CHAPTER 16

"Listen, I also begin from somewhere. I was clueless and clumsy at the very beginning so don't let that discourage you. Your lycanthropy will gradually appear as you train." Dad told me which made me nod my head.

Hearing what Dad says woke me up; after all, I've just gone through, I'm ready to change everything.

I have supportive parents and I'll try to make them and myself proud. And Maverick, also. I want to face-slap him with facts when I next see him.Maverick's POV

"Your Highness, I'm sorry but we couldn't find young Miss Jolene no matter how we search." A man told me when I leaned on the tree smoking cigarettes to get my mind off the thoughts.

The four teams that Father dispatched—which consisted of 7 people each to look for Jolene in different parts of the cliff—finally came back after 3-4 hours to tell me they found no trace of Jolene.

Maybe because I was used to the disappointment all day, I was numbed to the report.

"Your Highness, I found a jacket." A man ran over holding a green jacket. I recognized it as the one Jolene hung when she was in the practice room.

The feelings I've been trying to hold, all unbottle themselves and unite to suppress me. All of it seemed to tighten their hand around my throat.

The hand that held the cigarettes immediately went closer to my mouth

I choose to concentrate on how the cigarettes felt and tasted instead of letting the emotions overwhelm me.