Chapter 73

• HAERA I was expecting a commotion. And I had waited patiently for it just like my mate had advised.....I stayed hidden. My mind wasn't at peace because I was unable to tell Alpha Zachary about Princess Ilvira's conspiracy. Yet, I was expecting a commotion. But I wasn't expecting the cause of that commotion. I mean, I knew Tybalt was Princess Ilvira's destined mate but it was still shocking to see Alpha Zachary's fury. Beating Tybalt into a pulp and locking him and Princess Ilvira behind the silver cage was another thing I didn't foresee my mate doing. "It was Epic!" Dezra hinted as I stood outside the maid's quarters, watching some of the maids cleaning the damages of yesterday's uproar. My injured leg was almost completely healed but I used it as an excuse to escape performing all the chores Dina assigned to me. "The Alpha wants me to rest." Dina's eyes widened when she heard my statement. She had come to see if I was truly back to the pack this morning and she didn't waste any time beginning her usual wickedness. My excuse wasn't necessarily a lie but those weren't the exact words the Alpha said. The good part was Dina bought it and she left me alone to think. My happiness about the incident was immeasurable yet I was sad that Alpha Zachary had to see his marked mate fucking Tybalt. I could imagine the pain of betrayal zapping through his veins yesterday. "Someone said the ugly chef came back with the Alpha yesterday....." "Did she really save the Alpha from being killed by the Alpha prince?" "I want to believe the Alpha didn't lock our kind-hearted Luna up because he had been bewitched by the ugly chef..." At that point, I wasn't surprised by the rate rumors spread around the pack. It was faster than a wildfire. The story behind what happened to the Alpha was only known by a few and those that knew it was too busy trying to get the pack back in order, leaving the maids to assume most of the details. I didn't try to correct any of them. "Do you think we have a chance now? The witch is out of the way which means-" There was hope in my wolf's voice as she chatted heartily in my head. I wished I could say it was going to happen like that but it wasn't that simple and no matter the situation, Alpha Zachary had marked Princess Ilvira. My mate had built a bond with her. It'll be difficult to terminate that. "He hasn't even called for us after he stormed away from the throne room yesterday. I'm certain he had forgotten about us." I declared to Dezra. My response was harsh and straightforward but I didn't want her to get her hopes high. But, I was still praying I have a chance to be Alpha Zachary's mate like I should be. My emotions were a mess. I decided to go back to my room but before I could take a step, the maids started grumbling again. Whispering into each other's ears. I cleared my thoughts just to eavesdrop on their gossip. "....they came for her?..." That was something but it wasn't explanatory enough but it made me more interested in the unknown topic. "I don't think that's the case because Alpha Myles and his escort from the Moonlit pack are about to enter the palace." A maid mentioned loudly. She was obviously not versed in the whispering game. Alpha Myles was in the Imperial pack? But why? "My informant said Alpha Jarvold doesn't look too happy. He must have heard about his daughter's maltreatment." The loud maid informed the rest and they all gasped. I tried to bring the bits of information together to create a bigger and more explanatory picture but Dina interrupted. "Your people from the Moonstone pack are here and I'll appreciate it if you escort them to the throne room instead of standing idle." I could tell Dina was trying so hard not to sound harsh probably because I used the Alpha as an excuse this morning. I cackled silently but agreed to do as she said. If Alpha Jarvold was here then there might be another uproar soon. Alpha Jarvold doesn't joke with princess Ilvira's well-being and I could only imagine what he would do to Alpha Zachary for locking his perfect daughter in a silver cage. "Welcome, Alpha and Luna. Please allow me to lead you to the throne hall." I greeted Alpha Jarvold and his mate, Luna Elena with respect just as my eyes settled on Ulric after I bowed to the Alpha and Luna as an act of respect. I'd been waiting for them at the palace gate but I wasn't prepared for the emotion that hit me when I saw them. Strangely, I felt this nostalgic feeling clouding my senses. It was odd but I missed those faces. I quickly turned my face away, leading the way to Alpha Zachary. Another maid was ushering Alpha Myles and his escort from the Moonlit pack. The guards at the entrance of the throne room announced our presence before pulling the door open. I didn't have to search for him because my mate