Meeting Him Again

CHAPTER THREE

~ARIEE~

White Coast looked like something out of a dream.

No… not a dream. Something far beyond it.

The moment our carriage crossed into Lycan territory, the air itself felt different. Cleaner, I dare say. The sky stretched endlessly above us, a pale blue that seemed almost unreal, while the coastline shimmered in the distance like glass beneath the sun.

Tall ivory towers rose into the sky, their structures carved with designs that glowed faintly in the sunlight. Silver banners bearing the Lycan crest fluttered in the wind, and the streets below were spotless, lined with people who looked like they had stepped out of a painting.

Stunning. Elegant. Powerful.

I shrank slightly into myself. Even the lowest-ranked Lycan here looked more refined than the highest-ranking wolves back home. What was I even doing here?

“Don’t fall behind.” Fiona’s sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I quickly adjusted the small case in my hands and hurried after her, keeping my head lowered like I always did.

We had arrived hours ago, but the selection process hadn’t even begun yet. This was only the welcoming phase and I already wanted to disappear. I knew I didn’t belong here.

“Pathetic,” Fiona muttered under her breath as she glanced back at me. “At least try to walk like you weren’t dragged out of the gutters.”

“Yes, my lady,” I murmured.

My body still ached. Every step sent a dull reminder through me—of last night. Of him. How did he react when the memories came and I was gone? Probably disgusted right?

I swallowed hard, forcing the memories back down where they belonged.

Now was not the time. I had bigger problems.

We were led into a grand hall that made the Beta’s mansion look like a servant’s quarters.

Crystal chandeliers hung high in the ceiling. The marble floors reflecing everything above them and rows of elegantly dressed women filled the space—laughing, whispering, sizing each other up.

Every single one of them was beautiful. Not just pretty. Perfect.

Flawless skin. Graceful movements. Confident smiles.

Daughters of Alphas. Nobles. High-ranking bloodlines.

I lowered my gaze further. If the werewomen were this beautiful, then the Lycans would be overwhelming. I glanced at Fiona, wondering if she still felt like the prettiest wolf in existence.

Surprisingly, her confidence didn’t falter. Not even once. If anything, it spiked. I shook my head with a small smile. Typical Fiona. I was certain she already crowned herself in that arrogant head of hers.

“What is that?”

The voice came from my left. I froze almost immediately.

Slowly, I turned my head. A group of women stood a few steps away, their attention fixed on me.

“How unsightly,” came another comment and heat rushed up my cheek. “I didn’t know we were allowed to bring rags along with us.”

I bit my lip. Fiona had specifically given me one of her old dresses. The first and only gift I ever received from her, just so I wouldn’t embarrass her. It was a free white dress but I had wear a sweater over it to hide the marks.

Or could they have seen it…

I instinctively raised a hand to cover my neck. “I—”

“Back off!” Fiona’s voice sliced through the moment like a blade.

She stepped forward, her posture straight, her expression cold. “She’s mine.”

The women exchanged glances, weighing us both thoroughly before turning away, losing interest almost immediately.

Just like that. Like we were not worth engaging with.

I exhaled shakily, my shoulders relaxing slightly. But Fiona wasn’t done.

She leaned closer to me, her voice dropping into a low whisper only I could hear.

“Don’t embarrass me here,” she said. “If anyone asks, you say nothing. You speak only when spoken to. And you do not draw attention to yourself.”

“Yes, my lady.” My voice came out smaller than I intended.

Barely a few minutes later, a loud chime echoed through the wall. All forms of coversations died almost instantly.

Was it starting already? What about the Lycan women? Were they competing separately?

Then the doors opened and everything changed.

The air shifted. No, tightened would be the right word. Like the entire room had been placed under pressure.

One by one, they walked in.

Lycans.

Not just any Lycans.

High-ranking ones.

Their presence alone was overwhelming—each movement carrying a quiet authority that made it hard to breathe.

I watched them without daring to take off my eyes for a second as they moved to their seats. All except one man. He was young with short black hair and piercing blue eyes.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see some ladies fawning over him already. The hall was dead silent as he began speaking.

“Welcome onboard, noble women from prospective packs. It is truly an honour that you could join us for this year’s selection,” he started. “I know you are probably wondering where the other candidates are but you needn’t worry.”

A few murmurs followed after that.

“For confidential reasons, you will be competing separately until for quarter-finals. After which the remaining candidates from each group will be merged together for the main competition,” he finished.

So this was it. They were separated to stand a chance. If they were to merge from the beginning, all the werewomen would be eliminated in the first round. That would be unfair and disheartening.

Although I didn’t see a werewoman becoming Lycan queen but being eliminated in the quarter and semi-finals was somewhat comforting.

“I can’t figure out why they would do something so dumb.” Fiona shrugged. “Whatever, it’s not like they stand a chance anyway.”

My lips tugged. Oh, Fiona, it’s not them you should be worried about.

“A maid and guard has been assigned to each of you and they will take you to your respective rooms. Your daily schedule will be arranged and handled by them. Further instructions will be duly communicated. Until then, have a lovely day, ladies.”

Cheers erupted as he returned to his seat.

Just as he said, a file of guards and servants entered the hall from the second door. Another Lycan stood up, probably the one in charge of assigning them but just as he walked over to them, the entrance opened again.

All heads snapped to the door as two guards with royal crests on their cape entered.

It felt like the world stopped at that moment.

Then a presence infiltrated the room before we even saw who it was.

Heavy. Commanding. Awfully familiar.

My breath hitched.

No! It couldn’t be!

A strange, unsettling feeling curled in my chest as my body reacted before my mind could catch up.

Heat.

Not like before. Not wild or consuming like yesterday.

But there.

Lingering. Recognizing.

My fingers trembled slightly. This… this had to be a joke right? Such a crazy coincidence couldn’t just happen. I refuse to believe that I was unlucky enough to appear right in front of the very man I was trying to escape.

Then he finally entered.

Royal blue regalia that spread across the marble floors. His curly short grey hair falling over the silver mask sitting perfectly on his nose. His form was majestic and seemed to tower over everything like a god. Every being in room shuddered in his presence, even the Lycans that arrived earlier.

I gulped hard, shrinking slowly behind Fiona as beads of sweat broke out of my forehead.

“His majesty, ruler of White Coast and the entire west beyond. The Lycan king. Kaiziah Ali Henshaw the first,” someone announced.

My knees went weak. I found myself crumbling while everyone else bowed.

I…I knew he was no ordinary wolf but…

Lycan King?

I assaulted the Lycan King!

As if he could smell my fear, a set of icy sapphire eyes snapped in my direction.

If he recognized me now, even the goddess couldn’t save my corpse.