Chapter 7 – A Prince's Return

• The school hall was abuzz with energy, the usual hustle and bustle of students navigating between classes. Andromeda stood at her lockers while her two closest friends, Rachel, and Faye, chatted and laughed about the latest school rumors. Everyone was talking about the arrival of the future king. The professors pretty much gave up on teaching anything worthwhile today because everyone’s focus was elsewhere.
• “So, Faye, is it true that Alexander got his scar because he saved Verona from ethereal giants in the Kingdom of the Greenlands?” Rachel leaned in and whispered.
• Andromeda stopped rummaging through her lockers and turned to look at Faye, eager to know the answer.
• Faye tilted her head back, roaring with laughter. “She wishes!” She screamed loudly. Students turned around, staring at her, with wide eyes. No one can ever believe so much volume comes out of someone so small.
• Controlling her laughter and bending over to catch her breath, she stood up and said, “That girl. Honestly. No, he got it in a battle in the Shadowlands. It’s a gnarly scar, too. Makes him look bad ass. Andi, wait till you see it.”
• Andromeda blushed and turned back to her locker.
• Princess Faye was Alexander’s younger sister and strikingly gorgeous. With her hair the color of moonlight, sapphire blue eyes, and a part of the royal family of Calir, she was the envy of every girl in the school and the object of affection of many. Although she was very popular, and everyone wanted to be her friend, she preferred to spend time with her childhood friend, Andromeda. A few years ago, she was more than happy that Rachel moved to Calir, and they became a trio.
• “So, Andi, when he gets here, are you going to run to him and jump in his arms? Give him a big fat sloppy kiss.” Rachel said as she wiggled her eyebrows.
• “She better not lay a hand on my man if she knows what’s good for her!” a voice screamed from behind.
• The three girls turned around surprised to see Andromeda’s nemesis, Princess Verona, standing there, tapping her foot on the floor with her hands on her waist. A group of girls surrounding her with scowls on their faces.
• “Don’t think you are going to go anywhere near Alexander, mutt. He is royalty, and he doesn’t want to be associated with you. You shouldn’t even be here. You aren’t royalty. Alexander needs a real woman standing by him as his Luna Queen. Someone with beauty, poise, grace, and noble blood. Not some mangy Alpha wanna be.”
• “Well then, that takes you out of the running Verona. You have none of those qualities. But you are a bitch. You’ve nailed that one down so you should be proud.” Rachel said with a smirk.
• “That is Princess Verona to you, and I would you need to watch how you speak to me. I can make life very difficult for you if you don’t shut up.” She hissed.
• Rachel took a step forward and said, “I’d like to see you try, wench.”
• “Ladies, ladies! What is going on here?” said Lady Isabella Kingston, professor of Royal Etiquette and Protocol.
• “Oh Lady Kingston, thank the goddess you arrived.” Verona exclaimed. “This person was threatening to hurt me. Me! Of all people! I was only reminding these girls that I am a princess and this one,” she pointed at Rachel, “threatened to harm me.”
• “Miss Kerensa, is this true? A lady of noble blood should not act this way. Especially with her fellow royals. I expect to see you in Protocol class today, on time! I will need to give you some extra homework to ensure you understand what is expected of you. Remember, always a lady. Now break this up immediately!” She pursed her lips and hurried along.
• Verona turned back around with a smirk on her face, admiring her perfectly manicured nails. “I told you I can make life difficult for you. As for you Andromeda, remember what I said about Alexander. He’s mine. We have a special connection.”
• “I’ve known him for years Verona. We grew up together. He is one of my best friends.” Andromeda said in a low voice.
• “That’s funny. I don’t remember him mentioning you when I spent the night with him. A matter of fact, he never mentioned anything about even knowing you. Even your brothers never mentioned you when we were all hanging out. Remember, Kallie?” Verona said as she turned around to one of the girls in the group. Kallie nodded her head in agreement and Verona quickly turned around.
