You Rejected Me. Remember?

7. A walk in the park

Cassy pov

Days passed by and by the time two weeks expired, I had healed completely. I was told that my healing process would accelerate since I had passed my eighteenth birthday and my lycan was now about to wake up. So I had healed faster than a normal human, to my utter relief. According to them, this year was critical for me, since I had to mentally and physically prepare myself to turn into a mature lycan.

My mother spent all her time with me, teaching me everything I had missed over the years. Thankfully, I had graduated from high school, so that meant I just had to learn the rules and regulations in the royal family and that was perfectly fine with me. I learnt that I just had to be conventional during the royal gatherings. That was it! What I knew was, my birth parents were the coolest and the most laid back rulers I knew. Even the alpha of the pack I grew up in was way more serious than these two. But perhaps, that was because they were alone and not attending their subjects. I wonder how they were during the formal meetings.

During the third week, I was allowed to go out for a walk in the garden. The royal healers assured me that I was now completely fine and ready to start my training- which I was more than prepared to begin. My parents promised that I would begin my physical training sessions as soon as possible. They had even appointed a trainer already. I was excited, of course, but I was even more eager to see the outside of the four walls for the first time since I had woken up.

My eyes kept wandering as we walked out of the room. I knew we were in a palace and that it indeed would be majestic. I was not disappointed. The whole interior indeed looked posh and elegant with whitewashed walls and complete white furniture. The curtains were red and gold. Upon looking closely, I noticed golden carvings on the pillars of the palace. The white and gold marbles on the floor were polished.

“Wow.” I simply couldn’t hold back. I saw my birth parents exchange smiles though they didn’t say anything. As we walked outside, I saw a huge garden that consisted of trees and plants of all kinds and sizes, that stretched to as far as the eyes could see. The ground was covered in green grass and there were lots of little butterflies flying near the flowering plants on one side. Families were enjoying themselves together. Little kids ran around and I knew that this park was not restricted to royals only.

I kept looking around, awestruck, grinning from ear to ear. This place was a dream come true. This place was simply amazing. The natural beauty coupled with the children’s laughter and happy citizens was everything I would ask for. Some citizens bowed down in respect when they saw their rulers. Although they weren’t sure who I was, they seemed to offer me the same respect since I was with the king and the queen.

“We will keep your identity a secret for now. Only us and the royal healers will know who you are.” My mother said as we strolled in the garden outside the palace.

“As you know, your life was in danger. Many people might want to harm the next heir to the throne.” She explained.

“Especially, because you are a girl,” my father added, making me stop in my tracks.

What was that supposed to mean?

“Huh?” I asked, staring at him, surprised. My eyebrows were knitted in a deep frown and my jaw dropped open.

“Yes. Since you are a girl, they will try to take advantage of you. They would think that you are weak and can be easily manipulated.” He further explained, making me huff.

“What in the world! I’m not weak!” I stated angrily.

“Of course baby. You are not.” Mother agreed. “That is why we are going to train you well,” she explained.

“Are you ready to start your sessions?” father asked and I nodded frantically.

“Oh, I’m ready alright. I am more than ready. I sure want to prove all those assholes wrong. I will kick their asses, whoever thinks that girls are weak!” I growled in between my gritted teeth.

“Princess. Uh.....I know you are excited about the training and everything, but I don’t think that’s how a princess should talk.” Mother stated, giving me a stern look.

I shrugged. I knew that look. That was the look every mother gave when she meant business. But I was simply being frank. I loathed those who thought women were weak.

“Oh come on Rita, she didn’t grow up like that. Let her be herself around us. She can go all formal when she has to,” he stated, and mother glared at him.

“What? Am I wrong? Princess?” he asked, looking at me as though she was asking for help, raising his hands as if he surrendered.

I chuckled. “Actually....yes. I kind of like it when I can relax a bit. Maybe all that royal speech can be reserved for the royal stuff,” I admitted.

“Fine.” Mother pouted, perhaps feeling defeated. “Like father, like daughter....” she glared.

