Victoria’s POV

“Dear diary, today is my last day here. It’s been exactly a year since the incident happened. I have been told that all my decisions are always impulsive and rash. But I am moving out of here to further my studies, and maybe, for a break too. Mom and Dad would’ve wanted that, right? For me to live my life happily.

I know I’ll miss this place, but I think I need a change of life and place; otherwise, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over the fact that both of them left me to fight in this world alone.

I am moving with my aunt Marla to her town, Pearly Canines. The name’s weird, right? But it is the closest to the university I like and will also help her look after me. She is super cool. I had always thought about living with her and having fun, but I never thought that I would be doing that under these circumstances. I just hope I won’t impose too much on her.

Need to pack now.

Love.

Vic.”

Writing the last entry in the diary, I quickly placed it inside the hidden compartment of my room, which was behind my wardrobe.

Just like today, the entry I wrote in the diary was the last because it was the last page of my diary. Looks like I need to buy a new one as soon as I get there.

New life, new entries, new memories. That was my plan for the future. Nothing too complicated.

I just hope things work out like I am expecting.

Checking one last time that everything was packed perfectly, I zipped my duffel bag and picked up my suitcase. I had decided to take only a few things, like my favorite clothes, necessities like my mom and dad’s photo album, and all the other small things that would keep me happy and make me feel at home.

I made sure I placed the rest of the things neatly where they were not in danger of falling out of place.

Though I was moving out of this place, I didn’t intend to sell this property for now. It held memories of Mom and Dad. Maybe after university is over, I might come back and live here.

Making sure all the taps and windows were secured, I took one last look at the house before smiling sadly and locking the door.

“You’re going, Victory?” my neighbor’s aunt, who was in the police force, asked.

“Yes, Aunty. I’ll have to trouble you to look after the house,” I said politely.

“That’s not an issue, dear. I am ready to take you under my wing and discard that useless son of mine if you agree.” She joked.

“Hey!! I heard that, Mom!” a voice came from inside her house.

“It was meant to be heard.” She yelled back to her son before laughing politely at me.

I smiled sadly at the mother-son interaction. I missed Mom and Dad too much whenever I saw lovely interactions between families, and even though they were not my biological parents, I never loved them any less.

Nodding one last time to her, I went around the house, where a cab was already waiting for me.

Carrying the duffel bag and a suitcase, one in each hand, I was off to the airport.

The town was three hours from the airport, and my flight would take around four hours, so I had to endure almost nine hours of traveling.

Just great!

Plugging in my headphones, I quickly downloaded a few more songs and three audiobooks to listen to during the flight. I know they have relaxed the phone policy everywhere, but I could always listen to downloaded songs in airplane mode.

Feeling satisfied with my idea, I embraced the prospect of the long trip.

After 9 Hours.

I asked the cab driver to stop in front of the address I remembered and took out my luggage before paying the fare.

I didn’t know why, but I had been feeling a weird vibe from the moment I entered the city.

As if something was attracting me, but something I should be scared of at the same time.

And it didn’t help when the driver looked at me like I was some strange person when I said I wanted to go to Pearly Canines.

He charged me double the fare, which made me roll my eyes at his tactics. Way to go with new people in the area.

Not minding it much, I accepted his offer because no other driver was even willing to come here.

Standing in front of a house, I wondered if this was the same address or not. I had only been here once when I was a kid, when I almost got into a fight with another kid and fell into the river. Since then, Mom and Dad never allowed me back.

The house I remembered from around nine years ago wasn’t like this. But from what I remembered, this should be the exact place.

Should I go inside and knock?

But maybe this really is the house. The wind chime hanging on the balcony of the room on the first floor was too hard to ignore, as I was the designer behind it.

I looked at the exceptionally well-built house and rang the bell twice, but no one opened the door.

Taking out my phone, I scrolled through my contact list and saw a few numbers saved under a single name. I called Aunt Marla using the number she had used to call me last time. I just hoped it was still active because she had a habit of keeping multiple numbers, and no one could ever predict which one was working.

“Hello? Am I talking to Miss Marla Gibberson? Huh, thank God. Marla, I’m in front of your house. Can you please come and open the door if you’re home?”

“Hey, sweetie, I am so sorry. I’m at a nearby supermarket buying groceries for you. I’ll be there in half an hour. Can I please trouble you to sit in the café nearby until then?” Marla asked awkwardly.

Knowing her habits, she was probably busy buying last-minute groceries, snacks, and chocolates for me while wondering whether I would like them or not.

“No worries. Take your time. And don’t bother yourself too much. I like everything you choose.” With that, I ended the call.

Did she say a nearby café?

I looked to my left and right to check if there was one, and soon enough, I found it. The sign was too hard to miss.

Placing my luggage behind the main gate, I took out my wallet and moved toward the café.

This café looked good. From the outside, it might not have looked particularly fancy, but the inside was a whole different story. It was both homey and elegant.

“Hey, what can I get you?” the lady behind the counter asked me with a polite smile.

“A cold coffee with extra chocolate syrup and choco chips, and can I have those two sandwiches as well? Thank you.”

