Arabella’s Point of View

Being the only living soul walking in this lifeless wizardry forest is quite scary, and I swear I could hardly move my legs—but I'm already in, and I must get out quickly. So, I pushed myself to keep moving.

I felt a gush of eerie breeze blow past my ears. It sounded as though someone just ran past at great speed, and I shivered.

It’s very dark everywhere, but since I’m a werewolf, I can still see clearly. I saw goosebumps growing on my arms and hugged myself.

Then it dawned on me—Daphne said a dead body was found around this area last night. Could it be the killer is still lurking around?

“It’s late,” I heard a very deep, frightening voice say near my ear.

I jumped back and couldn’t help the shriek that left my mouth. But before I could grasp what was going on or even get a glimpse of who just spoke into my ear...

A hand wrapped around my neck, lifted me off the ground, and slammed my back against a tree I hadn’t noticed earlier. I closed my eyes and grunted in pain.

If I wasn’t a werewolf, I’m sure my backbone would’ve broken from the impact my back had with the tree.

“Who the hell are you?” I asked, struggling to get away from the person, which was impossible because of his strong hold.

I lifted my head and opened my eyes. My breath hitched instantly, and my mouth parted at the sight that greeted me.

I’ve heard people say he took my breath away, and I never really read any meaning into it. But right now, I have the perfect explanation for it.

My eyes trailed along his facial features—his thick and perfectly arched eyebrows, which were knitted together in a frown. His long eyelashes were illuminated by his sparkling blue eyes.

His lips looked a bit pale, but still so beautiful and tempting as I stared at them longingly. I folded my lower lip into my mouth and bit it hard until I tasted a metallic liquid. That’s when I realized I’d injured my lip.

He looked so flawless and sinfully handsome. Even though he was frowning, he didn’t look any less handsome.

Is this human? How can someone be so perfect?

Hold on a sec... Why is my heart pounding so fast? Am I having a crush on him? What about my mate? What am I going to do when he...

“What were you thinking, coming into the woods at this hour?” his hoarse voice interrupted my unnecessary thoughts.

“It’s the only way to my home,” I answered, strangely in a bold tone.

He growled as if he didn’t like the tone in which I answered. His free hand held my chin up, and he stared into my eyes, his squint... anger?

“A lot of things can happen to you in the woods tonight. Do you know that?” he snarled at me.

That’s when I saw it. There was a small trail of blood at the corner of his mouth, and judging from its scent, I could tell it was fresh.

My eyes widened as fear suddenly gripped me. My heart accelerated because different thoughts were running through my mind at that moment.

Could it be I’ve met the Beast? Is he going to kill me? Is my blood next in line?

Oh no, please spare me. I’m a perfect girl. I might be a little rude, but I’m still a good girl. Please don’t kill me—I started praying in my mind.

“Answer me!” he bellowed.

“A-are you the Beast?” I asked instead.

Honestly, I don’t know where this courage came from or why I asked that question. I just couldn’t keep it in and blurted it out.

“Don’t I look like a Beast?” he asked me back.

I studied his face and shook my head. According to Grandma’s description, the Beast must be old, with horns and dirty fangs in his mouth. This man looked pretty neat to me.

“No, you don’t look like a Beast. You’re very handsome,” I said.

He stared at me silently for a moment, then chuckled lightly, and his tensed shoulders slumped down a bit. The sound of his laugh was wealthy and soft.

“Don’t be fooled by looks, my darling. They can be deceiving,” he told me in a calmer tone this time. “You seem like an obedient little one, so obediently run home now,” he added.

I scoffed mentally. I’m nowhere near obedient at all. In fact, I can be very stubborn every so often.

“What are you still waiting for?”

“Like you said earlier, looks can be deceiving,” I smirked at using his words on him too.

He closed his eyes briefly.

“I’m not someone you’d want to mess with. Leave now, before I become your worst nightmare!”

“But you are not…”

He suddenly tensed again. His brows furrowed instantly as he sniffed the air, then zeroed his eyes on me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

He quickly let go of me, and I almost fell on my face. He took a few steps away from me, as if standing close to me would burn him—as if I burned him.

“Get out of the woods now!” he barked at me.

“Then what about you?”

His blue eyes suddenly turned bloodshot red, and I took cautious steps back.

“Get out before it’s too late for you!” he roared, making the forest shake—or maybe that was just my imagination.

I heard very heavy footsteps approaching us. It sounded like the feet of a monster hitting the ground in cartoon films.

