The king's Bosom

"I accept you as my mate" Nova blurted out with a smile.

Camen glared at Nova and turned back to see who Nova was talking to. Then he glanced back at Nova and said

"I wasn't talking to you but the lady behind you."

Maia pushed Nova, "Nova, do you still believe you would see a mate", she scoffed. "No man will choose a girl that is wolfless"

"I am not wolfless, I can feel my wolf, please believe me. I promise to transform in the next transformation night".

Mr. Camen raised his eyebrows, he became surprised as he heard Maia's words. Mr. Camen moved closer to Nova and whispered some words into her ears but loud enough for Maia to hear his words.

He challenged Nova to transform at the next transformation night and he would choose her if she transformed. Nova became determined that if she transformed, no one would deride her.

Maia shoved Nova to the wall and smacked her face, Nova held her face in dismay, and she whispered in Nova's ear, "Don't you dare seduce my mate. You will regret messing with me"

Maia left with Mr. Camen, Nova held back her tears. The hall was filled with waves of laughter, she dashed out of the hall feeling like an outcast amongst them. It baffles her how they all treat her like trash and they seemed fine about it. Ember's cottage was the only comfort zone Nova needed to shield herself from their glares and insults.

Nova went to Ember's cottage, Ember was seated on a crooked wooden chair next to her mattress, reading a book. She was so engrossed in the book that she had no idea Nova was present, her expression was bereaved. Nova got curious to know what Ember was drowning herself in.

Nova sneaked up to her and bent her head to check what was written in the book. Ember shut the book immediately, startling Nova. Ember breathed out when she noticed Nova was the sneaky one.

"Why did you do that?" Nova asked, sitting on the chair opposite Ember. Ember placed the book on her mattress, looked at Nova, and smiled,

"I had no idea you were the one intruding on my privacy"

"What! Do you have some hidden secrets that are kept from me?" Nova sniffled hard and asked, "If you weren't an outcast, would you bring me up?"

Ember smiled and said, ''Of course my child, you were placed in my care. I would never leave you to those whoremongers,"

Nova giggled as Ember called the people whoremongers, Ember cleared her throat and asked the reason for Nova's presence. She knew Nova wouldn't be here unless there was trouble. Nova breathed out, playing with her fingers to decide if Ember should know or not. Nova stood up and sat beside Ember,

"Ember, am I capable of transforming in the next transformation night?" Nova asked, looking down to display her emotions.

Ember held Nova's chin and raised her head, Nova stared into Ember's eyes as Ember drew Nova closer to hug her. Nova felt comforted. Ember pushed Nova slightly and said,

"I don't know, but your time will eventually come, patience is a good thing for people like us,"

Nova felt delighted by her words. The word patience seemed to be used at the right time. Nova snuggled into Ember's arms and muffled out sobs, Ember patted Nova's back to comfort her. Nova moved away from Ember and wiped her teary eyes.

"Thanks, Ember, I am attending the next transformation night. Wish me good luck," Nova blurted out and left Ember's cottage, waving her hands to Ember.

Nova chuckled as she saw Ember's shocked expression before leaving Ember's cottage. Nova went to her cottage, and Mr. Camen called out Nova's name, averting her attention to him. Nova stopped in her tracks, her hands trembling, afraid to know the reason for his approach. She blinked her eyes profusely, fidgeting. Mr. Camen noticed her actions, he moved closer and said,

"I am not here to harm you but I came to inform you that the transformation night is tomorrow. Good luck on that,"

Nova was dumbstruck, she had no idea the transformation night would be here so soon. Mr. Camen snapped his fingers, bringing Nova out of her train of thought. He scrutinized Nova, smiled, and left. Nova breathed out, delighted that his presence wasn't a dangerous one. She turned to enter her cottage, she heard some footsteps and turned back to see who it was.

Nova felt a sting on her face, she looked up and saw Maia fuming with anger. Maia grabbed her hair firmly, and Nova winced in pain.

"Don't you dare seduce my mate, he can't love you," Maia spat out, still holding onto Nova's hair firmly.

Tears trickled down Nova's face,

"Please, let me go. It's hurting," Nova pleaded to her.

"Disgusting slut,"

Maia shoved Nova away and left angrily. Nova held her face in tears. She wondered why Maia felt insecure when she meant nothing to any of them. Nova stood up and entered her cottage, laid on the bed to get the thoughts out of her mind. Nova assured herself to be patient till the transformation night, only then will she have the courage to bring herself out of this hell.

*******

The rays of the sun emanate through the room. Alex groaned, standing up from his king-sized bed,

"Today is a sunny day, it doesn't look like a day for the full moon. But the sorceress's words were always true," Alex muttered to himself, getting prepared for the transformation night.

Today will be a hectic day for Alex because the rites for the transformation night are to be performed before the gathering of the people. Alex heard a knock on his door, he cleared his throat and said,

"Come in,"

"My king, it's time to head out but...," Camen paused, bowing his head as a respectful gesture.

Alex raised his eyebrows, gesturing Camen to speak out. Camen breathed out and said,

"I might have found the unknown beauty but she is wolfless... I don't think she is the one, I challenged her to attend the transformation, night so we would see if she is truly the beauty"

Alex held Camen's hand happily,

"We will see about that in the transformation night, let's go" Alex spat out, excited.

Alex removed his hands from Camen's hand, wore his mask, and headed out of his room. They walked down to the horse ranch, hopped on their horses, and rode it fast to the venue. They got to the venue, the village head and some appointed chief advisors welcomed Alex presence.

They headed into the field, Alex sat on the Alpha seat, and the sorceress performed some rites in preparation for the transformation night. A few hours pass and the full moon rises high in the sky.

"Let the transformation begin,'' Alex voiced out in a commanding tone.