Chapter 3

Diane's pov 

11 years later

" I can't believe I'll be 18 in two days." I happily jumped on my bed not minding the books and clothes littered everywhere in the room.

The thought of finally knowing who my mate was made me even happier. 

"Diane, come get breakfast for the king." The head chef called.

She instantly ruined my beautiful thoughts. Well, she actually brought me back to reality. I've been working in the palace for the past eleven years as an assistant chef. I prepare the king's food and set his table, I don't get to see the king though, because his food is already set before he arrives.

"Ahh shit! I just wish she'll stop calling me and let me sleep." I exclaimed.

 I didn't sleep all night because I spent the whole night washing dishes and now she's calling me again. 

"Not like I'm the only assistant maid she has."

I turned to see Mika and Hazel staring at me. "I'm tired!" I wailed, dragging them into my arms for a hug.

"Forget about all this, you'll finally know who your mate is." Mika giggled.

"When she finally finds her mate, she'll forget about us,"Hazel sadly said.

"I can't forget about you guys, you three are my entire world."I said hugging them both and then I realized Joe was missing.

"Where's Joe?"

"He left." Mika replied.

"Left? What do you mean left?" I asked.

"Hey, did you forget we're ghosts, we can't keep wondering forever. He finally found peace and he has gone to rest in the afterlife." Mika replied.

"Does that mean you both will leave too?" I teared up.

"Don't cry, we can't be with you forever anyway." Hazel said, tearing up as well.

"This is the reason I want you to find your mate as quickly as possible, so that even if we're gone you won't miss us too much." Mika said, trying to brighten up the mood.

"I hope he's a prince." Hazel giggled.

"Nah, there's no prince in this kingdom so she won't be able to find one." Mika replied.

I couldn't help but laugh at the silly thoughts they where coming up with. A sudden knock came on the door and the person came in without waiting for my reply.

"I've called you more than three times now, what are you doing here?" The head chef screamed.

"I'm sorry, I was getting ready." I replied.

"When you're done go to the market for grocery shopping." She said,

"Grocery shopping?" I curiously asked.

"Didn't I tell you about the welcome party for price Ryan tonight?"She instantly replied before slamming the door in my face.

"Welcome party? For that wench?" I scoffed.

The prince was finally returning after so long so it's understandable that they're holding a party for him. I rushed out of the room and took the grocery bag for shopping. I walked to the market even though it was quite far from the palace.

"I need some lettuce please." I asked a young man standing in front of a barrow.

"How many kg child?" He asked.

"I don't even know how much I need." I whispered. 

"Just give me as much as possible."

"Okay child." The man replied.

I bought the rest of the items on the list and was heading back to the palace. I stopped by a small stall where jewelry was sold. A very beautiful but old ring caught my eye and I went to take a look at it.

The ring felt familiar for some reason, it felt like I've seen the ring in the past, but I can't remember where.

"How much for this ring?" I asked the old woman in front of the stall.

"It's not for sale child." She replied.

"Ohh, it looks beautiful so I thought I could buy it"

"Many people say it's not beautiful and it's out of fashion, why do you find it beautiful dear?"

" Uhmm I don't know, I just like it." I replied with a smile."

"Then take it." She said happily and handed the ring over to me.

I was about to take the ring from her when it fell to the ground. I bent over to pick it up but someone else held it before I could. I lifted my head to see who it was. And I saw a very good-looking man squatting close to me. He had cat eyes, eyes that I was sure that I had seen somewhere before. "Prince Ryan?" I said after realizing who it was.

Ryan's pov

Life for the past eleven years has been hell to me but I slowly started loving the hell I was living in as I eventually got used to it. I trained intensely every single day like there is an upcoming war I'm preparing for. I don't understand why my father brought me to such a place to train, the pain and torture I went through in the hands of my masters made me resent my father.

"Young master, the time has come for you to return to the palace." my guard Aiden stated.

"And what if I don't want to go back." I responded.

"It's the king's order that you return to the palace immediately." 

"He was in a hurry to send me away and now he's also in a hurry to bring me back." I scoffed.

I won't lie, even though I hated my father, I still wanted to go back to the palace because I missed Maidservant Suzan. She had taken care of me ever since I was a child and she was like a mother to me. So I had to return to her. "Let's go." I said to Aiden.

We left immediately because my so-called father had already planned a welcoming party for me, so I had to attend it. We reached Mystic Isles rather quickly because we passed through the forbidden roots of the kingdom. Its a quicker way to get to the pack even though it was through a forest. 

The forest led us to the main market of Mystic Isles. We were heading to the palace where I spotted a beautiful wolf standing by a jewelry shop. Her hair was golden brown which covered half of her face. I slowly walked up to her to see who she was.

Then a ring fell from her hand to the ground and I bent to pick it for her. I finally saw the complete face of this angel. She has a wide, round face with a pointed chin. Her eyes are big and greyish green, with dark eyelashes.

She stared at me for a long time, like she had recognized me from s

omewhere. Then, she suddenly called my name. "Prince Ryan?" She muttered.