Chapter 7 Pride And Prejudice

Ariana’s POV

Regardless of how strange I thought the situation to be, I had a duty to do. I quickly called on a patrol guard, requesting for the presence of about three more on duty guards.

“Yes, your highness.” He said, bowing curtly and hurrying off.

“What are you planning on doing?” Jasper asked.

“We’re going to get Lorna and your unborn child justice. We’ll find the bear.” I turned to Damon, “You said it was a black bear, right?”

He nodded in confirmation.

“Alright,” I said, pacing around.

Something about this didn’t feel right. This was Warwick territory and there was a strict policy that prevented bears or any other wild animal from killing werewolves in our jurisdiction. One hardly saw wild animals or monsters around here.

During training wolves had to walk a lot further from the territory to see any wolf animal or bears so how did one, especially one who willingly killed a pregnant omega get so close. Better yet, how did the bear even get in?

“Your highness.” I paused in my tracks, turning to see the guard and three more guards behind me. They all gave their respectful bows.

I turned to Damon, “Please tell them everything that you just told me, everything that you witnessed.”

“Of course, your highness.” He said smoothly.

For some reason my face felt warm, too warm for my liking. He spoke to me with the respect I’d broken bones just to get a fraction of. Respect didn’t come easy to me, especially not from a stranger who exhumed so much power.

“I witnessed a pregnant omega being carried away by a larger black bear, right there on the spot where blood has gathered. There was no struggle so it is safe to assume death.”

The guards took a long look at the spot before meeting my gaze.

“Are we to search for the bear, your highness?”

“Yes and no. Your main objective is to find the remains of Lorna. Check our boundaries to see if they are still well protected because a bear shouldn’t have even gotten near our borders talk more of entering and killing a pregnant omega.” I paced around a bit. “We will need more guards for this as it is severely urgent. A first set which is the three of you that were summoned will be tasked with finding the remains of Lorna.” I pointed at the patrol guard, “You will go ahead and tell the chief of security that all guards are to remain alert for the next three days and the borders need to be strengthened with more guards and also an immediate global search around the woods for wild animals and trespassers. We will not lose another innocent life to this carelessness.”

“Yes, your highness.” The patrol guard spoke, lowering his head. “I also apologize on behalf of all my comrades for our negligence and not being able to prevent the death of two innocent lives.”

I smiled. “You’re truly commendable. I will relay your name to my father, your majesty.”

His head bent lower, “Thank you, your highness! My daughter is a fan I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear this.”

I laughed, “A fan?”

He smiled fondly, “Yes, a huge one. She loves watching you participate in all the competitions and dreams of fighting beside you in the future. You’re basically her idol.”

“Tell her when that time comes I’ll be her biggest supporter.”

“I will!” He was grinning now.

“Another thing. Ensure that news of this gets blocked from the public until we get to the bottom of this and find answers and solutions.”

He nodded. “Of course, if you’ll excuse us, your highness.” He took his last bow, following suit the remaining three before they left.

I turned to Jasper, “It is imperative that news of Lorna and your unborn child’s death does not reach her kingdom. This could anger them and cause a life changing war. I know you’d like to be able to tell her family so they can mourn properly but we need time to be able to solve this issue as amicably as possible.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

My eyebrow raised, “Why?”

“She was just an omega, and not even one deemed worthy of anything where she’s from. I basically saved her.”

To say I was shocked was an understatement and a big one at that. It was debilitating to see the reality of what I had fallen in love with.

Before now, I couldn’t imagine Jasper even thinking such much less of saying it out loud, and with such indifference. It prickled under my skin to think that I could’ve been stuck with this. It challenged me to think everything through, to pull the blinds of illusion and face the haunting reality in front of me.

“But you know something? She was truly there for me and stood by me. Lorna truly loved me and I left her alone her to run after you—” I stiffened. “—if only I thought of taking her out of that place before trying to reach out to you but I lost it. I loved you so much I let my own child die in the hands of a wild animal. How will I be able to forgive myself after this?” He looked at me, tears dripping from his eyes, “Tell me, Ariana?”

Suddenly the guilt I was trying to overcome came back in waves, almost ceasing my breathing. It felt like I had a share of her blood on my hands.

“I… I am so sorry, Jasper.”

“I am not okay, Ariana. I need you here with me because I don’t know how I’d be able to survive this.”

I didn’t want to feed into his grief by giving him hope but then the pain of rejection was capable of killing a werewolf if not strong enough. Jasper didn’t look anywhere near alright. Moreover he was dutifully loyal to the crown and that cannot be pushed aside.

“The healing journey is not a narrow one but if hope persists then you can surmount every hurdle.” I said to him. “As much I’d hoped to give you more comfort I’m currently out of time. I must give report to your majesty instantly.” I turned to Damon, “As promised, I will be expecting you tomorrow.”

“Likewise, wise princess.” He responded, giving me a curt bow.

I returned the gesture and walked away, trying desperately to hide the warmth filling my cheeks.

***

Damon’s POV

I watched eagerly as she left, instant pride washing over me with how she expertly dealt with the situation. I wanted her, in all her glory.

The foolish beta across from me stared at me with a disdainful scorn but he couldn’t act on it. One; because he knew he’d be dead. Two; because he knew his lies would wash across the shore for everyone to see. He stared at the blood stain of his omega, spat on it and left.

Evil spurned by power and greed always bewildered me, not that I was afraid or unaccustomed to it, but because of how deep their soul had truly rotten. The stench was familiar to me but it was always ugly, and I didn’t like ugly.

Princess Ariana was the type I usually watched over centuries fight for peace to be killed and shunned by it. I watched as their blood flowed through the ground, only for the soil to soak it up and give fruit. Yet, they never stopped, not even in death.

Maybe this was my karma, to watch the one destined to me walk through that same line, this time with me running after her.

I winced slightly.

“Ageless one, why don’t you prevent fate and capture her in your grasp? With how much power you’ve accumulated, she’d never be able to win.”

That voice, where darkness sleeps. Anytime he spoke, it was always about destruction. He was by my side, speaking against my ear like the devil.

I turned, the ferocity of my golden irises causing him to step back. “Be careful what you say. Remember I do not possess mercy.”

He laughed, dancing around me. “Oh, ageless one. Despite creating hell you still seek heaven. You say you don’t possess mercy yet here you are trying to seek redemption. Mortal beings are truly a sight to unfold.”

“You forget you are a soulless pit of hunger that cannot be filled yet pursues the feeling of content. You will not interfere in matters that do not concern you and I should not sense your presence around her. Are we clear?”

Pause.

“Understood.”

“Do I send the pregnant omega to the place agreed upon?”

“No need to worry, ageless one. Everything is in perfect order.”

“Good.”

He appeared in front of me. “The time is almost here. I hope my souls are being prepared nicely for me. As you said, I am always hungry.” On the mention of eating souls, his current form lost control and his voice dispersed like light, losing it's forced humanity to something truly monstrous.

“A deal is a deal.”

Genocidal excitement busted through the air before his presence travelled with the wind.

My eyes had still not returned to it’s original color. He would die by my blade, I’d make sure of that.