Penelope

“My curse could only come to life when the prophecy is starting to come true.”

My mate stated as he ran a hand through his hair.

Not just a curse but also a prophecy…

“What is the prophecy, Alpha Zanthus?”

I questioned. My voice sounded impatient, but I didn't care at that very moment.

My mate looked at me as he passed me a weak smile.

“Death…”

A gasp left my mouth as I jolted up. I could feel one or two beads of sweat breaking down my back.

Everything came crashing back: Ivory's betrayal, back to my mate's den, him being a lycan, his revelation, and most importantly, the dream. 

I could just recall the end of it. 

The prophecy… everything except for the constant face of my mate was blurred as if done on purpose.

I groaned as I rubbed my forehead. Why Moon Goddess? Why me?

My eyes widened as I looked around the room in search of Lily. The clock on the wall read 2 p.m. 

I quickly threw the duvet off me as my feet padded down the room in search of my sister.

No, Moon Goddess, not again.

“Lily…”

I said in a broken tone, knowing full well that she wasn't in the room.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. I was so deep in my own grief that I couldn't pick up the sound.

“May I come in, Miss Penelope?”

Jade? I recognised her voice from last night.

“Yes”

I said in a shaky tone as I prepared for the worst. Moreover, who was I to allow or deny someone?

“Umm, why are you crying, Miss? Is everything okay?”

Jade asked, and only then did I realise that my cheeks were stained.

“Where is Lily?”

I asked as desperation clawed deep within my chest.

“Penny…?”

A full-blown sob blew through my withered heart as Lily came into view. She is fine, Penny. She is still safe.

I rushed past Jade as I picked Lily up, squeezing the hell out of her. Her body warmth reminded me she was here, in my arms.

The dream, or rather the nightmare, I saw playing like a broken record in the back of my mind. We need to get out of here.

I thought to myself as my wolf whined.

“Penny… can't breathe—”

I quickly let go of Lily, passing her a sheepish smile.

“Sorry, my baby. I was just scared when I didn't see you in this room.”

I said truthfully.

“I am extremely sorry, Miss. If I should have known that it would make you restless, then I should have had Miss Lily sleep in your room.”

Jade interrupted, looking down, embarrassed.

I frowned at her behaviour. 

Why was she being so polite? No one granted us this humble treatment before? Then why now?

“Ma'am, who are you exactly? I haven't seen you in this pack before.”

I questioned. 

How good she might behave with us, I couldn't risk it. And I know she will soon show her true colors like everyone else in this pack.

Her eyes shoot up.

“Miss, please just call me Jade. I am below you.”

I frowned but still nodded my head after weighing my options.

“And Miss, I have recently shifted into the Celestine Pack as my mate is a warrior in this pack.”

She stated as a blush coated her cheek. The bitter taste of envy made its way to my tongue at the admiration she held for her mate.

But then, I remembered, even I held the same adoration and admiration for my mate when I was still naive to his cold behaviour. Hoping things would change between us.

I shook my head, letting go of the past along with the thoughts of my mate. 

Lycan, Penny. He is a deadly lycan.

“Alpha mentioned you would be more comfortable with …”

“Someone I haven't met before.”

I completed her sentence. Jade simply nodded her head as I let go of a sigh. 

“Miss, why don't both of you freshen up? The closet is stacked with everything you would need. Meanwhile, I can help Miss Lily get ready in her room.”

Jade asked politely.

“That is fine. I will help Lily myself. No need to bother yourself for that.”

I said as a look of disappointment crossed her face, but she quickly hid it as she nodded her head.

“I would get Miss Lily's stuff.”

Jade stated while leaving the room.

“She is like Ivory.”

Lily said. But I didn't know what to say as Ivory had just betrayed us by luring us back here. 

I hope she isn't like Ivory.

“Penny?”

Only when I felt a tug in my dress did I realise that I was lost in my thoughts.

“Yes, Lily?”

I questioned.

“She is like Ivory, isn't she?”

Lily repeated her question as I nodded my head while putting on a fake smile.

Soon, there was a knock on the door as I asked Jade to come in.

She placed a stack of clothes with other necessities on the edge of the bed.

“Miss, once you both are ready. Just call for me. I will be outside to walk you both downstairs to have brea - brunch.”

Jade requested as I nodded my head.

Once she left the room, I locked the door as I ushered Lily to the bathroom. I let her freshen up first as I walked into the walk-in closet.

I gasped as I looked at the clothes, which range from simple T-shirts to ballgowns. And it looked expensive.

Not wanting to invade such an expensive closet of whoever it was. I picked a pair of grey sweatpants with a simple oversized white tee, with some undergarments and other necessities.

As I walked towards the bed lily called me to help her with the shower head as she couldn't reach the knob. I chuckled as I twisted it and later helped her get ready in a peach colored knee length dress with a pair of matching slacks.

As she combed her hair, I quickly brushed my teeth as I took a warm shower. I wrapped a towel around my body as I walked out of the bathroom. 

To find the room empty. 

My heartbeat picked up speed.

“Woowie!”

I let go of a sigh of relief as I realised she was standing in the walk-in closet. I quickly put on my clothes, and I went behind her.

“Penny, you would like a princess in this dress.”

Lily stated, pointing towards the shimmering pink gown with the sweetheart neckline. I chuckled as I walked her out of the dressing space into the bedroom.

“Lily…”

I started, but didn't know how to say it out loud.