“Honey! You heard her. Two sandwiches and a cold coffee with extra chocolate and choco chips.”

“Honey, you look new. Are you visiting someone here? I’m sure I’ve never seen you around,” the lady asked.

“Umm, yeah... I’ll be staying here for some time. I’m here at my aunt’s and will be attending university from here,” I replied.

I knew I shouldn’t get too friendly with strangers in new places. However, there was nothing wrong with answering a few questions. At least, that’s what I thought. Plus, this lady looked harmless and welcoming.

I sat in a booth near the window after ordering my food.

Looking outside, I noticed a bunch of teenagers around my age laughing and joking around. It was an exquisite sight. I used to have fun with my friends like this before my parents left me.

Shaking my head to get myself out of those sad memories, I stared back at the group and noticed something.

Not only were the boys in the group extremely well-built and handsome, but the girls were also exceptionally beautiful.

‘Is this the place where future models and entertainment stars are chosen?’

My gaze followed one of the males who looked like my type—or at least, my type before last year. I saw them entering the café, and soon the commotion from outside followed them in.

“Guys, stop shouting. You are ruining the first impression of this town in front of our guest,” the lady behind the counter said, motioning toward me.

As if her words triggered something in them, everyone quieted down immediately and started looking my way.

So, peeps, this is how you become the center of unwanted attention.

I wanted to roll my eyes.

Does this town not get many outsiders?

“Hey, you new here?” The guy I had mentally labeled my type came over and asked politely.

‘Thanks for stating the obvious, Mr. Obvious,’ I wanted to say.

“Yeah. I’ll be attending uni here.” I thanked the waiter who brought my order.

The food on the flight hadn’t been very good, and I was hungry.

“Wow. That sounds good. We’re all going to attend uni this year. Hey, guys, we have a new classmate here. Come and say hello.”

“Oh, I forgot. My name is Daniel. You can call me Dan or Niel or Daniel. Anything. I don’t mind.” He flashed me a perfect smile.

“Victoria,” I said.

“Hey, hurry up. I want to introduce myself to that chick.”

I heard the distant chatter and felt a bit awkward. It had been so long since I’d been called a chick. Otherwise, I was used to sympathetic looks from my friends and anyone who knew me.

Realizing I was getting lost in my thoughts again, I shook my head before smiling at Daniel’s friendly attitude.

He was good-looking and seemed nice, but I still wasn’t comfortable with so many people around me. Before everyone could crowd around me after placing their orders, I picked up my food and walked out of the café, pretending I had received a call.

I know, I chickened out.

And yes, I had said I was here for a change, but I just couldn’t bring myself to fake a smile for too long. It would take me some time to adjust here, especially with these surrounding forests.

Reaching my aunt’s house, I noticed my luggage wasn’t there anymore. Aunt Marla had probably already taken it inside.

Huh.

Looking at the house, I took a deep breath before putting on the best natural smile I could muster and going inside.

‘Here I come, new life.’

Entering the house, I greeted Marla with a sweet hug, which was reciprocated by a bone-crushing one.

Even though she was my aunt, she never liked being called one.

According to her, being called an aunt made her feel old, and I think she was right. If someone didn’t know her, they would probably think she was just turning twenty-two or twenty-three, even though she was turning thirty-four this year.

“Hey, Victory. So finally we get to live together, huh? I know you must be sad and feeling solemn about what happened, but you are not allowed to stay sad here. Promise me you’ll forget the bad memories and move forward while cherishing the good ones,” she said.

“I promise,” I replied.

That was exactly why I was here—to forget the bad memories and move forward while cherishing the good ones.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I have a boyfriend named Markus. Most of the time I live with him, but don’t worry, I’ll come by every day to keep you company for a while.” She moved around the kitchen, placing groceries into the cabinets.

“Are you guys serious?” I asked curiously.

I had never heard of her having a boyfriend. As far as I knew, she always said she was waiting for the right one.

“Of course. He is my mate,” she said.

“Mate? As in soulmate?” I asked, slightly amused.

I never pegged someone as cool as Marla as someone who believed in that mate stuff.

All I knew was that people nowadays were so greedy they wouldn’t approach anyone without an ulterior motive. And even if someone was in a relationship, it didn’t guarantee they would stay together forever.

“Uh-huh... soulmate. Well, that topic is for another day. I have stocked all the groceries and snacks you’ll need. I know you have always loved being alone. Don’t you dare think I don’t know how miserable your life has been this past year.”

I, on the other hand, simply nibbled on the candy she had bought for me while listening.

“What I want to say is, it’s time for you to move on, Vic. There are still people who care about you. And you’ll find that out soon. I’ll be leaving now. Remember to lock the doors and windows at night. Many wolves come out of the forest at night to take away young girls.” She joked while looking completely serious.

“Yeah, yeah... and it just happens that I’m the new piece of meat here.”

“Well, at least you got the point.” She chuckled before hugging me and leaving with her handbag, which contained some unmentionable items that I didn’t even want to think about.

‘Looks like they are very serious about their relationship, given the number of protective measures Marla bought. Are they planning not to come out of the room for a whole year?’ I thought before shaking my head.

My Personal Lycan King

Reviews (5)