Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Selena’s POV

My journey to Devania was a silent one. I traveled with my entourage and belongings. Six royal carriages in total. I sat alone in my carriage, unable to draw my feet up.

The corset of my wedding dress was right around my ribs.

From Calantha to the capital city of Devania took almost a full day. And my mind raced for the entirety of it.

What did Nadira mean? Did she do this to me? She wouldn’t, right? I know she might not like me but she’s still my sister.

I already knew the answer. Nadira has never thought of me as her sister. Not even once.

And if destroying my life meant she wouldn’t have to marry Prince Kael, it was a win-win situation for her that she would do again.

The question was, why did Prayan agree to her plan? What could Nadira have said that would make him watch me get married to the dark prince?

Hurt filled me over again as my wolf whimpered in pain.

The second we drew into the capital, I could tell solely from the difference in sounds.

In Calantha, my people were quieter. More refined. Speaking solely in an accent that marked them as ours.

But in the capital, the different accents of people from all the provinces and even some different continents mixed until it was almost indistinguishable.

The closer we got to the palace, the smoother the roads became.

My carriage pulled to a stop yet I didn't push open my curtains to look at the palace. Because if I did, I might like it. And I didn't want to like anything about Devania.

“Are they so eager to marry her off? Didn’t the letter leave the capital a few days ago?”

Embarrassment stung my cheeks red as the door of my carriage was suddenly pushed open and I stared straight at two women.

One with dark hair and one who covered her hair but had ginger strands falling to frame her face. They were beautiful. Adorned with jewelry and expensive clothes, I immediately knew they were important women.

“Welcome,” the dark-haired one sniffed her nose at me and stepped back as Siha hurried to help me down from the carriage.

“I am Royal wife Lilith of Mysthaven, and this…” The princess turned to wave at the red-haired woman.

“This is Royal wife Ayesha of Xintha."

I blinked at them and swallowed hard. My tongue felt like sandpaper in my mouth. I didn’t want to seem disrespectful but my head was sore from all the tears I had cried today.

All I wanted was a hot shower and privacy.

“She is the Royal wife, Selena of Calantha,” Siha responded with a bow to the two women.

Royal wife?! My head snapped to Siha immediately.

“I am not." I blinked straight at the woman. “I am Princess Selena of Calantha."

Princess Ayesha drew her head scarf closer to her face as her cheeks turned red. “Unbelievable! So uncultured,” she hissed through her teeth in irritation.

“You will have to learn the rules of the palace if you intend to survive here,” Princess Lilith scowled and turned her head to call some maids.

“Take her!” She commanded them and walked away muttering under her breath.

Princess Ayesha scuttled after her. I stared at the departing backs of the two women, their open disdain for me bringing tears to my eyes.

I didn’t resist as the maids came for me. They washed, trimmed, dressed, and placed me on my decorated wedding bed like some prized cow put on display for her owner.

Only then, in the darkness and private comfort of the room, did I let my tears flow again.

My mind was full of pain about my rejection.

No. I couldn’t think of that now. I didn’t want to imagine how Mami would feel.

What of my ladies’ maid Siha? And the pack members? How would they react to the news that the first daughter of Calantha was rejected?

Shame threatened to swallow me as pain and grief engulfed me.

My relationship with Prayan was a public one. Since childhood, we had been almost inseparable and told each other everything.

I was almost certain my life force was connected to his so it came as no surprise when the moon goddess blessed us by making us mates.

And now?! Has this been her plan all along? To join two people by the hip, then brutally separate them?

And Nadira?

By the goddess, she would be ecstatic. A humorless chuckle spilled from my lips as I remembered the despair on her face two nights ago.

————

Two nights ago.

————

“And have you seen the diamond necklace she gave me?” I giggled in excitement as I reached for the black velvet box that housed it.

“See,” I preened proudly as I unlocked the clasp of the box and turned the necklace for Siha to see.

“It’s exquisite,” Siha gasped and slapped a hand across her mouth.

“I know,” I smiled in happiness and let my fingers trail the beautiful cold gold metal. “No one in the whole of Avaloria has better taste than the Luna queen of Calantha."

And I meant it.

