BECOMING ROYAL (Souls Swap #1)

Becoming Royal — 10

LYRA (LIVIA)’S POV.

Holding my head, I scream as one of the shelves falls with all of the scrolls inside. Then the thing passes right in front of me, but it is less than a second. It is more like a shadow, but I am sure it mentioned my real name; Olivia Haynes.

“Scared?” A voice says behind me and I turn, but I can’t find anyone.

Screaming again, I pick a fast pace but the exit seems to have disappeared. Turning around in search of some other exit, the fire lanterns that lit up the library goes off as the wind flips papers and even roll more scrolls on the floor. Causing me to step back repeatedly until I am stopped by a shelf.

“Help.” A lady whimpers and I let out a whimper myself as I move my hand over my mouth.

“Help.” The whimper becomes faint as my eyes drifts to a lady who is bleeding from the side of her mouth and shoulder.

The rest of her body is hidden to me as the standing shelves are preventing me from seeing. Ambling towards her, I stop mid-way and I feel my stomach twist internally as my hand fly to my chest. Falling to the ground, I fall on her and I scream louder than I have ever.

“Run.” The bleeding lady whispers as she gives my hand a slight squeeze.

“Lyra.” Gina shouts and I turn to look at her.

“Th-th- there- i-i-is a dying lady.” I point towards the direction of the lady who had just instructed me to run and she laughs.

“Are you playing some pranks?” She asks and I shake my head.

“You have to believe me, the lights are off, the perfectly lit sky is now dark and the library is scattered. There was a yellow eyed stuff hiding too.” I try to explain, but she and Calvin gives me a mouth twist.

“You are most probably scarred or you have read the novel written by one the humans, that talked on the case of a lady who saw bleeding lady.” Calvin replies and I turn to point at the almost lifeless lady, but she seems to have been carried away.

Blinking rapidly, until I feel a bit eased. I point towards the now empty clean space and Calvin gives me a scrutinizing eyes.

“I know what I saw.” I defend myself as they both help me stand.

“Have you met any of Mateo’s or Adrian’s male friends?” Calvin asks as I look at the library over my shoulder to discover all the shelves that seemed to have fallen earlier are now in place.

Holding on to my wrist, I turn my head back to look at Calvin as we three walk out together with a different designed scroll in Gina’s hand. On getting outside, the palace guards move to help me into the carriage as the rumbling sound of thunder becomes intense.

“Does rain fall at intervals?” I ask and Gina makes a sign for me to stay quiet as Calvin sit on the opposite side.

The curtain on both sides of the cart hides the surroundings from us and I rest my head on the wall of the cart. If a muster seed should hit the floor at this moment, I am sure it can be heard due to the deafening and awkward silence, but at least it is better that way than being asked questions.

Whoever that bleeding lady was, I am sure I saw and wasn’t hallucinating. I thought this would be an adventure for me, but I guess not. This is place has been nothing but scary, mean and awkward. I need to find out who she is and how I saw what others couldn’t.

“Has a lady ever died in the library?” I ask and Calvin opens his previously shut eyes as well as Gina.

“If a child can also be called a lady.” He finally replies and Gina tries to figure out what’s going on as I feel someone tapping into my mind.

‘Can you hear me? If you can, this is called a mind link.’ Gina looks at me and I match her intense gaze as I try to figure out how to reply.

‘How do I mind link you back?’ I ask and she raises a brow.

‘You have just mind linked me. I just want to let you know that you have got me to rely on.’ She tells me and I smile.

‘Thank you.’ I reply and we feel the cart stops its movement.

“Where does Maximus live?” I ask out loud right before the curtains are rolled up to make a way of exit for us.

Getting off after Calvin and Gina, I hold on to Gina’s arm to stop her from moving and she stops walking as Calvin walks in without waiting for us.

“How far can the mind link work?” I ask and she gives me a creepy smile.

“Far enough.” She replies and I let go of her arm.

“It only works when you want it to, right? And it can also be blocked, if I can work on it?” I ask and she smiles.

“You are willing to adapt fast. Don’t worry, I lied. You are not that obvious and the answers to both of your questions is yes.” She whispers and I smile too.

