I rested my chin on the table and watched Aunt Disa and the maids in the kitchen, cooking and laughing together. They looked so happy and peaceful; I wished I could feel the same way. Just like back in the Davenport pack, everything felt comfortable and carefree.But I wasn't fortunate enough to enjoy that kind of simple life.My mind was in complete chaos, replaying the past few days' events. I couldn't even bring myself to talk to Vincent because of my guilt. Let alone face Elijah; I was too scared to even catch a glimpse of him from a distance. I avoided him altogether.My eyes met Aunt Disa's across the room."Deli? What's wrong?" Aunt Disa noticed my somber expression.I tried to hide it, but it seemed impossible since I'm a terrible liar.I shook my head quickly. "Nothing."Aunt Disa returned the salad spoon to the bowl and wiped her hands. She walked over and sat down next to me."You wouldn't look like this if it was nothing," she said. "Come on, tell me. Don't keep your feel
“We’re going to meet Elder Bishop,” Elijah said.I blinked. Tonight? All of a sudden?“Does it have to be tonight?” I asked.“I don’t want to waste any time. Besides, meeting Elder Bishop at night will be safer,” Elijah replied. “We could stay at the castle. After all, I’m supposed to live there, right?”I couldn’t argue with Elijah, so I could only nod weakly.Elijah came closer and took my hand. His demeanor was completely different from the last time—could he really be done being angry?Is he one of those short-tempered guys who explodes in the moment and then forgets about it? Whereas the consequences of his actions could leave scars on another wolf’s heart for decades.I glanced at Vincent, who was walking behind us, and noticed a slight smile on his lips.“But I’m not prepared for this. I’m still dressed like this,” I said quickly, trying to make an excuse. “When we go to the castle, I don’t want to be made fun of again.”Elijah chuckled. “Then let’s go to Eugenia’s first.”“I c
Delilah's smile curled at the corners of her lips, visible from the side of my eye. She appreciated the little things as if they were extraordinary. Even though we were just having dinner.I wondered if I had lost that sense of excitement over time. Even enjoying the breeze blowing through the car window? I've forgotten how to enjoy life.I admit it."My king? Why aren't you eating?" Delilah turned to look at my plate."Not very hungry.""Then why did you bring me here if you didn't want to eat?""I just wanted to take you to dinner. That's all."Delilah didn't answer; she just lowered her head slightly with a gentle smile.Am I being too obvious? Or do I look weak in front of Delilah?I feel as if Delilah's gaze exposes me as if she can see my darkest side. Even when I've broken her, she's always gotten back up again despite the many times I've hurt her.I watched Delilah eat her food with enthusiasm.This is just a simple treat, but she looks so happy. I really made Delilah suffer,
We arrived at the castle after midnight, and the gatekeeper immediately opened the gates. As the car pulled in, several maids stepped out of the main entrance, forming a line as they waited for us to leave.So much for secrecy when we wanted to meet Bishop discreetly. Why do all the maids know we’re coming? It seems ridiculous.“My king, my queen,” the maids greeted us as Elijah and I walked past them.The maids followed us from behind, heading for the left wing of the castle where Bishop quarters were located. That’s where Elena was. We made two turns, passed three small gardens, and finally arrived at the Bishop’s residence.In front of us was a small gate guarded by two wolves. After the small gate, I saw three doors lined up on the left and right sides of the corridor.The guards immediately opened the door on the left.“Elder Bishop has been expecting you, my king and queen. Please come in,” the guard said in a polite tone.The moment we stepped inside, I could smell the scent of
Our lengthy discussion finally ended, but the conclusion remained unclear. What had happened to me had to be investigated through the lineage of the previous pack, the Davenport Pack. I kept quiet, though, because I didn’t want Elijah and Bishop to know that I wasn’t Papa’s biological child. It wasn’t the right time yet, or maybe it was something I didn’t need to reveal.Since it was too late to return to the mansion, we decided to spend the night at the castle. Elijah and I slept in the right wing, which was eerily quiet. No one was around in this area, which is almost twice the size of the mansion.I could hardly sleep, thinking about the possibilities Bishop had laid out. Even though Elijah and Bishop tried to reassure me that I wasn’t necessarily a descendant of the Celestial Moon pack, I was still worried. Bishop had said that what had happened to me was a blessing. Since the Celestial Moon Pack had been cursed in the past and had become a forgotten myth, if I were their desc
“Let go of me!” I hissed angrily.I tried to pull away, but the damn guy twisted my arm behind my back. I let out a groan, but no one dared to help me.“Don’t make a scene. You’re just a lowly creature.” The guy sneered, laughing along with his friends.“Elijah...” I whimpered.“Who’s Elijah?” the guy chuckled quietly. “Your boyfriend?”“Her king.”The voice came from behind the guy, and suddenly, the grip on my arm loosened. I immediately pushed his hand away, and he and his friends groaned and bowed.I stepped back, relieved to see Elijah standing across from me. I was so grateful to see him there.“Lesser wolves,” Elijah growled.Those who had attacked me were now kneeling on the ground, their faces flushed as they clutched their throats in pain. The people around us stared, confused by what seemed to be a strange show.Elijah walked over and pulled me into his arms, his expression filled with concern. “What have they done to you?” he asked.I shook my head. “Let’s go home. Please,
