This was what I was worried about when I tried to talk to the King the morning he was about to make the announcement regarding the Queen's removal off his post.Of course, I saw this coming. This was the Lycans' territory. The Canine Family's land. Someone like me, a mere wolf whose capabilities were inferior to them cannot possibly replace the Queen. I was just a mistress from a not so known pack. I wasn't even recognized. Thus, this situation did not really susprise me. But I could not help but feel affected still. Though I feel much safer now, I feel disappointed, hurt, and... belittled.
"You didn't need to do that," I told Declan while my heart screamed for otherwise. I liked it. I knew I wasn't suppose to feel this way... but the way he was continuously securing my safety, easing my anxiousness, doing things my way. My heart beated for it."You are my Queen—""Replacement." I corrected him. "Perhaps you've been forgetting the real reason I am here, Declan. I am only your mistress, and my purpose is to give birth to your child. To birth your heir, to fulfill your final and most importance task." I swallowed hard. "Sooner or later, you're going to have to bring back the Queen and—""I do not wish to bring her back."
"W-what?""The Lycans have started to question the King's decision," said Elizabeth. "So it is best for you to stay in the Palace."My heart contorted. I looked at the lined up court ladies before the door, giving them a worried and nervous glance. This issue has been going around for days. That the Lycans did not want to accept me as their Queen. That they were starting to question the King's motives and intentions. Rumors started spreading. The Lycans' voice were becoming loud each passing day... until it became chaos."What about the King?" I stood up from the bed.
"Miss Eve, what are you going to do?" asked Chamnielle. "We are strictly told to look after you.""I would visit my King, Chamnielle. Can't a Queen do that?" I asked with courage. "I am still in this position. I have the rights to do as I please."The court ladies walked faster to blocked my way. Even Chamnielle, who was the one speaking in behalf of them. Elizabeth, Ylena, and the others have probably got tired convincing me since I wasn't listening. And now, for the first time I wasn't only trying— I would attempt.Because that was my purpose as his Queen, right?
"You do not have the right to use the Queen's power for your own convenience—""But I am the Queen. This position was rightfully and legally given to me by the King himself. He signed the documents, and I had been acting according to that title eversince." I spoke in a calm manner. "I have all the rights to speak, and thus, protect myself. My race aside, I had been made the Queen. Am I not?""It was only the King who decided that!""Then are you saying you're against your own King?" I narrowed my eyes, before I used both my hands to lift my gown. I stood up, then turned to my court ladies. "Isn't there a law that states about a Lycan going or rebelling against the King?"
"You shouldn't have done that, Genevieve," Declan angrily said. "You are not supposed to do anything!"My heart contorted. "And why not?"I was the Queen. At the moment. Ever since he gave me the Queen's power. Starting from the day he insisted that I should be his new accomplice in this land, I was rightfully the Queen. Though it was really wrong.He was my King, and I protected him at a time where I thought I should. Because if I couldn't use my power to defend him, then what worth did I still have? "You just tainted your whole reputation. After you stood up against my Lycans, you proved them right. That you are indeed using your power, utilizing it to its extent!"
"Devra has to go back." The elders say with a cautious tone. "We have no choice. We have to remain intact.""I can hold them intact." Declan stood up. "We don't need Devra. I don't need Devra.""But Devra is their Queen, Your Majesty. In our fellow Lycans' mind, she is the original and legal Queen. To stop this chaos, you can only either bring back Devra, or remove Miss Genevieve and choose another from an elite bloodline."I swallowed hard. The air in the room was suffocating. Each of us were holding our breath to the conversation of the Alpha, and the elders. This was a very crucial moment, after all.
"I'm asking you..." Declan's tone was in the edge. But although I have seen different sides of him, this one was utterfly foreign to me. I saw him mad. Frustrated. Serious. A little happy. But now he looked... wistful and hurt. And it was strange because I feel the same."Do it..." My heart was beating loud. "If it was what your Lycans wants, do it.""Do you want me to do it?" He asked, his voice more raspy and intense that if I didn't know him, I would think he was shaking on the inside. "Do not ask me—""Do you?"
'Shift!' Lexi shouted, as I was on my knees, hiding myself behind the bed. It was a direct command. Thus, I transmuted at will. I closed my eyes shut, as I felt the size of my arms and legs growing bigger. My body rocked as my head turned up.Lexi roared. "Who is it?"The whole place was reeking with Lycans. It was a scent I have started to become familiar with, since this was their territory. That said, I couldn't pinpoint its location. Even if I were to follow the smell through the window, it would be useless because I could sense ten of them.
