A Little Help

Layla was regarded Superior to every other servant. She had the power to kick anyone out and suspend their benefits. Thus, she was respected and obeyed by all.

But when the Princess spoke so rudely to her, it awakened a lot of questions in the heart of the servants present. No one had ever spoken to her that way; no way.

Layla felt slapped and insulted. She looked around and found the other servants watching and concluded she couldn't let herself be insulted in the presence of her minions.

"This is not your father's Palace, Princess",she turned to Raziya and gritted. "You do not get to give the rules here. So, I demand an apology from you".

Raziya was grateful she had done a great job in fighting back her tears a while ago because the confidence she was displaying at the moment was really needed.

She huffed and moved closer to Layla.

"Well, just so you know, I didn't ask to be here. I don't even want to be here. So, I do not owe you an apology", while she spoke, she made sure to support her torn dress to her chest.

Layla could hear few of the servants starting to mumble behind her. Now, it was eating her up.

"Then, maybe you'd love the Alpha to kick you on the tummy again", her words hit a restricted spot on Raziya.

"It was so nice watching you grunt and beg for your life. I am in charge here, Raziya. So, if you wouldn't want to be at the Alpha's mercy, I'd advise you to do as I say. Now, for the last time, get dressed and come get busy. There is a lot you can do", with that said, Layla walked away.

Even though her clapback wasn't too great, she still felt thankful she had been able to shut the Princess up. Hopefully, the murderer wouldn't give her a hard time there.

*******************

TITASAL KINGDOM

*********************

Princess Rana stood by the window in her room, gazing out and staring blankly at the people moving about.

The morning was busy as usual, but it didn't change the fact that something important was missing.

She had a duvet round her shoulders like she's been suffering from cold, but the truth was - she couldn't even tell. She had never been so confused and depressed her whole life.

The knock came again - for the third time. Still, she made no attempt to check it out. Who could it be, anyway? Perhaps, a servant? Or her brother? Whoever it was, she wasn't in the mood to see anyone as she barely had the strength to move. Oh! She just wanted to stand by the window all morning and let her thoughts overwhelm her.

Swiftly, the door went open and she turned to see her brother rushing in.

His eyes danced around, but they moment they found her by the window, a sigh of relief crossed pass his lips.

"Goodness! Rana, I was beginning to panic. You've been here the whole time but didn't answer the door?" He asked in deep breaths with the door still open.

Staring silently at him, Rana returned her gaze to the window and by little bits, Prince Archie what her mood was.

He sighed as he closed the door and budged toward her.

"Now, I'm beginning to hate home", he looked up and muttered.

"Raziya is gone, father is gone, mother has been indoors the whole time, and now, you? I really think you all should think about me. you're making me pass through a lot".

Rana listened but said nothing; neither did she even look at him.

"Rana, come on..."

"She hates me", her frail voice finally broke out.

She was still gazing out the window.

"I am the most affected, Archie, because everyone thinks it's my fault".

"Everyone?" Archie scoffed. "What are you talking about, Rana? It's just mother..."

"It doesn't matter!" She turned to him and snapped.

A tear escaped an eye at the same time.

"She's always loved Raziya more and now she hates me even more because she's gone", she whispered.

"Mother does not hate you. Stop this, Rana...."

"I am not stupid", she sniffed. "Raziya has always meant more to her, and may the Protectors forbid that I be jealous. But can't you see? Sometimes, she makes me feel I am not even her child. You are the crowned Prince - it's understandable why she likes you. But I'm sure you should have noticed she loves Raziya even more than you. She's always been so partial!"

"Rana, come on!" Archie found himself half-yelling.

The broken princess sniffed and turned back to the window - more angry - and the Princess went closer to pat a hand on her shoulder .

"This is not necessary, Rana", he cooed. "This hate you're trying to build you in your heart. Father is out there trying his best to get Raziya back. And the moment he does, I'm sure everything would go back to normal".

"It can't", Rana shook her head. "Even if Raziya comes back - which I hope she does - things are never going to go back to normal. Right now, I jsjr want to be away - be far from mother. I just want to go...", her voice cracked.

"Can you even hear yourself? What is wrong with you, Rana?"

"What is wrong with me is the fact that my mother does not like me. It's the fact that she can stand there and watch my younger sister insult me. It's the fact that she can scold me in front of my younger sister even when she's at fault. It's the fact that she can blame me for her own mistake and tell me she'd never forgive me. These and more, Archie, is what is wrong with me!" More tears stung her eyes and her lower lips trembled.

Now the Prince had given up on trying to inveigle her. Her hurt was being words.

Instead, he pulled her into a tight hug.

***

King Zachary had just arrived the Red Moon Pack and waited patiently beside his horse with two of his guards beside him.

