Elena’s POV
Standing on the podium of the pack, everyone was cheering for either Bryson’s victory or mine. We were wearing our training gear and mouthpieces as we circled each other calculatingly.
“Just give up. Don’t hurt yourself, Elena,” Bryson warned.
I smirked. “Put your worry to yourself instead.”
With that, I made the first move and sent a hard punch to his stomach, which made him back away and whimper. He looked at me with utter surprise, unaware that I could fight.
When many of the members stood up from their seats to cheer, I saw Bryson’s jaw clenched in anger, and the light in his eyes dimmed with seriousness.
Okay, now we’re really on.
We moved at the speed of light, sending punches and kicks to each other several times, but every time, I’d succeed in hitting him while I managed to block most of his attacks.
When the right time came, I taunted, “Don’t take it to heart.”
After saying that, I used my leg to put pressure on his until he fell, and then I used my arms to hold him on the ground until he tapped me three times.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s congratulate Luna Elena!”
Everyone cheered, and I raised my hand in celebration. It was news worth stunning many of the members. I smirked and glanced at Bryson’s defeated and humiliated face.
It's funny how easy I defeated him though, almost killing me to boredom.
Then suddenly, while I stared at his defeated face, Prince Deacon's cold appearance flushed in my mind.
He's the known god of war. Best of the best.
Thinking of that, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if I spar with him.
A smile subconsciously formed in my lips at the thought of that. Now, that would be exciting.
“Are you that happy?” Bryson asked frustratedly and that's when I realized my smile hadn't vanished yet.
He must be furious. After all, a Luna like me who had never been to war, defeated an Alpha and a rewarded warrior like him. His ego was probably bleeding right now, just as I wanted.
“I never knew you could fight.” Bryson and I were now in the changing area to remove our gear.
I shrugged and removed my mouthpiece. “You never took the time to know anything.”
“I…”
His words were cut off when the door was slammed open. Courtney and Glenda came rushing inside.
With her eyes blazing and her face red, Courtney hysterically screamed at me. “This is unacceptable!”
Fixing my hair after completely removing all my gears, I crossed my arms and smiled. “I won fair and square, Courtney. As we discussed, I won’t be giving any of you a penny!”
She stomped her feet and looked gravely at Bryson. “I want this cheap woman out of this pack! Someone as vicious as her doesn't belong here.”
“Yes, Babe, just reject her now. She’ll just cause trouble again in the future.” Glenda was supporting Courtney and looking at me with anger.
What? Did she come here as well, wanting to covet with my money? Well, sorry for her, but my money wasn’t for a mistress like her.
Not so surprisingly, Bryson stood in front of me with a serious expression.
Sighing, he said with sadness and a hint of worry, “Let’s not make it hard for everyone anymore. You should have heeded my words before. Then you would have been able to stay here and be a Luna.”
“Save your useless pity.”
“As you want, I’ll reject you.” Taking a deep breath, he stared at me and started the rejection process, “I, Bryson Renner, Alpha of the Swiftridge Pack…”
This was it… I told myself as I waited for him to finish and prepare myself for the upcoming pain that would curse through my body.
If it wasn't for the fact that I value my mother's opinion when she handed me over to Bryson, I would have rejected him the second I got the news he'll marry another.
He continued, “…reject you, El—”
“Wait! What do you think you’re doing, Alpha Bryson?” A baritone voice boomed in the room, making all four of us look toward the doorway.
Standing there was a man in his 30s. Though he looked a bit older, his body was bulky, and he exuded a superior demeanor.
“Beta Jude,” we all greeted.
“What do we owe for your visit?” Bryson asked.
Beta Jude was King Desmond’s Beta and would rarely go out of his way without the King visiting another pack. Mostly, he’d be fighting rogues or doing much more important things than coming here to watch a dispute between an Alpha and Luna.
Beta Jude kept his stance and asked again, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Bryson hesitantly looked at me before he replied, “Luna Elena and I had to come to our terms with each other, and now, I’m rejecting her.”
Letting out a small sarcastic laugh, Beta Jude asked, “What makes you think you are qualified to do so?”
Confusion was plastered on our faces upon hearing him say that. What did he mean?
Rejection was a process, and it was known that only those of higher ranks could reject their mates. But Bryson and I were on the same rank. That’s why we could decide on our own.
“My son and this stubborn woman are of the same rank,” Courtney said, which caused Beta Jude to glare at her.
“I’d watch my tongue if I were you,” he warned.
With that, he took a respectful step toward me and bowed his head respectfully. “I’m here to give you the Lycan King’s instructions, Luna Elena.”
My heart pumped with nervousness as I wondered which verdict the King had reached.
Did he agree with the divorce?
Opening a letter with the King’s logo, he started reading, “Feeling remorseful for Elena Dooley’s family and pack from being slaughtered and with the sense of utmost gratitude for the heroic acts and sacrifices of her father and brother for the Kingdom… King Desmond henceforth promotes Elena Dooley as the first enthroned Princess in the Kingdom and agrees to her request to sever ties with Alpha Bryson.”
My eyes widened in shock, and my heart pumped in joy. It’s more than what I had expected.
“What? Princess?” Glenda said on the sideline.
I stared at Beta Jude in disbelief as he smiled at me.
“Congratulations, Princess Elena,” he said as he handed me the letter. I read through the text, and it was indeed as he said.
The first letter from the King brought me joy after all this time. I held it close to my heart, silently thankful to King Desmond.
