I had barely slept all night. The morning came, and two omegas were awaiting to take my measurements
for a gown. “Colour, miss?” Odessa asked. 1
“Neckline, miss?” Leonora added.
“Let me see what there is, and then give me the options on which can be most easily adjusted on such
short notice.” I said, looking over at Charlene, who was looking through the gowns.
I hadn’t gotten to talk to her about what Theon had told me.
“Yileyna, I think you should wear silver.” Charlene added suddenly. I nodded and the two women rushed
to bring every silver gown they had brought with them. “As commanded, we went to every designer in the
city and asked for their best.” Odessa stated.
When I had been asked this morning, all I had said was to not exclude fae designers.
“These all can be adjusted to your size madam.” Leonora added.
I looked at the gowns, although all my mind could focus on was how I would approach the topic with the
king. I was lucky enough that he himself wanted a word before the ball in the evening
“These two… One for me one for Charlene. Charlene choose first.” I stated.
“They are meant for you, you’re the one to who this night belongs to. I will go for this satin gown.”
Charlene said, shaking her head as she held up a pink gown.
“Since when have we ever thought so hard? I was all dolled up on your night, Charlene.” I reminded her.
“A night I didn’t want.” She whispered. “And this is a night I want? These two.” I said firmly, making
Charlene sigh and smile in defeat, giving me a nod.
“I haven’t worn anything from Fae designers… are you sure it’s ok?” She asked hesitantly.
“Yes, the princess is correct… Perhaps designs from our own people for a special ball.”
They didn’t know what it was regarding yet, otherwise, I knew they wouldn’t speak up to me.
“The fae are part of our kingdom, why can’t we wear their designs? They are our people too. Come, this
will be the start of our statement as a kingdom that respects all its people.”
Charlene smiled and nodded, picking up one of the two dresses. “I’ll wear this one, you can wear silver.
Frankly, I’m bored of being expecting to wear grey and silver all the time.”
We both laughed, she was right, growing up she often had to wear the pack colour, something she got
fed up with, being a girl who loved her summery colours. My laughter faded, that same wave of guilt
washing through me. This should have been hers…
I hid my thoughts as Odessa discussed jewels and hair. Leonora had taken our measurements before
taking the dresses and leaving. I was relieved being free from it all. I glanced at the time, it was almost
time to go see the king… “Is there something important you want to discuss with Dad?” Charlene asked
quietly. . “Kind of…” I said glancing at Odessa, Charlene gave a small knowing nod. “Have you spoken to
your mother?” She frowned, shaking her head.
“No… I’m not ready to talk yet.” She said forlornly, I gave her a comforting hug. “Take your time. I’m
going to leave, wish me luck!” “Good luck to you both!” Charlene giggled as I left the room. I glanced
towards the queen’s room, seeing the two guards that stood outside her door. The king hadn’t decided
what to do with her… When I had left the bathroom at night after showering, the queen was in her room
and two royal guards had been standing outside her door, but the king had vanished.
The fact that Gamma Grayson was her fated mate… and she had used an enchantment to hide that…
She had planned it from the start. It was appalling, to say the least. Was that why she had miscarried two
pups? Because she was not built to carry an Alpha heir? Those Alphas who didn’t find their true mates,
often mated with Alpha-blooded females, so they could bear their heirs.
Lost in my own thoughts, I found myself outside the king’s office. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the
door. The two guards watched me until the king called for me to enter, and I stepped inside. His office
was messier than usual, as if he had been searching for something.
“Ah, Yileyna.”
“You wanted to talk to me?” I asked, glancing around at the books and scrolls that were now scattered
everywhere. 1
He nodded, brushing his long hair back. “Yes, close the door and take a seat.” He commanded. I shut the
door and walked over to his desk, taking a seat as I watched him clear the shelf. He sighed in frustration
and turned toward me. “As you know, tonight I am announcing you as my heir, There are alphas invited
and many more, with Charlene being born and raised as an alpha’s daughter she knew what to expect.
She has training you do not. Stay close and avoid conversation with anyone.” “Why?” I asked. I know
Charlene was usually with her parents during these events, but she preferred it that way. “They will grill
you on your knowledge of the kingdom. Expect to see what makes you good enough as Alpha. You don’t
even have a wolf.” He reminded me with a once over, as if he was second-guessing his decision.
I frowned. My father always told me to be confident… I would do as I deem fit, I’ve always talked to
visitors at these events. Why would I change that now?
“Good.” He said, taking my silence as obedience. “Now, I know you and Theon are in a relationship
anyway, so I will also announce your engagement tonight. As future alpha you have a reputation, you
shouldn’t be seen with young men when they are not your mates.”
I almost smirked.
Yet it was ok to have secret affairs…
“I don’t wish to get engaged to Theon, he was happy to leave me the moment the Alpha position was
offered to him, I will not marry him. If you want a man by my side, I’m sure you have others who could be
potential suitors, anyone but him.” I said coldly.
His treatment still stung…
The king let out a frustrated growl.
“You are a disobedient one. William always said you were a spark.”
I smiled softly at the mention of Dad. “I always have been, Dad said never to change.” I responded softly,
trying to hide the emotions from my voice. “Theon is not to blame, I know you hold a grudge against him.
However, I may or may not have indirectly warned Theon to stay away from you, or I would make sure
you were gone…” He said curtly, turning back to his shelf. 1
I frowned as I stared at his back, my heart thundering.
“Excuse me?”
“I wanted him for Charlene, and you were a thorn in my side, one I did not need. He was more
concerned about you than he admitted, even making sure I paid you for your trip abroad. I told him I
would make you an Epsilon rank guard. That would give you the respect and security you needed, and
so he agreed. It is obvious that you are rather popular among the young men…” He gave me a side-eyed
frown. “But Theon is ideal for this position.”
Theon… the man I loved for so long… the chance to have him as my mate was once something I would
have only ever dreamt of… But after everything, I was scared, scared to let him in only for him to break
my heart once again.
The king had threatened him… My mind was split, between that small part of me saying to give him a
chance, to the larger part of me not wanting him or any man, not as my mate anyway. 1 “You need not
mark yet, if it helps, take your time. However, if the kingdom knows you have a man by your side, you will
be secure.”
I highly doubted that…
I looked at the king sharply. This was my chance… He was occupied with rummaging through a small
metal chest on the shelf.
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