Payne was an Alpha. I could see him as someone similar to my dad. He value his wolves. He wasn't an Alpha who use strength and force but rather heart and mind. It was one reason I adored my father before...'So, which one will it be?' asked, Lexi.My brows puckered. 'Which one?''Which love would you prsue? Payne, or Declan?'My lips formed a thin line. Was that even a question? Of course, if I have an option, it wouldbe Payne... but then I cannot. My father's agreement with Declan was what bind me here. So even if I want to pursue Payne... the answer would be Declan.'I'm bound to be with Declan, Lexi. You know why.'
"Genevieve..." I swallowed hard. "I am Genevieve Lamperogue."The smell. The enticing feeling. The pounding of my chest. I cannot be mistaken. Though it was invsible, I could certainly feel a thread connecting us. This wolf in front of me... is my fated mate.But I have Declan, and I cannot be with him now. I was still under my father and Declan's agreement, and Declan and I were starting to be... "You feel it too, don't you?" He let out a warm smile.Payne looked harmless. His smile was like no other. There was no dangerous nor suspicious motive in his eyes. It was as if he lived in the moment. I wish I could too."W-what?" I tried to play dumb.Of course, I knew it. I knew what he was talking about. It was the bond. The thin line that was starting to stimulate me.
'Shift!' Lexi shouted, as I was on my knees, hiding myself behind the bed. It was a direct command. Thus, I transmuted at will. I closed my eyes shut, as I felt the size of my arms and legs growing bigger. My body rocked as my head turned up.Lexi roared. "Who is it?"The whole place was reeking with Lycans. It was a scent I have started to become familiar with, since this was their territory. That said, I couldn't pinpoint its location. Even if I were to follow the smell through the window, it would be useless because I could sense ten of them.
"Did you enjoy it?" Declan asked as I was gazing out the window.It was nightfall. We only have been on this carriage for 1 hour or so, and I wasn't sleepy at all. Maybe because I rested before we left. Or maybe because the night sky was just so beautiful I find it shameful to just sleep on it.My head turned to Declan, before I looked at him. "Yes. Very much.""The Lycans from the other continent are nice, weren't they?""Nicer than the ones in your Kingdom, yes," I said as a matter of fact. "They never even asked why you brought me there."
"Your Majesty is looking for you.." Leonardo said the moment he stepped in. "I believe it's because you refused to eat with him twice in a row now."My brows furrowed. Then I stood up from my seat. "Leonardo? You're here?"He was fired yesterday. How was he here? No... he came back? Did Declan bring him back because I was against it? "Your Majesty brought me back to my post.." He smiled. "He draw lines, though."I smiled. Then I walked towards him. "I'm glad he did... I'm sorry though. It was my fault—""Please, do not feel sorry. It was my fault for upsetting the King."
"You fired Leonardo.." My lips pursed. "Why?"I knew why. I had an idea why. But I wanted it to come from him. I wanted him to validate it, so I wouldn't feel like it was just in my head. I was hoping.It was a bad thing. Leonardo was good to me. He was nice to me. He was just like one of my court ladies because he was helping me. But if what I was thinking was true.... I breathed hard. "He's good to me. He never disappointed me—""Because he likes you." Declan's expression was unreadable. So was his tone. So I didn't really know if that response was something I was expecting. Because what if he meant it the other way? What if it wasn't because he liked me?
"H-how do we get out of here?" I asked as I nervously looked around the area.There were no houses nearby. We have no torch. Food. Or even a companion that could help us. It was just us, in the middle of this snowy forest."Let's see if there are houses nearby," Declan suggested."I can't see any." I walked towards him, frightened. "What if we don't get help? Are we going to stay the night here?""We can shift and go," said Declan. "But we'll lose these clothes."That a choice. But what happens when we get lost as we run, and we wanted to find food?
"Is this..." My brows met as I roamed my eyes around. My lips slightly parted, amazed by the season. We were on a journey for three days so I knew it was far. But to think that we would be far enough to see this kins of season..."The Northern continent, yes." Declan answered, before he offered his hand. "Which is why I told you to wear a jacket.""I thought it was only because of the weather..." I was expecting for a rainy weather, actually. I never thought we'd be in a place where it snows.It was my first time, and it was just so majestic.