeth said and message Asha the number.
" Thank you," Asha smiled and looked at Nina. Then both of them mind-linked each other. Through their facial expressions, I can tell Asha is winning the argument.
" Let's go, our jeep has arrived," Haniya interrupted the conversation Asha and Nina were having. But I think their conversation will continue in the apartment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When we reach the apartment, Andy handed me a bouquet of Gladiolus, red roses, lilies, lavender and purple hyacinth.
There was a note attached to the bouquet,
The purple Hyacinth shows my regrets for hurting you.
So I give you lilies as that represent my apologies.
Gladiolus shows your strength that I love and respect
So let's improve our relationship like lavender helps to heal wounds in the early phase.
Lastly, red roses signify our love. There is some black touch on the roses to show the flaws that we embrace.
- Ace.
Halona howls in happiness after I read the note. I never thought Ace could be a romantic person. I don't know what to say or think as this action touch my heart.
" Mate loves us," Halona howls while swinging her tail.
" I must say it's romantic," Nina commented. Whereas everyone had a blank expression which I don't blame them but it did affect my mood.
Asha most probably senses the change in my mood so she said, " The flowers are beautiful and it looks really thoughtful gesture,"
Hearing Asha brought a small smile to my face and I took the flowers to the room. Placed them on the side table of my bed, and then I message to thank you, Ace.
As soon as the message was sent, Ace called me.
" Hi," I whispered.
" Mate, did you like the flowers?" Ace asked sounding nervous.
" I loved them, especially the note you wrote...I never thought you could be romantic," I said.
Ace chuckled and then spoke, " You bring the... Are you free"
" Yes, and what were you going to say?" I asked.
" I will tell you in person... so I will come to pick you up in thirty minutes," Ace said right before he cut the call.
Luckily, I am feeling fresh from the pampering that Elizabeth and Charlotte hosted. Therefore, I took a short bath and wore off a shoulder sundress that compliments my body.
" Ace is here," Haniya mind-linked me and I could feel her hatred saying Ace's name which angered Halona.
I quickly went outside so I could avoid the fight that may happen. As I don't think no one can tolerate Ace after the night.
But to my surprise, Nina and Yasmin were talking to Ace causally. Their expression and manner of talking show that they don't hate him which isn't true. No one likes him and the way these two behave proves these two are great liars. Because Ace is comfortable in their presents, I will tell him that these two were acting.
Ace notices my presents and turns in my direction. Ace has changed, it looks like he didn't sleep well and he looks a bit weak.
" Hi, mate," Ace spoke while he was checking me out.
" Hi," I whispered. This is the first time we are meeting after the night and all the confidence I had in me is disappearing as if it never existed.
" let's go, then," Ace said and went towards the room while I followed him. I ignore the expression of the girls which was showing shock, worried and disappointment.
" So Ace, where are you taking me?" I asked while we were in the lift.
" That's a surprise, mate. You look beautiful," Ace said while looking at me intensely making me feel nervous so I looked elsewhere.
" Are you okay with my touch?" Ace whispered.
The thought of him touching me brought back the memories of the night. I shivered in fear and almost screamed, "No,"
Ace stepped back from me due to my voice's volume. He looked shocked but it quickly turned into a guilty expression.
" I didn't...," I couldn't complete my sentence as Ace interrupted me by saying, " It's okay, mate. I understand why you said no,"
Then the lift door opened making us leave the building. Ace borrowed the car from his friend.
" This car belongs to my best friend, Sebastian. Soon I will introduce you two and I can guarantee that you two will get along as both of you have this cheerful aura," Ace spoke sounding hopeful and this was the first time he mentioned a friend.
" I could love to meet him but why didn't you introduce me to him yet?" I asked as I am curious to know. I knew Ace is an introvert and takes time to get comfortable with people. But I am his mate and he should have introduced me to Sebastian sooner.
" Well, he hardly has time as he spends the majority of his time with his mate. His mate has turned eighteen this year and due to the age gap he is scared of losing her," Ace said.
" Come on, I don't get it why you Americans are concerned about age gaps?" I asked since it's quite common in India to have an age gap like to have an eleven years age gap between the couples.
" They won't be having that level of understanding, compatibility like the couple with a short period of an age gap," Ace answered.
" My grandparents have an age gap of eleven years and one of my distant cousins is ten years older than his wife... The level of understanding and compatibility doesn't relate to the age gap," I shared my opinion.
" You sound like Sebastian, " Ace chuckled.
" That's because we are right," I muttered.
" Or both of you are wrong," Ace laughed looking at my expression.