My body started shaking in fear. I slowly picked up my bag that was lying on the ground and ran toward the exit of the forest. I didn’t want to stay back and witness that handsome guy lose his life.

I ran as fast as I could, using my wolf’s strength to support myself—though she was fighting not to lend her strength to me.

★★★★★

“Mom, I’m home,” I announced immediately as I stepped into our small living room.

I threw my bag randomly on the table and slumped on the nearest chair, releasing heavy breaths.

“You’re finally home,” Arthur (my younger brother—he’s 17) said as he strode toward me with his hands in his pockets.

He thinks doing that makes him look cool and stuff. I scoffed mentally—he’s just bluffing himself.

“Where’s Mom?” I asked.

“She went to the pack-house,” he answered.

“Pack-house? Why?”

He sat on a chair, reached for the remote control, and turned on the TV.

“There’s a pack meeting, and I think it’s about the selection parade. Alpha Jarek personally came to inform Mom about it…”

He paused and tilted his head, brows furrowed in a serious frown.

“…Do you think he has a crush on Mom?” he asked.

Alpha Jarek and Mom together? That’s not a good combination at all. I winced in disgust at the thought of them being together.

“Get your mind out of the gutter. You’re too young to be talking about crushes.”

Arthur coughed.

“I’m 17 years old, and I’ll have a mate next year, so I’m not too young to be talking about crushes.”

Weirdly, at the mention of ‘mate,’ my mind flashed back to the handsome stranger I met in the Wizardry Forest. I wondered what happened to him.

Did the Beast King catch up with him? Is he devouring the handsome stranger’s flesh right now?

“Ara!”

Arthur snapped his fingers across my eyes. I blinked and alighted from my train of thoughts—it’s a pity that a handsome stranger’s life would be wasted just like that.

“Besides, Mom’s a widow and Alpha Jarek is a widower…” he adjusted his posture to an imposing one. “…I’d love to have people referring to me as the Alpha’s son,” he laughed evilly.

I leaned forward and pushed his head gently, making him glare at me. But he quickly looked away when I glared back.

“Stop dreaming about being the Alpha’s son. You’re not fit for that title,” I told him.

Arthur has girls flocking around him everywhere he goes. And if it weren’t for the respect he has for Mom, I’m sure he’d have been a little heartbreaker by now.

If Arthur ends up becoming the Alpha’s stepson, I believe all the unmated girls in our pack will become pregnant with his kids—even before getting a chance to know who their mates actually are. After all, he’s got great looks and a pompous personality.

In fact, everyone in our lineage has great looks and bodies. I’m not an exception.

“Right. You’re already 22 years old and still haven’t found your mate yet…”

I raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to conclude his words. Although, I kind of had a hint where this conversation was going.

“Maybe you should visit another pack. Your mate might not be in this pack,” he said.

“I don’t need a mate,” I told him curtly.

“You don’t need a mate? Who doesn’t need a mate in this world?” he asked rhetorically.

“Perhaps me,” I answered.

He set his lips in a thin line, turned away from me, and gave his attention to the TV.

“Good for you,” he said.

“What’s for dinner?” I asked.

“Nothing. Mom’s not around to make dinner.”

I glared at the back of his head.

“What a lazy ass,” I grumbled under my breath. But he heard me anyway.

I got up, reached for my bag on the table, and headed toward my room—I require a long warm bath and a nice sleep.

★★★★★

It’s just me and him again in this lonely woods. Not even a bird could be seen flying around.

“You’re here,” he said.

“Yes,” I answered.

Then there was silence. He didn’t say anything, and neither did I.

It’s always like this every time we meet. We don’t talk, but we enjoy being in each other’s company—it’s almost as if we’re speaking with our souls.

We don’t see each other’s faces too—or maybe he’s seen my face, but I haven’t seen his, not even once. I can’t tell what he looks like.

His back is always facing me every time. I could only stare at the back of his head.

“You called me, and I’m here. Can I at least see your face?” I asked.

This is the first time I’ve requested to see his face.

“No,” he answered.

“Why?”

“I’m ugly,” he said.

Ugly? I huffed mentally. Handsome guys always refer to themselves as the ugliest beings.

“I don’t care if you’re ugly. I just want to see your face,” I told him.

“No. My face would scare you away.”

“Huh?”

“It’s going to be your worst nightmare,” he said.

How can I be friends with him but not know what he looks like? Who is he? Why does he always call me to meet him here? Wait… how did he even manage to call me?