• Andromeda was not surprised that Kallie would backup Verona’s story. Princess Kallie followed Verona like a puppy and did everything she asked.
• Just then, Verona’s phone beeped as she got a text message. Looking at the phone, she squealed with delight. “Oh, look who I just got a message from!” She showed her phone and right there on the lock screen, it said “Alex Baby”.
• Seeing the hurt in Andromeda’s eyes, Verona made a sad face and said, “Awe, don’t be sad. He was never yours in the first place! See you later Faye. Let’s have lunch together, OK future sister-in-law?” She cackled with laughter, along with the other girls, as she walked away waving goodbye.
• Andromeda fell against the locker with her head towards the ceiling, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Faye and Rachel gave her a hug and tried to console their friend.
• “She is such a bitch.” Rachel said, still fuming and watching her walk away.
• “She is lying Andi. I know my brother. He wouldn’t sleep with her. He has standards. He cares about you.” Faye said, trying to comfort her friend.
• “If he cares about me, why hasn’t he talked to me in three years. Was I that bad?” Andromeda said, sniffling.
• “No, of course not! He has his reasons for his silence. I’m sure he will tell you all about it when he gets back. You’ll see. Try to relax.” She said, with a reassuring smile.
• Andromeda smiled at her friend, closed her eyes, and tried to concentrate on breathing when an unexpected change in the air sent shivers down Andromeda's spine. A wave of anxiety washed over her, making her heart race and her palms clammy. The once loud and cheerful voices of students became indistinct background noise as her senses heightened, tuning into a single presence. She turned her head instinctively towards the double doors to the school and saw him— Alexander, flanked by his beta Logan, gamma Carmine and her own brothers, Peter, and Michael.
• The crowd in the hall began to grow louder, and then cheers and claps erupted from all around. Andromeda's heart tightened as she watched Faye scream with joy and run up to her brother, disappearing inside his jacket and embracing him in a warm hug. A small smile touched Andromeda's lips as she witnessed the genuine love between the siblings.
• As the group walked down the hall, Andromeda's breath hitched when their eyes met for a moment, but he didn't acknowledge her presence. His friends and her brothers, too, passed by without sparing her a glance. She felt a lump forming in her throat, trying to swallow down the hurt and confusion that welled up within her. Verona and Kallie, walked with the group, snickering, and exchanging knowing glances. Andromeda's heart sank as she felt the familiar sting of jealousy and rejection.
• She looked away, her eyes burning as she tried to blink back the tears that threatened to spill. Her grip on her locker tightened, her knuckles turning white. It felt like the world around her was falling apart, and she was left standing alone, forgotten, and ignored by the one person she held closest to her heart.
• Rachel, sensing her friend's distress, gently touched Andromeda's shoulder, offering her support and comfort. “Andromeda are you okay?” she asked softly. Andromeda managed a weak smile, pushing aside her hurt feelings for the moment. “Yeah, I'm fine,” she replied, her voice cracking slightly. “Let's just get to class.”
• “Do you want to give it a few moments to collect yourself? Don’t you have Divination with Madam Starweaver now?” She said with a concerned look on her face.
• Andromeda nodded and started taking a few breaths to calm down when Faye ran back to her.
• “Oh, my goddess Andi, I am so sorry. I can’t believe he didn’t say anything to you.” Faye said with an astonished look on her face. “He had a meeting with the dean, so I ran back here as fast as I could. I can talk to him if you want.”
• Andromeda’s eyes got wide and shook her head vigorously. “No, no, no. Please don’t talk to him for me. It’s OK. I’ll be fine. I have to get to class.”
• Andromeda closed her locker and ran off to her Divination class, leaving her friends behind to exchange worried glances between themselves. Hurrying to her next class, Andromeda took a deep breath, pushing back her emotions and focused on getting through the day. Trying to shake off the sense of abandonment, she made it to her seat just as the tardy bell rang.