“I need to see someone.” I tell her and her smile disappears.

“You are not planning to get missing, are you?”

“No, I will be fine. Tell your brothers not to freak out, in case if they care to.” I tell her and get back on the carriage without any help.

Parting the curtains, I shoot out just my head.

“I do not need a single guard. I will be just fine. I had black belt, if you care to know what that is.” I say and she grins before turning away.

Clasping my fingers together, I slouch forward as I still can’t get the images of the dying woman and the scattered library out of my head. The yellow eyed shadow or whatever it is too. I am really being freaked out in this past I have returned to.

“Your highness.” The horse rider says.

“The witch’s castle.” I reply and rest back.

Moving my hand to my hair multiple times in frustration as the carriage ride seems longer than the previous distance I and Maximus had covered.

“Your highness.” He announces as the carriage halts and I get off right before he can offer any help.

“My whereabout should be my privacy.” I tell the horse rider, expecting him to understand and he bows.

Turning my back to him, I approach the witch’s castle steadily as her doors automatically open like some technology programmed door.

“Why are you here?” She asks as soon as I step a foot at the entrance and I huff.

“That’s not a way to welcome a guest. Most especially a royal one and you are expected to tell my reason for being here right before I spill a thing. You are a witch after all. The one who seems to understand whatever language the goddess speak.” I reply as I walk in and take a sit before being offered one.

“My findings says you are living the most of the body you possess. You are using this body to act the opposite of your usual dumb self.” She retorts without an expression as she claps her hand and point a finger to the door which causes it to be shut.

Nice magic, but not a threat.

“I heard that. First, you need to learn control. Secondly, you need to learn to treat the mother of the body you possess, like her daughter would to avoid any suspicion if you want to survive here. Thirdly, why are you here? The words from the goddess to you remains the same. ‘You have a bad fate and you have been given a second chance to re-make –“

“My fate into a good one. I know! I know, okay? I remember, but that’s not why I am here. I see things other people can’t see. Is that a normal thing? Does every other wolf or whatever you all are here see things others can’t see too or am I crazy?” I shout and she frowns.

“You see things.” She repeats my words and I nod.

“Yes. It felt real, but it wasn’t. I asked and nothing like that ever occurred.” I reply and she nods.

“What did you see?”

“I saw a yellow eyed animal or shadow lurking around and in curiosity, I stood up to know what it was but I saw the once organized library in disarray and there was a dying lady between the fallen shelves. She whispered ‘help’. When Gina and Calvin came to me and snap me back to reality, I discovered I was hallucinating.” I explain and she moves her hand to her cape.

“So, what do you want to know?” She asks and I grasp my fingers.

“I want to know if I am supposed to make a move.” I answer.

“You are from the future, you should be able to tell what will happen tomorrow.”

“You are the witch of this pack. I believe you should know many things, if not all. You should be able to cast some spells, do some magic, disappear and most of all help.”

“If you indeed saw the yellow eyed, then you should be more careful and stay close to those who can protect you. You are no longer safe, there’s something they are after.” She tells me.

“Just tell me what they want.” I raise my voice.

“You are very aggressive and that would make us enemies. You would have to figure out what they want yourself. It’s your responsibility. No one ever said getting a second chance to make a difference wouldn’t come with pains. You need to start taking actions now. You need to know your grounds and make your own rules. You can either have yourself at the mercy of the Alpha’s sons or have them at your mercy.” She replies and stand.

Without adding any more word, she walks away and I clench my hands as I do the same.

Making my way for the exit, I push the door open and stride across the path. The carriage stops right in front of me and I let out an exasperated sigh before getting in.

Letting the witch’s advises and words reiterate in my head as the carriage moves, my eyes droop and I oblige as I let a yawn. The carriage stops and I get off with the help of some of the maids. Selene approaches me as soon as she sees me and bow.

”Your Mother thinks she got on your bad side because you treated her worse than anyone ever did. She had glossy eyes as she left and I can tell she would be down for a few days.” She tells me and I raise a brow as I walk in with her.

“I will see you later.” I reply and scurry out before she adds a word.