“I…”

Tears of frustration gathered in my eyes as I bent down to Lily's eye level.

“Don't cry, Penny. I will protect you.”

She stated, and a broken laughter left my mouth at her words.

“Oh, Lily.”

I said as I gave her a tight hug.

“We will always stay together. You protect me, and I protect you. Right?”

I asked as she nodded her head.

“Just don't trust anyone.”

I stated as she nodded her head. I unlocked the door, and soon enoug,h Jade came into view. 

Was she waiting for us, here, for this long?

“Ready for brunch?”

Jade asked, and at that very moment Lily's stomach roared in affirmation. 

Jade chuckled softly, but I, on the other hand, felt terrible. My baby was hungry because of me. Only if Alpha Zanthus wasn't my mate. Things could have been so different.

I looked down at Lily to see that her cheeks were flushed because of embarrassment. I gently squeezed her hand, reassuring her.

We followed Jade as we walked towards a staircase. It was only when I looked at the mulberry wood stairs that I realised we were in Alpha Zanthus' mansion.

I have been here before. Sometimes to clean and other times to cook. But not for a stay. Alpha never accepted me as a mate, thus I lived in the packhouse with other Omegas.

I could feel my hands getting sweaty as we made our way down the staircase through the familiar corridors leading to the dining hall.

Soon, the strong smell of dew and cinnamon invaded my senses as we stood in front of a detailed wooden door.

I knew my mate was behind these doors, and my instincts told me to grab Lily and run. But that would not be easy. He could catch us easily.

Lycan, Penny, lycan.

What is more apt for such a deadly predator than a chase? I let go of a shaky breath as the thudding of my heart synced with the echoes of the door knock made by Jade.

“Come in.”

My mate commanded from inside. His voice is soft, yet the command in is  prominent.

My wolf purred in my head. It was always like a tug of war between my mind and heart. She wanted her mate close, irrespective of the dangers.

“Penny…”

Lily's voice brought me out of my inner turmoil as she started to shake. She realised the predator was there behind these closed doors, and we were the prey. 

Thus, I scooped Lily in my shaky arms as Jade opened the door wide. Only to see Alpha Zanthus standing a few steps away.

I kept my head low as a sign of respect, but didn't dare move an inch. My body wasn't cooperating with me.

“Please come in, Penelope.”

Alpha Zanthus stated softly, but I knew well what lies behind this facade.

I took small steps while weighing Lily on my hips as she buried her face in the crook of my neck. As if that would make Alpha Zanthus vanish. Only if I could hide behind something.

I could hear the sharp intake of air by my mate as he neared us. Lily whimpered as she clutched me for her dear life. As if I would vanish.

“I heard the little one was hungry. I hope she enjoys the meal along with you, love. I wanted to join you for brunch, but it seems Lily is too terrified to eat in my presence.”

Alpha Zanthus said softly.

I didn't reply. I didn't know what to say. Since when was my aloof mate so considerate about my sister or my feelings?

“Look at me once, please.”

Alpha Zanthus urged that sounded more like begging in my ears. I couldn't resist that voice, and as the mate bond sizzled, I found my mate's voice so helpless. 

The urge to comfort him was high, and before I could resist the temptation, my eyes snapped in his direction.

Unlike his usual hollow eyes that I was used to in the past, the brown color of his eyes was really engaging.

I could see it, the guilt, the burden, and the…pain? Along with something else I couldn't pinpoint.

Tears started to blur my vision as I lowered my head from the intensity of his look. He didn't seem like the man I knew eight months back, but rather someone different. Someone who had been broken.

Deep breath, Penny. It is all a trap, a lie. 

“Forgive me, love.”

He said as my green eyes snapped in his direction, as I could see a tear sleep down his eye. I couldn't blink. I had never seen a male cry. Not even dad when my mom died. Yet he let tears slip down his cheeks, though being an Alpha?

I felt troubled as his words came to me.

“I was cursed, love. Please hear me out once.”

“Please…My beast. I had no control over him. Thus, I pushed you away. I only wanted to protect you, my love.”

Could it be…

Suddenly, I felt a force from behind as I put Lily down. Not wanting her to get hurt.

“Fate has a way to play. It is a witty game. Mockery on those you don't understand that friends are the biggest foes…”

I hissed as an intense pain made its way through my skull as someone chanted these words.

I guttal hiss ringed through my head, belonging to the depth of an animal. I haven't ever heard a voice like this.

My eyes teared as the pain increased, and my knees collapsed. I put a hand on the floor as I could no longer support my weight.

What was happening?

“Penny…”

“Love…”

Someone called me, but it seemed a far cry. Every voice seemed faint in comparison to the guttural voice as it repeated the words.

“Fate has a way to play. It is a witty game. Mockery on those you don't understand that friends are the biggest foes…”

“Stop!”

I begged as everything turned hazy…

What was happening to me?

I could feel a hand wrap around my waist, and suddenly the fog in my head cleared as I could feel sparks run down my spine. My eyes fluttered open, and the pain vanished as if never there.

My dull green eyes made contact with the dark brown eyes of my mate. As he looked at me…worriedly?

“Love, you okay? What's wrong?”

Suddenly, fatigue took over me as I leaned into the unwanted comfort of my mate. It felt good to be in his arms, not thinking about the past we shared. 

I felt as if I was drunk as I smiled, only to see a pair of blood red eyes in the distance before darkness lured me.