I left my room and jogged lightly down the corridor, intending to go to Aunt Disa’s room. But I was stopped abruptly by Vincent, who suddenly appeared at the intersection.“Queen Delilah.” Vincent offered a thin smile. “Please, no running in the hallway. You’re about to be crowned.”I giggled, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Vincent. I was in a hurry to see my aunt.”“Oh, could it wait a moment? King Elijah wishes to speak with you in his room.”I nodded quickly. “Yes, sure. I’ll go see King Elijah now.”Vincent walked beside me, and I couldn’t help but notice something different about him. He seemed slightly cheerful, though I couldn’t put my finger on why.The door to Elijah’s room was open, and I could hear voices inside. Vincent knocked on the door, and I stood in the doorway to greet Elijah.“Good afternoon, King Elijah,” I said.Inside, Elijah was with Eugenia. The king stood before a mirror while Eugenia stood behind him, helping him put on a fur coat.“What do you think, Delilah?” El
The McKinney Pack residence is well outside town, a quarter of a day's drive. I shared a car with Elijah and Vincent. Our car was part of a convoy with the other royal wolves leaving the castle.Bishop wasn't attending the event, but some of his sons represented his pack. One thing I noticed was that Elena wasn't coming to the hunt. When I arrived at the castle, she was nowhere to be seen."Why isn't Elena with us?" I asked, just to satisfy my curiosity."Elena doesn't have an Alpha, Delilah. She-wolves aren't allowed to join the hunt unless they're Lunas," Elijah explained."So this is like a competition for males to show off their strength and ego?" I teased.Elijah laughed heartily. "I'd rather not answer that. How about Vincent does instead?" he said between laughs."It's not about ego, my queen," Vincent smiled.It's more like a sporting event where the king can judge which pack can be a pillar of the kingdom's defense. That's why each pack competes to be the best, to earn the ki
"Yes, I did," Elena replied bluntly.I stood up, and anger immediately surged through me. "Are you too much of a coward to admit what you did, Beta Elena? That you had to blame me?"I should've brought a recorder so everyone would know that Elena was the one who poisoned Catherine. I was the only one hearing her confession, and it all felt pointless.My teeth clenched, and my hands balled into fists. If we weren't in this cell, I would have beaten her to a pulp. I never feared Elena, even though she was Elijah's sister."I could admit everything, but I'm not the one who needs to leave this place, Delilah. You're the one who needs to get out of this palace." Elena crossed her arms."You hate me that much?""I don't care about you. I care about my brother's position. Do you understand?"Elijah's position? What did she mean? Bishop once said that Elena always had her own agend
The guards took me out of the cell a few hours later. I didn't know precisely how long it had been, but the sky was dark when I looked out the window on the way to the hall. All the royal alphas, along with Wanda and Bishop, were already gathered there. I was ordered to kneel before the empty throne, my head bowed low.The doors to the hall opened again, and I caught Elijah's scent. A shiver ran down my spine as he passed me. I could feel his anger, though I couldn't tell who it was directed at. Elijah took a seat on the throne and stared at me intently."You poisoned Queen Catherine, I've heard. Delilah, how many more times are you going to cause trouble?" Elijah asked.I swallowed hard and shook my head. "Even if I protest my innocence, the accusation will stick to me. So, my king, I've accepted whatever sentence you decide."Wanda cleared her throat. "Just have her beheaded, father."What? Beheaded? If I were really to die, she and Catherine would be the first to come after me. An
Dinner was ordered, and I, along with the other maids, promptly went to the dining room and set the dishes on the table. As we left the room, Elena walked past us, entering first, followed by Catherine and the Lunas on their way to the dining area.We maids lined up neatly to let them pass. The Lunas looked at me with disdain; they knew who I was, the fraud.How long will that label stick to me? If they knew the truth, these Lunas would bow down to me."Or maybe they'd try to eliminate you," Lona muttered. "You're a descendant of a pack that was destroyed. More like wiped out on purpose."I ignored Lona's words and followed the other maids back to the kitchen. Once there, I quickly searched for my bag and was relieved to find it still there. There was no way it could have been lost or stolen. I decided to leave it where it was."Hey, what's your name?" one of the maids called out."Delilah.""Come join us in the kitchen. We need a break, too," she invited warmly.I sat awkwardly in a
The air duct seemed endless, narrow, and stifling. Sweat poured down my body, but curiosity overcame fear and exhaustion. I saw a speck of bright light ahead—it must be the end. I pushed open the air duct cover and crawled out.I found myself surrounded by a wood. This must be outside the palace walls. There was no visible path, but I noticed a patch of grass shorter than the rest. It looked trampled, probably the intruder's trail."Stop! We must return to the palace, or you'll be in trouble!" Lona warned."But this is my way out, isn't it? If I'm going to escape, now is the perfect time.""Don't be ridiculous! We don't know what lurks in these woods! Don't be reckless!"I took a deep breath. "Okay, okay..."There was no way I could wander through the woods like this, even in daylight. But at least I'd found the way of the intruders. No wonder they escaped so easily. Who would have thought there was a secret passage in the laundry room?I climbed back into the air duct and returned to
"Camden, Arlington, Fergus, and Orson."Michael said the names without hesitation. Regardless of whether his suspicions turned out to be true, he couldn't afford to voice them recklessly. He could lose his head for it if he accused someone without proof.And that was the problem—evidence. What kind of evidence did Michael have?The royal wolves had immense power. They could twist the truth to their advantage, and a young wolf like Michael could be easily disposed of."Do you have solid proof to accuse them?" I asked."Not yet. But I've pieced things together from the last decade's events." Michael rubbed his chin. "I do my homework, Deli."Did Michael seriously say that? I don't understand why he should bother thinking about the traitor. Was Bishop's discussing this with his youngest son? Until Michael was obsessed with it?"You're playing detective because your life is boring. Before you start making accusations, you should have something solid.""I will. It's just a matter of time."
