I did not know how I made it to the House unscathed and alive in the company of Fenrir Fauntleroy, but I did and I will eternally be grateful to the Moon Goddess for it. We did not speak at all. There was a barrier between us, made of a mix of tension and fear, that anyone would be able to notice. I was grateful that he kept his silence. His silent company took me to the House and led me inside. The patrol were alarmed by his presence, but he would quietly redirect their eyes to me using simple gestures and they would back up. Like me, quiet but tense. Perhaps I looked like a hostage next to him. He opened the door and led me inside. He left me in a sitting room while he went to get his brother, saying, “He is hideous when not put together. I’ll get him and make him look presentable, at least.”So I waited. Sat in the velvet settee in my breeches and unrecognizable disguise. This would be the first time he’d see me without my gown, my jewelry, my silky smooth hair, and my porcelain
When I returned to the palace, not a single torch was out of place. Not a single guard running around.They are awake but blind. Had I known our guards were this ignorant, I would take this to my Father’s attention, but I am the one taking advantage of it now. To get rid of this advantage…would prove foolish.Abel dropped me off a safe distance away from the palace walls. He merely bowed his wolf when I dismounted“I give you my thanks,” I smiled, trying—desperately—to not make it look like a wince. I feel my soul is lost in the wind. When he leaped back into the darkness of night, I pulled my cloak over my head and stealthily traced my steps back into my chambers. The guards were easy to hide from once I memorized their path and routine. As I snuck back up, I found Ellie standing by the balcony, my nightgown dancing with the wind over her shoulders.Her head snapped around so fast when I emerged from the hidden door.“Princess!” She screamed in a whisper and immediately rushed to me.
“Perhaps I’ll allow you to move the date of our fateful duel until all fancy traditions of your matrimony are wrapped up, baby brother,” said Fenrir, as he fix his tie beside the groom.Flavian smiles, not one that reaches his eyes, but a smile nevertheless. “I thank you. I also do not think it a wise idea to show bloodshed in front of the new Luna.”“Mhmm. Consider this my wedding gift to you.”“Thank you, brother.” Flavian shook his head and gave himself one last look in the mirror before turning to Fenrir. “I appreciate your effort at being civil today with the pack.”The latter scoffs. “I have always been civil. They are the hostile ones.”“I’m sure they’re just protective of the pack. Do understand, brother.”When their bickering came to an end, it was almost time. Flavian left their quarters to the courtyard, where Fenrir followed him, as his man of honor. It was a chore to get him to agree, but he used his baby brother charm to sway him and a day before the wedding, he caved in
The bride, the supposed center of attention, fell back and finally lost her balance. The news knocked her out of breath and made her world spin. Thankfully, Flavian was quick on his feet. He caught her in time and gently shook her.“Princess,” he called softly. “Princess, let me take you inside. Your safety is of paramount priority.”His voice seemed distant to her, but his concern was beyond words and reached her regardless of the distance.An explosion… a terrorist attack… on her wedding day. Why?A small tear left her right eye as she was assisted to safety, along with the other Lords and nobles. The ceremony was abruptly stopped. Her father could not care less for her well-being or her feelings and stormed into his throne hall to confer with his advisers. Everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong.Her husband left her in the care of her lady’s maids to assess the situation outside. He merely stationed a few of his warriors around her. Physically, she is safe and secure. Emoti
I have my own reserved thoughts about today’s events. There are only a handful of people with the guts to dare to ruin my wedding—a royal wedding.I’d rather not suspect my own family, but they cannot be taken out of this equation. My envious sisters, especially… my eyes darted to Clara, innocently enjoying her dinner on the far end of the table. It would not be surprising if she were behind this. Of course, there could also be whom everyone is thinking of—the syndicate. But I’d never heard of this syndicate before.There is no such thing in the capital.This is a well-planned attack; it knew where we would be fatally damaged, which towns were significant to the stability of the capital, when exactly to attack, and their weapon of choice. Dynamites in themselves are hard to get a hold of. They are expensive and scarce all around the realms. The mastermind must be of title to afford the money, the resources, and the information needed for this attack. And in this table, are all of the
“I sincerely wish the Princess good health and a happy life,” one of my lady’s maids said, sobbing through her words. I smile sympathetically. The rest are like her too, wiping their tears and consoling each other. It was because I will not be taking anybody else but Ellie.It was for the better, too. My lady’s maids are troublesome and famous gossipmongers. Bringing them with me will not do any good for the reputation that I’ll be building to earn the pack’s respect. Only Ellie is enough.“As do I. I want all of you to be as loyal and as caring to your new masters as you were to me. Do not get into trouble with your gossip.” They all bowed in embarrassment. “Though I must admit, those gossips will be among the things I will miss.”“Princess…”“Now, now, let us ready the Princess for her departure.” Ellie intervened, gently guiding the other maids to their posts. “For our last preparation for our lady, we must do our best.”I smile and turn to face my reflection in the vanity mirror.
The journey was not one I haven’t taken before. But it was certainly longer and more tiring, being inside the carriage all day. That night, the hackney I hired was smart to go into all the shortcuts that cut my time to travel in half. But I figured since this is a royal carriage, they cannot go down the same road. The downside of those shortcuts was that they were infested with bandits and beggars. They were not one for a royal convoy to pass through. Hence why the journey to the House of the Wolves took a whole day.When we arrived, it was already night. And when we went past the dense woods hiding the werewolves’ race, I finally saw the town proper in its glory. The town looked peaceful at night. Though the streets were empty, the streetlights gave light to the inhabited houses whose people must already be asleep. I observed the houses and streets as the convoy quietly passed the town.We climbed a small hill to reach the House, the familiar obsidian mansion with sharp tower roofs,
I underestimated the people’s dislike of me, a human, as their Luna.For the past few days, I’ve been walking on thin ice and acting as cautiously as a mouse in a cat’s den. I have never felt so discriminated against and different before. It’s not that I am being disrespected, but I am barely recognized as the madam of the house. Had it not been for my title, I assume I’ll be treated worse here.Every day I receive cold treatment and distance from the servants as if I am a walking disease.At first, I was confused. I did not know why they act so distant and uncomfortable around me until I eavesdropped a few of the maids talking about me in hushed voices.“Bear with it. She will not be our Luna for long. She cannot even be our Luna, since she is human. The Alpha merely wedded her for the royal palace to be our allies.”“You’re right. It is merely a political alliance. Although, I cannot take it. Her scent is too strong! She stands out among us as a human. She smells and looks like a we