Running as fast as my legs can carry me, I feel my bones c***k and maybe shift as I am bent involuntarily before shifting. Stopping, I change my direction and charge towards the mountain the masked guy had hidden me the other day. Getting there as fast as the paws of the wolf can carry me, I fall to the ground and the cold air hits my bare skin and I feel my heart race as I feel my n*****s harden from the sudden exposure.

“Oh no.” I groan as I hear footsteps and I hug myself.

“It is your first time shifting, I guess. You look unprepared.” He comments and I clench my hands around myself as he takes off his top robe.

“Wear this. Bear in mind that whenever you shift, you will lose whatever cloth you have. You also need to check if you are okay, this is your first time and you might have broken or shifted a bone.” He informs and I take the cloth from him.

“Do you live here?” I ask as I walk next to him with his robe on me like a kimono.

“You ask too many questions, can you walk?” He asks as he watch me wince.

“If no would make you carry me, then No. I am not a weakling and I do not need a man to walk or work. It has always been myself and my –“ Trailing off as he sits on the clean mountain floor, I lay on the floor next to him.

Interlocking my fingers behind my head, I breath in as the cold air hits my skin consistently. Sighing as my hair gets tousled, I shift my gaze to him to find him looking at me.

“Why are you here?” He breaks the silence and I take my eyes off his masked face.

“Can you remove the mask? I will not make a fuse about whatever happened to your face… Promise.”

“If you seek friendship, you need not to see my scars yet until I can trust you. I asked a question first.” He replies and I nod.

“I just wanted to stay here because I found solace here. You are always here too and that makes me feel kind of save.” I whisper and he moves his hand to touch my elbow.

“How do you feel being the prince’s chosen one?” He asks and I sit.

“For Lyra it might have been a dream come true, but for me. I do not know what to expect yet. Plus, I am stuck with Mateo who has barely said a word to me since I had become his fiancée when I feel attracted to Adrian who is also an ass. The Alpha and Luna, barely says a word and it has just been Gina for me.” I answer and he withdraws his hand.

“Who do you feel you can stay with?” He asks and I shake my head.

“The man I will eventually have to get married to in less than twenty five days.” I reply and he nods.

“Is that all?” He asks.

“My time here might be limited, so I should make the most of it.” I say more to myself as I stand up and his blue eyes shifts to my partly exposed body.

Adjusting the cloth and holding it together to cover my front, I smile at him.

“Is there a fast route from here to the palace?” I ask and he takes my free hand.

He leads me towards a path right on the mountain and point to the tallest building in sight from afar.

“I can get there?” I ask and he nods.

Bowing a bit to thank him, I attempt to leave but he stops me.

“You would get to the place faster if you shift, but you can’t shift now. You seem to have broken or shifted a limb. You are leaping.” He tells me and lift me.

“I can walk on my own please.” I tell him, but I seem to be speaking to a wood.

He walks like he can’t hear me and I leave him be as I reminisce over the Alpha’s supposed death as stated in the history books. I think I am here to change the books in the present.

“I will let go of you here, you should not let the people talk dirty about you. The future Luna of the pack shouldn’t be seen in the hands of some other man especially when masked. Be careful not to hurt yourself further.” He discloses and I nod in acknowledgement.

“Thank you.” I mumble and turn to look at him, but he is nowhere in sight.

Shrugging, I leap towards the palace and just before I get to the gate. I feel my leg shift and the pain relives as I walk further. Walking in, I head straight to my room and grab a new dress. Tugging it on as fast as I can, I walk out and head for the dinning hall.

“Maids.” I raise my voice and they scurry out.

“Your highness.” They regard me and I raise my head high.

“Set up a meal for two, inform my mate that I am waiting for him. Do so in five minutes.” I order as I move to sit and they scurry to do as I have just ordered.

Crossing my hands over my thighs as I watch them fill the table, I dismiss them as I sense Mateo coming. As soon as he spots me, he frowns and I smile.

“I am not hungry.” He spits and turn to leave.

“I demand attention from a man who will become my husband in few days.” I tell him and he pulls out a sit.