CHAPTER FIVE

Eleanor's pov

The joy I felt in my heart was something I hadn't felt in a while.

By now Sebastian must have realized his mistake. The woman he had slept with thinking it was me, was actually my sister, Loretta. My plan had perfectly played out the way I wanted it to.

I could imagine the look on Sebastian's face. My victory was a punch to his gut. Now, he had slept with Loretta, he would have to marry her.

When Loretta heard the news, she was devastated. 2 years ago, she had planned this to avoid getting married to Sebastian because of the rumours about him. Sebastian wasn't exactly a benevolent king and the praises people sang about him were not cheerful ones.

I watched Loretta sobs and pleaded with father to renounce the marriage pact with Sebastian and he refused. The deed had already been done.

With a sly smile, I revealed to Loretta that I had intentionally deceived her and congratulated her on her happily hellish (married) life.

While in father's office, Sebastian wouldn't stop staring at me. I could literally see the deep hurt in his eyes. He will now feel who I felt years ago. He will understand what it meant to be forced to marry someone to avoid a scandal. The thought of spending the rest of my life with the wrong person gnawing at his heart, that's what he'll feel from now on.

As I walked past him, he caught my arm. “Eleanor, can I -”

I pushed his hand away. “Have a lovely wedding ahead of you, Your Majesty. I'm sure my sister will make an excellent bride.”

As I exited the room, I couldn't help but smile as he cursed under his breathe. This was just the beginning.

The wedding day arrives and I could see Sebastian going through a lot of emotions.

He seemed distracted as the priestess read him his vows. Loretta even forced a smile on her face “to put on a show” like father had told her. Her fake smile was genuine enough to convince the congregation but not Sebastian. He was in a daze when their vows were exchanged.

“I now pronounce you, King and Luna.” The priestess announced with a radiant smile and took a step back. “You may kiss your bride.”

Sebastian leaned close and pecked Loretta on the lips.

The people went wild with applause and whistles, blissfully unaware of the drama that was unfolding before their eyes.

“Happy married life, darling.” Father said to Loretta as she walked down the aisle with Sebastian.

“Happy married life, dear sister. I wish you blissful days ahead.” I winked at Loretta and she frowned. That'll keep her shut.

Father sniffled softly as Loretta sauntered out of the hall with Sebastian. “Finally, one of my daughters has gotten married.”

I passed him a kerchief. Normally, he wouldn't accept anything from me, not even a glass of water or even the food I prepared. Well, that was 2 years ago before my death. I wondered if he had changed now.

“Here you go, father.” I said quietly, shaking him with the handkerchief.

“Thank you, love.” He took it with a smile and wiped his eye.

Love?

He called love?

My eyes watered and I almost sobbed. Before my rebirth, my father had never given me a nickname or even called me by my name before. It was always “wench” or “stupid” but never “darling” or “cutie” or “love” like he had always called Loretta. And now, he does?

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Your sister is finally married. Looks like it'll be me and you now, pumpkin.”

I nearly teared up at his remark. “Yeah. It's me and you, dad.”

He heaved a sigh and smiled. “Yeah, kiddo.”

At first, I thought my father's new attitude towards me was a facade of some kind. I waited days to reveal his true intentions but the jokes were evil towards me. Father had turned over a new leaf.

Without Loretta's toxic influence in the pack, I suddenly began to flourish. With each passing day, my confidence grew. I now understood what it meant to be an only child and a loved one at that. Father began to see me in a new light, treating me with kindness and respect. Something he never did in the past.

While Sebastian and Loretta lived as husband and wife, I was enjoying my new life with my father. For the first time, I felt like I belonged somewhere. I had never been this happy.

Staying in the pack meant I had maids at my beck and call and thousands of dresses to choose from. It was never my intention to be spoiled like Loretta was when she was still here. I wanted to be useful, to do something other than having the tailor take my measurements every week for a new dress or go to parties. I wanted to help around the pack and not as an ordinary wolf.

One day at my father's meeting with the pack elders, I snuck into the room and eavesdropped on their conversation.

“The people need a new reform. The thrill of the wedding had come and gone. They need something to get by, especially now that winter is coming.” One of the elders spoke with concern.

Another backed her up. “Elder Marcia is right. What would help the people get their minds off the cold?”

“How about we open up the castle?” I suggested.

Father was startled. “Who said that?”

I came out of my hiding place behind a guard and cleared my throat. “We could open up the castle to the people.”

Father stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes. “I'm listening.”

I exhaled sharply and continued. “Winter is coming and the cold isn't really favouring us Western wolves so how about opening up the castle to the people. At my sister's wedding, I overheard a group of wolves talking about how this was their first time in the castle. To clearly resonate with the feelings of the people, we should let them know we're all one, distort the gap between the rich and poor.”

“And how will this distortion help them?” Elder Marcia asked.

“I'm glad you asked that.” I took a step forward. “The castle has lots of room and enough acres to host a few hundred. How about we come up with a festival or some kind of holiday that will bring the people together? We could host some kind of show or game where the winners get to stay in the castle for a few days. It'll bring togetherness among the people and create an exciting atmosphere.”

Father thought hard for a second and I feared my plan was stupid.

I looked down. “It's okay if the plan doesn't make sense.”

“Doesn't make sense?!” Father announced in a loud voice. “Of course it does. How have I not thought about this?”

Elder Marcia gave me a low bow. “That was a very brilliant plan, my lady.”

“Thank you.” My heart swelled with joy.

“This is amazing. You're very smart, pumpkin.” Father put his arms around me. “This should work, right?”

“Yes,” The pack elder from before sat up. “I’m thrilled your daughter is working to support the pack.”

Father smiled proudly. “I am teaching her well.”

Together, we brainstormed more solutions to the problems plaguing the pack and Father couldn't help but Parise me more. He even called me the best daughter anyone could ever ask for.

During the next meeting with pack elders, father shocked everyone by volunteering me as the next Alpha of the pack.

The room fell silent and so did I.

“Father?” I looked at him, confused. This was a huge step for me. I had never imagined myself as a pack leader not to talk of Alpha.

The elders looked at me, weighing their options. I knew they wouldn't agree. What does an 18 year old like me know anyways?

“I agree.” came a voice.

I was startled. Elder Marcia was voting for me?

“Eleanor would make a better leader than any other candidate in the pack. I agree.” Elder Xavier lifted his hand along with every other elder in the room. I felt butterflies.

“Then it is settled,” Father turned to clap my shoulders.

“Congratulations, honey or should I say, Alpha Eleanor.”

I burst out into tears and hugged him. “Thank you, father.”

To commiserate my candidacy as Alpha, I decided to prepare my father's favourite dish — potato salad.

I spent time in the garden. The ground was getting colder. Winter was coming.

I picked what I could while the other servants harvested the rest. As I entered the kitchen with the bowl of potatoes, a servant told me I had a visitor.

“It's high noon. Who would be visiting?” I wondered.

“I don't know, ma'am. I was only told to summon Her Majesty.” The little girl bowed.

“Alright then. I best be on my way.” I wiped my dirty hands with a napkin and made my way to the living room.

It must be Gerta. She does have funny ways of summoning me when she is done with a dress.

As I entered the room, I found a familiar silhouette.

“Who are you?” I asked, fearing the worst.

The person turned around and my heart skipped a beat.

It was Sebastian.