Princess Kiara'a Lust for Revenge

A Familiar Scent at the Party

Even though  Aiden is the one I have known for the longest time, Jane is the one I feel closest to. We do not have a lot in common, but we just clicked the moment we met. When I talked to her for the first time, it felt like I am conversing with someone I have known for a long long time.

She has always been calm, composed, non-judgemental, and easy to talk to. Aiden on the other hand can be a bit of an asshole at times. He would snap if no one pays attention to him even for five minutes. Kyle always complained how she felt more like his babysitter than his girlfriend. For the last two years, we have been hearing her crib about how she wants to break up with him, but she never does.

Erica and Aria started dating about a year ago, they really have trouble keeping their faces away from each other. Zac and I have a connection but I never acknowledged it. As a royal, I cannot have the same liberties my friends do. It's not like I am not allowed to date, I just do not want to put anyone under the scrutiny of public opinion.

The Royal Press has been tracking and criticizing every breath I take since the day I arrived. It was overwhelming at the start but over time I have gotten used to it. If it wasn't for my crew, I would have killed half of the staff at TRP by now. But there were times when we use them to our advantage. Especially on a day like today.

TRP is the TMZ equivalent in the paranormal world. As soon as we step out of the Spa, they would unleash on us like the hounds, pressing us to know the details of the hunt. I learned it the hard way that Tabloids often misquote words to increase sales. 

The hunt was an easy one, we had plenty of time to kill before showing up at the party. It wouldn't even start before I step in.

"Don't you think Vanessa fakes it too much on her Insta stories?" Kyle asked, distracting me from my thoughts. 

"i********: isn't the only place where she fakes it. What did she post this time?"

"Does this place not exactly look like the cafe by the corner? Look at the geotag."

Kyle shoved her phone screen in my place.

"I wasn't aware we live in London. I know it's only a couple of hours away but everyone can tell it's not Le Cafe Alain Ducasse."

"She would make such a horrible con artist."

"I agree. Did she post what she's going to wear today? I don't want a repeat of last month's drama."

"Are still upset that she won the who wore it better poll?"

"Who cares about a stupid poll, but I am sure it was rigged."

"Spoken like a true leader."

"Shut up."

"Yes, your highness."

Vanessa is the Alpha from one of the packs I am not quite fond of. She doesn't earn any brownie points by constantly flirting with Zac. 

---

My nails were painted, hair brushed, eyebrows trimmed. I slipped in a shimmering pair of Jimmy Choos, slipped into my Ellie Saab couture gown, grabbed my LV clutch, and sprayed just a dash of Channel no 5 on my wrists. I did clean up pretty well. 

I stepped out of the limousine and walked towards the hall to be received by my parents. David and Elizabeth looked as elegant as ever. 

"My baby! I can't believe how grown-up you are."

Elizabeth teared up as put her finger on her tongue and touched the back of my ear with her spit.

"Mom."

"What? You know it will protect you from the evil eye."

"You know that's just a myth. I have already asked Zac to put a protection spell on us."

"That's like our daughter." David started wiping his tears.

"Let's go inside before the paps arrive."

"Good thinking."

---

"Good Evening, my nocturnal subjects. Thank you for gracing us with your presence on this happy occasion. This morning, at 3:00 AM, Princess Kiara lead her first hunt and we are delighted to announce that it was a successful one. From today onwards, she will share her royal duties, along with the Queen and me. Queen Delilah, the leader of Witches, and Queen Richelle, leader of the werewolves, please step forward and do us the honor of coronating our daughter."

Just as I stepped in the podium, my nostrils were attacked by the stench which has been etched to my memory for years. Somehow I managed to conceal my expressions as I scanned the crowd for the source but it seemed to fade away. 

Aidan looked at me as horror washed over his face. I wasn't the only one, he had picked up on the scent as well. He soon alerted the crew for an emergency meeting.

"Are you sure it was them?" Zac inquired, helping himself with the whiskey in my father's study.

"As sure as the earth revolving around the sun." Aidan chipped in.

"How far along are you with the spell to retract smell from memory?"

"We have made some progress but we still need to wait for two months before we test it," Jane explained.

"Two months might be too long. We know they are nearby right now but we don't know for long."

"The palace guards are always on alert to look out for the  rogues, maybe they will get caught." Erica joined in.

"But we cannot exclude the possibility of it being an organized crime and inside job. The whole operation is too elaborate to be carried out by the rogues. The enemy could be closer to us than we expect them to be."

"You are right your highness, the rogues could just be carrying out orders of someone working on the inside." Zac agreed.

The whole room went silent as we heard footsteps approaching. I scowled as soon as I recognized the smell of our intruder. I wonder who the cat was going to drag in this time.