CHAPTER 4: YELLOW DAFODIL

McKenna's POV

Two weeks later...

I woke from my slumber to find a yellow daffodil planted on the pillow beside me. Instead of panicking, I called out to my wolf, Halo. My heart was thrumming in my chest though.

"Halo, can you catch a scent?" I asked. sudden;y paramoid "The floral scent from the flower covers it pretty well, but there is a faintly familiar smell I am picking up on," she huffed. "Okay, let me get dressed for the day," I nervously said desperately scanning the tiny room only to find no one else here but me.

The thought of someone coming into my room unannounced and undetected was eerily terrifying. I didn't have time to focus on who arrived in the night as I was due outside of the King's chambers first thing. If I had even the slightest of missteps I’m sure the news would travel to Queen Antionette’s ears before nightfall.

"McKenna!" the King called out from his chambers. "Yes, my lord?" I asked, rushing in. "Have you seen my worthless fill-in squire? Ever since you showed up, he's been slacking on his duties. I'll see to him hung if my horse isn't ready this time. Find him!” he ordered. "Yes, my lord," I nodded scurrying out of his sight.

After making my way to the courtyard, I spotted the King's fill-in squire, Marlin. He was indeed flirting with one of the other handmaidens to the Queen. One who hated me for no good reason too.

"Marlin! The King said he would have your head if his horse isn't ready this time," I laughed, making the jealous handmaiden glare at me in disgust. "Thanks, McKenna! You are a lifesaver!" Marlin shouted. "You are welcome. Now, hurry up! I do not feel like cleaning up your bloody body parts," I joked. "I would never forgive myself in the afterlife if I did that to you," Marlin said, sending me a friendly smile.

Unfortunately, the jealous handmaiden rolled her eyes at me before storming away. What is her problem with me? I do not bother anyone, but somehow, they all hate me. I am glad I have thick skin, or I would have jumped off the nearby cliff a long time ago.

"I take it Margaret is not your biggest fan," Marlin said, looking at his love interest of the week storm off. "I guess not. I do not know why though" I answered honestly. "Do not fret; give them all time. They all would come around if they got to know you, McKenna. You are a gentle soul," Marlin said before walking toward the palace opening.

I smiled inwardly at Marlin's compliments. Those came far and few between. We made it to the Alpha King's quarters, and we allowed ourselves in under the King's instructions.

"I have found him, my King. Your horse was ready as well," I said upon entering the king's chambers. "Good," he said, looking over a map with his Beta, whose eyes lingered on my chest much too long for my comfort. "What would you have me do in your absence, my lord?" I asked. "You've been working so hard. I am making you take some time off from the palace. Visit family or whatever it is that you do in your free time. I'll be sure to tell Antoinette how resourceful you have been," he said, brushing past me on his way out. "Thank you, my lord," I said, feeling a smile creep up my face. "Looks like you have found favor with the king," Marlin whispered in my ear. "I doubt it," I disagreed before finding my way out of the door.

The Beta had an angry but satisfied look on his face. What the hell is his problem?

"Do not trust that bastard," my wolf, Halo growled. "Believe me, I do not," I replied, shutting off our link.

Beta Vincent made his way toward me from behind. I felt my heart beat erratically in my chest.

"Just don't go spreading those legs of yours, or I'll know," he grimaced, catching me off guard. "Beta, why do you think so less of me?" I asked, confused. "Don't play shy or dumb because I know you are neither. I hear the whispers of males sneaking into your quarters at night," he spat. "Beta, I assure you I have never invited anyone into my living space. There were instances where two males have been present in my room at the end of my shift. I made them leave. They told me they were invited there by someone they believed to have been me through a random invitation. Rumors spread quickly about me, but they are untrue, Beta," I explained. "I don't believe you!" he growled, scaring me. "All due respect, Beta, why does it matter to you what I do in my spare time?" I boldly asked, but he only scoffed and stormed away.

I was left standing there as confused as I was always starting to feel lately. The Beta has been mean to me for the last two years. He's been having a sudden interest in my personal affairs bothered me even if they were not true. The males do not even speak to me other than Marlin. They all stare at me like some freak of nature. It hurts my feelings at times, but most times, I no longer care. I wanted my mate and to leave this wretched palace.

Later that day...

I did not let the Beta's immature tantrums deter my plans. The Alpha King told me to take time away from the palace, which I plan to do.

"McKenna!" my mother cried out from the field. "Hello, mama!" I called out, allowing my held-back tears to fall. "It's been such a long time, my love. I feared we would never see you again," she cried. "Daughter," my father said, hugging me from behind. "Papa! Why would you ever think I would abandon you both? It is just so far for me to travel, and I have to gain permission," I explained.

My mother and father shared a knowing look but tried to brush my earlier question off.

"Let us get you fed," my mother said, ushering me inside. "Mama, please tell me if something has happened. You both are acting rather strange. Why are you two acting so strangely? Please tell me," I begged. "No need to fret. You are our only child, and we have missed you very much. Let us not waste time discussing the past," my father said, following closely behind.

Throughout dinner, I had a feeling they were hiding something from me. I knew my parents would be displeased if I decided to bring it up again, especially with us enjoying our minimal family time together. So, I did not dare to ask why they were acting as if they would never see me again.

