Chapter 6

Haydn’s Pov

The moment I laid eyes on Bella, I knew there was something special between us. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her.

Her black hair looked incredibly soft, and her rosy cheeks gave her an adorable look that made me want to reach out and touch them. Instead of the usual billowing dresses that most she-wolves wore, she had opted for trousers, giving her a sleek, confident appearance.

In the grand hall, I watched her mischievous eyes darting around, smiling at those she liked and becoming somber in the presence of those she disliked. For thirty years, I’d never been so captivated by a girl’s every move. She was simply delightful and intriguing.

Even though Bella didn’t wear a magical necklace, I just knew she was the mate I had been waiting for. My wolf, Aidan, was going wild in my head, trying to take control to approach her and get to meet Bella. But I couldn’t allow him to do that; Aidan was too impulsive and might frighten our mate.

On the following night at the banquet, I took great care to dress up and wear the magical necklace. I wanted to impress her. All I could think about was her, and I planned to find the matching necklace to present to her personally. The sooner, the better.

As night fell and the banquet hall lit up, I searched for Bella’s presence. I saw Alpha Logan, his wife, and their son, but Bella was nowhere to be found. My wolf started to agitate. Where had she gone?

I navigated through the crowd, trying to locate Bella. Ignoring the guests as I made my way through the crowd. In a corner on the balcony, I spotted a familiar figure. I was about to approach when I noticed she wasn’t alone. Beta Gray Norman from the Maple Pack was standing with her, and that annoying Gray seemed to be trying to charm my mate. He even leaned close to whisper something in her ear.

I felt a surge of anger and jealousy. I clenched my fists, itching to confront him. In fact, I was about to do just that when I saw Bella kick Gray. It was an unexpected twist, and it seemed that my mate could defend herself. My wolf swelled with pride.

I let out a laugh and followed Bella into the corridor and witnessed two other girls bullying her, attempting to summon soldiers to capture her. I couldn’t allow that to happen; they NEEDED to face consequences. How dared they?

“Slandering an innocent lady’s innocence is hardly commendable behavior.” I said icily.

“Your Majesty, this woman maliciously harmed my comrade. Please order the soldier to apprehend her,” Olivia said, mistakenly thinking that I was accusing Bella of wrongdoing.

On the other hand, Clara, upon seeing me, became smitten and gazed at me with adoration, hesitating to speak. I knew well the effect I have in most women.

“You’re lying,” Bella said, her fists clenched in anger.

These two malicious women were trying to distort the truth. I couldn’t let them succeed.

“Soldier, take these two individuals who falsely accused others and throw them into the dungeons.”

The commotion had already attracted a crowd. Everyone in the hallway was shocked.

“Why us? You should punish this wretch!” Clara’s sharp voice echoed in the corridor. She couldn’t believe my words. She thought I had been fooled when she faked being injured?

“I witnessed both of you attacking Bella first, and she was merely defending herself,” I said coldly, looking at the two women who didn’t know their place. My soldiers weren’t meant to be used like that.

“Your Majesty, I believe this is all a misunderstanding. We are friends with Bella, and we were just joking with her,” Olivia stammered, she didn’t expect I had witnessed everything.

I remained silent and turned to Bella.

Bella frowned, “A joke? I’ve never heard that making fun of someone would land them in jail. Olivia, Clara, I’m not your friend.”

“You wretch, how dare you treat us this way,” Clara said, preparing to slap Bella.

“Take them to the dungeons,” I immediately ordered, ensuring these two annoying troublemakers were removed from my sight before my wolf took matters on its own hands.

“Your Majesty, please don’t do this to us.” The women bellowed.

“Your Majesty, you can’t do this to us. We are Alphas’ daughters.” Olivia shrieked.

I ignored their pleas and turned my gaze to Bella.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice turning gentle.

“I’m fine. Thank you for coming to my rescue and clarifying things,” Bella thanked me looking relieved.

“Don’t mention it” I couldn’t help but move closer to Bella. There was a certain exquisite scent about her, and I wanted to be closer to her, to smell her neck.

My gaze traveled from her bright, dark eyes to her petite nose and her inviting lips. She looked stunning today in her moonlight-colored dress, appearing graceful and delicate, as if she were the earthly representation of the moon goddess.

Suddenly, my eyes fixed on the silver-white necklace around her slender neck. For the Moon Goddess, it was the Magic Necklace.

“Mate,” Aidan came out of my mind and took control of my body.

The word startled Bella. Her big beautiful eyes opened wide.

Aidan swooped closer to Bella, grabbed her shoulders, and sniffed at her neck. He stretched out his tongue to lick Bella’s ear, moved down inch by inch, and kissed Bella’s neck. Her breath hitched.