2

Keisha's POV

...

My brother's words were met with applause and loud cheers from the pack members and special guests. It turned out Cassandra had been standing behind us all this time.

"Watch me, Jenna, as I rise to the top," she said in a low voice, a mocking lilt undeniably in her tone.

She lifted her ostentatious gold lace gown, and people voluntarily gave way as she confidently made her way to the front. It was as if she knew beforehand that she would be the star female of this occasion.

How could Caspian do this? To my best friend at that?

I turned my attention to Jenna.

She was holding back tears, her lips parted and quivering with unsaid words.

I knew she was heartbroken. Her wolf must be whimpering from the unexpected betrayal.

"J-Jenna..." I softly called out, wondering what to say to her at this moment.

Should I tell her that Caspian must have made a mistake?

I was in a dilemma, but most importantly, I was concerned about my best friend. She was going through something no maiden even wanted to wish upon their enemy.

Before I knew it, Jenna whirled on her heel and lifted her 3-layered gown, hurriedly making her way through the sea of pack members. She was heading outside the ceremony hall.

I followed after her; people gave way more easily for me being the princess royal.

Once outside the hall, I saw some pack guards who were stationed in two rows, dressed in identical attire, golden spears in hand.

They lowered their head slightly upon seeing me and then chorused: "Greetings, Princess Keisha."

I had no time to acknowledge them.

My eyes flitted across the area and I found her about to make a bend in the hallway up ahead.

I lifted a part of my outfit and started chasing after her, the sound of my heels clicking harshly against the floor.

"Jenna! Jenna!" I called out desperately, but she only picked up the pace.

Running forward, I saw her upturned heels, which she had taken off mid-sprint on the floor, a few inches apart from each other.

I took off my shoes as well, determined to catch up to her.

"Jenna, wait up!" I yelled frantically, my pace picking up. I was now only a few steps away from reaching her.

"Leave me alone," she said in a choked voice, but I didn't relent.

I eventually overtook her in the garden, interposing myself in her path.

"Keisha...please..." Her voice was tremulous, tears were rolling down her beautiful face, smudging her makeup.

"Please leave me alone. I want to be alone, please," she said with her shoulders slumped, her head slightly inclined.

With a sincerely worried look, I placed my hands on her quivering shoulders, and she looked at me while stifling back a sob.

My mouth opened, but I found no words to say in that moment. My heart was heavy as well.

So I brought her into a hug, a tear sliding down my right cheek. I didn't let go of her despite her resistance.

She needed comfort at this time, someone needed to be with her. And it was going to be me.

I feared she might do something stupid; I didn't want to lose my only friend.

After we broke the hug, I wiped her tears and then wound my hand around her shoulders.

I took her to our favourite place in the garden— the swings.

We loved to come here since childhood. I had her sit on one of them and slowly rocked her back and forth, trying my best to comfort her with reassuring words.

After a long while, she calmed down and stopped crying.

"T-thank you, Keisha," she said, snuffling.

I stood in front of her and brought her into another much-needed hug. "You don't need to thank me, honey."

"Can you sing me a lullaby?" Jenna requested.

"Which one?" I softly asked her while gently stroking her hair.

"The one my mom used to sing to us... before she slept forever..." She told me.

"Sure. Anything for you, bestie!" I told her as we broke the embrace.

I sat on the second swing, rocking myself back and forth slowly while gazing at the sparsely starred sky.

"Oh, little one! Oh, little cutie pie, do not be afraid. Coz mommy will always be here..." I paused to look at her. She was gazing at the sky. I did the same again and continued, "...to hold your hand, to love you till eternity!"

Jenna joined me seconds later, and we looked at each other as we sang.

"Even if the world doesn't want you, mommy will always hold you dear. Oh, little one, you're mummy's bundle of joy. I pray the goddess grants everything you wish for..."

After we were done, I found that my friend seemed somnolent, so I stood up and walked to her. "Get on my back, let me piggy-ride you home,"

She sniffled and obediently got on my back. Upon her request, I sang a few more songs as we headed in the direction of her home.

Her father was at home; I guess he'd probably seen us leaving the hall earlier. He took the already sleeping Jenna into his muscly arms and thanked me for being a supportive friend.

I sighed as he closed the door behind him, internally wishing things would get better from here on.

I didn't head back to the function: there was nothing to see there. I felt disappointed that my brother had chosen that black-hearted and sly female as Luna when he already had his real mate, ordained for him by the goddess herself.

The questions were still unanswered — why would he do this to my best friend?

Why did he fatten her hope, only to dash it cruelly at the eleventh hour?

What had gotten into Caspian?

I made up my mind; I would confront him once the celebration was over.

...

Three hours later.

I was in the hallway, seated on a chair close to the door leading to my brother's bedroom.

Finally, I saw my brother coming over from the bend ahead. But, to my dismay, he had his hand snaked around the waist of that disgusting Cassandra, who was giggling like a witch.

"Oh Alpha, you're so funny," her voice felt jarring on my ears. "Oh, Keisha, what are you doing there?" She asked me as if she didn't really know my purpose.

I scoffed, unwilling to respond to her. Rising from the chair, which had been provided for me by one of the maids, I stormed towards them.

My brother and that female stood just in front of his room's door.

"Keisha, why are you here? And why did you leave the party? I was worried when I couldn't find you," my brother said, looking concerned.

"Worried? You're worried just for me? What about Jenna?" I asked angrily as I paused in front of him.

"Keisha, stop acting this way. Tonight was hectic, let's talk in the morning."

I quickly interposed myself between him and the door, precluding him from reaching for the handle.

Expectedly, a displeased expression took over my brother's face. "Keisha, what's the meaning of this? What's come over you?"