TAKE ME WITH YOU

When she said that she can't leave her alone, the Queen replied, "I can't let you die! The sword won't be able to hold the rebels back and you can't even transform your wolf to save yourself. You must run away."

"No one can continue on the same path and be modest once they get the power in hand. Licia, you must survive and watch what happens. Watch how that bloody throne consumes Cayden and he too falls like his father."

"Mother, I can't…" Before Licia could say anything, Queen Marisa shoved the gown in her hand and said, "You must survive and continue your life like a normal girl outside the castle. Please…"

"Yes, mother."

Licia didn't remember anything that happened next, all she faintly saw was the maids running around and making her wear a dress. She touched the gown and felt alien in it, it was her first time wearing it and it all felt like a horrible nightmare to her. After she was dressed, Queen Marisa picked up Licia's sword and said, "Alright Licia, Liam dies tonight within these castle walls. I will keep your sword here, no one will suspect anything if they see this here."

Queen Marisa looked into Licia's face, she looked really beautiful in a gown and it was such a shame that it was the first and the last time she will ever be able to see it. At this point, she realized how selfish she has been all her life and stole Licia's identity from her for her own ambitions. She executed all those innocent people, wove those many lies, deceived people and even sacrificed Licia all for a throne which was about to be snatched away by them. All the efforts that she took and the sacrifices she made started to seem worthless now. There was no pride or ambition left, all that she had left with her was guilt and remorse.

She was such a fool that… for an unpredictable future, she let go of the beautiful present she could have enjoyed.

The woman paused for a while and then proceeded to cup Licia's cheeks, saying, "I am sorry for everything. Be happy, my daughter. Mother is always with you!"

Licia didn't even get to say a final goodbye as her mother pushed her into the secret passage. Licia fell on her back and watched her mother's face slowly disappear beyond the wall. "M- Mother, wait!"

The secret passage was shut down and Licia was consumed by the pale light in there. She could no longer see what was going on the other side of the wall. Licia started knocking and banging on the wall, asking her mother to open up and let her see her one last time. She hadn't hugged her yet, she hadn't even said a proper farewell.

Queen Marisa took a deep grasp of air, she fought back her tears that were threatening to fall off her beautiful yet sad eyes. She passed the prince's sword to one of the soldiers who was made to dress like the prince. She looked at the people gathered in her room, all of their faces were pale with fright as they heard the rebels inching to their room.

The Queen said, "I am sorry, my people, for things have ended like this. I failed to protect you all."

The rebels kicked open the door and poured into the room; the maids screamed and begged for mercy to avail. The rebels set the whole room on fire before locking the door behind them, trapping everyone inside. While others were screaming in pain and fright of death, Queen Marisa stood there, looking at the wall which was the door to the passage where she had just pushed her daughter. Her eyes welled with tears.

When she held her for the first time in her arms, she vowed to protect her, even if it meant sacrificing a thousand lives, she was willing to do it.She closed her eyes and was ready to accept whatever punishment was given to her but no one must ever know that Licia is still alive.

On the other side of the wall, Licia collapsed on the floor, crying. Her hands were bleeding because of her constant banging on the wall. She could hear the wailing of the people on the other side of the wall and knew what was going on in there.

This was it… It was all over! Everyone she knew and cherished all her life- her mother, her maids and Liam, all died that day in that castle while she sat there crying, unable to do anything.

Licia was lying on the cold floor of the cave wrapped in her blanket, shivering and moving uneasily from the cold and the nightmare she was seeing. Alpha Enrique was observing her from a corner; while he was wondering if she was having a nightmare, Licia sat up straight suddenly. Her beautiful eyes blinked as if she was confused; still in a daze her eyes fell on the bonfire which was crackling in front of her. Her eyes flared open as complex expressions welled up on her face, she started seeing illusions of her people getting burnt in it. She could even hear the painful screams of the maids and soldiers echoing in her ears.

Suddenly, she jolted up and started sprinting towards the fire, "No, please don't go. Take me with you."

Alpha Enrique was alarmed by this, he immediately reached out and held her back, "Licia, what are you doing?"

"No, please. Let me go. Take me with you." Licia begged as she kicked her arms and legs, fighting hard to break from his clutches. 'Take me?' Alpha Enrique heard her repeating it, he had no clue who she was talking to or what she was dreaming about. "Get a hold of yourself…" He said but it was of no use as her struggles weren't subsiding. At last, when he could not think of any other way, he slapped her across her face and said, "Enough! Wake up now."