The Hug 

David's POV:

I had no clue why everything was affecting me to this extent. All I wanted was to spend this last year of my school peacefully bullying the students, and then graduate.

After that, I would get the official access to enter in the competition, and when it comes to that, I had already planned everything… every little thing from the scratch to the throne.

But then, this girl had to appear in my life out of the blue, and turn everything completely upside down! 

I knew from day one that she was not my real competitor, she could never be… I had known since ages that her brother was going to be the one facing me in the arena.

But deep down, why was there something in my heart, telling me that I shall not be able to raise a single weapon if she happened to be standing in front of me, instead of her brother?

Why was there any trace of confusion now, when I had always been completely clear about the fact that any person standing in front of me in the arena- apart from a friendly match- was an enemy? 

Somehow, this thought grasped my windpipe so tightly that my chest constricted, making me forget another important fact: that I wasn't standing in the real arena for the final competition. 

Rather, it was supposed to be a friendly match, so that I could divert everyone's attention and gather information about Ryan.

And I didn't know when the slightest breach in my attention caused this catastrophe. I had definitely heard her screams when she had been cheering in support of Louis.

But within the blink of an eye, how and why had her cheers suddenly turned into a concerned howl? And then I heard the sharp note of the whistle, making me realise the blunder I had caused.

As I pulled off the blindfold, I wanted to have a closer look at Louis' wound and apologize for my fault. But before I could have done either of those things, she was there… in front of my eyes once again, hugging Louis.

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The last thing Henry wanted to do in his entire lifetime, was to leave David alone in the arena, and go on a spying journey for someone he never liked.

Probably, it was due to the jealousy of David and Ryan being good friends, and him being the one who always got sidelined. Or maybe, it was the concern that he always held for David in his heart, as he was able to see the things David could not, because of the friendship.

He didn't really want to say that Ryan had been the way he was now, from the very beginning- but his father definitely had been. And he was not only quite close to his father, but had always seen him as a role model, too. 

So following in his footsteps was a very normal thing to be expected from him-

The truck of Henry's thoughts halted the moment he saw Ryan giving something to Adrin. 

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Robin noticed the same Nora- who had not even been able to defend herself properly, or wasn't even taking any initiative to defend herself- get up and sprint towards the field before he could have stopped her. Before anyone could reach either of them, she had crossed the boundary of the arena. And at the very moment when both Louis and David had just removed their blindfolds, she hugged him… 

Thereby calling the rumours, that had been dormant till now, herself.

This act of hers was not only going to provide ample rainfall in the deserted love- life of Louis, but also in the haunted palace of Crescent territory, by wetting the dust and soil accumulated there.

And proving his thoughts right, several voices knocked on his ears. 

"What's with the Alphas of the Dionne pack? Are they only here for creating chaos, or stealing the female Royal Alphas of the crescent territory?"

"Haven't his great grandfather and great grandmother created enough of a mess that he is here again- and this time for the Alpha of Moon pack!"

"To be honest, I think Princess is quite cute, I don't know why girls have been spreading rumours about her being extremely rude?"

"Such an example of a cute and historic love story!"

"Don't get your hopes too high, and remember one thing… love stories are meant for the rich only, not rags like us! Because unlike them, we have the fear of filling the stomach of our families, and saving our lives, struggling through everything."

"Yes! You are right! When the stomach and pockets are overflowing, then the only person you are left caring for, is the person you love."

"But I don't think this alliance is going to happen, as I have heard that Prince already has a destined mate, back in his pack."

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Nora's POV:

I knew the words were targeted at me, I knew I could defend myself, and I was well aware that I was identified as a Royal in the outside world.

A Royal… who was just supposed to issue an order, and everything would arrive in front of her at that exact time.

Everything would be managed according to my convenience the moment I cared to move my lips.

But there was one more reality, hidden from the world, but crystal clear to me… I didn't hold the place to order anything inside my palace, till the day I joined the school. Of course, I know it was because my father wanted to make me a self- sufficient girl, capable of doing everything by myself. 

And while I wouldn't say that his efforts had gone completely in vain, I had to say that it had robbed me of all my self confidence. If the Moon Goddess had not given me the hope to find the people who were going to become my future family in this school, I was sure that I wouldn't even have been able to say a single word to anyone.

While I was thinking all this, I saw Robin turning towards me. He started defending me the moment he arrived there, and just as I was admiring how cool and savage his replies really were, I noticed a cut on Louis' upper arm.

I didn't know what happened to me… or what had gotten over me, apart from the feeling that everybody in this world deserved a hug after getting hurt, without being guilty! 

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