CHAPTER 1

ESMERAY

It was the early hours of a new day, and I had returned to my home at the palace. The bright sun rays entering my window gently caressed my skin, creating a beautiful morning ambiance.

"Lalalalala, Lalalalala... I am going to meet my mate soon. Lalalalaa, Lalalalala," I sang a tuneless song with sheer joy, dancing in the spacious part of my bedroom while dressed in my nightgown.

The door opened, and Miriam, my personal maid and childhood friend, entered the room. I continued dancing, undeterred, as I was in such a happy mood.

"Well... Spill the beans, sister! Someone woke up happy!" Miriam chirped, watching me twirl.

Before she could say another word, I grabbed her hands and twirled her with me.

"Miriam, it's been confirmed. My mate will find me today!" I exclaimed between giggles, twirling around the room while holding hands with her.

"Your mate will find you today? Where did you hear such, princess?" Miriam raised her eyebrows, smiling.

"Come!" I tugged her along with me to my room's wide-open window, where the sun was rising brightly.

On the window plant shelf, I had placed the flowers I caught the previous day at Princess Natalie's wedding in a vase.

"Look it... It's still fresh," I pointed at the red rose. "I caught this beautiful, beautiful flower when the bride threw it yesterday. And what does that mean, Miriam?" I asked, gazing into her eyes with a smile on my lips.

"That you will be getting married soon..." She said hesitantly, avoiding my gaze.

"See! You said it yourself. I am going to meet my handsome mate today, and we will live happily ever after, Miriam. Just like Princess Natalie and Gustavo. Gosh! You needed to see how he was all over her. He couldn't get enough, and I became jealous," I admitted, playing with my fingers shyly.

"Princess, it doesn't work like that. Relationships don't just go straight to 'happily ever after.'"

I growled in frustration and walked away from her, heading straight to my bed to sit down.

"And besides... We all know there's no mate for you out there, princess."

"Ouch," I gestured, placing my hand over my chest to signal how deeply her words had hurt me.

"Sorry! But we know your mate is going to be the winner of the Alpha Fist. It's been that way in the Lycan kingdom for generations."

"Besides, you've attended hundreds of Galas, weddings, and princess' birthday parties since you turned eighteen a few months ago with the hope of finding your mate... But what? Nothing!" She gestured with her hand in the air, and I sighed because she was right.

"Alright, alright! I hate it when you're correct," I hissed and lay down on my bed. Miriam walked up to me from the window and sat beside me.

"It's just that I hope the Alpha Fist ends soon so I can finally meet him. I don't know, but I have this feeling he's going to be very strong and caring... Just like Gustavo," I winked at Miriam and playfully pushed her with my hips.

"Oh, will you stop with this Gustavo guy already!" Miriam snapped, standing up from the bed with her hands on her hips, which made me giggle.

"You're obsessed with him," she pointed a finger at me.

"Who wouldn't be??" I burst into even more laughter, this time covering my mouth.

"That's awful, princess. You shouldn't be getting obsessed with your friend's boyfriend, now turned husband," she raised an eyebrow.

"Well... As the princess of the Silverstone pack," I stood up from the bed gracefully and faced Miriam, who seemed confused by my actions, "I can damn well do whatever I want! And that includes being obsessed with Gustavo, Miriam!" I leaned my face forward to emphasize my point.

Miriam's expression was priceless. I enjoyed making her a bit mad, always trying to be right and correct me.

I quickly rushed to the bathroom, giggling, before she realized I had won this argument.

"Princess! I know what you did there... But we have more important things to worry about now. The Alpha Fist has just started, and your father will need to introduce you to the young Alphas who have come for the competition."

I heard her speaking from inside the bathtub where I was relaxing. After my bath, I dressed in a royal blue dress specially designed for this occasion by the royal stylists.

I looked at myself in the wall mirror, and the marble stones attached to my elegant gown stood the brightest.

"Your smile is the brightest here," Miriam's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see her admiring me with awe in her eyes.

"Stop..." I blushed, waving a hand in the air shyly.

"Let's go, princess. We are getting late for your introduction in the king's chambers."

I led the way, while Miriam helped me carry the rest of my gown from behind as we descended the stairs.

Omegas were busy tidying up the entire living room of the palace, and they greeted me with due respect as I walked past them.

The living room had a passage leading to the king's chambers, so Miriam and I quickly followed its direction since I was already running late. My parents, the king and Luna, would be waiting for me there.

As we got closer, my father's voice speaking to the young alphas became more audible.

"Princess, we're here," Miriam said, and I took a deep breath, calming my nerves with my mouth as I was about to enter the stage full of young alphas. I was sure my mate would be watching me from there.

"Allow me to introduce my daughter to you all," I heard my father's voice from behind the huge red curtain separating me from the stage where he stood, addressing the young alphas.

"There, that's your timing... Go on, princess. Remember, your mate will be watching you," Miriam said with a smile, and I nervously smiled back before parting the curtains. My father came into view, extending his hand towards me. I walked up to him, taking his hand, and he guided me forward to stand beside him.

I felt so many eyes on me. I was used to it already because I was a princess, and my father often got invited to popular occasions where I would accompany him. So, I had become accustomed to crowded gatherings.

But this time, it was different. It was different because somewhere here, my mate was standing, watching me. It gave me goosebumps.

"This is my daughter, Princess Esmeray Nia Gerald. The winner of this Alpha Fist will claim her as his mate and ascend the throne as the next Lycan king in line for this kingdom," my father spoke with confidence.

"I shall win this Alpha Fist for you, my princess!" one of the young alphas chanted from across the chamber, and my eyebrows shot up in shock at his confidence.

"No! I shall emerge victorious for you, my princess, and claim you as my mate," another alpha declared from a different direction. I couldn't hide the smile that forced its way onto my lips any longer.

Soon, most of the alphas present in the room started chanting the same thing, and I was left in awe. The air was charged with determination and excitement, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead in the Alpha Fist competition.