The following day, at dawn, I carried a basket of laundry from the Queen's chamber to the outer part of the palace.I passed through the gates that led to the Bishop's chamber and his family's residence and headed for the garden. His chamber faced the garden, and I tried to remember which window belonged to Michael's room."Which one is his room?" I murmured, scanning the row of windows."Try the one that's open," Lona suggested. "You could climb in.""Good idea.""In case you get caught and beheaded, maybe I should say farewell now," she added sarcastically."That won't happen."I set the basket down near the bushes and climbed up the ledge. It wasn't too tricky; I could do it.After a few minutes, I reached the open window and inhaled a familiar scent. Michael!I slipped inside and found Michael fast asleep on his bed. I hurried over to him."Michael," I whispered, shaking his shoulder.His eyes fluttered open, and our eyes locked for a moment before he jerked awake."Shit! What are
Returning to the maids' quarters and celebrating this small victory felt satisfying. As I left the hall, I caught sight of Catherine's sour expression, and it felt so good to see her utterly defeated."You're asking for trouble," Nana said worriedly. "Queen Catherine could come after you, Delilah.""I only did what I had to do," I replied."You shouldn't have defended Gema."Of course, hearing Nana's words, Gema and Cassie immediately fell silent. Especially Gema, whose face turned red with suppressed anger."You're the one who caused the trouble, so you should take responsibility for it!" Nana accused. "Queen Catherine will be watching all of us now, and it's all because of you!""I had already accepted my fate when Queen Catherine ordered me to lie, Nana!" Gema snapped. "But Delilah stood up for me! Now I know who my true friends are and who aren't!""I'm not against you! But your actions have put us all in danger!"The tension between them escalated, and I quickly stepped between t
I awoke with a dull ache all over my body, yet it felt strangely satisfying. My sleep had been deep, dreamless, and restful.And now I was fully aware I was in the King's chamber. Then, the memory of me trying to seduce Michael, only to end up with Elijah, hit me like a thunderbolt. Had I lost my mind?"Welcome home," Lona's voice echoed in my head. "You're finally awake.""What happened?""It seems Catherine tried to slip a stimulant into Elijah's tea. Next time, just throw it out. You never know—it could be poison.""That was an accident, Lona. I never meant to drink it myself if it hadn't stopped Cassie."I let out a small sigh and touched the empty spot beside me on the bed. Cold. Elijah was gone.Heat rushed to my face as flashes of last night came flooding back. Even though my consciousness had been hazy, I could still remember everything. Our bonding had been intense—pleasurable, even. I couldn't say it was beautiful, not under the influence of that cursed potion.But it had fe
My steps trembled as I walked down the hallway, feeling like I couldn't take another step. The world seemed to be spinning, my stomach twisting in pain.When I reached the gates, the guards gave me a confused look."Hey, are you okay?" one of them asked."I need to see Elder Bishop," I whispered."All right. If you're sick, go to the healer."I just nodded and forced myself to walk to Bishop's chamber, which was quite far from the Queen's quarters.Cold sweat soaked my body, and my vision blurred.What kind of potion was Catherine planning to give Elijah? Was she going to poison the king?When I arrived at Bishop's chamber, two guards blocked my way."I need to speak with Elder Bishop. It's urgent," I pleaded."Elder Bishop isn't here. Come back tomorrow."Ah, this isn't happening!I didn't know what would happen if I didn't see Bishop. If I went to the healer, they would find out what I drank and who gave it to me. That wo