I lived quietly with Shena while we attempted to work at the dump site. Despite the fact that our financial situation is not luxurious, we are content with what we have. When our income is low, we often look for alternative sources of income, such as helping Mrs. Vikki plant her land.
Mrs. Vikki is so generous because, in addition to allowing us to work on her property, she frequently feeds us at her home. Perhaps because she has no other family. She is a widow, and her children have their own families, so she has no other worries in life.
"You have a large estate, Mrs. Vikki! Didn't you think about just selling it to help you more?" I inquired as we ate happily in Mrs. Vikki's large dining area.
"Amara, you're still young; you won't understand what adults think!" Shena cut me off. I laughed at her.
"You're only two years older than me; how can you claim to understand adult minds?" I snorted. We came to a halt when we heard Mrs. Vikki laugh. Mrs. Vikki is a beautiful fat woman, and I admire her kindness. I believe I have discovered a mother's personality in her.
"This land... is the only memory my husband left me," Mrs. Vikki said as she finished laughing. Shena and I were both taken aback. We looked at Mrs. Vikki, who had a sad look in her eyes. I feel a little guilty because I considered asking that question.
"I loved him so much that selling it breaks me," she added. I bit my lower lip and looked out at the vast expanse of land in front of us. Mrs. Vikki was deeply attached to this land because of her beloved husband. It is true, as I read in the trashed books, that the love of wolves like us is eternal and endless.
Our mate bond is not the same as human love. If humans can love again after their first, wolves like us can't take it anymore. Even after death, our connection, bond, and love will remain strong.
That's why I couldn't get it out of my head on the way home with Shena.
"Shena," I said to my friend. She turned to face me right away. The moon can now be seen in its half-light. That is why, even without two torches, we can see the path clearly.
"You're seventeen now, which means you'll know who your mate is when you're eighteen. Are you excited?" I asked. When she came to a halt, I came to a halt as well. She raised her eyes to the half-moon in the night sky.
"The truth is... I'm concerned, Amara," she said. I fixed my gaze on her. Is she concerned? Female wolves, like us, usually wait until they reach the age of eighteen because this is when they can easily find a mate. So I'm not sure why Shena is concerned about this.
"Why are you concerned?" I inquired. She lowered her gaze to mine.
"I'm worried about you; you'll be alone when I find my mate, and I don't want you to be alone, Amara," she admitted sadly. As she spoke, I remained silent. I felt a pain in my chest because I had only recently realized the implications of her finding her mate. She is correct. I can't believe I'm still following her even though she's married. I'm not as young as I once was. I'm not the crying, hopeless 10-year-old girl.
"Are you crazy? You don't have to worry about me! I'm no longer a child; I can handle myself, Shena," I assured her. Even though I knew she was still sad, she smiled at me.
"You're not just a best friend to me, Amara; I treated you like my real younge
r sister, so no matter what happens, we'll always see each other, okay?" She looked me in the eyes. I nodded in agreement because I couldn't stand being apart from her for long.
"How about you? Do you still think the prince will be your mate?" she joked. I averted my gaze and laughed at what she said. I've always liked the prince since I saw him when I was twelve years old. That's why Shena knows how much I like the prince, despite the fact that we're all aware of the negative rumors about him.
"But it's an impossible dream," I said, dismissively. She ruined my hair.
"Good thing you know, because the Moon Goddess has very high expectations for the royals, and pairing them with a nobody like us would be a disgrace to them," Shena explained. Shena's words stayed with me.
I don't even blame the Moon Goddess for my current situation, but I also know that matching me with Prince Greyson is not in her plans. That's why I could only admire him from afar.
The way he steered his horse, the way his ponytailed hair danced while he walked, the way his ocean-blue eyes stared coldly at his surroundings, and the way his mischievous lips parted while he spoke
But everything went wrong in an instant because of me.
While I was waiting for Shena outside, I noticed Prince Greyson and his butler Miguel walking through the market. I forced myself to focus even one eye on the prince because I was so eager to see him. But desperation turned into tragedy.
I ran into an elderly gentleman who appeared to be wealthy. I can see how his gaze was drawn to me. I wanted to fly out of fear, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
"Wait," the elderly man said. I tried to break free from his grip, but he was too strong.
"Didn't you steal something from me?" he asked, smiling. Because I knew this, my nervousness agitated my chest even more. This is what happened to a friend of mine who also works at the dump. She didn't steal anything, but an old man accused her, and she became the old man's slave as a result. And I know they aren't simply slaves. Women are being turned into sex slaves!
"I didn't steal anything!" " I ask. His grin was terrifying.
"No... you stole something from me; capture her!" he orders his men. I'm very concerned about what's going on. My tears streamed down my cheeks. I took a deep breath and was about to defend myself when I became silent about who had arrived. It was Shena. I avoided looking at her.
"What's going on here, sir?" Shena inquired politely.
"She stole something from me, and I know you can't pay for it," the old man explained. The way he looks at me makes me sick. That perspective is not new to me. Shena used to compliment my looks. I don't believe her because I, too, am a poor person. Shena suggested that because of my eyes, I might have a rare gene. It was a bright green color. She stated that the Green Eyes clan is uncommon and new to the North Snow kingdom.
"Do you have proof that she actually stole it from you, sir?" Shena inquired boldly. I shook my head and parted my lips. Shena understands that there is nothing we can do about what is going on. This man appears to be powerful. We're not going to stand a chance. My eyes welled up with tears.
"You little son of a bitch! Are you telling me I'm lying?" the old man snarled angrily. I shook my head and looked at Shena. I just wanted Shena to stop this time. If this is my fate, I will not complain. It's entirely my fault. Everything could get worse if Shena got involved.
"No, I'm telling you to provide evidence for us to believe she stole something from you." Shena ignored me and continued.
Please, Shena, just leave.
"You're trying my patience, aren't you? No matter what you say, she'll be my slave unless... you're willing to sacrifice yourself for her," the old man said, grinning even more. No! Perhaps the old man liked Shena even more because of her bravery!
"No! Please...just take me!" I cried, shaking my head at Shena, but she was cold. I can't understand her. I can only see her expressionless face.
"Then take me and let go of her," Shena declared confidently. My eyes widened as my chest hurt. I shook my head quickly, but it was too late. The old man's men apprehended Shena and set me free.
"No! No! Shena! Please! Just take me! Please, Shena! Don't do this!" I can't stop crying because of what's happening, and many people are laughing at us.
"Just be thankful she saves your life, kid; I'm choosing her now because you're just a kid," the man said evilly. As I watched Shena being pulled away from me by the old man, my heart felt like it was breaking. Shena gave me a look. I couldn't see a single tear in her eyes. Her eyes were filled with bravery and comforting whispers. She seemed to be telling me that everything would be fine from now on.
"Shena!" I screamed helplessly until my vision of her vanished. That's the day I resolve to find her no matter what. I'm willing to enter the palace as a housekeeper just to find Shena.