“Stop thinking. Your tiny brain’s going to explode. Because it’s unclear to me why I can call you too,” he said.

How did he know what I’m thinking? Is he a vampire that can read minds?

“You’re right. I can read minds. So, I suggest you stop thinking.”

“Oh.”

This is all the more reason I must see his face. He might be someone I know.

I reached forward to touch his shoulder but…

★★★★★

My eyes snapped open at the sound of someone banging on my door very loudly. I threw a glare toward the door as I imagined I was glaring at whoever was banging on it.

From the scent, I could tell it was Arthur. I angrily sprang up and sat on my bed, gathering my blanket in my hands.

“What?!” I barked at him.

“Mom said I should wake you up. Breakfast is ready,” he said.

I rolled my eyes.

“I’ll be there in a jiffy,” I replied. Then I heard his footsteps fading away.

I fell back on the bed and covered my face with my palms. I puffed out some air.

The same dream again. It’s been quite some time since I had this weird dream—why did I dream of him today?

I’ve been dreaming of this nameless man since I was twelve. I don’t know anything about him.

But the unusual thing is, I always enjoy being around him in my dreams. I must be losing my mind.

“Ara, Mom said you should hurry!” Arthur shouted from the living room.

“Well, you didn’t have to shout before I heard you!” I shouted back at him.

I pushed the blankets off me and hopped out of bed, then dashed into the bathroom.

Arabella's Point of View

“Daphne, what are you doing here so early?” I asked, stopping in my tracks when I saw Daphne sitting at the dining table.

“Good morning to you too. As you can see, I’m eating breakfast,” she answered, nodding at her plate of steaks.

I snorted and dragged my feet lazily toward the fridge. I reached for a yogurt before turning back to the dining table.

“Why did you come here to eat breakfast after ditching me yesterday?” I was referring to the detention, and I knew she understood what I meant.

Daphne grinned widely.

“I’m sorry about that, but I really had to look after my grandma because my mom wasn’t around, and my dad had to attend the pack meeting,” she explained.

“Hm,” I hummed.

“Anyways, how was the detention?” she asked.

Arthur choked on his food at the mention of detention. He started coughing, and I quickly reached for his glass of water and handed it to him, rubbing his back gently too.

He took a few gulps and slammed the glass on the table, then gave me a mocking look.

“Detention? Really? What are you? A high school student?” he asked, not even trying to hide his mockery.

“Ha-ha, very funny.”

He held his chin up slightly as if trying to recall something, then he hissed and shook his head.

“I’m a high school student, and I can’t even recall the last time I was in detention,” he smiled, giving me a thumbs up. “You impress me every day, sister Ara,” he mocked further.

I leaned across the table and punched his shoulder when I couldn’t take his mockery anymore. He frowned.

“How dare you hit the Alpha’s son?” he asked.

“Alpha’s son?” Daphne faced me, furrowing her eyebrows questioningly.

“Don’t listen to him. He’s just daydreaming,” I told her, and she laughed.

Arthur banged on the table lightly and faced Daphne.

“I’m not daydreaming. Alpha Jarek has a crush on my mom,” he said.

I wanted to scold him, but my mom beat me to it.

Mom dropped the bowl of cereal she was carrying and pulled Arthur’s right ear. He grunted in pain and tried to escape from Mom’s grip, which was obviously impossible—my mom is strangely stronger than most wolves.

Maybe it’s because she’s from the Gamma’s family.

“What nonsense are you spouting, young man?” Mom asked, still pulling his ear.

“I... I was just joking,” Arthur tried to defend himself.

“Joking with something as serious as that?” Mom asked, pulling harder, making Arthur howl in pain.

“Yes, yes, yes...”

“What?” Mom cut him off warningly.

Arthur quickly realized his mistake and shook his head desperately.

“I mean, no, no. I’m a fool. I’m a very foolish boy, and I shouldn’t have said that. Mom, I’m sorry,” he blabbed.

Mom finally let go of his ear. She pulled out a chair and sat next to me.

“Mom, you almost cut off my ear,” Arthur grumbled as he rubbed his ear to numb the pain.

“You’re lucky I didn’t cut it off. You mustn’t spread rumors next time,” Mom warned him.

Daphne and I were just staring at Arthur in amusement. From the sly smirk on her face, I could tell she was deriving great pleasure from Arthur’s pain—as much as I was. Call us witches, we don’t care.

Having Arthur as a brother is the worst curse in my life. He’s such a pain in my neck, and he never stops getting on my nerves. He’s so annoying—but I love him so much. Weird.

