The prophecy of Princess Zaia

"Deep breaths, Zaia. You can do this. What's the worst that could happen?" Zaia hyped herself in the mirror as she stared at her reflection with a pitiful gaze.

"I look like a homeless person right now. Come on, Zaia. You can't go down there looking lifeless". She thought as she put on the earrings before her with a slight smile. It was her twenty-third birthday today. Although she didn't see any reason to celebrate it since she still hadn't met her mate, she was her father's only child which meant being spoiled to the core.

Zaia turned and left the room happily knowing she had the chance to meet her mate again. This year was a special one since all the other alphas were here with their beta and deltas. She has a better chance to get to meet her mate today.

Her getting her mate this year according to tradition would also bring her relationship with him great luck and joy which she looked forward to.

Although her father hadn't told her the reason everyone was here she knew another reason beyond her birthday was behind their presence but she just wanted to enjoy this first.

"Everyone, please welcome Her Royal Highness, Princess Zaia." The host announced as the spotlight fell on Zaia who was standing at the top of the grand stairs.

Everyone's attention was turned to the beautiful young lady standing there with her brown hair beautifully adorned with gold and diamonds. Whispers filled the hall as everyone looked up in curiosity.

"Wow, Princess Zaia is that beautiful?

I heard the king has a daughter but no one has ever seen her.

I never expected her to be this beautiful".

"I would like to thank everyone for honoring my invitation to attend my daughter's twenty-third birthday. We all know it is an opportunity to see who the moon goddess has picked to be sacrificed to her this year too. It has been two centuries since our pack hosted the sacrifice and it is an honor to finally hold it." Zaia's father, Alpha Brett , had a smile on his lips as he took gentle steps towards his daughter who was cautiously coming down the stairs.

"So it's the full moon sacrifice year. I knew Father wouldn't invite every one of the alphas I have learned about to my birthday party. Zaia thought as she let out an audible sigh.

"Do I have to celebrate it with everyone here?" Zaia asked her father with a hint of nervousness in her tone. She has barely stepped foot out of her father's pack house since she was born. She didn't know how to relate well with people.

"You'll do well my sweetheart." Alpha Brett assured his daughter sweetly. The look of love in his eyes said it all, she was all he needed to be happy and if he wanted her to do something to make him happy, she most definitely would do it.

"Princess Zaia." An old voice came from behind, making her turn to look at the individual. A man from his looks, a decade older than her father was standing behind her with a champagne flute in his hand.

"Greetings to you, your majesty." She curtsied politely, her gesture showing her his presence was making her uncomfortable.

"You are even more beautiful than your father described you. Don't you think, Brett?" He asked, letting out a low chuckle which made the hair on Zaia's skin stand uncomfortably.

"Thank you for your compliment, Alpha Doreen." Brett smiled warmly, already discerning his daughter's discomfort. "I am pretty sure we discussed matters the last time we met."

"Brett . Definitely." The look on Doreen's face made it evident he wasn't satisfied with whatever it was they discussed but he left them anyway. "Well, happy birthday to you, your highness. I hope you love the presents I have prepared for you."

"I sure will, thank you very much for being thoughtful, your majesty." A sense of calmness settled over her as soon as he left. "I still really do not want to meet with new people, father." Zaia whined playfully.

"Zaia, you're twenty three now, my dear. You can't stop running from meeting people." He took her hands as he led her towards his throne which was meant for every alpha to ever come since the beginning of the pack. "One day, you'll be sitting there and ruling over everything I leave behind."

"Can I not?" She asked with a pout, but he only chuckled as he ran his fingers through her hair gently. "I always want to be your baby."

"Sadly you can't..." Before he could finish his sentence, he could sense distress in the air and he instantly knew it was from his beta.

"My alpha, we have to deal with a very bad issue without alerting anyone" His beta informed him through their mind link.

"Meet me in my study. I'll be right there". Alpha

Brett replied through the mind link. "I'll be right back, sweetheart. Just sit and wait for me if you don't want anyone to relate with you." Alpha Brett assured her before kissing her forehead.

Zaia knew something was seriously wrong to make him look that tense. Although she wanted to know what it was as she always knew everything that was going on in the pack, she decided she wanted to stay out of this one and just relax on her birthday. It was a special day for her after all.

Alpha Brett rushed into his study where his beta, Julius, and his delta, James, were impatiently waiting for his arrival.

"What's wrong? Are we being attacked?" Alpha Brett asked them, concern laced in his voice, but the duo looked at each other like they had a piece of very bad news to deliver and were waiting for the other to deliver it solemnly.

"The priests confirmed the sacrifice is going to be from our pack and it'll be a person that would leave an impact in the pack." Julius finally spoke up.

"But the bad news is, my alpha. The sacrifice demanded was Her Highness, Princess Zaia."