12. Bianca

Last night's dinner was so lovely. We have talked and laughed about a lot of things. I could say that for a moment, I forgot about all the sad things in my life.

Maybe my place is here with them, the werewolves. Perhaps I should forget about Oren and the Four Seasons realm.

After all, I am a Princess of this realm now. Soon I will become Queen of the werewolves.

"Amaya, where are you?" Came Leon's soft voice. I was sitting in the vast garden with a cup of coffee in my hands, waiting for the sun to come up.

"I'm here," I said, chuckling, knowing precisely what he meant.

He starts laughing and sits next to me on the ground.

"It's nice here, isn't it?"

"Yeah... but I don't know if I am ready for this, Leon! I mean, look at me. How can I be a Princess if I am not even able to take care of myself?"

"You will do just fine, Amaya! Don't forget that you were born for this," he said, stroking my free hand.

"Thank you, Leon! Thank you for encouraging me and for being here for me. I own you!"

"You don't, Amaya! I am your friend, and this is what friends are for."

I smiled at him softly, and we stayed there watching the sunrise.

"Princess Amaya!" I heard a sweet voice behind me, and I turned to see Anna.

"Oh, please do not call me that! Call me Amaya."

I said in a firm but somehow pleading voice.

"As you wish. I am here to take you to your chambers. We need to get you ready for the Ballroom." she said, bowing her head.

I roll my eyes at her behaviour but didn't say anything about this.

"But, Anna, the Ballroom is starting at 5 pm. Is just 7 am. There is plenty of time for this."

"Amaya, you would not believe how many things we need to do till then. We should have started already. Come, come, or we won't be ready in time." she said quickly, pulling at my hand.

I look at Leon, confused about all of this preparation, hoping he will save me. But he only started laughing.

"You should go, Amaya! I don't think that you will want to make your subjects wait tonight," he added mockingly.

I threw him a glare saying, "you will pay for this", and I followed Anna to the house.

She pulled me through the hallways till we exited the house on the other side.

" Where are you taking me?" I asked when she didn't stop.

"I told you I need to take you to your chambers. And by that, I meant the palace," she said smiling.

I didn't protest, but I stopped when I noticed a mysterious metal box with some wheels in front of the gates.

It was looking like a chariot, but it wasn't.

"Get in! We have no time to waste!" Anna said, opening the door of the black box to me.

I look at her hesitantly before I step in.

"What is this thing? How are we supposed to get faster with this box? There are not even horses..."

"Horses? Oh, Amaya, where are you coming from? This is a car. And there are horses under the hood." she said, amused.

"What? How did they fit in there?"

She burst into laughter and gestured for the man that was in the front seat to go.

I was more confused when the box started to move.

"A car, uh? I like cars." I said after 5 minutes of the ride.

"Oh, do you? Good, because you will use them a lot from now on."

"Am I?"

"Yes, Amaya! Those cars are all yours!" she said, pointing in the distance.

I look in that direction only to see the most enormous palace I ever saw and on one side around 7 or 8 cars.

"Wow... I have never seen a palace this big."

When we got to the gates, two guards opened them for us.

The car came to a stop, and Anna pulled me out quickly.

"Come! We are late! Hopefully, we can get you ready in time."

She starts running, still holding my hand.

We met a lot of people in the hallways, all bowing politely when they saw us.

"We are here," Anna said, opening a big white door.

As soon as we stepped inside the room, I noticed five girls who were waiting for us.

"Anna! Where have you been? You are late, and you know that? Good of nothing as usual. I am wondering why Alpha still lets you stick around."

A blonde girl said with venom in her voice.

"I am so sorry, Bianca. I...i..." Anna starts saying, but the blonde interrupts her.

"Oh shut up! Stop blabbering and start to do what you are supposed to do!"

"Forgive me, Bianca!"

I could see the tears threatening to soil from her eyes, and when she let go of my hand, I stopped her.

"Anna, I thought I already told you that starting from today, you won't leave my side!" I said in a stern voice, looking at the blonde Bianca.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened and closed. Anna was looking at me surprised, but she understood quickly what I was trying to do.

"Yes, my Princess."

"Good!" I said and walked to the window only to turn around to face all of the girls.

"Who is in charge here?"

"I am!" Bianca said just as I was hoping.

"I see! May I ask now? Is this your first day here, Bianca?"

"What?! No!"

"No, what?"

"It's not my first day! I am... " she started to say, but my blood was already boiling at her disrespect. That was no way to treat a person—especially one as kind as Anna.

"I do not care who you are or what you do! But if I hear or see you talking with someone else the same way you did with Anna, I will make sure you are out of this pack! Am I clear?" I said in a loud but calm voice.

"Wh..."

"Am I clear?!"

"Yes!" she answered, annoyed when the other girls chucked.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, my Princess!"

"At least you are a fast learner! You can go now!"

Her eyes widened, and she froze in her spot.

"You heard me, and you can go! I don't need you here today!"

The blonde left the room annoyed but didn't dare to protest.

"You are a real Queen, Amaya!"