“You were already asleep when I came back from the pack meeting last night. How was your night?” Mom asked me.

“It was... okay.”

My night would have been okay if I had managed to see that guy’s face. It’s a pity I didn’t see it—all thanks to Arthur.

He stuck out his tongue at me when he caught me glaring at him. I gripped my fork tighter and sent him a quick mind-link:

Stick your tongue out at me one more time and I swear I’ll cut it off.

He quickly withdrew his tongue but huffed at me before focusing on his food.

“I bumped into Mr. Clovis at the pack house. He told me you’ve been dozing off in his class recently. Is that true?”

I sighed.

“Yeah,” I answered.

Mom raised an eyebrow at me.

“B-but it’s not every time. I only dozed off yesterday because I didn’t get enough sleep the previous night,” I quickly lied smoothly.

I can’t possibly tell my mom I slept in class simply because I found Mr. Clovis’ class boring—they’re siblings, after all.

“I know you’re lying, but I’ll just let it slide this time...”

Of course, you know, I grumbled mentally.

“...Don’t let me get another complaint about you slacking off. You know what’s going to happen to you then,” she said icily.

My mind flashed back to the last time my mom punished me. I was bedridden and had to spend two months in the pack infirmary. I even took some of my exams there. Bad shivers rushed down my spine, and I shuddered.

“I swear, it’s never gonna happen again.”

“Good,” Mom nodded in satisfaction.

Daphne nudged me gently, and I leaned closer to her.

“Why do I feel like your mom was once a sniper?” she asked me in a whisper.

I glanced at Mom, sighed in frustration, and shook my head.

“I feel that way too. Who knows? She might not even be my biological mom,” I whispered back.

Mom cleared her throat.

“I can hear you, young ladies,” she said.

Daphne and I coughed lightly and adjusted ourselves on our chairs, pretending like we weren’t just gossiping about my mom.

“Right. How was the meeting?” I asked.

“Hmm. It’s about the selection parade—it’s been brought forward.”

“What?!” Daphne and I exclaimed at once, making Arthur jump slightly and spill his milk.

He glared at us through his eyelashes.

“Can you ladies have mercy on this little pup? Don’t you know I need this milk to grow healthy and strong?” he pointed at himself, but we ignored him.

“Mrs. Humphrey, why was it brought forward?” Daphne asked.

Mom shook her head.

“We weren’t told why it was brought forward. Alpha Jarek said it was the King’s decision.”

The King? Ugh. Then I guess it’s final—no one can oppose it.

“When is it now?” I asked.

“In two days,” Mom answered.

“In two days? Isn’t that the day after tomorrow?” I asked, and Mom nodded in reply.

Daphne and I exchanged looks. I believe we both had the same thoughts running through our minds right now.

Why was it suddenly brought forward? And here I was, hoping the day would never come.

“Hurry up, kids. You’re running late,” Mom urged us.

><

LEGENDS CREATION COLLEGE, BEVERLY HILLS

Daphne and I breathed heavily as we stopped right in front of our school gate. We missed the bus and had to race here—without our wolves’ strength.

“I didn’t know I’m a good runner. I always thought my wolf has been the one helping me every time we race,” she said.

I nodded.

“Yeah, I’ll never race with you again without my wolf’s strength,” I told her. “I had to use up all my strength just to keep up with you,” I complained.

Daphne laughed at my misery.

“Quit whining. Your wolf is stronger than mine, so I think it’s fair that I’m a better runner without our wolves’ strength.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Are you saying I’m lazy?” I gritted out.

“Of course. Everyone knows that,” she answered.

I glared at her but didn’t say anything—because she’s right. My wolf is very strong, but my human (which is me) is very lazy.

Daphne threw her arm around my shoulder, and we started walking inside.

“Hey, another body was found in the Wizardry Forest last night,” Daphne whispered very lowly in my ear, and I tensed.

“Another body?” I asked.

The image of that handsome stranger appeared in my mind. Could it be he was killed by the Beast King? Could it be that handsome face and godly body have gone to waste?

I shook my head in denial.

“You gotta stop with all these gossips. I walked through the Wizardry Forest last night, and I didn’t see any beastly creature,” I told her.

Her eyes grew wide. Her mouth parted as though she was about to release a shriek, but she stopped herself when she took in our surroundings—a group of girls was walking behind us, at a safe distance though.

“You passed the Wizardry Forest last night?” I nodded. “What were you thinking? Were you trying to get yourself killed?” she asked in a scolding tone.

