THE CAGED BIRDS SONG

IN THE KINGDOM OF ADRENIA

I was surrounded by a bright orange glow as I sat on my windowsill looking out of the window of the castle, my sketchbook and pencil in hand. I noticed a small bird perched in a nearby tree, its bright yellow feathers standing out against the morning sun. I began to sketch the bird and its surroundings, taking in the beauty of nature around me. As I continued to draw, the bird began to sing - it sang a beautiful melody that seemed so familiar to me. Its song seemed to tell a story about hope, freedom, and peace which deeply resonated with me. I knew from that moment on that I had found something special - something worth preserving. Suddenly, the door flings open, my server comes in and screams in shock as she stares at me.

An indignant screech escaped my throat as the bird that had been my muse flapped away in surprise.

"Alivia!" came an angry yell from behind me. I slowly turned around, eyes widening as Lexi took in the sight of me in my nightgown.

She spun around and quickly hung up the freshly laundered clothing she had been carrying on her arm, before turning back to scold me. “How can you wear something so indecent and sit by the window like that? Don’t you have any shame? If your stepmother saw you like this, you would be dead! Dead, I tell you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t you mean step monster?” I giggled, but the stern looks on her face only intensified.

She rushes forward and snatched the sketchbook from my lap and yanked me off the windowsill, dragging me to get dressed before my stepmother decides to make an appearance.

“You do know that even though she is your stepmother, she raised you as her own,” she said tightly as she began to fasten me into a corset. “Alivia, you are royalty. Soon you will be married and will become Luna and Queen of another pack. You need to start acting more like it. What would your future husband and family think of your stepmother and, not to mention, your father?”

I let out a sharp gasp as the corset pulled tighter around my waist, restricting my breathing. “But what if I don’t want the throne?” I said softly, my voice barely audible above the creaking of the corset and the rustling of my dress. “What if I want to be something else? Father always wanted me to do more outside the castle; be more than I already am.”

I kept my gaze focused on the floor as Lexi fumbled with the laces behind me. A wave of cold air surged through the room as my stepmother stepped in and I felt my heart sink down to my stomach. Her face was a mask of fury, and my mouth went dry as her eyes bore into me.

“Lexi, leave us!” she commanded sharply. Lexi bowed her head and exited, leaving us in silence. My mother slowly turned towards me and cleared her throat.

“What do you mean, more than the throne? There is nothing more for you out there! All that’s left for women--especially royals--is to get married and serve our kingdom. Do you understand me, Alivia?” She gently raised my chin with her finger, but I couldn’t bring myself to look her in the eye.

“But what if that’s not--.” I started speaking before she cut me off, my voice rising.

“Your father has filled you with some ridiculous notions, that ends this discussion here!” Her voice was stern and her grip on my chin was firm. “Now finish getting ready; a prince and his family will be arriving shortly to see you.” She quickly turned on her heel and marched out of the room.

“But, but!” I stammered, trying to find the right words to say, but she stopped me with a sharp yell before I could explain further.

“LEXI!” she shouted. Immediately, Lexi scurried into the room, bowing her head at my mother with reverence.

“Yes, your Highness," Lexi replied in a fearful whisper.

"Make sure she looks her absolute best before the prince arrives," step-monster smirks maliciously, her tone dripping with malice before swaggering back out of the room.

“Yes, your highness,” Lexi replied, remaining in her bow until my mother had left.

I sniffled and looked away from the mirror, catching sight of Lexi, who remained bowed in the doorway.

“You know if you continue bowing like that your back is going to give out one day” I said, crossing my arms.

She swatted me lightly on the head as she came to help me get ready.

“Ouch!” I yelped, mockingly adding, “You do know that you’re not supposed to hit royalty?”

She rolled her eyes at my sarcasm as she turned me around to face the mirror. Once Lexi had finished styling my hair, I was mesmerized by the reflection staring back at me. My long, luscious brown locks were now cascading in elegant, bouncy curls. My piercing brown eyes, fair skin, and high cheekbones came together to create a regal and striking appearance that commanded attention. The lavish red dress I was wearing was a masterpiece of intricate details and embellishments, accentuating my figure with each twist and turn. The finishing touch was the sparkling jewellery and accessories that glimmered against the fabric.

“When your daughters grow up, they will be so lucky to have you do their hair and makeup, just like you did with me,” I said, smiling sadly through the reflection in the mirror. “But most of all they will be blessed to call you mom. You are an incredible woman and mother.”

“Thank you, Alivia, but I am the lucky one,” Lexi said, her voice tinged with sadness as she forced a smile. “I am so lucky to have two beautiful girls and my son is the best. I don’t get to see him nearly enough.”

“Do you miss him?” I asked, turning to look into her eyes.

A single tear rolled down her cheek before she had a chance to answer. “Of course, I do. He fills my heart with joy and made me realize what it means to be a mother, but I know he is out there helping lots of people, which comforts me in a way.”

I pulled her in for a tight hug. “I'm sure he misses you too and you will see him soon,” I said soothingly.

“Lexi!” my stepmother called through the castle.

Lexi pulled away and wiped her eyes as she yelled back, “Coming your Highness!” She quickly ran out of the room.

“Lara, are you there?” I tried speaking to my wolf, but I am met with silence.

I used to be able to feel the warm bond between me and my wolf Lara, but after my dad had passed away, it was as if I had lost her too. Every time I tried to call out to her, she seemed just out of reach, like a voice on the edge of a dream. Doctors were baffled, some believing it was because of the heartbreak of losing my father and others, like step-monster believed it was due to an illness I had. I’ve lost a lot of friends because of the rumours that spread about my “illness,” because they believed that being around me would make them lose their wolves too.

Other than Lara, Lexi has been my rock since before my mother passed away and after my father's death. She had always been like a second mum, offering comfort in times of need and guidance when I needed it most.

I pull out an open envelope from under my pillow and look at it. It’s a letter I received about a week ago. I got Lexi to sneak it to me without step-monster knowing about it, because she would have opened it for sure, and I would have been busted.

It was always my dream to be an artist, to travel the world and view all sorts of different art made by different people and different cultures. My dad supported this dream. He always bought me sketchbooks and pencils from the age I could just hold a pencil. It was something that we did together and something we both loved. Step monster has always been against me doing art or any form of education. She believed that a girl had one role and that was to be married and know how to take care of a home, children, and her in-laws, because if she didn’t know that, then she was nothing.

That is what I am afraid of. I don’t want to be stuck doing all those things now. I want to do more with my life which is why I made a portfolio and sent it to all the art schools. Five out of six art schools rejected me because I was a girl, and this envelope is my last chance to fulfil my dreams.

I clutched the envelope, my fingertips trembling as I pried it open. Lara is lying tensely in my mind, as if she is straining to hear the same news. With a deep breath, I slid out the letter and read the words that forever changed my fate: “Dear Miss Alivia, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Silvia Academy.”

I screamed with joy and jumped into the air, spinning around with my arms outstretched. The sound of horns blaring and cheers from the crowd outside filtered into my room, bringing me back to reality. “Oh shit,” I muttered, suddenly aware that the prince had just arrived, and the people were gathering around him. I glanced out of my window at the prince. Lara was now pacing anxiously, and I knew that I had to make a plan to get rid of him quickly.