Katherine's POV (age 12)

Look at him, with his deep brown eyes and his brown hair, looking all gorgeous.

'snap out of this' I told myself. He's never going to like you. You're never going to be up to his standard.

Here I was scolding myself to stop checking Luther out. I can't help myself. I've really tried. Its just not meant to be. He's three years older than me. He doesn't have time to associate with me.

That's what I keep telling myself but I always do this each time his parents come to visit.

Luther and I are both children of two out of the nine royal families. My kingdom being the Dark moon and his being White moon. Our parents are extremely close so I always end up seeing Luther a lot.

My parents aren't exactly my biological parents, they adopted me when I was 3 and they've always treated me like their own blood daughter. i've known Luther since I was adopted and i've always felt close to him but he's always mean to me.

His parents and him are staying with us for a couple days because of an upcoming feast taking place. Its a bonding feast between both our kingdoms and this year its our turn to host it.

I jumped off the window I was watching them from and ran out of my room to the living room where Luther and his parents most likely were. There he was talking with my mom smiling but his smile instantly vanished the moment he laid eyes on me. I almost whimpered at the face he was giving me. I've never been able to decipher the looks he gives me. They're surely not of love, neither are they of hatred.

"Kat" my head instantly snapped towards the direction I heard my name, seeing it was Luther's mom. I forced a smile and walked over to hug "you've grown so much since I last saw you" she smiled bending to place a kiss on my cheek

I grinned and hugged her. She's like a second mom to me.

"Luther won't you come say hi to Kat" Luther's dad said behind us.

"I don't have to" Luther spoke coldly sending a pang through my heart.

"Luther don't be rude and come hug her" I could her the command through his voice, there was no way Luther could object his father's command.

Begrudgingly, Luther came over to hug me. He stepped away from me like I was acid immediately he touched me. How I wish it didn't hurt me as much as it did.

I bit my lip to hold back a sob

"I'm going to my room mom" and with that I ran upstairs to my room landing face first on my bed.

I screamed into my pillow trying to get all the frustration out. Why doesn't he like me. I get that i'm only 12 but that's no reason for him to hate me like this.

"You Highness" a voice called from the door making my head snap upwards. "Is everything alright?" Trevor our butler asked.

"Yes, everything is fine" I said hastily, wiping the tears off my face. "There's nothing to worry about"

He gave me a long stare but didn't say anything regarding my tears.

"Just wanted to check If you needed anything"

I shook my head "i'm alright, thank you" he nodded and walked out closing my door gently behind him.

My head fell back against the pillow and I let out a sigh. Am I not pretty. Mom always says i'm beautiful but she could be lying to me to make me feel good.

Could that be the reason Luther hates me so much?

I've never been asked out before when most of my friends already have boyfriends. I know i'm supposed to wait for my mate but still it wouldn't hurt to be with someone else before i'm tied down to one person for the rest of my life.

Should I just give up on the thought of Luther liking me? From what I see i'm acting so stupid crying over a boy that isn't even my mate.

*

"Your highness, wake up. You're going to be late for school" I heard a voice above me. I opened my eyes to see April the head of maids looking down at me. she had her face on neutral as always. The same way everyone else in this palace acted around me except Trevor.

"I'm awake" I said standing up from the bed and heading to the bathroom.

"Be ready in 30 minutes. The king and queen want to speak to you" with that she walked out of the room.

Geez, i'm the princess yet i'm always been bossed around by people lower than me.

I rushed to get ready with the time I was given and surprisingly I was done within 20 minutes. I was dressed in a yellow dress and black shoes with my wolf pendant on my neck signifying I was a member of the royal family. My hair was put in an elegant bun with a few loose strands by the side.

I took my book bag and headed to the parlour where mom and dad most likely were. On my way there I had to pass the kitchen but I paused there when I heard some voices.

"You need to learn respect April. She's your princess not a servant. You can't order her around like that" I knew that voice. It was Trevor and I could hear the anger in his voice.

"She's not my princess. She could as well be a slave. She's nothing but an orphan who was lucky enough to be adopted my the king and queen." April replied back. Her voice laced with hatred.

Gradually and silently I stepped away from the kitchen door and ran to the parlour to meet my parents...well adopted parents. I took a deep breath and walked in. They were seated on their thrones talking and smiling. They must've heard me cause both their heads turned towards my direction.

"Good morning sweetheart" mom greeted smiling at me.

"Morning mom" I forced a smile on my face.

"How did you sleep?" she said gesturing for me to come up to their throne area.

"Fine, April said you wanted to see me?" I spoke wanting to leave quickly.

"Yes, its about the festival. You're going dress fitting after school but I won't be around to go with you today. We're going to be busy with the preparations." she held my hand "Trevor will drop you and Lily at the tailors after school"

I grinned unwantedly at the mention of my best friends name. One of the few people who actually like me for real and not because i'm the princess.

Lily is the daughter of the head of warriors. She's an amazing fighter and a great person.

"It just took a little coaxing and I got Lily's dad to agree since i've noticed how close you two have become." Dad finally spoke

I grinned a response

"Thank you"

"Anything for my baby girl" he grinned and I gave him a hug.