Pointedly looking at me, Beta Jude gestured toward Alpha Bryson, “As you may, Princess.”
Smiling victoriously, I stood in front of Bryson with cold demeanor and relief knowing my mother would understand my reasons after I got the King's blessings. “I, Elena Dooley, Princess of Lycan Kingdom…”
Elena’s POV“Princess Elena!”I was already at the pack’s gate and was about to enter my car when one of the Duchess’ servants rushed toward me, calling while excessively waving her hand to get my attention.Breathing heavily, she smiled at me and composed herself as she stood upright. “Princess Elena, the Duchess said that if you have time, she would like to invite you for another visit. Or if you prefer, she’ll visit your pack instead.”It might be because I show a sign of shock on my face that she added with a wider smile, “The Duchess wishes to be your friend.”To say I wasn’t surprised would be a lie. I couldn’t help but blink a couple of times in utter surprise and even… a feeling of warmth as her invitation touched me.I know that she was being sincere because Roosevelt Pack was one of the top packs, and they had no reason to flatter anyone, especially not me or Deacon. She was, after all, another royalty.And since I was feeling warmth with her again, I couldn’t help but smile
Elena’s POVDuchess Hermoine closed the box with quiet finality and looked up at me with a sincerity glinting in her eyes. “I’ll explain.”Somehow, I felt the need to brace myself for it, and so I did.“Your mother,” she started. “...is really the one who bought this jewellery. She ordered it from Vince, the same jeweller I ordered from. I later found out that it's supposed to be her gift to you for your wedding.”I froze at her words as my eyes landed on the jewellery box again.My brows furrowed. “But I thought… I thought you said that you had it customised?”She let out a small laugh and shook her head before shrugging her shoulders casually. “It turns out your mom and I had the same taste.”Opening the box again, she pointed at the moon part. “There was a mix-up at the shop. When I came to collect my order, Vince handed me this instead. I didn’t realise it’s a mix-up until I noticed it had more gemstones on the moon than mine.”I stare at the enchanting bracelet with a pounding he
Elena’s POVThe Roosevelt Pack was quieter than I had expected it would be.As I walked inside the packhouse with a few warriors with me in the distance, which Jayden insisted I bring with me, I didn’t even encounter anything unusual.There are no gossiping members or staff, and there are no awkward glances. Aside from the official members who were assigned to usher me inside, everyone went about their own business like any other day.All through my walk in the living room, all I heard was the hum of the central cooling system in this extremely hot weather and the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee.“Elena…”Duchess Hermoine Gallop greeted me with a faint smile as we met eyes.She’s standing at the base of the staircase, dressed simply in a navy wrap blouse and crisp white slacks. She looked extremely elegant without even trying. Unlike most of the royal members, she looked like she didn’t care about her status, nor did she have anything to prove.Duchess Hermione Gallop was a dista
Elena’s POV“Princess, are you okay?” Zara asked quietly as she sat down with me on the patio, where I was quietly admiring the backyard garden.I raised my glass of wine and swirled it slowly as I looked far ahead. In the kingdom, especially the royal capital, scandal was the favourite pastime of the bored and powerful.And this week’s favoured subject?That would be me.It’s been a week since my memorable visit to the Grand Princess, but the heat about me was still on the rise, and it wasn’t even about the wine bottle I broke and hurled at the Grand Princess’ fountain.No… It’s a whole lot of new mess, which I knew was created and ignited by Princess Geline herself to get back to me.I could still remember the murmurs I heard when we went out to the market this morning.“She’s only getting close to Prince Deacon to wash her family’s bloodstained legacy.”“She’s ambitious. Cold. Used her tragic past for sympathy points.”“Don’t you find it strange? She was so invisible for years, and
King Desmond’s POVInside the study room, the air smelled faintly of cedar and ink while I, the Lycan King, leaned back in my leather chair, tossing a silver pen onto a half-signed contract. I already felt exhausted after reviewing and signing countless reports since early morning.After a while, I heard the familiar click of Jude’s shoes against the marble floor that broke the silence.“Your Majesty,” Jude greeted with a slight bow as he opened the door and stood before me. “Princess Geline has arrived at the palace.”I could only sigh, not even the slightest surprise. After what happened at her party that spread like wildfire around the palace, her coming in here was only a matter of time.“She’s early. And angry, I presume?”Jude made an expression. “Seething, actually, King Desmond. She’s waiting outside. Impatiently, if I may add,” he uttered, pointing at the door.Chuckling, I asked with confidence, “Let me guess. This is about Elena again?”He hesitated for a while before noddi
Elena’s POVThe next day, just like what I said to the Duchess, I went back to the palace to pay the Grand Princess a visit.Wearing another uncomfortable set of maroon dress and heels, I sat on the back of the car with the windows down, letting the fresh air calm my nerves before we arrived.As soon as the car was parked in front of Princess Geline’s mansion, I looked at it and couldn’t help but feel only coldness despite the beautiful mid-morning sun gleaming on it.Grabbing the wine box from the armrest, I opened the door and walked out of the car.“Zara, stay in here. I’ll go alone,” I ordered with my palms up as soon as I saw Zara about to open the passenger’s door and follow me.I didn’t know how long I would stay in there. Knowing the Grand Princess’ personality as she showed in the party, it might take longer as she’s harder to handle than the Duchess. For sure, Zara won’t be able to come inside with me either. And I wouldn’t want her waiting outside the door for too long.The