“Relax. There wasn’t any danger when I passed it.”

She inhaled deeply.

“Well, maybe the danger came right after you left. You’re lucky—who knows if that body would have been yours.”

I shrugged.

“Yeah, but the body is not mine,” I stated. “You better use your time for something meaningful instead of listening to gossip news.”

She grabbed my shoulder and made me stand still.

“It’s not gossip. According to the news, it’s the body of a vampire.”

I laughed at her, shrugged her hand off me, and continued walking.

“Now you’re sounding ridiculous. What would the body of a vampire be doing in our Wizardry Forest?”

“You don’t believe me?” Daphne asked.

“Of course I don’t,” I answered.

“But you believed me yesterday. In fact, you’ve been believing the Beast King has been the one behind all the killings,” she wondered aloud.

“Yeah, that was before I passed the Wizardry Forest last night. I don’t think it’s true that a body was found there.”

Actually, I believe everything she said—because I heard heavy footsteps approaching us (the handsome stranger and me) last night, before I took off.

I was just finding it hard to accept that the handsome stranger was wasted just like that.

I hope the handsome stranger managed to escape before the Beast King arrived. I don’t want that body they found to be his.

“I’m kinda baffled by something, though,” she said.

“What?” I asked.

“The Beast King’s palace is built on neutral lands, which is pretty far from our Wizardry Forest—but why does he always dump the bodies in our forest after killing them?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you should ask him when we visit his palace.”

She pushed me away from her and threw me a glare. I simply laughed at her expression.

“I hate you,” she said.

“I love you too, baby,” I replied and blew her a kiss, but she dodged it.

“Don’t talk to me.” She ran off, and I quickly chased after her.

><

Third Person’s Point of View

WIZARDRY FOREST

It was still daytime, but it was very dark inside the Wizardry Forest, and a mere human wouldn’t find their way in.

The whole forest seemed dead. The trees were all dead as their leaves had withered. Even the birds’ singing echoed throughout the forest as if they were ghost birds—and they kept flying from one tree to another as though being chased by a force.

No one in their right mind would step foot in the forest. It’s just so lifeless.

He stood in a very dark corner, his dark and emotionless eyes fixed on the royal investigators who were busy moving a dead body. His fists were balled at his sides.

“Your Majesty.”

His adviser called from behind as he jogged toward him.

He didn’t reply or even turn to face his adviser, but the adviser continued anyway—it was pretty obvious he was listening.

“Your Majesty, it’s done. The date has been brought forward.”

“Hm,” he hummed.

“But I have a question though.”

The adviser paused and waited for his response, which he knew he wasn’t going to get.

“It was way past sunset when you crossed paths. Are you really sure it’s her?”

His shoulders tensed when he heard his adviser’s words, but he still didn’t utter a word.

“You can’t perceive your mate’s scent or feel the mate-bond once it’s sunset. We can’t be sure it’s her—right?”

Still no response from him.

“Likewise your mate. She won’t feel you or perceive you. So I think we shouldn’t jump to conclusions yet and raise our hopes.”

He finally moved his eyes away from the royal investigators and faced his adviser—that darkness never left his eyes.

“We’ll see,” was his reply.

Arabella's Point of View

"...That's all for today. Have a splendid weekend," Ms. Marshall wished us as she packed up her big textbooks.

Daphne scoffed beside me, packing up her books angrily and recklessly.

"This weekend is gonna be anything but splendid," she grumbled lowly. "I can't believe I'll be sacrificing myself for the sake of other girls," she said aloud this time.

"Sacrificing yourself?" I asked.

"Yeah. The selection parade has been brought forward, and who knows—we might not come out alive."

I nodded in agreement. She had just reminded me how near we are to the selection parade—my heart is about to rip out of my chest in fear.

"I might as well start writing my will now."

She paused and tilted her head. A deep frown appeared on her face—I knew exactly what she was gonna say next.

"Do you think I should will all my allowance to Dante or put them up for charity?"

I twisted my lips and thought briefly.

"Judging by how much Dante has scammed you, I'd advise you put it up for charity. Those old people and orphans need your money more than Dante. He's earned enough of your money from his dirty scams," I said.

Daphne and I laughed as we found my words funny.

"Exactly my thought," she agreed.

We continued packing up, and finally, we were done and set to go home. This was our last class for today. We carried our bags and headed out.

