Chapter 35

Avery's POV.

As I walked through the halls of the palace, I searched my brain for a clue about where I knew Leilani from but I couldn't place it, my brain failed me every time.

I have a great sharp memory, I'm not the type to forget a face, a name, or the scent of another wolf but why is Leilani's proving difficult for me?

I might have probably met her in my past life, probably in a meeting with other packs or among the servants.

I decided to shift the issue of trying to get her identity to the back of my mind, but that doesn't mean I'll forget it.

"Why are you quiet, Leilani? You were chirping joyfully just a few minutes ago." I asked the silent girl, who looked at me and smiled.

Darn!

That smile, I knew that smile, but where?

Why is my brain in the habit of going to strike when I'm desperate to know something? I shouted in my head.

"I'm not much of a talker, but I was so excited to finally see you that I started chirping away." She answered, and her voice is really beautiful.

"Excited to see me? But why?" I asked, looking surprised by her words.

"Well...you're a brave one. The servants are talking about you." She answered and I was more baffled than before.

"Woah, I've not fought any battles to showcase my bravery, so what were you servants talking about? Or should I say gossiping about?"

She chuckled,"the eldest servant never allows us to gossip, it seems like a crime to talk about the pack's Royal Family. But we were all proud and happy to have a Luna like you."

Her voice has this excitement that I kept wondering what a girl she is, she's so free and happy.

"So will you tell me what exactly I did to make you all proud of me?"

"Well... I'm only a few months old here, so I don't know much about your family but with the little I've learned and witnessed, your parents were great leaders. When they died, we thought you'd yield to pressure from pack elders and choose your mate in a hurry due to weakness on your part or probably due to the fact that you aren't capable of ruling the pack till you find your mate but you prove us wrong and we're so happy with your decision." She explained and I smiled.

I never knew there are some set of wolves that are happy with my decision. Hearing this from one is making me so happy and a bit satisfied and relaxed.

"Thank you, Leilani, you have no idea how your words make me feel."

"Don't mention Luna Avery, so you see why I'm so eager to meet an amazing wolf like you. You're just different, and being different from the rest is what makes you extra special."

"You're special too, especially your eyes, they're like none I've ever seen before," I confessed and she smiled.

"Thank you, back in my pack due North, other wolves think I'm a witch and they avoid me like plague, I never let their words get to me because my mother said I'm a special wolf, and I'll do big things one day."

Though she doesn't seem affected by what they said, I felt really sad for her. I wonder how bad it must have been, growing up in a place where other wolves your age don't want to associate with you because of the difference is terrible.

It must have surely affected her childhood and for her to grow up to be this jovial and strong, she must have surely been through a lot.

A hard situation in life either makes you stronger or weaker, it depends on how you want it.

"Come, I'll show you the garden, it's the most natural and beautiful place in the pack. I can swear on that, I fell in love with it when I came here. The air around there is pure and energizing."

She dragged me along and I just followed her. I felt her energy immediately after she touched me. She's so pure and free. How is she able to feel so much joy despite her traumatic past?

The garden scent welcomed me and was true to her words. It was so refreshing and beautiful, one could gather a lot of positive energy from there. The garden looks magical. Leilani is magic herself.

She'd done wonders to my foul mood, she made me forget my worries in such a short time. She's a wonder and I want her closer to me.

"Leilani?" I called.

"Yes, my Luna."

"How did you end up here?"

"Oh, that...it's a long boring story." She smiled, but I saw pain flash in her eyes as she said it.

"I don't have anything important to do. So shoot."

"I'll make it brief, no one liked me back at my pack, they called me bad luck, both my parents are warriors and they both died in a battle with another pack. My niece was given my responsibility, she never liked me and I don't blame her, she's so filled with negativity." She paused and took a seat on the grass, I followed suit.

"One day, on a full moon night, she sold me to rogue wolves as a sex slave. I labored for them and when I had my chance, I escaped and was caught by some warriors in this pack. They said I was on your land border. I thought I'd be killed but your mother took pity on me and here I am." She said with a chuckle.

"How come I never knew?" I was surprised.

"Well, you were never interested in the Royal Hall issue." She answered.

Well...it was true, I never showed much interest in such issues in my past life, Shannon made me believe I have no business there and as always, I believed her.

"I'm sorry about your past." I felt sad for her.

"It's a gone issue Luna, I'm glad it happened. I'm still alive and well." She said with her normal joyful note.

"How are you happy despite your traumatic past?" I asked, and I began to wonder why I asked.

She gave me her killer smile again, reached beside me, and plucked a dark purple rose.

"No matter how bad our past is, we should always look forward to a better future. We don't allow the fears of our past to meddle with our presence, live and enjoy the present because it's a rare gift from the goddess." She answered, offering me the rose.

I examined the rose, it has no thorns.

"New species huh?" I asked, smelling the rose.

"Yep. Beautiful one. Your past might be filled with thorns just like those roses there," She pointed to another section of planted roses and they got thorns around them.

"But you can build a new you to rid of those thorns, remember the scars and pain done by the thorns but don't let it affect your newly opened Budd." She explained and I was baffled, it seemed as though she was talking about me.

‘Stop overthinking things! That's always your problem.’ Kira's voice rang in my head and I almost let out a chuckle.

"Thank you Leilani, your words have a deep impact, and I'm sorry about your past."

She talks deeply and I love it. She's intelligent and beautiful.

That's what I termed, ‘beauty with brains.’

"Don't be sorry, it was a lesson, and I've learned it." She replied to me in a gentle voice.

I smiled at her. I checked my time, it was almost six in the morning. I'm glad I woke up from my sleep, I just met someone amazing, a servant full of life.

I realized now that in my past life, I never really had time to make friends or associate with other wolves.

My whole relationship starts and ends with Shannon and Erik, those two were more than enough for me.

Shannon always tells me what is good for me and what's not, I never made any decision for myself, I always meet Shannon with my decisions before I finalize anything.

I thought it was my love for her, I never termed her as an adopted sister, I always introduced her as my 'sister or step sister' and that was purely on her order.

Whenever I make a decision that goes contrary to her views, I'll immediately drop it. I never wanted to make her feel like she doesn't belong to my family.

It's all funny how she hates me. Whenever she cries, I feel like my whole world is crumbling and I'll do anything to make her smile.

Why does she hate me?

"Avery!!!"

I heard someone shout my name, and I knew exactly whose voice it was.

She walks like an angry bull to me.

Leilani quickly stood up, with her head bowed.

I stood up, waiting for her to come.

I wonder what she's angry about this time, but whatever it is, I won't do anything in her favor.

I shall prioritize myself first!