"The King has permitted me to spend time here on the farm. It is only for a few days, but I'm hoping it'll be more often," I explained, watching my parents' eyes light up in approval before it turned to concern. "Does the Luna Queen know that?" my father asked. "Um, n-no," I stammered, remembering what Queen Antoinette said before she departed. "Oh, honey, as happy I see you, I think it may be wise to head back before someone realizes that you are gone," my mother said, panicking. "Mama, the Alpha King told me to come. I cannot disobey his order," I replied, and they both hesitantly agreed. "Has the Queen threatened you in any way?" I asked, growing suspicious again. "Please..." my mother pleaded. "No, mama! Tell me," I demanded. "Kenna, we have been sworn to secrecy. We can only tell you that the Queen does not mean you well," my father interjected. "The secrets being kept from me is not making my situation better," I said, starting to cry. "My dear daughter, we have been commanded. You know what that means. We couldn’t tell you physically or mentally tell you. Just know that we are here if you need us," my mother said, embracing me. "I have to get away from the palace even if it means I must flee," I said, sobbing in my mama's arms. "We will be ready at a moment's notice with horses ready if you go through with running away. Rely on that strong wolf of yours and know that she's no omega," my father said, hugging me tightly.

My father's words continued to haunt my thoughts the entire duration of visiting. I could never possibly admit the overwhelming love I had for my parents.

A few days later...

"We have enjoyed your company these past few days. I see you are still a hard worker. We would not have finished that haul as quickly as we did without you here," my father said, hugging me. "It was therapeutic for me. I am going to miss you guys so much, but the Alpha King returns tomorrow, so I need to be there," I explained. "That is wise, my dear," my mother said, embracing me.

I made it back to the palace after being searched by the guards at the gate. They knew who I was and were usually pretty nice to me. Besides, I was the one that snuck fruits to them on shift if I was in passing. I was always grateful to them for their kindness, even if they never held actual conversations with me. I paced toward the palace. My wolf was stirring in my head the closer I approached and for a good reason too.

"Where have you been? The King has been looking for you," another handmaiden, Swan, said to me. "He is not due back until tomorrow," I said, feeling my heart rate increase. "Go get cleaned up. I'll cover for you but hurry. It seems that he may only desire you over all others," Swan said accusingly. "That is very odd," I said, rushing to my quarters.

I made myself presentable in one of my usual dresses we are made to wear. It's nothing fancy but not raggedy either. The King and Queen wouldn't allow that as everything is about the presentation in their world.

"It's about time you showed up. Where the hell were you?" Beta Vincent growled. "I was obeying the King's order, Beta. I had no intention of keeping the King waiting. I swear," I said, lowering my head in submission even though I would prefer to claw his throat out. "Come with me," he said, tightly grabbing my arm as he drags me to the King's study. "There she is. That will be all, Vincent," Alpha King, Lincoln said, and Beta Vincent begrudgingly dismissed himself.

For a second, he did not look up at me. He was fixated on what looked to be a peace treaty from a faraway land.

"Look at this, McKenna. What is your take on it?" he asked, offering me a seat. "The treaty, my lord?" I asked. "No, the clouds. Of course, the treaty," he sarcastically said, chuckling.

I took a moment to review the passages outlining the page with a family seal I immediately recognized.

"The Tirados are trying to pull a fast one, my lord. This treaty benefits only them as the trade routes will expand while our kingdom would stagnate. Not to mention, if we were to go to war, their men would not make it on time if we were caught off guard. They would surely dissolve your kingdom. This is a bad deal," I said quickly, bowing my head. "I thought so too, but Beta Vincent and my Luna Queen think it could bring peace across the land. I needed an outside opinion. Thanks, McKenna. That will be all," he said, dismissing me. "By the way, this does not leave this room," he added. "Yes, my lord," I bowed before leaving the room and heading to the kitchen to prepare the King's lunch as dinner approached.

On my way to the kitchen, I ran into Swan again. Why was she nice to me all of a sudden?

"Swan, right?" I asked. "The one and only," she replied, not sparing me a glance. "I just wanted to thank you," I said, walking away. "We all need people here to watch our backs," she sadly smiled. "I could not agree more," I agreed just as the horns went off announcing the Queen's return.

I was shocked that she had come home so soon. My responsibility to make one dinner quickly changed to two.

"After you deliver me and the king's dinner, I need you waiting inside my study,” Queen Antoinette said before pivoting on her heel to walk away from me.

Something seemed very off with her. I did as she instructed and stood by until she arrived, only to spot Beta Vincent coming out of her quarters and adjusting his belt. He didn't spot me, but I noticed that he might have caught my scent when he froze with his back to me. Still, he went in the opposite direction.

"What was that all about?" I asked Halo. "I don't know, but if I had to guess..." she paused. "I can fill in the blanks, Halo," I said disgustedly. "You don't think she would cheat on the king with his brother, do you?" I asked. "She's a vindictive snake. She would probably sleep with a broom to get ahead," Halo scoffed. "Anger doesn't suit you," I chuckled, cutting off our link.

My wolf hated Antionette. She did not trust her one bit, unlike me. Thankfully, that ship sailed long ago. I used to be so naive about our friendship. I truly loved her as my sister.