RISEN: THE LYCAN PRINCESS

Chpater 11 - Life changing

Asteria D´Angelo

“Where were you?” Zoe asked me and I took a deep breath. She had asked me yesterday to go out shopping, but I wanted to go and check on the boys who were tortured.

“I had things to do, I already told you.” I sighed, and she looked at me.

Ever since your brother told you to care for those poor kids, you have changed. You’ve been different. She squinted her eyes, and I sighed. She has no idea what she’s talking about or how life-changing the entire thing has been for me, because she has no idea what I’ve experienced.

“They don´t have anyone to look out for them, and they are in deep trauma. I can´t leave them hanging around like that.” I sighed, and she looked at me.

And you’re now confirming to me that you chose to spend time with them instead of your friends, the people who know you and would do everything for you,” she said, making me feel horrible and torn.

“I am sorry, Zoe... It has been too much.” I sighed, feeling defeated.

“I know, Tery...” she smiled, “that´s why I wanted to distract you. And when you stood me up, I ended up alone at the shopping mall with Rosemary...” she scrunched up her face, and I looked at her, giggling.

Rosemary is part of the theater club we belong to, and she is kind of stuck-up and overbearing. Of course, since I am a princess, she is always searching for whatever opportunity she has to hang out with me. Zoe loathes her, and it’s funny to know she’s stuck with her.

“How long were you stuck with her?” I asked, and she huffed.

“It was long enough, Tery... too long for my intestine to take it.” I laughed.

“Alright, what do you want to do today?” I winked and she giggled.

“Now we are talking. There is this party, and I am sure someone is waiting for you to come back to normal to ask you out.” She said it in a sing-song voice, and I rolled my eyes.

“Don´t tell me it’s a warrior’s party...” I said, and she nodded. “And Maddox will be there...” I finished, and she nodded.

Maddox was her cousin, and she was rooting for me to be with him. I loved her; she was my very best friend, but I hated that she was trying to push us together. That type of thing can go incredibly great or bad, and I was not willing to risk my friendship with her for a boy, not even her cousin.

“Alright... let´s hit the party,” I said, trying to be a bit enthusiastic about it, and not being able to shake Zane´s eyes from me.

She jumped up and down excitedly. “Awesome, because with Maddox will be Fin...” she said in a dreamy voice, and I sighed. Finnegan was one of Maddox’s best friends, another top warrior in our academy. The warriors in our academy were the equivalent of a human jock, popular, handsome and every girl drilled over them. Every girl but me, anyways... Zoe had a massive crush on Finnegan, and he was nice to her, but I’m not sure if he’s genuinely interested or if he’s holding back because he’s Maddox’s friend and Zoe is his cousin—some bro-code to stay away from sisters, kind of thing.

“Excellent, I´ll pick you up at seven...” she beamed, then rushed down the hallway to take her class. I chuckled and moved to my classroom to take a Literature class.

The entire time, I heard the teacher lecture and tried to concentrate, but my mind kept seeing those piercing eyes that branded my soul. Why can´t I stop thinking about Zane? This is too weird. No one has ever had that effect on me, nor even Maddo, the most handsome guy in this academy.

I took a deep breath and moved from class to class. I stopped at my locker, only to be startled by a voice behind me: “You look cute today.” I jumped in fright and then turned around to meet Maddox´s honey-eyed eyes.

“Hi, Maddox. You startled me.” I sighed, and he looked at me with a smirk.

“So, Zoe told me you are going to the party,” he said, and I slowly nodded.

“You don´t seem happy about it...” he pointed out, and I took a deep breath.

“I am thrilled to be there, it’s just that...” I paused, and he bent his knees slightly to look into my eyes. I sighed, forcing a smile. “I need the distraction...” I said, and he smiled.

“There you are...” he said, and I shook my head. He was handsome, and he was the epitome of a good guy: good grades, good record, impeccable fashion sense, always smelling nice, working hard, accomplished... he was everything, but his honey eyes didn´t call out my soul like the feral red eyes of a certain guy who had been back from hell not long ago.

“I´ll be there tonight...” I said to Maddox, and he nodded.

“I hope you save a dance for me,” he winked, and I blushed. Yes, I liked him, even if it risked my friendship with Zoe, but somehow, before I dealt with the people rescued on Mat´s mission, he seemed more like my kind of guy. Now, well, I’m not so sure anymore.

I’m a teenage princess; I shouldn’t be confused about this...

“Sure...” I smiled, and he winked.

“I have training, see you tonight...” he said, and I took a deep breath.

“Was that my cousin?” Zoe walked towards me, and I nodded.

“Yeah, he was just confirming that I attended the party,” I said, and she smiled.

“You are the perfect pair...” she said dreamily. “Just like Finn and I are meant to be...” She smiled, and I laughed.

“Imagine you were married to my cousin; that would make you my cousin. Then Fin is best friends with Maddox, and he fits right in the family beside me—the perfect deal. Our kids being cousins and unconditional friends—the perfect life!” she said enthusiastically, and I bit my lower lip and gave her a forced smile.

I didn´t want to resent my brother, but his asking me to have a crude awakening has messed up my little bubble. I was happy, content with that reality, and then I was tossed into a crude world where a certain someone could strip bare my soul with just looking at me.

“That sounds amazing, but if it doesn´t happen, we will always be friends, right?” I said, and Zoe´s smile froze.

“Why won´t it happen? I mean, everything is set and ready to be a reality. What could happen for the dream life not to come true?” she said, appalled, and I felt a little animosity from her.

“Nothing, I guess.” I decided to keep my feelings and confusion out of her sight, because I could see she was upset about my hesitation regarding her cousin or her idea of a perfect life.

I finally arrived home, and Mom greeted me. “Hey, honey,” she said, and I took a deep breath.

“Mom... Matty already told me why he picked me to care for that group of kids... but I’m unsure if I am the right person.” I sighed, and my mom wrapped her arms around me, patting my head.

“Never doubt yourself. You are doing wonderfully; from what Iris told her mom, she is impressed.” Mom said, and I chuckled. There were no secrets in my family. Whatever Iris told her mother, Aunt Charmaine, would be immediately shared with Aunt Ayla and my mother. That was the way they worked, the Trinity princesses.

“Just Wow... news travels to the speed of light between you three...” I giggled, and she smiled.

“As usual,” she winked.

“Anyways, I don´t feel I am the same...” I sighed, and my mom nodded.

“It never gets easy, but knowing that you saved them from worse and helping them recover should help you cope with everything.” She cupped my cheek, and I nodded.

“I guess... anyway... I have neglected Zoe too much, and she invited me to a party tonight,” I said, and Mom nodded.

“Go then, get ready and have some deserved fun.” Mom smiled, and I nodded.

“Alright...” I bounced on my feet and then made a silly dance.

I went to my room to pick the perfect outfit and decided on a scooped-neck, red, short dress with a bow in the back. It was cute, sexy, and a lot of fun. I paired it with silver pumps and wore a silver necklace, complementing the look. I wore my blonde locks up in a messy bun and natural makeup, with a bit of back eyeliner to enhance my eyes. I decided to go for a less dramatic look on my lips and wear a natural, wet lip gloss.

Zoe picked me up, and we were off to the party that would change my entire life.