83: Chaos

ALAINA

I stood before the sea of cameras, a voice shouted.

"Is she really Queen Of Dawn? She's a fake!”

The words cut through me like a knife, making my heart skip a beat. I battled nerves, trying to shove off the feeling of being a fake.

I forced a smile and waved, trying to appear confident, but my hands trembled slightly.

The crowd erupted in a chorus of cheers and chants, their voices echoing off the walls.

"We love you, Queen Of Dawn!"

"You're our true queen!"

"Queen Of Dawn, Queen Of Dawn!"

“I hope the Alpha picks you!”

The adoration was overwhelming, making my eyes prick with tears. I felt like I was living a lie, but the crowd's enthusiasm was infectious.

But amidst the adoration, a reporter pushed forward, microphone in hand. "Queen Of Dawn, can I get a word with you?" she asked, her voice piercing above the din.

The guard protecting me stepped forward, trying to block the reporter. "I'm afraid that's not possible," he growled, his eyes flashing with warning.

But I inte