Long before, in what felt like another world, when Cantea was its own Kingdom, I had been Princess Selena. Daughter of King Roland and Queen Lehna. Sheltered by a protective father and a loving mother.

That was before the uprising, though. A small smile graced my lip as I shook my head with a sigh.

I would be getting married in two days and my mother couldn’t attend. Because she was dead. Killed by King Blanchard Grimclaw during the uprising because she dared to take a stand when my cowardly father couldn’t.

And that memory has always haunted him. My mother was his mate and he loved her. Somehow a part of him died that night.

The shell that remained surrendered to The Capital and King Blanchard gifted him with Maryam Silverfote. An omega from Xintha.

She was given as an insult but she turned out to be the best thing that happened to me.

“It’s late, your highness,” Siha sighed and wiped my cheek with a silk handkerchief.

I didn’t even realize I had been crying.

“Your stepmother is an amazing woman. She loves you and would have my head if I don’t get you to sleep now."

“Alright,” I gave Siha a nod and began to help her clear my bed.

My queen-sized bed was littered with clothes, jewelry, and several other last-minute items I wanted packed into my wedding trousseau.

Nadira, PLEASE STOP!”

I jerked in shock and exchanged a frightened look with Siha as Mami’s loud voice carried over to my room.

“What the hell happened!” I cursed under my breath as I scrambled past the clothes and climbed down from my bed.

It’s midnight already! What could Nadira have done again?

I was about to find out when my bedroom door banged open and my stepsister, Nadira, stormed in holding a letter.

“DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS!”

I blinked at the rage and anger in Nadira’s voice.

“What’s going on?” I turned to Mami in surprise.

“It’s…” Mami started to reply when Nadira cut her off.

“What’s going on?!! I’ll tell you what’s going on! The king has decided to marry me off to that beast!” Nadira screamed and burst into tears.

What the hell was happening? What had Baba done again? I was the one getting married in two days. Not Nadira.

“Nadira, stop. Your sister isn’t responsible. I told you I’ll speak to him."

Mami tried to reach for Nadira to calm her down.

“SHE’S NOT MY SISTER!" Nadira hissed angrily as she jerked away from Mami and turned to me.

It stung a little but I was used to her disdain so I ignored her.

“You planned this, didn’t you? You aren’t content getting married to a Beta. You just had to make sure I never secured a match as good as yours!”

“What marriage are you talking about?” I asked still utterly confused.

"Nadira, please stop it!” Mami turned Nadira to her forcefully. “You cannot speak to Selena that way! She’s your sister."

Enough of all this! A low pounding in my skull signalled a migraine that was soon to come.

What could be so terrible? I turned to Nadira to see her crying.

My heart froze. Nadira never cried. Not unless it was for her own manipulation.

"Nadira, what happened?" I tried to intervene as I tried to calm the panic that was steadily growing in me.

“King Blanchard has requested that Baba marry one of his princesses to his son," Nadira choked out.

The Lycan King of the capital? My brain spun as I tried to think about what I knew of my mother’s murderer.

“He has four sons, does he not? Two are already married.”

Wait. Does that mean...? -

A smile bloomed on my lips as a laugh of relief spilled out of them.

"Oh, Mami! I was so scared for one moment!” I chuckled happily as I pulled her closer to myself and rested my head on her arm like I had done several times over.

“Did Baba agree? Is Nadira truly to become the next Luna Queen of the Capital?” I asked with wide eyes.

What an exceptional match! Baba would be on top of the world.

“NO!” Nadira wailed as she flung herself on my couch and sobbed noisily into her hands.

“What has gotten into you two?! ” I was so confused.

“It’s not Rylan! I’m not getting married to the crown prince Rylan!” Nadira screamed at me as she hit me with the pillow on the couch.

I drew back as the soft pillow fell to the floor.

Wait. Did she mean?- My breath shuddered as I realized who the other unmarried son King Blanchard had was.

“No,” I shook my head. “Even Baba will never cross that line,” but even as the words left my mouth, I knew I was wrong.

My father would cross every and any line as long as he showed loyalty to Devania.

All feeling left my legs as Mami confirmed my worst fears.

“Your sister won’t be marrying Rylan. She’s engaged to Prince Kael.

The dark prince,” Mami sobbed.