Father laughed and wrapped his arms around her. “Honey. You are so cute when you are angry.” He stated, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Am not!” She pouted, but when he pulled her closer to him, she instantly smiled and snuggled closer. Smiling, I turned around and walked over to the pond some distance away, to let them enjoy a little moment in private. I stared at the fish that swam freely in the pond. It only brought contentment to my heart.

Sighing, I looked up. Greenery stretched till the far end of the horizon. Different kinds of trees and birds sang their beautiful songs. What a delightful place to be. If only my other family knew that I was safe. They would be delighted.

I looked up at the clear blue sky. The late afternoon sun was still visible in the sky. The majestic palace of the lycan kingdom was on my right side. Never in my life had I thought that I would find myself in this situation. My smile slowly changed to a sad one as I remembered Nolan and my parents, who had taken great care of me.

Perhaps I will still meet them one day. But I most certainly wouldn’t go to find them in that pack if that meant I would be meeting my ex-mate. At least not before I complete my training. If this year was critically important, I want to focus on my sessions and become the best warrior princess that has ever lived.

I felt my jaws clench as I remembered Miles. How dare he make me feel worthless! And why in the world did he reject me? Did he think that he could live a happy life after rejecting the one meant for him? From what I have learnt from my mother, soulmates are to be cherished. If a werewolf loses his mate, he most probably would live his life mateless. Finding a second chance mate was very rare. So rare that it was almost regarded as a miracle to find a second chance mate.

Ha! In your face Miles! I hope you pay for what you have done. I thought to myself, inhaling deeply as I cursed him in my mind.

“Excuse me, beautiful flower.”

A deep voice startled me. I looked up to see an enchanting pair of grey eyes staring back at me. His well-defined jaw bone was lined with short stubble. The lopsided grin that stretched his lips made him look appealing to the eyes.

“Huh?” I raised my eyebrows.

“A flower for a beautiful girl like you? he said, extending his arm and offering a beautiful rose that he held.

Okayyyy! Was he trying to flirt with me? Raising an eyebrow suspiciously, I accepted the flower, not wanting to be rude.

“I never saw you here before, Senorita. What is a fine lady doing in the garden all alone?” he asked, smirking at me in a flirtatious manner.

What the hell! Senorita? I felt like laughing out loud. Was he trying to flirt? Well, he was doing a bad job at it, I would say. Holding back my urge to laugh, I stared at him. He was handsome, alright. With sparkling grey eyes, and well-groomed dark hair, he most probably could murder a lot of young hearts. And from what I could see, he seemed like a flirt. I mean, I am new here and who calls someone who they just saw, senorita? And he had the nerve to approach me! How did he know that I wasn’t a serial killer who was trying to lure my next victim into my trap?

“You look a lot like our queen, are you her relative?” he asked, making me smirk.

Of course, the people of this kingdom weren’t aware who I was. My parents had decided that it was best that they kept my true identity a secret. I’m fine with it. I don’t like being called a princess anyway. Smiling, I prepared to say something but his expression suddenly changed to a serious one and he quickly bowed down.

“Your highness,” he uttered. I frowned.

“Raise, Sir Elliot!” my father’s voice came from behind. I looked around to find him all serious and stern. He looked completely different from the laid back and cool person I had known him to be, ever since I woke up. My mother’s unsmiling face matched his sternness. Their facial expression instantly made me submit. Lowering my gaze and bowing my head.

Oh, so is this what was meant to be a mighty king and queen? They were completely different from the teasing jokesters I had known when we were alone.

“I see you have met Miss Cassandra....” my father said, making me raise an eyebrow.

He had insisted on calling me Carina the whole time, but I guess this was part of keeping my identity hidden.

“Yes, sir.” Elliot certainly sounded humble and soft-spoken. I fought hard against my urge to laugh out loud.

“Miss Cassandra, meet Sir Elliot, one of the best in our army. He is a talented war general and he is going to train you this year. He is the best at it and you deserve to learn from the best.” Father stated in his alpha tone.

My eyes widened and my mouth opened in shock. Holy guacamole! I was supposed to learn from....this flirt?