Chapter 43

Lucy.

I tried not to let the memory play over and over in my head, but it clung to me regardless. I couldn't believe Ethan would say such a thing to Derek..

But more than that, what haunted me… was Alpha Ellison.

He barely looked at me these days. Not since the night he stormed out with Ivy trailing behind him like a smug little shadow. Every time I caught a glimpse of him in the halls or at court meetings, he was either too preoccupied or deliberately looking the other way. And always with her.

At first, I told myself I was being dramatic. I told myself I didn’t care, that I had no right to care, but even now, brushing my hair in front of the mirror, I felt that ache in my chest. 

“Don’t frown,” Elizabeth’s voice chimed in from behind me, her fingers deftly fastening the delicate clasp of my necklace. “You wouldn't want Derek seeing you like this.”

I met her eyes in the mirror, offering a half-smile. “I’m not frowning.”

“You’re brooding,” she corrected with a knowing smirk. “But don’t worry. I called this, remember? I told you something was going is definitely cooking between you two. I mean I knew that from the moment he wouldn't stop following you around."

I laughed softly. “We’re just going to see a movie and get dinner, Elizabeth. That’s all. Take that nasty idea off your head immediately!"

“For now,” she sang, stepping back to inspect my dress. “You look beautiful. And so ready to be wooed.”

“I still have responsibilities, you know,” I reminded her, turning to face her fully. “I might be going out tonight, but I haven’t forgotten why I’m here. Remember the king paid me to bare him children, that's the only thing I can be so concerned about in this palace. Derek is just a breath of fresh air, he not like everyone in this palace."

Elizabeth nodded, the teasing falling from her features for a moment. “Just don’t get too swept up. You’re here for a reason. Don’t lose yourself in fairytales. I know Derek might be nice, but remember he's the brother to the king. I don't want you to get caught up with two brothers."

Before I could answer, a knock echoed on the door.

“That’ll be your knight in shining armor,” she whispered, her eyes twinkling.

I rolled mine but felt the butterflies stir as I made my way to the door.

Derek stood there, looking almost too good in a dark button-down and blazer, his sandy blond hair styled back but still a bit unruly at the edges. His smile softened when he saw me.

“Wow,” he breathed. “You look…”

“You clean up nicely too, I mean I almost didn't recognized you.” I said, stepping out and closing the door behind me.

He offered me his arm and I took it, and we left the palace, laughter trailing behind us as we made our way toward the car.

The movie theater was tucked into a quiet corner of town, far from the palace. We laughed at the ridiculous trailers and whispered jokes during the movie. Derek bought too much popcorn and dropped half of it before we even sat down.

Dinner was even better.

A candlelit restaurant with soft jazz humming in the background, the smell of rosemary and grilled meat in the air. Derek leaned in close when he talked, always attentive, always listening.

“So, you grew up in the southern territory?” he asked, playing with his wine glass.

I nodded. “Small town. Borderline quiet. I used to sneak out just to feel the night air.”

“I can picture it,” he said. “You, sneaking out under moonlight. Probably barefoot. Maybe carrying a book you weren’t supposed to be reading.”

I laughed. “Are you psychic or just observant?”

“Bit of both.”

I felt light. Warm. Almost happy. I honestly liked how we could both talk freely about different things, and at the same time make a joke out of everything.

Until his phone buzzed.

He pulled it out, glanced at the screen—and everything changed.

His face fell.

His eyes darkened.

He didn’t even try to hide it.

“Derek?” I asked, setting my fork down. “What is it?”

He was already standing.

“Come on. I’ll take you back to the palace.”

I blinked. “Wait—what? Is something wrong?”

He didn’t answer.

The charm was gone. That warmth in his eyes? Snuffed out. The silence that followed wassomething else entirely. I followed him outside, my heels clicking on the pavement as we walked in silence.

The ride back was quiet—painfully so. The radio played some soft instrumental, and Derek’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel. His jaw was tight. His eyes unmoving.

I stared at him for a long moment.

He was somewhere else entirely.

I wanted to ask again, to push, but something in me said not to.

When we arrived at the palace, I reached for the handle to leave when his voice broke through.

“I want to do this again,” he said, suddenly. “The date. You and me. I want to do it again.”

I turned, surprised.

He was looking at me now. Really looking. That softness had returned—but just a sliver of it, like a candle flickering at the end of its wick.

“I’d like that,” I said quietly.

He nodded. I stepped out, shut the door gently, and watched as he drove away, tires rolling quietly over the palace gravel.

But I wasn’t ready to go to bed just yet.

I found myself heading toward the servants’ quarters. Toward Elizabeth.

Her door was slightly ajar.

“Elizabeth?” I called gently, pushing it open.

What I saw made my heart drop.

She was sitting on the floor, knees pulled to her chest, a small mirror resting beside her. White powder dusted its surface, and her face was red, her nose twitching as she snorted another line of it.

“Elizabeth—” My voice broke as I stepped in. “What the hell are you doing?”

She jerked, the rolled-up bill still in her hand.