The Phoenix In Her

Fast forward.

3 months later

Ashmire witnessed many changes, The wall of the palace was rebuilt, a higher and larger gate was set up, which was kept closed at almost all times. No royals came out to look after the issues faced by remote villagers, nor no one initiated to solve them. 

Everything was changing, slowly but surely. 

The symbol of Queen Athena was completely erased. Red flags hosting AA were taken out, instead green flags with symbols of royal crowns roared along the wind. Images of the previous Queen were collected from all the places and taken into the palace.

The Ashford Empire was slowly being erased from Ashmire and the memories of Ashmire people.

Even though the people expected something like this, they still stayed silent because they knew things were going to get even worse if anyone questioned them.

The news that the Queen had died due to complications in her pregnancy was announced through a notice the next morning of her death. For most of the people this news didn’t settle. Because they have seen how healthy and happy Athena was, carrying her baby. She used to walk into the village markets on her own to buy fresh fruits and vegetables even 2 days before her death, so it was quite hard to believe it. When one of the villagers, who was a former thief, had the courage to raise a question against the notice on the last day of rituals of the queen, they gave no proper answer but still he continued raising his doubts.

“Ethan is already in so much pain from his child’s and wife’s death. Please excuse us from all these weird questions, It's hurting him more.” Was the reply from Rebecca.

And right after this incident happened; the person who had raised his doubt was arrested due to thievery in the market. No one has seen him ever since.

People tried to believe what they had said about their Queen’s death was true. None could think otherwise, Everyone loved and respected Athena. She was the queen OF the people. 

  16 years later.

A pretty girl about 5-6 of age danced along the banks of  a river, clear sky and good weather, singing and dancing. She looked so happy and cheerful. Near to her, looking at her sat a man around 30 years of age. He looked so fatherly.  He was smiling as she did a pirouette and fell to her side. A collie puppy came running towards her, a stick in mouth. He barked and nudged the girl with his nose.

“I’m alright, Kary.” The girl said as she pets him.

The man scooped them both. Happy people.

Just then a boy, a teen joined them. He was whispering something to the man. Just then-

“Andrea.. Wake up..” Alexia shook her daughter fiercely to wake her up.

“You’re going to be late. Again. Come fast.” She said as she folded the clothes on the chair.

“Mom can you at least wake me up with some love?” Andrea asked only to get a death glare from her mom.

“I’ve been trying to wake you up for an hour now. Thank god that I didn’t drag you into the bathroom and dip you in the tub.”

“Vokey. I understand.” As she lazily stood from her bed and moved over to the bathroom.

As she brushed her teeth she remembered her dream.

“That’s weird, I've been dreaming a lot these days.” She looked at the mirror as she spat out the toothpaste.

She tapped her face clean, when the man in her dreams came flashing in her mind. Fatherly, she thought. Anger filled her up so suddenly. Even thinking about her father she felt a sting of hatred in her heart. He closed her eyes and the image of her mother came into view. She smiled.

Freshened up and got out of the bathroom to see her mother had gone. 

She sighed and wore her glasses as she picked her journal from the floor. She looked around her room, the clothes had been folded, the dirty clothes were taken out, the accessories on the night-stand were no longer there. She smiled and mentally thanked her mother, the sole reason her room isn’t a hell hole.

Today, just like any other, was free. No classes yet some activities to be completed. They are having their summer break. Nothing to do much, just goofing around. But this year, the summer break is going to be a little different, she will be going back to my hometown. She hates it but she has no choice.

Her hometown, Ashmire, a 30 minutes drive from where she stayed, was where the royal palace was situated. She doesn’t remember much of the place though as she was asked to go into one of the elite academies when was 10. Her mother had accompanied her since then. Now, the pair has been living in Longford city for 6 years. Her 16th birthday was over 2 months ago, that means it was time for her first shift, therefore they have to go back. 

At the age 10, her blood test came out to be a recessive B, which in the werewolf world meant, you are a half-wolf half-human. You might or might not have a wolf in you if you are a recessive. In a family full of dominant Alphas and Betas, Andrea was an outcast. That was just the beginning of the c***k that was going to rip apart her loving family. Her features being different from every single one in her entire family raised doubt on her mother’s behaviour. It didn’t take long for her mother to be branded as a ‘slut’ by Fred’s family. Andrea was only 10 then, this ignited the hate towards her grandmother and father. That year, Andrea was asked to change her school as she could no longer attend regular school which was for the dominant category, Recessive character was rare, they had to attend different schools. Being recessive meant you would be treated useless and undesired. 

The only chance to get a little acceptance was to have a wolf in you. That is if you could successfully shift, you could rejoin the regular school. Even though Andrea didn’t want any acceptance from her father or his family, she wanted to prove, prove them she wasn’t the useless crap they always called her, especially to her father. She despised her father the most. 

She strongly believed she had a wolf in her, she had often talked to her as well. 

But for now she had to go to the delta, Alex who helped her train. Even though she was very weak, she tried hard. She practised arrows and bows but was never allowed to do anything related to sword as the recessives are banned from using swords. Even though she didn’t know how to hold a sword properly, she longed to take it in her own hands. She spent all her summer break working hard, she wanted to stand in front of those people who thrashed her mother with a powerful wolf.