"Off you go now, or you'll be late" mom pecked my forehead and Trevor walked up to take my bag. I didn't even notice him.

Katherine's POV (age 12)

"Your highness we're here." Trevor spoke after about 15 minutes of being in the car.

"Trevor, I told you to stop calling me that." I groaned. I don't like when people i'm close to regard me so formally.

"Okay Kat. I'll do my best to reduce calling you 'your highness'" he smirked and I pouted.

"Close enough" I smiled "see you in a couple hours"

He nodded and got out of the car to open my door. I got out and waved goodbye before walking into torture.

I've never had the guts to tell my parents I get bullied in school but the only reason i've survived this long is because of lily.

Speaking of Lily, the brown haired trouble maker was by her locker getting her books. I walked over to her and tried to do the whole 'BOO!' thing which didn't work cause the girl didn't even flinch.

"That the best you got?" she smirked and I pouted.

"You're no fun" she was dressed in a grey sweater and black jeans with black converse. Some times I wish I was allowed to dress as freely as she did. But according to my mom, trousers aren't feminine. As the princess i'm supposed to dress ladylike.

"Did you hear about the dress fitting after school?" I asked her knowing how much she hates dresses.

"Indeed" she scowled. "I'm only going for you"

"Thanks, but its not going to be that bad" I tried to be optimistic.

"Needles repeatedly pricking your sides is not that bad?" she arched her brow then rolled her eyes. "So I heard Luther is in town" we were both walking to our first class which was Algebra.

"Ya, he is" I sighed "he's still the same only somehow cuter if that's even possible."

"Still think he hates you, huh?"

"I'm sure he does."

"Well i'm all out of ideas. Maybe its time you moved on from him. I mean, there are lots of other guys that would want to date you" she implied

"Really, like who?"

"Austin" and as if on cue, Austin appeared. We were already in class and he was by my side.

"Hey Kat" he greeted with his hand behind his head. Austin is more on the boy next door side.

"Hey Austin" I greeted back. I'm glad folks in school don't try any formalities with me. That would've been just so awkward for me.

"I was wondering if you would li-"

"Good morning class, everyone take your seat" the teacher cut Austin short.

"Talk to you later Austin" I said then walked to my seat.

"Right" then he walked to the other end of the class.

*

"Austin was totally asking you out" Lily has been yelling at me since we left class.

"No he wasn't and i'll never know what he wanted to say cause the teacher interrupted."

"Why are you so difficult Kat" she sighed as we walked to our lunch table with our trays.

I had a salad and a bottle of milk with a pack of grapes while Lily had a large steak with a bottle of coke.

As wolves, we're natural born carnivores but i'm only allowed to eat meat once in a while with permission from my parents. Other than that I'm as good as vegan.

Austin just walked into the cafeteria with the rest of his friends laughing and just being themselves. Is it actually possible that he could like me.

I'm really over thinking nowadays.

I excused myself from the table to get something from my locker when I bumped into Sasha.

"S-sorry, I d-didn't m-mean to" I stuttered knowing who I just hit.

"You bitch!" she yelled "you stepped on my new shoes"

"I'm sorry" Sasha is a year above me and she's one of the meanest girls in this school. One of my bullies.

"Just because your royalty doesn't mean you can do whatever you want bitch."

"I-"

"Stupid bitch. Your not even real royalty. You're adopted. You're supposed to be one of our slaves." she had and evil glint in her eyes when she saw a tear slide down my face. "Worthless piece of shit"

Tired of her insults, I turned and ran. Away from her, away from the school. I knew where I was running to. I knew it like the back of my hand. My special spot whenever i'm depressed.

My dress had a couple of tears by the time I reached the spot but I didn't care right now. I didn't care I didn't look decent. That was the least of my problems right now.

I fell to the floor beside a tree and let all the frustration out. I cried out everything I've been holding back. All the pain from the past years everything about Luther, about my parents.

After I had no more tears left, I felt weak to go anywhere and I fell asleep there.

"Kat!"

"Kat!"

"Kat"

"Mmmm" I moaned a response and I heard a sigh from above me.

"Are you alright?" that was lily speaking. And I nodded.

"Why did you leave school?" that was Trevor "are you hurt?"

"I'm fine Trevor. They're just a few cuts" I said referring to the cuts i got when running past branches.

He lifted me up and carried me bridal style to God knows where.

"We're going home to clean you up then we're heading to the tailors." he told me walking with Lily by our side. I gave him pleading eyes "don't worry, I won't tell your parents about this."

I sighed in relief and cuddled into his chest as we walked to the car.

*

I rushed into the house to have a bath and change clothes before anyone saw me. On my way, I bumped into Luther and fell back from impact.

My eyes had shut on their own accord and when I opened them, he was staring at me like I was some Alien species that had newly been discovered.

"W-what happened to you? Are you hurt?" he rushed out helping me stand up.

"I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about. No need to tell anyone about this. Bye" and I ran to my room shutting the door with unintended force.

That was close.

I rushed to the bathroom to wash off the blood and changed clothes. I wore a light pink dress with white shoes and brushed my hair into a bun.

I came out and went to the living room where Lily was patiently waiting.

"Good, lets go" she grinned "trevor is in the car"

I nodded and off we were to get fitted