My phone vibrated in my pocket just when we were about to take a curve down our class hallway. I reached for it and saw it was Pete calling. Pete is my manager at my part-time job.

"Hey, Pete," I answered the call, handing the big textbook I was holding to Daphne.

"Ara, your mom called and said you wanna quit your job," he said.

My brows furrowed instantly. I gave Daphne a questioning look, but she shook her head.

I don’t recall ever telling Mom I was gonna quit my job. Why did she say that to him? In fact, there’s no reason for me to quit my job.

"Yeah, she said you needed time to get ready for the selection parade..."

I tuned out the rest of his words and released a sigh.

"Okay, thanks," I said and hung up.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket, and we continued walking.

"I think your mom is nervous. She must be scared of what’s gonna happen to us," Daphne said.

"Yeah. We don’t know what’s gonna happen to us in there. What’s gonna happen to whoever is selected this time? Are we gonna come back with our memories intact?"

Daphne simply shrugged, because that’s all she could do. She had no answers to my questions—she’s just as clueless as me.

"Hey, Ara!"

I heard the voice I dreaded most. Daphne snorted quietly, and we stopped walking. Daphne took a step forward and stood in front of me in a protective stance.

"Ingrid Michaelson," I said under my breath.

"What does this evil elf want this time?" she growled lowly. "I'll beat her up if she doesn’t filter her words."

I laughed.

Daphne is all bark and no bite. She sure loves me and is willing to fight for me, but she runs off at the very last moment. Like I said before, my wolf is stronger than hers.

Ingrid stopped in front of us, with her three minions standing behind her. I rolled my eyeballs. Don’t they have anything to do other than following Ingrid around?

"Ara, are you also going to the selection parade?" Ingrid asked.

"Yes. Am I not entitled to?" I asked her back.

She chuckled, looking at her minions to join her—and they did.

"I heard my dad saying the Beast King is secretly searching for his mate. That’s why girls are taken to his palace. I bet you didn’t know that."

"So? What are you implying?" Daphne asked.

"I don’t think you’re eligible. You’re just wasting your time because you can never be the Beast King's mate with this ugly face of yours," Ingrid laughed.

I pushed Daphne aside gently and walked around Ingrid as I was assessing her. Then I stopped in front of her and stared at her face.

A sigh left my mouth as I shook my head in disappointment.

"What’s with your expression?" she asked.

"You call me ugly..." I sighed. "...but I’m still more beautiful than you—even with your plastic face."

"What are—"

"Take a look at your body. You’re too straight. But look at all my curves," I gestured at my body as I made a sexy pose.

She looked down at herself. From the corner of my eye, I could see Daphne trying to hold back her laugh.

"Did your mama iron your backside when you were a pup?" I asked.

She quickly touched her butt.

"Your ass is so flat. But take a look at my heavy ass," I turned and twerked in front of her briefly.

Daphne couldn’t hold it in anymore. She burst into uncontrollable laughter—and even some of Ingrid’s minions joined in the laughter.

I turned back to face Ingrid and winked at her. Her face had turned crimson red from anger or embarrassment.

"Don’t worry, Ingrid. I’m not gonna snatch him away from you, because I’m too hot and beautiful to be mated with a beast."

My eyes trailed her body, taking note of all her flaws—both her physical flaws and her innermost flaw, which is her rudeness.

"He’s more suitable for mean, wicked, and evil elves like you. I believe the Moon Goddess already paired you two—that’s a perfect match for sure," I said.

"That’s right. Go, Ara!" Daphne hyped me, still laughing her guts out.

Ingrid pointed a finger at me.

"You’re... you’re... you’re..."

"I’m what?" I cut her off. "I’m too hot compared to you," I told her.

Her eyelids twitched as tears brimmed in her eyes. She threw her minions a glare, and they stopped laughing immediately.

I reached forward and held up her chin, because I’m a little taller than her.

"Ingrid Michaelson, you’ve forgotten I’m not one of those weak female elves in your clan who you mess with. I don’t take shit from anybody—not even the Beast King."

She slapped my hand away and pushed me very hard. I would have lost my balance if I wasn’t standing upright.

"Your words can’t get to me. You’re still inferior to me," she said.

I stepped closer to her and looked in her eyes, then released a short laugh.

"My words already got to you. Go home and cry." I turned away from her and faced Daphne. "Dolphin, let’s go."

I flipped my hair back and walked away, although I heard Daphne blowing raspberries at her before running after me.

Daphne threw an arm around my shoulders when she caught up to me. She kissed my cheek and howled shortly.