3. The Rejected

Three years. It had been three years since the fall of the Queen of Witches. That was what Zaphyra told her. How ridiculous. To her, it had only happened a moment ago. Everything was too vivid in her mind.

She stepped out of the bathtub, splashing water onto the floor. Putting on a robe, she moved back to the bedroom.

Opening the closet, there were a few lifeless dresses. She paused, just staring. To think she didn’t even have anything to wear.

She picked the black one.

"Nalath hated black."

"I'm Radella, not some Nalath, keep that in mind."

At that moment, the door creaked open.

Two girls stepped inside.

One of those two girls carried a huge tray filled with heels, jewels, and garments. The other was empty-handed, her lips curled into a smirk.

The girl with the tray set it on the table, lit the lamps, and shut the windows. She had a slim body, almost frail, and her short hair was styled in twin ponytails.

The one with chin-length hair, who neither carried anything nor did anything, stepped forward and stopped in front of Radella.

She folded her arms and leaned forward, tracing her gaze over Radella's swollen cheek.

"Gemma must've hit you really hard. But then again..." She smiled. "You deserved it."

The other girl stepped closer. "Sister Katia, we should help the Luna dress. If she's late, Gamma—"

Katia shot her a glare. "Our young miss forbade you from dressing this loser, a Luna."

The girl shrank back and lowered her head.

Radella could only watch.

Katia turned to Radella.

The advantage Radella had in Nalath's body was height. Standing closer, she was taller than the maid.

Katia's smirk wavered as Radella stared her down.

However, she quickly regained her smile and asked mockingly, "Is it true? You were rejected... that's why you left the pack? Who was it? Eldric?"

Radella's eyes narrowed. Nalath had a mate?

She turned her attention inward to Zaphyra. "You lied!"

Zaphyra growled, "Wolf does not lie."

Katia waited for Nalath’s usual reaction to break.

However, she was only frowning.

Then the girl behind stepped forward again.

"Sister Katia, I think it would be better if we do as we were ordered..."

Before she finished the sentence, Katia's hand landed on the girl's face. The slap echoed through the room. And since she used her claws, it left four red lines on the girl's cheek.

The girl held her bleeding cheek. Tears filled her eyes, but she didn't cry out loudly.

"I warned you. Never interrupt me, you whore!"

Radella turned her attention to Katia. Did that servant attack another servant in front of her without hesitation?

"I was just worried," the girl said in a low voice.

"Worry about yourself," Katia harshly replied.

Radella turned and walked to the dressing table. How dare she? But she couldn't do anything about it.

She sat down.

"The one who sent you would not appreciate learning what's happening here. Don't you think?" Radella said calmly but firmly.

Katia blinked. "What?"

Besides, hadn't Nalath panicked when she hit that girl? She used to try to protect her despite her situation.

"Weren't you asked to make me pretty?" Radella closed her eyes. "You can start now."

Katia looked at Radella for too long. Something was wrong here. No, a very big problem.

"This..." Katia muttered as she glared at the figure relaxing in the chair. "I need to tell Young Miss about this."

"Start dressing her," Katia ordered.

The girl wiped her tears and rushed to Radella.

She bowed slightly. "Luna, I will start."

Radella opened her eyes. This girl kept calling Nalath, Luna.

The girl applied Radella's makeup, combed her hair, and put on her necklace and earrings.

Radella opened her eyes, staring through those curls pinned so well. The dress covered her neck.

She sighed, then she ordered, "Escort me to the banquet."

"We don't have to do that..." Katia started.

"Ah, right. As a servant, you can't attend such an event."

Katia growled, her eyelids turning yellow. "You called me a servant?"

Radella turned to the other girl near her.

The wound on her cheek had faded a little. Right, even if she seemed weak, she was still a werewolf.

"You are dismissed."

"Do you think you're something now? Let's see when Laysha hears about this," Katia said before stepping outside.

The other girl gave Radella a slight over-the-shoulder glance before following katia outside.

After the door closed, silence remained.

Radella's expression tightened. "Who is behind them?"

"Viola's daughter."

She scoffed. "The apple does not fall afar."

She paused, then added with irritation, "You had a mate!"

The words felt strange even as she said them.

Zaphyra roared, "The bond belongs to us."

Radella's expression darkened. "Then pray he stays away from me."

She did not think she would be able to pretend to be someone's woman because of some ridiculous instinct.

"Take me to that ceremony," she said as she headed to the exit.

---

That evening, the large hall of the Eclipse Pack was well decorated. The high ceilings were illuminated with chandeliers, while candles lit every corner.

For the past few years, werewolves had maintained peace. At least, they didn't go around killing each other over territories like they used to, so the ceremony had members from different packs.

Men and women wore expensive outfits, holding glasses of liquor as they chatted, most of them figures of high rank.

Radella reached the hall and paused at the entrance.

Beyond those doors, she would face them. Just thinking about it made her heart race.

The heavy doors opened.

She stepped inside and stood at the top of the stairs.

The long tables were covered with food and drinks, enough to fill the entire hall with the aroma of fruit wine.

Her fists tightened, trembling as she watched them laugh, eating and drinking.

When they laughed, it was as if they were laughing at her, celebrating her defeat with feasts.

From where she stood, lost in thought, she drew attention.

One of them was a middle-aged man at the front with a long blond beard and matching blond hair. His body was broad, and his face stern as he stared at the girl.

Beside him stood a younger man who closely resembled him. His hair golden blond, and his gray eyes narrowed the moment he noticed her.

Some guests started murmuring.

"Alpha Hunt's daughter?"

Another guest laughed. "To think his heir couldn't even wolf out. It serves him right. He was so arrogant about his strength."

A young man sneered. "I always knew Nala was cute. Was she always that cute?"

"Snap out of it. What use is a pretty face when she's doomed to die young?"

Viola glanced toward Radella before turning to the girl beside her.

"Go get your sister. There are guests who want to meet her."

The girl coldly retorted, "She's not my sister. And stop trying to present her as the Alpha's daughter. You're embarrassing yourself."

"Lysha," Viola sternly cut her off.

She glanced around to see whether anyone had reacted to her daughter's words. Seeing everyone was busy, she fixed her cold gaze on her.

"Go and bring her."

Zaphyra's voice rumbled in Radella's mind. "You cannot kill them."."

Her brows furrowed as she returned to reality.

No matter how much her anger burned, she couldn't do anything.

And so, she slowly descended the stairs.