~Aurora~

　　Both my wrists were engulfed by the different men. Leif held my right wrist which burned with disgust. On the other hand, Lycan Prince Emeric held my left wrist whilst staring into Leif's eyes.

　　The gaze was so intense, that Leif found himself obeying the stronger wolf. Leif's grip on my wrist loosened, and I was pulled back into Emeric's chest. I was confused, more over unaware of what was about to unfold next.

　　"I am sure you all have heard the Trial of the Heir."

　　All of our eyes widened.

　　Of course we've heard about it. It's the Lycan Kingdom's annual practice of bringing the best of the best warrior to the front. To prove their worth to the world, and help them gain more recognition and power. It's one of the toughest trials I've ever heard. It was a holistic trial procedure which brings wolves from all over the world to participate.

　　To gain fame, money and significant portion of the Lycan Kingdom's territory to establish their own pack! One of the greatest prices a wolf could ever imagine.

　　I whipped my head towards Emeric, and he looked down at me, without moving his head. Something in his eyes told me he was either mocking me in front of my own people, or that he's trying to help me out of this dire situation.

　　"Are you...proposing to let our pack's heiress to participate in the Trial of the Heir, Lycan Prince Emeric?" One of the elders asked, I didn't even turn my head to notice whose voice it was.

　　"Indeed, elder. I shall be taking her. Today evening. Bid your goodbyes, however, I will keep my eyes on her starting from now so she isn't given any illegal substances."

　　"Illegal substances? Why would we induce her with that? She isn't going to need it, Prince Emeric. She's already given her verdict through her actions. She won't win at the trial." The third elder spoke, and I finally turned my glare towards him.

　　"We shall see about that, Elder. For now, please arrange a room for me. Probably at the Lady's room, if you can. It won't be of use anyway after she'll be gone with me."

　　At that moment, I didn't know if I could take commands and insults from anyone anymore. I just felt the need to lean onto someone powerful, someone new.

　　What if the situation turns even worse at the trials?

　　What if I'll lose the remaining amount of dignity I have as a woman?

　　Does the Lycan Prince know I haven't awakened my wolf, yet?

　　It's making me incredibly stressed. I don't think I can do this anymore. Fight against anyone, that is.

　　I let Prince Emeric drag me back into my own mansion, to my own room. Sitting on the couch, his hand still gripping my wrist, he looks up at me.

　　"Is this a handcuff?" I asked, pointing at his hand over my wrist.

　　"Pardon me, Lady Aurora. Bad habit."

　　"Aurora is fine. Fangborn too. I have lost the status of Lady of this pack last night."

　　"Hmm. I've heard of it."

　　Information does pass quickly to the ones in power.

　　I looked around my room and watched all memories replay in my head. The Prince's guards, upon taking permission from me, begin loading big boxes and containers with my belongings.

　　It felt as though I've been kidnapped very 'respectfully', my belongings stolen along with me.

　　"...You could have told them that I was the Heir and I could take over the pack. By rules, I must take the position, not the beta who comes in line after me." I said in an arrogant voice. I knew i shouldn't be arrogant, but this is just the way I speak. I get misunderstood by a lot of people around me.

　　"By what I've heard, Lady Aurora, you seem to be a bashful, indecisive individual. I'll know about you soon, by this evening." What does he mean by that?

　　However, all through lunch time and evening following that, he kept talking to different individuals about me. Beta Torin, all four elders of Darkforest pack, few of my maidens and other guards closely associated with me.

　　I sat on the couch beside him, and keep hearing their ill-formed perspective about me. My tears have threatened way too many times to flow out of my eyes today. Like cherry on top, I was constantly remembering how well they all used to treat me when my parents were alive.

　　When people whom you think are close to you, misunderstand your personality...it's a different type of pain to the heart.

　　"...I hope that's all I hear about you." After the guard leaves, the final speaker about my personality to the Lycan Prince, he turned to me.

　　"Are you crying?"

　　What an obvious question to an obvious answer.

　　"No." He stayed silent after my response. I didn't want to be consoled.

　　If anyone was even ready to console an insolent brat like me...

　　In my heart, I couldn't help but feel everything was a ploy against me! All of them around me are after the assets and fame of authority as Darkforest pack's important members. With me kicked out in the most creative way possible, they can establish a more diplomatic community out of our lovable, powerful pack.

　　"I know what you're thinking." He said in a low voice. He wasn't looking at me, and as I wiped my tears away, I was obviously confused.

　　"...What?"

　　"You think this is all going against you, right? But, you never know. Hearing what they told about you..."

　　"I know. I get it. I've changed now." He raised an eyebrow, staring at the wall in front of us.

　　"So soon?"

　　Why the hell doesn't he meet my gaze!?

　　Also...why is his hand shivering?

　　"Yes. Your hand..." I tried to touch his hand over his knee, but he quickly deflects my action.

　　"But...I remember you from somewhere." I say,

　　"Yes. Last night, perhaps."

　　"No. We've met before as well. Didn't we?" I was a hundred percent sure. Slowly, his grey eyes now meet mine.

　　Of course...

　　I could never forget those grey eyes of his...

　　[FLASHBACK, 2 YEARS AGO...]

　　"Woo-hoo! This is great, you guys!" I was sixteen and wilding at a club with my friends. For obvious reasons, I got a lot of attention from men around me everywhere I went.

　　Someone gently pat my shoulder to get my attention. How subtle.

　　Knowing it was just another guy at the club, I turned around with an irritated face. "What do you want?"

　　I was slightly tipsy, but his eyes...they were so darn attractive. He was slimmer and smiled a lot more than what he would after two years.

　　"Hi, you look very attractive, miss. Care for a dance?"

　　"Why would I dance with someone like you?" I said, my friends laughing with me. He seemed like a nobody. A worthless omega. What I didn't know...was that his wolf hadn't awakened.

　　He gave me a look, seemingly confused at my rudeness, "I just want to give a pretty girl some company..."

　　Oh, I should've fallen for that. Especially when he looked so hot and charming. But my idiotic self, to make myself look superior, poured the glass of half tasted martini on his head.

　　His smile was wiped off his face.

　　[FLASHBACK ENDS...]

　　Right now, as I stared at him, I was shivering in embarrassment. How stupid was I?

　　"I- I'm..."

　　How shameless was I...

　　I couldn't even apologize to him, even after two years!