was sitting on his throne with a firm expression. I bowed slightly and moved to a corner in the throne room as Alpha Jarvold stepped forward to greet my destined mate. "I'm pleased to see that you are back before our arrival, Alpha Zachary. We were worried you'll never come back." Alpha Jarvold seemed sincere as he stated which made me wonder why he was here in the first place. The Alphas took the seat that was assigned for them opposite Alpha Zachary's throne while Luna Elena sat close to her mate. "Thankfully, we don't have to install another Alpha to your throne. It's a relief." Alpha Myles added. I didn't see his Luna so I assumed he didn't come with her. I realized the two Alphas Hadn't heard about what happened yesterday. They must have begun their journey to the Imperial pack after they received the news of Alpha Zachary's possible death. According to tradition, the next in line would be crowned Alpha if the reigning Alpha died. I now understood Tybalt's plan better. Tybalt played the Three packs just to get installed on the throne in the right traditional manner. "I must admit. Tybalt's scheme was well planned." Beta Alan had informed Alpha Zachary and me of how he pretended to be searching for the Alpha. Tybalt wasn't just a snake. He was a green snake under green grass or a brown snake on sandy soil. "That isn't important, Alpha Jarvold!" Gennora screamed, shaking and staggering out of one of the multiple corners in the throne room. Gennora's appearance wasn't befitting her usual sophisticated ones. She looked disheveled and dirty. I didn't see her coming and from the angry expression on the Alphas' faces, they also didn't notice her entrance. "How dare you intrude on the Alpha's discussion?" Alpha Myles exploded like a timed bomb. All the maids in the throne room cower backward, putting enough space between the Alphas and their trembling bodies. "I'll gladly lose my life for this. Alpha Jarvold, Princess Ilvira-" "You'll be punished for this disrespect." Alpha Jarvold barked, shutting Gennora up. It took him a few seconds to understand that Gennora was trying to tell him something.....important. "Where is your Luna, Alpha Zachary? I haven't seen her since I arrived." Alpha Jarvold pointed out. He and Luna Elena gazed at Alpha Zachary who had been quiet the entire time, with expectation. The uproar was about to begin. I could sense it. "Your daughter had committ-" "He had her locked up behind the silver cage. You have to help the Princess, Alpha Jarvold." Gennora spoke out of turn again and this time, Alpha Zachary didn't stay quiet. He told the guards to seize Gennora while Alpha Jarvold processed the words of his head maid. Luna Elena's expression showed her confusion. "Alpha Zachary, where is my daughter?" The question sounded cold and distant, mirroring Alpha Jarvold's emotion which everyone in the throne room could perceive. "Just like your maid has said, I had your daughter locked up. She had committed a grave crime and-" "What!" Luna Elena exclaimed. She was already out of her seat while Alpha Jarvold looked like he was strangling the armrests on his chair. Alpha Jarvold's flawless face had changed to a scary blood-red color that made me wonder if he had any blood left in other parts of his body. "I demand to see my daughter immediately!" Alpha Jarvold commanded, exuding his Alpha aura furiously. "You're angry and I understand that but this is my pack and I'm the Alpha here. You will respect me while you are here or else!" Alpha Zachary boomed angrily. He had been holding it in ever since the Alphas arrived but a little push was all he needed to wear his anger like a second skin. "Your daughter committed a grave sin and I'll punish her as I deemed fit." My mate added, creating more tension between him and Alpha Jarvold. I watched from the corner I was standing in as Luna Elena pacified her mate to calm down, telling him that there must be a justified reason for Alpha Zachary's action. "Let's hope it isn't what I'm thinking..." Luna Elena murmured to her mate but we all heard her. "Bring in the Princess." Alpha Zachary voiced out with a large amount of venom and the guards obeyed instantly. Alpha Myles stayed neutral between Alpha Zachary and Alpha Jarvold although the tension in the throne room became thicker with each passing second. "Please, tell me what Ilvira has done." No one foresaw that not from Luna Elena. Her soft feminine voice cut through the tension in the room like it was created to actually alleviate conflicts. "She conspired with my half-brother to murder me." Alpha Zachary's response was blunt and quick. His jaw was clenched tight and I was afraid he would break his face if he didn't reduce the pressure. "Impossible!" Alpha Jarvold retorted. "I came back to my pack yesterday worried, battered, and