They were at the facade, his eyes going round and taking the numbers of people around; not just people, wolves.

Even if he knew the people from the Red Noon Park were harmless, he still felt insecured since it was his first time stepping foot in the camp. He had something similar to a cordial relationship with their Alpha as they had met on several occasions and even taken a drink together, but neither of them had set foot in the other's territory - except for King Zachary who was being the first.

He stood with his hands crossed at his back and turned when he heard tetchy footsteps. A sigh of relief crossed his lips upon seeing the Alpha - Alpha Oden. He looked like one running late for a meeting, but that was just a part of him - he was always in a hurry.

"King Zachary", he called aloud, still stretching his legs to meet him. "To what do I owe this unplanned visit?"

King Zachary released his hands and drew a deep breath as he made to cover up the distance between them.

"Greetings, Alpha Oden. It's nice seeing you again", he went formal.

"Ah! What can I say? The pleasure's all mine. Although, I must admit; having you here in my..." he paused and looked around. "... little camp is not something I expected. I'd have prepared a feast, King Zachary".

"Surely, there is no need for that as I am not even here for pleasure".

"I see..."

There was a brief silence, then Oden signaled his boys around to leave. And so did King Zachary.

Finally, it was just both of them left.

"Speak freely, King Zachary", he bobbed his head, both men facing each other.

King Zachary lowered his head and sighed before looking up at him.

"It's my daughter, Alpha Oden. My last daughter. She...got into some big trouble yesterday with an Alpha and was taken away by him"

"What kind of trouble?" Oden chipped in.

King Zachary paused to clear his throat.

"She....had gone hunting and in the process, she fired her arrow at the wrong animal - a wolf. She's... she's never seen one before and had no idea it was a wolf. By the time she realized, the arrow was already in it's head and it turned out to be a gamma".

"She killed a gamma?" Oden scoffed. "That is a very very big trouble, King Zachary".

"I know. I know. But, it was all a mistake. You know how these young ones are. There is no way she'd intentionally kill someone. Please, Oden,I need your help. The Alpha took her away yesterday, threatening to make her his slave. My daughter is no slave, she can't survive it. And I can't even imagine what she must've passed through since yesterday. You're an Alpha, Oden; you have connections. Please, do this for me".

Alpha Oden allowed silence as he stared for a long time at him. The silence was beginning to make King Zachary have doubts.

"This Alpha we're talking about", Oden sighed. "Who is he?"

That was the most dreadful question for King Zachary. He had been skeptical it might make the whole thing complicated.

He hesitated before muttering the name: "it's Jagger".

There was another silence, and when he looked up at Oden, he chuckled.

"Jagger? That's the man you came over to report?" Oden laughed.

"Please Oden, I really need this help..."

"Well, I am sorry, King Zachary, but this is beyond my control", Oden interrupted. "Do you even know what you're talking about? Alpha Jagger? Jagger is not human and he's not someone I associate with. There is no Alpha I know that associates with that man".

"I... I understand you've had your differences with him in the past, but why not put it aside for my sake? Just this once?"

"You think it's just differences?" Oden scoffed.

He exhaled deeply and started walking away. "Come with me, King Zachary".

...

King Zachary followed him to one of the buildings and into a room that looked more of a herbalist' room. A man was there, mixing some things in a bowl while a girl laid on the bed, sleeping.

"Greetings, Alpha", the man stood and bowed immediately.

He obviously didn't know King Zachary and didn't pay attention to him. Same way King Zachary paid no attention to him as his gaze settled on the young girl on the bed. She looked sick and had some marks on her face and neck.

"This is my daughter, King Zachary", Oden gruffed.

"And Jagger did this to her.

"Due to our DIFFERENCES, his boys attacked her when they found her in the woods and she's been terrible since then. I don't even know if she'd survive it; it's been weeks. But, I'm ready for the worst. I'm waiting for her to get well, or die soon. And the moment the latter happens, I'll be free to unleash every hatred I have on Jagger".

The King was stunned. Jagger did this to her? How could he be so cruel?

"So, this is it, King Zachary", Oden turned away from the bed and said. "What exists between Jagger and I isn't mere differences. That guy is a devil, and if my daughter dies from what his boys did, I'll stop at nothing to bring him down. So, I'm sorry, I can't help you".

He walked out of the room, and reluctantly, King Zachary followed.

His head had become muzzy and more troubled.

"I'm sorry I cannot be of help, King Zachary. I know what it means to lose a child" Oden sighed. "Unfortunately, Jagger is not the type to be reasoned with".

"But.. "King Zachary drew closer.

"Doesn't he have...a family? Anyone at all that could reach to him?"

"That guy is mystery himself" Oden shrugged. "Even while we were still friends, I never heard of his family. So, if he does have a family, they'd be just as mysterious as he is".