Tea and Toxicity.

My breakthrough in training was a whirlwind of activity. Alejandro had announced our upcoming wedding, and the palace was abuzz with preparations. The news had spread quickly, and while some Lycans seemed genuinely happy for us, others like Clarice and Lucian watched me with disdain. I could feel their eyes on me wherever I went, their whispers following me like shadows.

Despite the growing tension, I was determined to prove myself. I spent hours each day training with Marcus, pushing myself harder than ever before. My wolf was becoming more present, her voice clearer and her strength more tangible. It was as if she had been waiting for this moment, waiting for me to finally embrace her.

One afternoon, as I was leaving the training grounds, I was approached by a group of Lycan women. They bowed their heads respectfully, but I could sense their hesitation. One of them, a tall woman with sharp features, stepped forward.

“My queen,” she said, her voice steady but cautious. “We were wondering if you would join us for tea this afternoon. It would be an honor to get to know you better.”

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I had never been invited to anything like this before, and the thought of sitting with a group of powerful Lycan women was intimidating. But I knew this was an opportunity to prove myself.

“I would be delighted,” I said, forcing a smile. “Thank you for the invitation.”

The women led me to a beautifully decorated sitting room, where a table had been set with delicate pastries and cups of tea. I took a seat, trying to ignore the way their eyes lingered on me, assessing me, the conversation started off politely enough, with the women asking about my life before the palace and how I was adjusting to my new role. But it didn’t take long for the tone to shift.

“It must be difficult,” one of the women said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. “Coming from such a small pack and suddenly being pushed into all of this. I can’t imagine how overwhelming it must be.”

I clenched my fists under the table, forcing myself to remain calm. “It’s been an adjustment,” I said, my voice steady. “But I’m learning.”

Another woman, the one who had invited me, leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “And what about your wolf? We’ve heard you’ve never shifted. Is that true?”

The room fell silent, all eyes on me. I could feel my cheeks burning, but I refused to back down. “It’s true that I haven’t shifted yet,” I said, my voice firm. “But my wolf is strong, and I’m learning to trust her.”

The women exchanged glances, their skepticism clear. Before they could say anything else, the door to the sitting room burst open, and Alejandro walked in, his expression dark.

“What’s going on here?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The women quickly rose to their feet, bowing their heads. “We were just having tea with the queen,” the tall woman said, her voice trembling slightly.

Alejandro’s eyes narrowed, and I could feel the tension in the room skyrocket. “If I find out that any of you have been disrespecting my mate,” he said, his voice cold, “there will be consequences.”

The women nodded quickly, their faces pale. Alejandro turned to me, his expression softening. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice gentle.

I nodded, though my hands were still trembling. “I’m fine,” I said. “Thank you.”

Alejandro took my hand, leading me out of the room. As we walked down the hallway, I could feel the weight of his anger, but also his concern. “You don’t have to put up with that,” he said. “You’re the queen. They should be bowing to you, not questioning you.”

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and gratitude. “I know,” I said. “But I need to earn their respect. I can’t just demand it.”

Alejandro stopped, turning to face me. “You already have my respect,” he said, his voice firm. “And that’s all that matters.”

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. Despite the challenges, I knew I had Alejandro’s support, and that gave me the strength to keep going.

Later that evening, as I was preparing for bed, I heard a knock on my door. I opened it to find Marcus standing there, his expression serious.

“My queen,” he said, bowing his head. “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I was too harsh with you during training.”

I shook my head, surprised by his apology. “You were just doing your job,” I said. “I appreciate your honesty.”

Marcus nodded, but his expression remained grim. “There’s something else,” he said. “I’ve heard rumors that Lucian is planning something. He’s been gathering supporters, and there’s talk of an attack.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to remain calm. “Do you know when?” I asked.

Marcus shook his head. “Not yet,” he said. “But we need to be prepared. You’ve made progress, but you’re not ready to face him yet.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination. “Then we’ll keep training, but should I be the one to face Lucian? Because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to face him” I said. “I’m going to improve in my training so I can be able to defend myself.”

Marcus smiled, a rare expression for him. “You’re stronger than you think, my queen,” he said. “I’ll make sure you’re ready.”

As he left, I felt a mix of fear and resolve. The threat from Lucian was real, and I knew I couldn’t afford to be weak. I had to keep pushing myself, for Alejandro, for the kingdom, and for myself.

The next morning, I woke with a new sense of purpose. I dressed quickly and made my way to the training grounds, where Marcus was already waiting. As we began to spar, I focused on the energy within me, letting it guide my movements. My wolf was there, her presence stronger than ever, and for the first time, I felt like we were truly one.