Chapter 28

The day had finally arrived. That day I never wanted to see because it marked the end of my dream. The very death of my hope to become the new Alpha.

It had been a week since Kane revealed the existence of his secret daughter, and I hadn't slept well since then.

Each night, I lay awake, thoughts racing and mind twisting till my head ached as I tried to decide on a plan but ended up with nothing, leaving me frustrated and mad.

My father, however, was the complete opposite. He had been looking forward to this day. In fact, he was the first to arrive at the palace, proudly dressed in his full Beta uniform. He seemed so eager to meet the female Alpha-to-be. I don't know if he was just pretending.

My phone buzzed on the bed, and I glanced at the screen to see a message from my father.

With a frown, I picked it up and read.

"Sissy!" I cursed under my breath.

It was another warning message, just as he had been sending to me for the past seven days.

"Being a Beta is enough honor and authority. Don't act rashly and submit! The throne is not yours to claim!"

I snorted at the text.

This was the seventh time he kept reminding me to show my solidarity and unwavering respect to Alpha's daughter upon her arrival, warning me how dangerous it would be for me if Alpha Kane suspected I still had ambition for the throne.

I tossed the phone on the bed and turned to face the mirror. "Once I have a plan, no one can stop me. She is just twenty years old, while I'm 25. Killing her wouldn't be a big deal. Just a better scheme to carry it out without being suspected."

Standing in front of the mirror, dressed in my Beta attire, my face contorted into a sneer.

The sleek obsidian leather robe with silver-threaded runes and moonstone collar just looked so downgraded and pitiful in my eyes compared to the Alpha's regalia I had always dreamed of wearing.

Alpha Kane had mandated that all royal members wear their badges on necklaces, so his daughter could identify everyone's rank at a glance.

It felt like a slap to my face, and I just couldn't help the fury that crawled beneath my skin as I put on mine and looked in the mirror.

My heart burned at the thought that I would have to bow low to the ground when she entered, and from the moment she sat on that throne, I would be under her command.

Damn it!

I hadn't even seen her yet, but I already despised her—hated her with passion and wished nothing but death upon her. She has lived her life away from the pack, only to return now and claim what should have been mine.

We don't even know her name yet.

Bullshit!

I cursed silently as I made my way out, the stupid badge swaying mockingly on my chest.

Everybody in the building wore a wide smile, buzzing with excitement and anticipation for her arrival, and it made my skin crawl.

The entire interior of the castle had been transformed with breathtaking decorations and elegant lighting that made the place feel almost celestial.

Jealousy clawed at my chest as I remembered my birthday celebration last year, thinking that back then I had received the best from the Alpha.

But seeing all this? It was clear just how obsessed Kane was with his daughter.

I saw him enter the kitchen for the first time, apron tied around his waist as he prepared her favorite meal—because apparently, only he could cook it the way she liked.

Nonsense!

As I reached the sitting room, I spotted Diane's parents happily chatting and fully dressed in their hunter uniform too.

How?

My face grimaced in disbelief as I stared at them. "Did the Alpha actually release them? And even added them to the invited guests!"

"Surprised?" They called out mockingly at me, their eyes glinting.

"We were vindicated, so your wicked plan didn't work! The Alpha realized you did all that because of the throne. You have a new enemy now..." Diane's mother burst into laughter.

"He was doing all that for the throne without knowing he would never get a whiff of it. We are happier than everyone else knowing you will never become the alpha. Just pray the new female Alpha doesn't demote you and choose a female Beta." Diane's father added with a smirk on his face, before they both sauntered away.

"Fools!" I hissed, fists clenched as I felt fury cracking through me like a storm.

Nobody in the building even bothered to acknowledge my presence as they all walked past and went on with their activities as if I were invisible.

This damn Alpha's daughter hadn't arrived yet, and I had already started losing all my respect.

And Diane's father had just spilled my worst nightmare, which seemed so possible. I may end up losing my Beta title if the girl doesn't want a guy as her Beta.

How did my life become this pathetic?

"Hey! The Alpha had ordered your presence immediately!" The voice of a royal guard cut through my thoughts; the disrespect in his tone really stung.

"Hey? For real?" I glared at him, but he didn't flinch. He just walked off after delivering the message.

The urge to pounce on him and snap his neck was really high, but I needed to be on my best behavior today so I wouldn't worsen my fate.

The moment I walked into the palace, all eyes shifted on me with a questioning look.

"What were you still doing in your room till now?" Kane barked. "I gave orders for everyone to be here earlier so our Alpha doesn't come in here and...."

I didn't even hear the rest as rage bubbled in my chest hearing him call his daughter Alpha. Envy and humiliation choked me.

"I am sorry..." I said with a bow as soon as he was done talking. "I didn't tell anyone, but I had a stomachache and spent a lot of time in the restroom."

It was a blatant lie, but everyone seemed to believe me and sympathize except my father, who knew truly why I was adamant about coming out.

"Oh, son, sorry to hear that. Do you feel better now?" Kane asked, and I wished I could tell him it was only the death of his daughter that would make me feel better.

"Yes. Better enough to welcome our future Alpha, whom we all longed to see." I faked a smile, and his eyes gleamed with happiness.

"That's good. She is almost here. Guess what?" He chuckled. "I can already smell her scent from here."

He was merely joking, and everyone erupted in laughter. I simply laughed too, pretending meanwhile bitterness brimmed inside of me.

I took a seat beside my father. Not the reserved throne for us Betas, which is positioned beside the Alpha's throne.

Kane had everyone sitting on the low stone benches that lined the hall alongside other royal members, including the hunters.

He had made us all sit there while he sat on the throne meant for his dead Luna, leaving the massive iron throne, carved beautifully with snarling wolf heads and furs, for his daughter.

"Forgive the seating arrangement," he said. "I just want my daughter to feel very comfortable. You will all return to your position later."

I almost scoffed out loud, feeling disgrace at how he was treating us.

Silently, I found myself praying his daughter wouldn't reach here alive. I prayed the vampires would somehow locate her and unleash a deadly attack on the way, then capture her or kill her off.

The alpha checked the time, and his face squeezed in worry. "She should be here already," he muttered, and I felt joy seeping through me.

Could it be that my prayers are being answered?

Just then, the stupid messenger announced her arrival.

"The Alpha is here!" His voice echoed from the outside, and the large entrance door opened wide, everyone's eyes moving in that direction.

There she was, tall and enchanting with golden blonde cascading in waves. Her eyes were a piercing blue, perfectly matching the elegant mermaid gown she wore.

She walked gracefully, her gaze fixed on her father, eyes shimmering with emotion.

But just then her scent hit me. Sweet. Intoxicated. It pierced through my soul.

My wolf stirred and sprang up. I stared in awe at the most beautiful lady I had ever seen.

"Mate." My wolf growled, yet she didn't glance my way.