Chapter 4

Bella’s Pov

One month later.

Sixteen packs from all directions came towards the royal palace of the Kingdom of Celestia to attend the annual Alpha Conference. Today, my family and I arrived at the palace.

This isn't my first time at the palace. Every year, girls over the age of thirteen from all over the country come to participate. My mother once told me that it's actually to help the king find his fated mate.

When I was younger, I did fantasize about being the king's mate. After all, King Haydn Tude is the most powerful and wise werewolf in the entire kingdom. Every wolf has heard of King Haydn's deeds on the border, where he eliminated rogues and made significant contributions to the kingdom's peace.

But now, I have no such thoughts. I believe I've fully understood the flaws of men, and I no longer fantasize about or chase after love. Recently, I've secretly pondered whether I should adopt an orphan when I turn thirty, but that's still far off, and I have plenty of time to consider it.

After settling into our rooms, my family and I gathered to go to the grand hall.

The hall is magnificent, with twelve Roman columns and a roof and columns adorned with exquisite wolf clan totems. The walls of the room are carved with the stories of the ancestors of the Kingdom of Celestia.

Members from sixteen packs have gathered in the hall, awaiting the arrival of King Haydn Tude.

“It is with the greatest honor and privilege that we announce the arrival of His Royal Majesty, King Haydn."

With an announcement, a tall and striking figure entered the room, immediately capturing the attention of everyone present.

The man stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 5 inches, exuding an undeniable presence in any room he graces. His frame, well-proportioned and athletic, carries a weight of around 190 pounds, distributed harmoniously across his lean, muscular physique.

With a strong jawline and a square face, his features blend ruggedness and refinement. Deep-set hazel eyes are framed by long, dark eyelashes that accentuate their expressive nature. Above those eyes, perfectly arched eyebrows add a touch of sophistication to his overall appearance.

His raven-black hair, often styled with a slight tousle, adds an air of casual sophistication to his look. It frames his face in a way that highlights his striking features while imbuing an element of mystery.

I discreetly cast a sidelong glance at the king, he was the most handsome man I had ever seen. Suddenly, it seemed like the king sensed my gaze and looked in my direction. I quickly lowered my head to hide my earlier indiscretion.

But I felt the king's gaze fixated on me as if an invisible hand was caressing my forehead, nose, cheeks, and lips from afar. My face gradually turned pink, and tiny beads of sweat appeared on my back.

After a while, that gaze finally shifted away, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I was puzzled by why he had looked at me like that. We hadn't had much interaction before this.

Before I could gather my thoughts, I saw my brother Wayland suddenly walk to the center of the hall and bow to the king, "Respected King Haydn, Wayland Brown of the Red Moon Pack greets you."

King Haydn nodded, signaling him to continue. "I wish to formally challenge Barnett Morris of the Silver Wind Pack in the name of the Brown family's honor and status." The surrounding area immediately erupted in a commotion.

What? I widened my eyes in astonishment. Challenging someone in the name of one's family was rare unless there was a deep-seated grudge between them or their packs. Wayland's request to the king meant that from now on, our Red Moon Pack and Barnett's Silver Wind Pack would be in opposition. I couldn't believe my brother was willing to do this to seek revenge for me.

Meanwhile, Barnett, upon hearing this, went berserk. He couldn't fathom how a member of the Brown family would dare to openly challenge him. Did they want to spark a war between the two packs? The kingdoms had enjoyed internal peace for a hundred years, and Barnett couldn't understand how Alpha Logan would allow his son to do this.

"Barnett Morris, what do you think about the challenge?" The king's cold voice echoed in the hall, and the crowd immediately fell silent.

"Your Majesty, I accept the challenge, but..." Barnett showed a bloodthirsty smile, "we all know that casualties are normal in battle. If someone loses their life over this, I hope no one will object."

Wayland smirked coldly and retorted without hesitation, "That's exactly what I want to say. If someone dies in battle, it's his fate."

With the consent of both parties, the king announced his approval of the challenge.

The challenge was about to begin.

I clenched my fists tightly, feeling anxious. Brother Wayland and Barnett stood shirtless in the center of the arena, their muscles glistening with sweat under the harsh sunlight. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, their murmurs filling the air like a low, ominous hum.

As the whistle blew, Barnett swiftly lunged at Wayland, his strong fists landing with resounding thuds on Wayland's body. But the werewolf's physical resilience was extraordinary, and Wayland stood firmly on both feet, unmoved. He countered by grabbing Barnett's hand and tossing him to the ground. Barnett quickly sprung back up to counterattack. The two engaged in a back-and-forth struggle, and cheers from the spectators around the arena rose and fell in response.

I couldn't relax for a moment. Wayland and Barnett used to be friends, and they were familiar with each other's fighting styles. Winning against the other wouldn't be easy.

The battle on the platform remained evenly matched, with no clear victor. "Growl!!!" Barnett's eyes turned golden; his inner wolf was emerging. Barnett transformed into a gray wolf and lunged at Wayland with lightning speed. There was a loud thud, and it seemed like I heard the sound of Wayland's bones cracking. However, before Barnett could celebrate, he was sent flying by a massive red wolf. The two wolves collided once again. Their speed and strength stirred up dust around the arena, and I could barely see what was happening.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted in cheers. As the scene became clearer, I saw Barnett's wolf lying on the ground, barely moving.

At that moment, I realized that my brother had won. I ran up to the platform in tears and gave my battered brother a big hug. Wayland smiled and accepted my embrace; he was my hero, and I was proud of him.

Barnett was treated by medical staff and managed to stand up. He lowered his head and looked gloomy. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and his face turned even uglier. Defeat in front of so many alphas, along with the humiliation and lesson learned, would be something he remembered for the rest of his life.

"You owed my sister an apology," Wayland stared at Barnett.

"Don't push your luck," Barnett gritted his teeth, looking at us.

"If you were defeated, you had to accept the spoils claimed by the victor. Instead of an apology, how about leaving your head here?" Barnett's face reddened, and he couldn't accept losing to Wayland, let alone publicly apologizing to a woman who had once rejected him. But he had no choice. "I, Barnett Morris, apologized to Bella Brown for betraying her."

"Accept but never forgive," I said with casual indifference. This time, I severed all ties with my fated mate.

I turned to leave, but I once again felt the familiar gaze upon me – that of the king.