I shifted a bit on the bed and adjusted the covers around me. The room was cold and my body was tired but I couldn't sleep.
Not when my mind was full of pain about my rejection.
No. I won't think of that now. I didn't want to imagine how Mami would feel.
What of my ladies' maid Siha? And the pack members ? How would they react to the news that the first daughter of Canthea was rejected?
Shame threatened to swallow me as pain and grief engulfed me.
Twin beads of tears dropped on the sheets.
So I still have tears to cry? I thought I was exhausted.
My relationship with Pratap was a public one. Since childhood we had been almost inseparable and told each other everything.
I was almost certain my life force was connected to his so it came as no surprise when the moon goddess blessed us by making us mates.
And now?! Has this been her plan all along? To join two people by the hip then brutally separate them?
And Nadia?
By the goddess she would be ecstatic. A humourless chuckle spilled from my lips as I remembered the despair on her face two nights ago.
————
Two nights ago.
————
"And have you seen the diamond necklace she gave me?" I giggled in excitement as I reached for the black velvet box that housed it.
"See," I preened proudly as I unlocked the clap of the box and turned the necklace for Siha to see.
"It's exquisite," Siha gasped and slapped a hand across her mouth.
"I know," I smiled in happiness and let my fingers trail the beautiful cold gold metal. "No one in the whole of Avaloria has better taste than the Luna queen of Canthea,"
And I meant it.
Long before, in what felt like another world, when Cantea was its own Kingdom, I had been Princess Serena. Daughter of King Roland and Queen Lehna. Sheltered by a protective father and a loving mother.
That was before the uprising though. A small smile graced my lip as I shook my head with a sigh.
I would be getting married in two days and my mother couldn't attend. Because she was dead. Killed by King Blanchard Grimclaw during the uprising because she dared to take a stand when my cowardly father couldn't.
And that memory has always haunted him. My mother was his mate and he loved her. Somehow a part of him died that night.
The shell that remained, surrendered to The Capital and King Blanchard gifted him with Maryam Silverfote. An omega from Xintha.
She was given as an insult but she turned out to be the best thing that happened to me.
"It's late, your highness," Siha sighed and wiped my cheek with a silk handkerchief.
I didn't even realise I had been crying.
"Your stepmother is an amazing woman. She loves you and would have my head if I don't get you to sleep now,"
"Alright," I gave Siha a nod and began to help her clear my bed.
My queen sized bed was littered with clothes, jewelry, and several other last minute items I wanted packed into my wedding trousseau.
NADIA PLEASE STOP!" I jerked in shock and exchanged a frightened look with Siha as Mami's loud voice carried over to my room.
"What the hell happened!" I cursed under my breath as I scrambled past the clothes and climbed down from my bed.
It's midnight already! What could Nadia have done?
I was about to find out when my bedroom door banged open and my step sister, Nadia stormed in holding a letter.
She was red. Oh shit.
I turned to Mami who ran in after her as Nadia stormed over to me and waved the paper in my face.
"DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS!"
I blinked at the rage and anger in Nadia's voice.
"What's going on? What's happening?" I turned to Mami in a panic, my fear mirrored in her eyes.
"It's…" Mami started to reply when Nadia cut her off.
"What's going on?!! I'll tell you what's going on! The king has decided to marry me off to that beast!" Nadia screamed and burst into tears.
My hands shook. What the hell is happening? What has Baba done again? I'm the one getting married in two days. Not Nadia.
"Nadia, stop. Your sister isn't responsible. I told you I'll speak to him,"
Mami tried to reach for Nadia to calm her down.
"SHE'S NOT MY SISTER!"Nadia hissed angrily as she jerked away from Mami and turned to me.
It stung a little but I was used to her disdain so I ignored her.
"Can somebody tell me exactly what is happening!"
"You planned this, didn't you? You aren't content getting married to a Beta. You just had to make sure I never secured a match as good as yours!"
I felt the blood leak from my face. Nadia is getting married? To who?
"What has Baba done?" I asked Mami in fear.
"Nadia please stop it!" Mami turned Nadia to her forcefully. "You cannot speak to Serena that way! She's your sister,"
Enough of all this! A low pounding in my skull signalled a migraine that was soon to come.
"Nadia listen to me?" I tried to intervene as I massaged my temple and tried to calm the anger that was steadily growing in me.
"And how sure am I that she's my sister?" Nadia hissed spitefully at Mami, ignoring me.
"For all I know, you've been going around with other men! Surely-"
Crack!
My anger swelled in my stomach and I slapped Nadia across her face.
She froze staring at me in shock. My hand stung as I blinked and realised what I just did. I didn't need to look to the side to know Mami was in shock too.
"Nadia. Please never speak to Mami like that again," I whispered weakly as she grabbed her cheek and just stared at me wide eyed.
"Serena," My heart broke as I heard the tears in Mami's voice.
"What happened Mama? What's all this about Nadia being engaged?" I turned and held Mami's arms.
She shook badly and she was trying to be brave but I could see the depths of despair whirling about in her brown eyes.
"What happened?"
What could be so terrible? I turned to Nadia to see her crying.
My heart froze. Nadia never cried. Not unless it was for her own manipulation.
"What happened?!" I felt like I was going crazy from fear.
"King Blanchard has requested that Baba marry one of his princesses to his son." Nadia choked out.
The Lycan King of the capital? My brain spun as I tried to think about what I knew of my mother's murderer.
"He has four sons, does he not? Two are already married."
Wait. Does that mean?-
A smile bloomed on my lips as a laugh of relief spilled out of them.
"Oh Mami! I was so scared for one moment!" I chuckled happily as I pulled her closer to myself and rested my head on her arm like I had done several times over.
"Did Baba agree? Is Nadia truly to become the next Luna Queen of the Capital?" I asked with wide eyes.
What an exceptional match! Baba would be on top of the world.
"NO!" Nadia wailed as she flung herself on my couch and sobbed nosily into her hands.
Okay? That's a tad bit dramatic.
"Is that why you're sad? Surely it can't be that bad. I know Devania is cold and you're still young but it's an exceptional match! The best match any woman could-"
"Stop!" Nadia cried as she slapped her hands over her ears.
"Stop? Prince Rylan is a catch! I heard he's-"
Mami slapped a hand over her mouth and burst into another round of tears.
"What has gotten into you two?!" I'm so confused right now.
"It's not Rylan! I'm not getting married to the crown prince Rylan!" Nadia screamed at me as she hit me with the pillow on the couch.
I drew back as the soft pillow fell to the floor.
Wait. Does she mean?- My breath shuddered as I realised who was the other unmarried son King Blanchard had.
"No," I shook my head.
"Even Baba will never cross that line," but even as the words left my mouth, I knew I was wrong.
My father would cross every and any line as long as he showed loyalty to Devania.
All feeling left my legs as Mami confirmed my worst fears.
"Your sister won't be marrying Rylan. She's engaged to Prince Kai.
The dark prince," Mami sobbed.