CHAPTER 104

With time, the dust settled. Things didn't remain the same though. Yes, the security of the pack heightened like never before, as both children of the rulers were seemingly preys to unknown forces. One was just a little baby, helpless and innocent, and the other, having been attacked once, was prone to more attacks and hence was a source of worry to every member of the pack.

But all of this were expected. The unexpected was Bavanda facing a deep level of trauma from the whole incident that occured at the party. She saw a man she was attracted to, she let him kiss her, and almost lost her life from it. This uncanny act had given her access to her wolf whom she hadn't harnessed in her 18 years of existence, but yet, she had little or no peace.

It was like something the devil would do—give you what seemed like a gift, only to take away something even more important.

Three months had passed. Little Alexander—her baby brother—was doing very well. He managed to take all of his parents' attention, leaving her with nothing but consistent worry.

Whenever they saw her, she noticed the worry and fear settle in her parents' eyes. Like they were expecting something terrible to happen the next minute, it disturbed her greatly, yet she couldn't let the words out to anyone.

This particular day, however, Bavanda felt like the weight of the whole universe had filtered into her chest. She hadn't left her room all day, and it suddenly seemed like the walls were closing in on her. Time and time again, she was taken back to that night, like she was stuck in a broken time loop.

It wouldn't end, no matter how hard she tried. Eventually, to stop herself from screaming her lungs out, she slipped out of the room. She found it difficult to even fake a smile like she always did, so everyone that set eyes on her could tell that the princess was not okay.

She had no idea where she was headed, until her legs took her to her parents’ chamber. She hesitated, letting out a huge breath as she knocked lightly on the door. No response came, so she pushed the door open ever so slightly. Peeking inside, Bavanda sighted her mother crouched over something, rather someone, whom she immediately recognized as her brother.

Avynna hadn't seen her. Bavanda had a quick moment where she contemplated leaving back to the confines of her room, or going ahead with the earlier plan of seeking solace in her mother. She didn't have the chance to choose when the door creaked, and her mother turned to her.

“Oh hey! Bavanda, I didn't see you there." Avynna said, her voice low.

Bavanda got the hint that her voice wasn't to be loud, lest her baby brother be woken up. She said, “Is this a good time, Mother? Shall I come back later?" her voice reduced to an almost whisper.

She watched her mother's eyes fill with worry all over again, and she immediately regretted her decision. “Oh no, darling. I'll lay your brother in his crib, and we can talk. Is everything okay though?"

Bavanda faked a chuckle. “Everything is okay, Mother. I just want my mother's company, you see."

Avynna’s face didn't relax, even with her daughter's attempt to relieve her of her worry. “Come on in, my daughter."

Bavanda took a reluctant step inside the room, exhaling as she shut the door behind her. She settled into a cushion, watching her mother set Alexander in his crib in a far corner from where they sat, still in the same room. She returned back minutes later, sitting opposite Bavanda.

“Alright. You say you need my company, huh? That's quite strange, Bavanda. That'll lead me to ask again, is everything okay? Do you feel strange somewhere? Do I need to get your father?"

Bavanda heaved, the same heavy feeling of uncertainty settling in her chest. "Why, mother? Why do you find it strange that I want to be around you?” She questioned, her voice heavy with diluted pain.

Avynna let out a low laugh, an awkward one. "Do lessen your voice a little bit, my dear, your baby brother is not really a deep sleeper. We don't want him waking up and ruining this seemingly interesting conversation now, do we?”

Bavanda swallowed her words, choosing to say nothing. Of course! The baby was more important.

Avynna continued. “Plus, I was only trying to say that you've always loved to keep to yourself. Even I as your mother don't really see much of you these days, hence I'm bound to wonder why my daughter suddenly wants to talk to me about nothing."

She met her mother's eyes, and a sigh escaped her lips. Well, her mother was right, as always. “I'm… I'm not exactly here to talk about nothing.” Bavanda muttered, almost inaudibly. "There is something.”

Avynna gave an expression that read, ‘I knew it', then she adjusted closer to her daughter and said, “Well, I'm all ears, Bavanda. Tell me what's bothering you."

A confused Bavanda exhaled again, avoiding her mother's eyes. Speaking lowly, she said, "I can't help but wonder why you two are always worried.”

"What do you mean?” Avynna questioned, her brows narrowing.

"I mean, even before the incident with…at the birthday party two months ago, I always saw it in you two’s eyes. Anytime you look at me, it's like you're expecting a different kind of danger… like you think I'm too weak to handle life.” Bavanda mumbled. At that point, she wasn't still sure of her words.

Avynna gasped lightly. "Why would you think that, my darling?"

Bavanda shrugged, saying nothing.

Avynna adjusted even closer, reaching out for her hand. “Bavanda, my daughter, you're not weak. Both your parents are powerful Alphas, one leading the greatest Lycan territory, and the other, granted special gifts from the moon goddess. We defeated the dark Lord, we have built a life for ourselves, a legacy that can't easily be erased, so how could you think that you're weak?"

Bavanda stiffened under her mother's hold. “That's exactly the problem. You both are so perfect, and I'm not. I saw the way you panicked each time I tried and couldn't harness my wolf. You don't think I'm good enough."

“No. No. That was in the past, Bavanda. You found your wolf, haven't you. And you'll only get stronger from there. You're more than enough, my baby. Trust me, you are."

Bavanda buried her lips underneath her teeth, choosing to say nothing else. She hadn't been pacified, and there were still a thousand and one thoughts racing through her mind, but she figured out that her mother could give her little or no comfort. She was surrounded by so many people, yet she was all alone.

She managed a small smile. "Thank you, mother. I'm sorry to have bothered you with such irrelevant words.” She rose to her feet almost immediately.

"You didn't bother me, daughter. I'm always here to listen anytime you have troubles. Trust me on that.” Avynna said.

"Sure. I'll take my leave now.” Bavanda scurried away without another word. She didn't return to her room, and she wasn't seen until night had fallen.

One would think she was a thief, and not a princess of the pack with the way she walked stealthily through the corridors. As she reached a T-junction, she stopped, looking from corner to corner before inserting a key from a huge bunch of keys in one of the doors. It opened, and she walked in, ignoring the sign that read, “Guards Only!".

Bavanda didn't light a torch, for the risk of being seen. Instead, she trusted her instincts trodding through the darkened corridor until she arrived at a dimly lit room. The only source of light there was a small window barely enough to house a person's hand, and this also, was the only medium of ventilation, hence the room was undeniably suffocating.

Bavanda endured, wanting only to complete that which had brought her here. One could see the fear that settled in her eyes, accompanied by the failed attempt to mask it.

She cleared her throat, her chest rising and falling in a deep breath. “Are you there?"

No response came.

Bavanda took a step closer, clenching her trembling hands into a fist. “I know you're here, and you can hear me.”

Again, no response was heard.

Bavanda swallowed, wondering what she was doing here at this point. If she was to be caught, her parents would not hear any excuses she had to offer. She had summoned so much guts to do this, therefore, she couldn't let her courage to to waste.

Slowly, she took another step towards the iron bars that separated the room apart. "I know you can hear me,” she repeated, "I seek an audience with you.”

Silence settled for what felt like ages, until it was broken by the rustle of chains, and a face appearing in the dark. His voice was rusty, like he hadn't used it in years. “Bavanda, daughter of the Lycan and Luna, are you supposed to be here?"

She stiffened. Sh
e wasn't about to give up. "No, but I need answers, and I believe you have them, Loco.”