LYDIA'S POV

　　I woke up to a room full of people and that made me scared and I instantly sat up in the bed. The entire room seemed eerily familiar but it was full of so many people who's eyes were focused on me.

　　I clutched the duvet covering me and tried to shield myself from everyone's eyes.

　　They all were looking at me as if I was an exotic specie and will vanish into thin air at any moment, their gazes made me uncomfortable and the more time passed I got even more uncomfortable when I didn't find any familiar face.

　　"Everyone please step out of the room, the princess still need rest and Maya please bring your famous cupcakes for princess," someone said and my eyes instantly took me to the owner of that voice.

　　It was the same guy who saved me back there.

　　I guess his name was Evan.

　　I don't know how I missed in all these faces, but he was still here and was watching my every move from the shadows.

　　On his ordered everyone started leaving the room but not before telling me how happy they were that I was back.

　　I don't even know all these people, then how come they all are happy with my presence?

　　"Don't worry princess no one will hurt you anymore I promise you that." He said while walking towards me.

　　"I…what is this place? Where am I?" I questioned.

　　"You are back home, in the kingdom that needed their princess." He answered.

　　"You still think that I am the person you are looking for?" I questioned and he nodded in answer.

　　Just then his other brother walked in and greeted both of us.

　　"What are your names?" I questioned.

　　"Oh right, we didn't even got the chance to introduce ourselves properly. I am Evan Miller and that's my brother Brandon. We are the royal betas and for the time being your bodyguards." He answered confidently.

　　"Time being?" I questioned.

　　"Yes, until you are ready to take over the throne it is our duty to protect you."

　　Throne?

　　How can I rule a kingdom when I can't even protect myself?

　　"So I am in a mansion right now?" I questioned again, not believing my fate.

　　"Yes, in the royal mansion in your childhood room and in the presence of your personal bodyguards." Brandon answered.

　　Now that he mentioned, I do remember few things from my recent dreams, this room is quite familiar from what I saw in my dreams but also a bit different, when they both noticed that I examining the entire room they cleared their throat and started telling me the stories of how the king and queen have maintained this room throughout the years.

　　The curtains were changed regularly. The flowers in the balcony matched the entire rooms decoration.

　　The candles in the room were placed in a staircase form to illuminate the entire room.

　　Each and every wall of the room tells its own story and I also caught few portraits of a small girl either sitting or standing beside their parents.

　　I guess they are king and queen, but the little girl is definitely a little version of me.

　　"So…princess Lydia, we wanted to ask you….-" Brandon was about to ask something when an urgent knock on the door disturbed all of us.

　　"My apologies for disturbing you, your highness, but King Rufus wants to meet his daughter. His health is getting worse, and he wishes to see his daughter one last time," the messenger informed us, and something inside me shifted. All of a sudden, I was on my feet. I had already lost my family once a long time ago. I didn't want to lose him once again. I rushed towards his room, easily navigating the corridors. Though I didn't remember much from my childhood, my body seemed to know the way. Before I knew it, I was standing before a giant door, behind which I knew my father was waiting for me.

　　I prepared myself to face him, probably for the last time. I didn't even remember how he looked before, but now that I was going to meet him finally, I was feeling all kinds of emotions. I wasn't ready to let go of him. I, along with the betas and the king's most trusted people, were allowed to enter his room. Tears gathered in my eyes when I saw my father for the first time. He looked weak, the wrinkles on his forehead and the tears in his eyes proof that he missed me as much as I missed him.

　　"My daughter…" he whispered. I rushed towards him and fell into his arms. The warmth and familiarity of his embrace made me cry harder. It felt like someone had put balm on my years of torment and abuse. I felt the instant connection between our wolves, reaching out to each other as well. I could feel him losing the fight with life, he had been holding on for so long.

　　"I have waited for this day for so long. I wanted to hold you, caress your face, and teach you everything I learned when I was about to take over the throne. But unfortunately, I don't have much time left, my daughter. I want to apologize for not trying harder. I thought I lost you forever, but recently I discovered that you were still alive. I missed all your special days, especially your eighteenth birthday. Tell me that you forgive me, daughter, then only I can rest in peace," he said, everything in a single breath, as if he was afraid it was his last.

　　"Don't say that, father. I can never be mad at you. I don't remember how I ended up in North Pack, but all I know is that you brought me back. I am safe because of you. You pulled me out of that nightmare, you saved me," I said and kissed his hand. He smiled gently and patted my head.

　　"You were the light of my life. When I lost you, I lost everything. Before I leave, I want to tell you that even when you were not with me, I never stopped loving you, and I never stopped looking for you. I am proud to be your father, and when I leave, I have firm faith in your abilities to rule this kingdom without me. Promise me that you'll protect this kingdom with your blood," he said.

　　And I nodded, "I promise you, father, and I will not disappoint you."

　　"I know you won't," he smiled, then looked at his betas. "Evan, Brandon, you both have grown into wonderful gentlemen, and I have complete trust in your abilities to take care of this kingdom along with my daughter. But I have an additional request for both of you. Please look after my daughter when I am not here, take care of her happiness, and fully support her decisions," he said, his voice breaking, his breathing turning shallow.

　　I held his hand and rubbed his chest, "Father, don't go… please," I pleaded, but with one last glance towards me, he left me devastated and all alone, this time forever.