{"Third person pov"}
Ahh ahh plea....se, ah please stop, please, Aliya continues begging for mercy.
"Shut it you witch. What, you think you can just do anything you want? You think I will just let you go free after destroying my mum's life? Queen my foot". He growled, kicking her multiple times on her abdomen.
"Get lost you slut"
Andy worked away as Aliya slowly picked herself up from the ground, limping back to her formal dorm to pick the rest of her things as they will be moving into the castle the next day. Getting to the dorm, she opened the door and found Bella on her bed playing with her phone and immediately composed herself so Bella didn't notice her pain.
Bella immediately ran to her, hugging her tightly.
"I miss you so much Ali" she boomed and Aliya forced a smile.
"I miss you too". She responded, clutching the side of her stomach.
"I see you are here to take the things you left behind?" Aliya nods, still fighting the urge to break down because of the pain she felt.
"Well, I packed them for you. I Know you will be coming soon but before that, gist me about what happened at the dinner. Heard the king danced with Maya?" she queried, sounding disappointed. The rumour has been flying around the school since the day it happened.
"Well, you heard it, What's there to tell?". Aliya whimpered trying to sit comfortably on her bed still enduring the pain on her stomach. Andy had sent her a message to meet up with him two days ago but she couldn't, she wasn't allowed to, that morning she went to see him but got insults from him. When she got fed up and slapped him, Andy gave her the beating of her life which she's nursing now.
"Oh, c'mon Ali tell me everything," Bella whined.
"I promise I will tell you later, I just want to lie down a little and have some rest but before that, Bella do you still have some of the pain relief meds?"
"Ah ...yes! What's wrong Ali? Did that ass hit you again?".
"Oh no, just having a little stomach ache" She lied, not wanting to tell Bella about what happened. The last time Bella caught Andy beating her, she almost reported him to the school authorities because violence was forbidden among students. Bella still wondered why Andy would hit his sister like that. She tried connecting the dots anytime Aliya sometimes came back to the dorm in serious pain and refused to open up to her.
With a sigh, she waved everything off and gave Aliya the pill which she immediately fell asleep after taking them.
Four hours later Aliya woke up feeling better. She glanced at Bella's bed and found her sleeping as well, feeling grateful for having a friend like her and was sure going to miss her as she's leaving the school for the castle. She did wish Bella was one of the chosen but too bad destiny had different plans for them.
Bella has been like a sister to her and she hasn't stopped encouraging her about the challenge. She sat there admiring her sleep and finally, left her bed, putting together the things that Bella helped her arrange. The noise in the room prompted Bella to wiggle a bit in bed and she slowly opened her eyes scanning where the noise was coming from.
"Hey you are awake,". She mumbled sitting up.
"Yes Bel, it's getting late so I need to go back to the dorm and finish the packing." She replied with a smile.
"Okay Ali, let me help you". She stood up and began helping her without waiting for Aliya's response. Knowing her best friend well, she knew she would tell her not to worry. They both picked up the two small bags. A backpack and a duffle bag, leaving the room. Bella walked Aliya to her new dorm and helped her finish her packing. When done, both girls slumped down in bed exhausted and turned to their sides facing each other.
"I will miss you, Ali". Bella asserted with a sad smile suppressing the tears that wanted to betray her. She had tried so much, encouraging Aliya and seeing her cry, Aliya might lose courage.
"I will miss you too Bel", Aliya pulled her into a tight hug and they remained that way for a little while.
"Will you be okay"? Aliya asked Bella with concern when they pulled apart.
"Oh yes, don't worry about me. Am just concerned about you being amidst those animals. Promise me Aliya that you will be fine and you will try your best".
"I promise Bel."
"Alright Queen". She giggled.
"What Queen Bel, am no Queen".
"Oh dear, you will soon, trust me".
"Mm you sound so sure, not when I am just human. You think they will accept a human Queen?"
"Well, they will have to, though I am worried about the king dancing with Maya. Do you think he likes her ?" Bella asked furrowing her eyebrows.
"Umm, maybe. They looked like a perfect couple during the dance." Aliya muttered back, Remembering the strange exciting feelings she felt when she watched them dance with complete abandonment. Oh, they were soo perfect she thought to herself.
"Oh Aliya, shouldn't you be worried about that?"
"Why? They were perfect and I am happy for Maya although a bit worried about her too". Bella gasped in surprise at Aliya's confession, how stupid can her best friend be? Doesn't she remember this is a competition? She asked herself.
"Wow Aliya, why am I not surprised though? I thought you hated Maya. You should be worried because if she indeed gets the kings attention, that will be bad for you or anyone else contesting"
"Oh c'mon Bel, I told you I am not in this because of the king. I will be fine, don't worry too much" Aliya sighs, remembering her plan of reaching the third challenge, they automatically become the king's property whether they win or not. They take up the position of concubines and live in the king's harem. But since the king had no time for the women in his harem, she intended to hide there as no one would have the guts to look for her there. No one touches or claims anything that belonged to the king and she preferred there instead of being enslaved to a Wolf master and treated like a cursed child by her family. 'What a life she has', She mumbled.
"Well, just be safe and don't forget me". Bella said in a low tone distracting Aliya from her thoughts as Tears finally escaped her eyes.
"I promise I won't and don't forget me too" Aliya replied holding back her own tears as she placed her hands on Bella's cheeks wiping her tears.
After their chat, Bella went back to her dorm while Aliya went to sleep. I must fight to make it to the third challenge she mumbled before closing her eyes.
NEXT CHAPTER....