Before I could say something back to him, Ace stopped the car.
" Why did you stop the car in the middle of the road," I questioned him while he looked at me with affection.
" You look cute when you ask questions," Ace said ignoring my question and stepping out of the car. Ace opened my door and said, " Follow me,"
I followed Ace despite many questions rising in my mind. I know he won't answer any of them yet so I walk with him into the forest. The farther we were going into the forest I started to feel the water. Maybe there is a lake or pond near where we are going.
" Are you taking me to a lake or a pond?" I couldn't control myself from asking questions.
Ace stopped at once and looked surprised, " How do you know there is a lake here?" Ace questions with widen eyes.
I giggled seeing his reaction and said, " I could feel the presence of the water,"
" You can feel that?" Ace asked while rubbing his head from the backside.
" Yes, I can," I answered looking proud which made Ace smile.
" I love to see you looking proud and confident which I see rarely," Ace commented.
" Because there isn't much for me to look proud and confident about," I answered with uneasiness and started looking somewhere else than Ace.
"Then fake it. Showing you are confident and superior will make people respect you either by their will or fear. You are the WolfQueen so you can't show weakness. As it will give opportunities to others to overpower...That you will never let it happen because if someone overpowers then the outcome will never be good for you or your loved ones... I am talking with experience, mate," Ace gives advice looking seriously and I nodded.
Then we resume our walk while I thought about Ace's advice. He spoke about a fact that happens to everyone regardless of whether them being human or not. I have experienced it first-hand as people give most of their attention to Haniya who is more confident and talkative, whereas people most come to me for help.
" Well, you have to change that. Our rank is higher which means people will try to plot against us for power," Halona said.
" I will fake it till it's real," I muttered.
" Glad to know you will follow my advice," Ace mumbled making to realise I said it out loud unintentionally.
" This is where I used to come to take a bath while I used to live in this forest. I used to hate it but over time I started to get fond of the place," Ace shared his experience which made Halona howl to know that Ace had to live without having the essential needs like a toilet.
Before I could say something Ace interrupted me, " My life wasn't easy, I had to live in the forest until I was seven years old... during that time my dad's beta helped me to survive the wild. There were days when he could hunt humans so I could eat rather than spend days without food or water," Ace stop as he looked at my shocked expression. Ace ate humans... He ate humans.
" He didn't have a choice," Halona defend him but still the fact he ate humans is a big matter. He is human and he ate humans which means he is a cannibal. Holy shit, my mate is a cannibal.
How...what...when...how long was it he ate a human.
" Mate," Ace whispered making my disturbed mind stop thinking.
Ace wasn't looking at me but he bend his head downwards and the aura shows he is guilty and feeling regret.
" Ace, I don't know what to think or how to react to the fact you are a cannibal without hurting your feeling," I said.
" I only ate humans when I didn't have a choice... I ate them after being hungry for weeks and I didn't know it was human meat until Uncle Samuel told me at the end," Ace yells in defence of what I said which made me feel bad and guilty.
" I was never the same after that day or when my pack was killed. I become a bitter person that would go to any extent to achieve what I want... I didn't care about the consequences or what harm I was causing to others...Until you came into my life. I got scared...like petrified from what effect you have on me. You made me feel emotions that I thought I could never feel. You bring out that Ace, whom I thought was dead after seeing his family get killed in front of his eyes. You made me see the world from your eyes showing me that good exists in this world. You make me feel alive, loved and happy... I know I was rude to you...fuck, I raped you... I don't know what the hell I was thinking," Ace ended up crying in the end while I stood like a statue.
I was speechless and I couldn't move a finger after hearing Ace. I had that much of an effect on him, I was changing him like he was changing me. Both of us got scared from what we started to feel but we took it differently. I embrace the feeling he gave me whereas he refuses to embrace it and chooses to hurt me instead.
I could feel Halona swaying her tail and bending her head downwards to indicate she is thinking about Ace as well.
Ace is crying non-stop which forced me to hug him tight and caress his back to comfort him. But it didn't help a bit so I pulled him back and hold his face... He looked vulnerable and sad. Ace wasn't looking at me but at his feet. Why is he feeling shame?.
" I... Ace, I don't know what to say after hearing you... Whenever you talked about our past... I knew you had a hard life but I didn't know the extent. I am so sorry to hear you went through that. But I can promise to you to make your future as happy as I can. Hearing that, I don't feel a change for you but I respect your courage and strength to endure that much pain and suffering. If someone else faces a bit you have a face, they could have given up their life but you are a fighter. And I am proud of you," I spoke truthfully which made Ace look at me in disbelief at first. Then he hugs me back and kissed me on the head which felt nice.