exhausted only to catch my...your daughter and Tybalt fucking each other's brains out!" Alpha Zachary spelled out, seeing to it that everyone present in the throne room could feel his anger like their own. I felt it too but I somehow found it funny. My wolf and I had always felt him having sex with Princess Ilvira so his anger and pain satisfied me. Alpha Zachary might not know but he got what he dished out for me.....payback. I just didn't have to lift a finger. Tybalt and Ilvira had dealt with him on my behalf. "Oh, dear Goddess...." The soft whisper of Luna Elena pulled me out of my thoughts. Alpha jarvold didn't believe Alpha Zachary but his mate on the other hand sank back into her seat. "Ilvira wouldn't do that. You are her mate. She'll die if you die. She should be-" "Maybe she isn't my destined mate after all." His voice was bold and Alpha Zachary was confident when he countered Alpha Jarvold's words. "Swells...finally, he's seeing the truth. Do you think he believes us now?" Before I could respond to Dezra's question, Princess Ilvira's screams filled my ears. My eyes cut to the entrance just like everyone else's, waiting to see what had become of the perfect Luna overnight. "Don't drag me like a fucking slave!" Princess Ilvira screamed at the guards pulling her into the throne room. I surmised staying in the silver cafe overnight wasn't enough to change the Princess. The moment Princess Ilvira stepped into the throne room, a series of gasps could be heard. The sight of the princess rendered me speechless. Trust me, her attitude might not change over the night but her appearance had a lot of changes.....the kind of change that could be called "from grace to grass" but I would describe it as "from grace to gutter". "That can't be my princess...." Alpha Jarvold bellowed at the sight of his beloved daughter. "Daddy! Mom! I knew you would come for me. I knew y-" Princess Ilvira cried out to her parents, running into Aloha Jarvold's arms immediately after she was released from the guards' stronghold and shackles. Princess Ilvira began to sob uncontrollably as her father held her against him, forgetting that she was accused of a crime by the most powerful Alpha of the woodlands. "Did you conspire against your mate with his brother? Did you sleep with your mate's brother?" Without beating around the bush or showing pity for her daughter, Luna Elena bombarded Princess Ilvira with questions after leaving her seat once more. "Trust me, Mom-" "Answer me Ilvira!" Never have I heard Luna Elena raise her voice at anyone and definitely not at Princess Ilvira. "Don't yell at her. She is terrified as it is. I'm sure there was some sort of misunderstanding. Tell me what happened, Ilvira." Alpha Jarvold said to his mate and his daughter while the rest of us watch the scene with keen interest. "I didn't do it willingly day. Alpha Zachary's half-brother manipulated me and it was out if my cont-" "He manipulated you with what?" It was Luna Elena again. I understand that she was fighting to protect her pack's honor and image but she also didn't believe her daughter as mothers do. "That he would reveal the truth about her not being my fated mate." Alpha Zachary answered on behalf of Princess Ilvira. Princess Ilvira denied it quickly but her mother lashed out at her again. "Did he also manipulate you to have sex with him?" "Mo-m. Youi ha-ve to belie-ve me." Princess Ilvira stuttered. Alpha Zachary rose from his throne and walked passed princess Ilvira and her parents to Gennora who was still thrashing against the guard that had been restricting her. "The truth isn't hidden from me anymore but I want to hear it from you. Just so you know, I overheard a conversation between you and Ilvira weeks ago, and right now, Ilvira's scent has changed greatly to me." Gennora tried to hide her shock from her face but her scent carried it through the hall. "To my question, Is Ilvira your daughter?" Alpha Zachary asked, causing pin-drop silence to settle over the throne room. I shifted my eyes to Princess Ilvira's parents to see what they were feeling due to my mate's question. "Of course not. The maid over there is my daughter." Gennora pointed to me which made everyone in the throne room look at me. I didn't cower from their scrutinizing gaze though. "She isn't a maid bitch. She is a chef!" That's aside, she doesn't get to call me her daughter after everything. "Are you certain?" Alpha Zachary asked Gennora again and I couldn't help but ask myself why my mate diverted from Princess Ilvira's crime to asking such questions. He was going off course. Alpha Zachary gritted his teeth before strolling back to his throne. I was about to insult whatever he just did but the moment he spoke again, I was left to think again. "Summon the witch, Alan." Alpha Zachary commanded.