The Arrival

Amelia’s POV

The tires crunched against the gravel as Lucas’s car slowed to a stop. I lifted my eyes from the floorboard and found myself staring in disbelief. Before us stood the castle—Lucas’s home, his kingdom, and the place I would soon call mine.

To say it was massive, is an understatement.

I had expected grandeur. Lucas was a crown prince, after all, and I knew royalty came with all the extravagance I’d read about in history books, but seeing it… witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely. The castle loomed before us, its tall spires reaching into the sky, casting long shadows over the vast, open plains that stretched for what seemed like miles. The stone walls glistened under the afternoon sun, ancient and yet timeless in their architecture. Every inch of the structure spoke of power, legacy, and wealth—far more than I’d ever imagined.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Lucas’s voice broke through my daze. He glanced over at me, his lips curving into a soft smile. There was a hint of pride in his voice, but it wasn’t arrogant—more like the casual confidence of someone who had grown up in this environment all his life.

I nodded slowly, still in awe. “It’s… bigger than I thought.”

Lucas chuckled, then motioned for the servants waiting nearby to approach the car. In an instant, a group of neatly dressed men and women rushed to our side, bowing respectfully before taking our luggage from the back. I watched them move with precision, as if every action had been rehearsed a hundred times before.

As they gathered our things, Lucas turned to them, his tone commanding yet polite. “This is Amelia, my bride-to-be and your future queen. Treat her with the utmost respect.”

The words hit me like a jolt. My chest tightened slightly at the title—bride-to-be… future queen. It felt so surreal. How had I gone from being the rejected she-wolf in my pack to standing in front of a royal castle, with servants bowing at my feet and Lucas introducing me as his future?

I swallowed hard, trying to shake the nervousness building inside me. Snow stirred within, her presence more active than usual. “We’re stepping into a whole new world now,” she murmured, though there was a glimmer of excitement in her voice. “This is where we’re meant to be.”

But was it? The question hung in my mind, even as I forced myself to stay composed.

“We should go inside,” Lucas said, breaking through my thoughts. “There’s a lot we need to discuss with the council.”

I nodded, following him as he led me up the steps. The wide stone path beneath our feet felt endless, and I couldn’t help but glance around at the expansive grounds surrounding the castle. Acres of perfectly manicured lawns stretched out on either side, bordered by towering oak trees that stood guard over the estate. There was a tranquility to the place, but also an underlying sense of importance, like every inch of this land held centuries of history.

The massive double doors swung open as we approached, revealing a grand entryway lined with polished marble floors and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The air inside was cool, the scent of old wood and lavender lingering faintly in the hall. It was every bit as regal as I’d expected—and yet, it made me feel small. Insignificant.

Lucas walked with purpose, his hand lightly resting on the small of my back as we made our way down the corridor. He exuded confidence, his presence commanding the space around us. I tried to match his stride, but my heart raced, and my mind spun with thoughts of what was to come.

We reached a set of towering wooden doors, intricately carved with symbols I didn’t recognize. Lucas paused, glancing at me with a reassuring smile. “This is the council room. Are you ready?”

I swallowed, nodding even though I wasn’t sure if I was.

“Stay calm,” Snow urged. “This is just another step forward. You’ve got this.”

Lucas pushed open the doors, and we stepped inside.

The council room was vast, with a long, polished table stretching down the center, flanked by high-backed chairs. At the head of the table sat King Luther, Lucas’s father, with his crown perched atop his graying hair. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with it comes to looks. The rest of the council members sat around the table, their eyes fixed on us as we entered. Most of them nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions neutral but expectant.

But it was the woman at the far end of the table who caught my attention.

Queen Larissa.

I’ve heard about her, many talks about her beauty. She really is a gorgeous woman. As her silver hair cascade down her face.

Her posture was rigid, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her sharp eyes were locked on me, and I could feel the weight of her judgment immediately. Unlike the rest of the council, she made no effort to hide her displeasure. It was clear—she wasn’t happy about this arrangement.

“Father, council,” Lucas began, his voice steady and authoritative, “I’ve returned with Amelia, my bride-to-be, and I wish to formally announce our engagement.”

There was a murmur of approval from most of the council, nods exchanged between members. King Luther smiled warmly, his eyes softening as he looked at me. “Welcome, Amelia,” he said kindly. “We’ve been expecting you.”

But Queen Larissa remained silent, her expression unchanged. Her gaze never left mine, cold and unwelcoming.

“I trust this arrangement benefits us all,” Lucas continued, his tone unwavering. “This marriage will secure our future, both politically and personally. Amelia will be a strong and capable Luna.”

The words felt heavy in the air, and for a moment, there was a tense silence. Then, Larissa spoke.

“I disagree.”

Her voice was sharp, cutting through the room like ice. The other council members exchanged nervous glances, but no one dared to speak.

Lucas stiffened beside me, his jaw tightening. “Mother—”

“This marriage is a mistake,” she interrupted, her eyes narrowing as she finally looked away from me and turned her attention to Lucas. “A rejected she-wolf? Is this truly the best you can offer our kingdom? Our bloodline?”

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, embarrassment and anger mixing inside me. Snow growled softly, her hackles raised, but I forced myself to stay quiet. This wasn’t the time to lose control.

King Luther cleared his throat, his voice calm but firm. “Larissa, that’s enough.”

But she didn’t back down. “No, it’s not enough. This is our legacy, Luther. Our son’s future. And you’re allowing him to throw it away for… this?”

The tension in the room was suffocating. I wanted to speak up, to defend myself, but the weight of her words pressed down on me, and I couldn’t find my voice.

Lucas took a step forward, his tone sharp. “Amelia is my choice. She will be my Luna, and I will not tolerate any further disrespect.”

Larissa’s eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, Lucas’s voice cut through the air with finality. “Leave the room.”

For a moment, it seemed like she might argue, but then, with a cold glare in my direction, she turned and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her.

The room was silent, the tension thick and suffocating. I stood beside Lucas, my heart racing, unsure of what had just happened—or what would come next.