Chapter 5

Elaria's POV

I step out of the already opened car and my eyes dart around the palace of the House Viremont Dominion Pack, still as grand and beautiful as ever.

“Welcome home, your Royal Highness,” the fleet of maids and guards chorus, their voices echoing through the night as their heads lower deeply.

I manage a small smile at them. “Thank you so much, everyone.”

“Your father is waiting for you,” the head maid announces.

I nod in response, my chest slamming lightly. Together, we walk towards the castle, and when the grand doors open, Ivy steps out, sighs in relief, and pulls me into an embrace, patting my back gently.

“I couldn’t get a hold of you after you gave the order to stop the contract with the Eclipse Dominion Pack. I was so scared, so I went to the Gravemoor Pack immediately, only to find out that you were gone. I came here to look for you but couldn’t find you either, so I had to tell your father everything, and he sent my mom to bring you over. Why were you hiding, Elaria?”

“I wasn’t hiding.” I lower my head. “I was just—I mean, I don’t know how to face everyone.”

She tilts my chin up. “I understand, but we are your people, and there is really nothing to be ashamed of.”

I nod, mumbling softly. “Thank you.”

Her expression twists with disgust. “I have always told you that bastard is not exactly who he claims to be, but you wouldn’t listen. I’m just so happy that it is over between you and him.”

“Of course not. It is not over yet, Ivy.” I grit my teeth. “I will make sure he regrets the day he met me because I will leave him and his miserable pack worse than I initially met it. Get me a list of all the pack alliances and business deals I have secured for him. I am cutting them off immediately. And Isolde… dig up any dirt you find on that bitch. She won’t get away with tampering with my womb.”

“And Beta Aurora,” I add, glancing back at her and the guards, “send a message to him right away that House Viremont is pulling out the investment in the Gravemoor Pack company.”

“Right away, princess.” She reaches for her phone and steps away.

Ivy’s lips curl into a devilish smirk. “I actually thought you’d be sulking by now, but you’re handling it better than I imagined. That’s my girl. You know, as his forever antifan, I will help you with everything needed to ruin that fool. Just say the word.”

“Sure.”

She grips my wrist and leads me in.

The silence in the dining hall is almost deafening; only the faint sound of cutlery clashing against plates fills the space. Father hasn’t said another word to me other than “let’s eat” since I got back. I sit there picking at the delicious meal while stealing side glances at him. His expression is unreadable, almost like I am not there.

“If you can’t keep your marriage, then I doubt if you will be able to keep the throne,” Cassandra, my stepmother, says, her voice sugary. She has always looked for an opportunity to discredit me in Father’s presence, and this is a perfect one.

I scoff bitterly and part my lips to speak, but Ivy beats me to it. “With all due respect, Luna, Elaria did everything she could to save her marriage. She is not the one to be blamed.”

“You, shut up,” Evangeline—my stepsister—snaps, glaring at Ivy. “Families are talking, and outsiders like you shouldn’t interfere. Tell me, why are you even eating with us like you’re one of us now?”

“Don’t you dare talk to my sister like that again,” I chip in, my voice carrying a warning edge. “She has more of a place here than you because she has done more than enough for this pack, unlike you, who goes around partying and whoring yourself.”

At my words, the tension in the dining hall doubles instantly. Cassandra frowns while Evangeline presses her lips into a thin, hard line.

“At least I’m better than you, who is so stupid to give everything to a man that doesn’t love her,” she sneers, her words biting into my skin, but I try to compose myself. “And now that you’ve stopped being useful to him, he has discarded you like the piece of trash that you—”

“Enough, Evangeline!” Father growls, slamming his fist on the table.

“But she started it, Father,” she cries out.

“I don’t want to hear anything from you ever again,” he says, the command in his voice making the room fall into a suffocating silence that feels like a death sentence, his Alpha aura rolling off him heavily.

Warmth spreads across my chest at his defense, so I take the opportunity to speak. Summoning all the courage inside me, I call softly, “Father… I’m sorry.”

He looks up at me and nods once. “It’s fine. You’re back alive. That is what matters.” The disappointment in his voice is still evident.

I am quite surprised that he doesn’t blame or get angry at me. “Thank you, Father.”

He continues eating, and after a while, he speaks again. “So what will you do now that you’re back?”

“I just want to get back at everyone who hurt me and then… commit myself to the prosperity of the pack.”

Father stands. “Aurora,” he calls. “Organize a coronation week by the end of the month. You will take my place as Alpha… Elaria.”

Everyone freezes completely.

My chest slams hard against my ribs.

“WHAT?!” The words leave my mouth before my mind can catch up. “Why?” I thought I had given up my rights to the throne when I chose Elias.

Aurora beams. “Yes, my Alpha. I will start the arrangements right away.”

“But Father…” Evangeline springs to her feet, her chair scraping harshly against the floor. “How can you choose her as your heir?” Her voice trembles with barely restrained rage. “She left you when you needed her the most. It is obvious she did not care about this pack, yet you still choose her. What about me? I stayed by your side. I bled for this pack. And you hand it to her?”

“I have made my choice, Evangeline,” he cuts her off gently. “I hope you will be able to provide your sister with all the support she needs.”

Tears gather in Evangeline’s eyes and she hisses, her feet hitting the floor sharply as she storms off, bawling.

Cassandra stands. “This is not fair at all. Evangeline has been working hard in recent times and she deserves to be the Alpha of this house.” She storms off as well.

We all remain there in silence for a while before Father turns and walks away.

“Elaria…” Ivy screams out loudly once he is completely out of sight. “You will become Alpha. Alpha Elaria. Oh my God. It is so over for Elias and his bitch.”

I part my lips to respond, but my phone beeps against the table. The caller ID flashes My Alpha.

Elias. I should probably delete his number and block him, but before that, I will hear what he has to say.

“What do you think you’re doing, Elaria?” he screams loudly into the phone, making me pull it slightly away from my ear. “How dare you sabotage my company? How can you be this desperate for my attention? Is this a rebellion to make me take you back?”