Ace pulled back and walked a bit back making a distance between us.
" Thank you, mate. I don't know what to say else than you are the strongest woman I ever meant. You gave me a chance after that night and instead of leaving after knowing my past... you feel proud of me... Ron and Sebastian we're right, you will accept me no matter what," Ace said while looking intensely I knew what he wanted to do but restricted himself.
So I took the first step by closing the distance between us and kissing him on the lips. Even though I am still feeling anxious about his touch but I have stuck it up as that's what he needed the most and I can't be selfish. The entire time, when Ace was kissing me. I relive the night but I hid my emotions since it could hurt him which I don't want to do.
Then Ace's phone rang making me relief as we stopped kissing.
" What is it?" Ace uttered in annoyance.
" We have a problem and you have to come now," The voice came from the phone so I sign it was okay to Ace.
" On my way," Ace spoke and cut the call.
Then we went back to the car and Ace drove me back to the apartment. I notice that the secret door leading to the forest is open. So I went outside to find everyone is in their wolf form and two wolves are fighting with each other while others watching them.
" What's happening?" I mind-linked everyone.
" We were bored so we thought of having a fighting match and whoever loses the most have to buy the dinners for tonight," Asha explained.
" I want to fight and make everyone submit," Halona howls in excitement.
" Get ready to lose everyone," I announced while I gave the control to Halona who immediately shifted.
" Halona, why don't you go now and make Zarita submit," I said and she obeyed me.
Then our fight began and it was fun to fight without Edward being a coach. Turns out, we were brutal to fight without Edward's supervision and it felt amazing. It was great to feel superior and powerful, maybe now I know why people crave to be powerful.
" Being greedy doesn't make you a villain or a bad person. It's human nature to want more. What is important is that we should know our limits. Small quality is wonderful but if our greed doesn't have control then it's bad," Halona explained to me when I wanted to beat Yasmin who was close to defending me.
Nina shifted into her human form and muttered, " I have a meeting to attend so bye,"
Then everyone thought to go back as it was getting late.
" I really wanted to see Halona and Eve fight," Roshini whines.
" Dude, Halona would have won," Haniya shared her thoughts making Halona howl in happiness and pride.
" How make you can be sure? Nina is a great fighter," Yasmin said which I agreed.
" Eve isn't that great in a fight like Nina. Edward himself quoted,' It's my first time to see that a wolf and the host is different while fighting. As Eve isn't brutal as Nina is,' That's why I said that," Haniya used air quotes when she mimicked Edward.
" What else have Edward told you about our fighting skills?" I asked.
" Zarita, Halona, and Astra are brutal during the fight whereas Ariyanna, Eve and Kiran are fast. But Nina is brutal like I said it before," Haniya answered.
As we entered the apartment, Edward was already present in the hall. He was sitting in the middle of the sofa while looking lazy at the ceiling. After noticing our presence, Edward turn in our direction and said, " It's time to know some background on your stalker,"
This made everyone shocked for a while and then the whining sound comes from Nina.
" I have a meeting to attend. Can you talk about it later," she whines.
" Priorities what is more important," Edward said as he lifted his eyebrow.
" I will postpone the meeting for an hour later. Is the time sufficient for our talk then?" Nina asked and Edward nodded.
" Tell us about the stalker," I asked eagerly.
" The stalker's name is Samuel and he used to be the Beta of the Dark Knight Pack. The pack was massacred by a member of the Howler pack and the council did nothing. Charles got to know about the incident later like...after a year. When the council was confronted, they defend themselves saying it was a private matter and the Dark Knight Pack was cruel so it's karma or some shit excuse they kept giving... No matter what the Dark Knight Pack did to the mate of the Howler Pack's Gamma that doesn't give him the right to destroy a whole pack leaving no one behind," Edward said.
" Wait a minute, Gamma of Howler Pack annihilated an entire pack because his mate wasn't treated well," Nina summarised what Edward said.
" That's right...Dark Knight Pack was known for their cruel, narrowed-minded rituals but that made others afraid to cross the pack territory or the Alpha... When Charles and a few of my relatives personally investigated the matter. They found out that the Gamma's mate lied about being abused and claimed she wasn't aware of his mate's action. That caused a lot of problems but due to the previous council members the Gamma was saved and serve little time in royal jail. That made us royal outraged as we gave our power and authority to the council so that every supernatural being will be treated fair. This made the King dissolve the council and assemble a new one where we royals supervise them," Edward explained.
