Once A Princess, Now A Slave

50

Kelsie’s POV

I ignored the stares that I get. I just want to get this done and I have no idea how many times I already said it in my head.

I started with my cough and cold medicine. I decided to make tea. I placed my herbs on the table and went to the cupboard to grab the things I need. I use the kettle and filled it with water from the faucet. Since there is already a fire made from wood outside the quarter, I went there.

Before I left my ingredients, I made sure that they are safe by putting them on a container and covered them with leaves.

“Hi, can I use this?” I ask the boy and pointed my finger to the now vacant fire. He is holding a kettle just like mine and I can see the warm smoke flying out the hole of the kettle.

"Uhm... s-sure--"

"Brian!" A girl from my behind me shouted. I look at the owner of the voice and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar face. She's probably one of those I've seen every day yet I did not interact with her.

"Are you done with this? I'll borrow it!" The girl walk past me and went straight to the fire. She place her kettle on the pile of wood and balanced it.

"Excuse me," I waved y hand in front to catch her attention.

The girl turns her back to face me. The guy named Brian immediately made a step backward while holding the handle of his kettle tightly. "I'm out of here," he said and rushed away from us.

"Yes?" the girl answered and raise her right brow at me.

Oww, not again!

"Uhmm, I asked your friend first," I replied.

She completely faces me and places her hands on the sides of her waist.

"Did he agree?" she answered.

"I did not hear him allowing you to borrow his fire either," I replied.

She looked flush. Her stance went a bit uneasy.

I take a deep breath and pushed my tongue on the inside of my cheek before speaking. I made a step forward towards her.

"Look... I don't want any trouble. I just want to get this done," I said and raise my kettle in front. "Is it okay if I can also borrow the fire that your friend Brian made?" I tried again.

"No. We're friends and you're not. I don't need him to agree with me. Go make your own fire."

She did not let me reply and turn on her back to watch her kettle.

I scoffed. What did I do to deserve this? Since then, they always treat me differently. When I ask my father why all he's saying is it is because I am the daughter of an Alpha and everyone is scared to make mistakes around me so they chose to not be near me.

It's not my fault that I am his daughter. And also, I do not think they are scared to make mistakes around me. They just simply don't want me around them.

'Alright, Kelsie. You are here to finish and ace the test. No time for drama and fights.' I convinced myself.

"Okay," I replied.

I saw her glancing at me with her furrowed brows and confused eyes. She's probably thinking I will continue to argue with her and is surprised that I let go of this.

I know right? This is not so me.

***

Remember when I said I can do all things alone? Well, that's a pretty white lie.

I do not f*cking know how to grab wood to make a fire!

"Alright, let's do this!"

I swing the axe that I grabbed from the insides of the quarter. The metal portion of the axe hit the trunk of a tree but it isn't deep enough to have a cut.

"F*ck!"

I let go of the axe and dropped it on the ground. I place my hands on the sides of my waist while looking at the fat big tree in front of me. I look around. This is the least fat tree in here near the quarter. If I would go further into the forest, there are thinner trees but it will make it hard for me to carry the cut wood.

Ugh! This s frustrating.

I bite my lower lip while staring at the tree in front of me. Suddenly, an idea pops into my mind.

I do not know if it will work since I still haven't mastered the art of talking with my mind, but this is the only solution I can think of right now.

I cleared my throat and focus on myself. I even close my eyes to building a stronger connection.

'Come on, Connor...'

I tried to connect to him through mind linking, but it seems to not reach him. I tried for a couple of minutes, but still no connection.

"Ugh! Baby, please..."I whispered to myself.

'Kelsie?'

I open my eyes and travel my eyes around me. No Connor in sight.

'Baby, what happened?' a concerned voice in my head said.

I triumphant smile flashed on my lips. I almost punch into the air out of excitement and amusement.

'Connor!' I excitedly uttered.

'You called me baby earlier, and now, just Connor?'

Oh gosh, I can imagine his thick eyebrows wanting to meet each other as well as his thin lips pressed together.

'Sorry, I was just desperate,' I pouted.

He sighs. 'What is this all about? You need help?'

'Are you busy?' I asked.

'So, you need help.'

I twitch my lips. He does know me well.

'I can't cut wood to make fire. People here dislike me. They do not want me to share the fire they made,' I said.

I'm sure I sounded like a kid that no one wants to play with.

'I'll be right there.'

'Wait--'

Our connection ended. I was about to ask him if it is allowed! What if I'll get disqualified because I asked for his help?

But it's not that he will make the medicine. I am just asking him to cut wood for me to build fire!

Seconds after, I hear running footsteps in my direction. Only that, it is louder than a man's footsteps. I look at where the sound is coming from. My eyes widen when a gray wolf appeared from the forest. On its back is Connor, riding the gray big wolf.

I can already see Connor looking directly at me. They stopped meters away from me. Connor jumps out of the wolf and pats his back. The gray wolf howled and lowered his head at him before running back to the forest.

"Who was that?" I curiously asked. However, instead of answering my question, he closed our gap, snaked his arm around my waist, and pulled me closer to him. He use his free hand to rake my hair and cup the back of my head. Instinctively, I tilt my head. His lips found their way to mine. He bites my lower lip, asking for entrance. I let him. My lips parted while my hands crawled from his broad chest and up to the back of his neck.

When we pulled away from each other, our chests are rising up and down, panting and seeking air.

"I called you to help me with the firewood. Yet, here you are, making me on fire," I said.

A small upward curve flashes on his lips. "I'm glad I have that effect on you."

"That's the axe," I pointed at the axe lying on the ground. He stepped on the end and made the axe jump. He then catches it with his right hand.

I raise a brow. When my eyes landed on him, he smirked. His face proudly faced me.

"Oh, come on. I need to get this done. Some of them are already finished yet here I am, barely starting!" I ranted.

"Alright, princess. Calm down," he says.

I watch him strike the poor tree with an axe. I notice how deep the cut he made. Maybe for 3-4 swings of his axe, he can cut down this fat big tree!

After a couple of minutes, we're done. I mean, he's done!

He barely sweats on what he did. I watch him carry the wood on his shoulder and faced me.

"Let's go to your quarter," he said.

My jaw dropped and immediately stop him midstep by standing in his way.

"You can't! I will be disqualified!"

"Is there such a rule?"

I look to the side of my eye, thinking of whether Veya or Mrs. Gen mentioned anything regarding this.

"Nothing," he answered his question. He was about to continue walking when I stopped him once again.

"Others will see you," I frowned.

He sighs. He then tilts his head as if he is looking at someone behind me. He nods his head in its direction as if he was saying that I'll look at it.

"They already did," he says.

His words made me look at my back. I saw a mixed group of girls and boys with wood in their hands. They are looking at Connor and at me and back at Connor. Confusion is very evident on their faces as they look at each other.

"There's nothing to hide, baby. Let's go."

I saw how their eyes widens when they heard Connor's words while my jaw drop at what he did. Connor snaked his free hand on my waist while his free hand is holding the woods on his shoulder.

"We should go. Your time is running out," he said, leaving the group stunned as we walk past them.

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Unedited. English is not my first language. My apologies for the grammar, sentence construction, and wrong spelling.

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Once A Princess, Now A Slave

By: Joanne Cristel

©2023