" After some more investigation, we got to know that there are survivors who were the pack's Beta, his son and the Alpha's son. We tried to find them and help to form the Dark Knight again but we failed...Until Ace arrived at the orphanage," Edward stopped to look at my reaction.
" What does Ace have to do with any of these?" I asked.
" Because Ace is the Alpha's son that survived the attacked," Edward said and that was shortly followed by,
" Fuck,"
" You must be kidding me,"
" Holy shit,"
I was too shocked to tell who said what. I don't know what the hell is happening? Ace is the survivor of Dark Knight Pack and the Beta is Samuel aka the stalker. That means Ace knew Samuel was the stalker and that he planned to eat us. Yet, Ace didn't tell me.
" How can you say something like that about Ace," Halona poorly defence Ace and she crawled herself into a ball.
" Because everything points against him. Ace told us about his pack when we first met and today he told us the names... Sebastian and Samuel," I said to Halona remembering the moments I spend with Ace.
" Ace told me about his best friend and his name is Sebastian and referred to his father's Beta as Uncle Samuel," I informed everyone and Edward looked at me in pity.
" After Ace arrived at the orphanage, he refused every claim that proved he is a member of Dark Knight and he was violent as well. Harry suggested it was better to talk to Ace when he grows up. But over time he got aggressive and his action itself let the council and a few royals decide that Ace is incapable of being the Alpha," Edward continued.
" The council hired a few spies when Ace applied for approval of pack. Ace was always able to hide away from the spies which made the council suspicious of him...To be honest, Ace was doing great at hiding from the council. Until you girls came," Edward looked at us.
" When you all were unconscious, Sabrina looked through your memories and found out that Samuel was the one who you girls referred to as stalker. We tried to solve the matter without informing you girl as you all were going through so many changes that we didn't find it appropriate to inform you at that time. But the moon goddess had some other plan as Ace turned out to be Disha's mate. That shocked us all and the council hired royals to investigate this matter. Today, we were close to capturing Ace and his organisation named Unknown. Which is responsible for kidnapping she-wolves after annihilating the pack. Then the she-wolves were sold to the black market," Edward said and by his looks, I can tell he is done talking.
" Why are you telling us now?" I asked.
" We need your help Disha to fight against Ace and his organisation. He sends us a letter declaring a war," Edward spoke.
" Are you crazy, Eddie?" Haniya screamed. Whereas I laughed out loud which made Yasmin and Roshini move a bit away from me as both of them were standing next to me.
" You want me to fight a war against my mate... I love him and I will never ever hurt him," I shouted.
" I have a better idea," Nina announced making me look at her.
" Why don't you take Howler Pack's help and let them lead this war as they are responsible for this... Then Ace will kill every single member of that pack. It's like an eye for an eye thing. Perfect revenge," Nina spoke looking utterly disgusted.
" Nina," Asha whispered to her sister.
" What now, Asha? What Ace went through is horrible and his anger toward the council and royal is justified. Instead of correcting their mistakes, they want Disha to fight against Ace" Nina pointed her finger at Edward.
" What is your plan that includes Disha in this war?" Nina asked.
" Ace is strong and has great leadership skills as he took the control of the organisation and became an Alpha to his illegal pack at the age of thirteen. Ever since then the organisation and the member of his pack are almost unbeatable. We are certain that Disha's contribution will help us significantly as Disha is Ace's weakness," Edward answered.
" He freaking raped her so how the hell is Disha his weakness?" Haniya spoke in disbelief after listening to Edward.
" HE DIDN'T RAPE ME," I roared making the glasses and vase nearby break into pieces. Roshini and Asha screamed in fear due to the impact of my roar.
I took a deep breath and compose myself so I won't look vulnerable as I feel.
" I badly need to rest," I lied and went to the room. The moment I closed the door, I broke down into tears. Ace operates an organisation that kidnaps she-wolves and sells them to the black market. That doesn't sound like my Ace.
" Halona, what do you say about this?" I asked after I was finished crying.
" When we met our mate for the first time. His wolf, Ron and I talk to each other. Ron told me that his host isn't a nice person and hopes that doesn't make us reject them...I was confused by his statement and he just said that his host has wronged many people and doesn't feel remorse about it," Halona whimpered.
Maybe Ron meant something else and not the whole trafficking organisation thing.
And only one person will clear every single thought and accusation that is Ace himself.
I quickly called Ace and thankfully he picked up the call instantly.
" Ace thank goodness, you pick up the call... Edward accuses you that you operate a trafficking organisation," I spoke in one breath and waited for Ace to defend himself.
" It's true, mate. I am the Alpha of the Unknown Pack," Ace confessed.