Chapter 12

Darian's POV

Darian's head is pounding as he settles in his seat the next morning.

He's dressed just like the other time, only his tunic is light green this time, the black cloak sitting carefully on his shoulders.

He rubs his temples tiredly, eyes scanning the room calmly. He hated events like these, but as future King, he still needed to fulfill his duties to his people no matter what.

He has to take the visitors and potential alliances out, around the palace today. 'Showing off', an act trademark to Moonveil when they have important guests over.

He thinks it's something David can handle. But it would be incredibly disrespectful to leave them alone with his right hand man, when they came all the way here to see him.

Another thing troubling his mind, though he wouldn't want to admit how much it chipped at his thoughts, is her... Isabella.

He's been restless since last night from the moment he read through that scroll, meaning to have a conversation with David about the authenticity of his findings.

But he's been busy since the moment he opened his eyes this morning, having no time to catch David alone.

Their murmur fills the hall as the guests begin to come in one by one, voices rising in polite conversation as they slowly settle in.

Prince Darian exhales slowly, hand resting on the edge of his seat, expressionlessly looking over them.

"Your Highness," the chamberlain bows once they all fill in. "The guests are ready."

His gaze sweeps over the hall.

"Then we should begin."

The palace corridors are alive with movements, the sunlight slipping quietly across the space. Their footsteps echoes as Darian leads the group through the space.

Queen Skyler and David are handling preparation for the banquet tonight, leaving just the potential mates and their escorts who follow closely behind, taking in every detail as Darian continues with the tour toward the left wing, where a huge antique staircase stands firm.

Darian pauses, gaze sweeping over them again, ignoring the inviting looks the beautiful Omegas and humans shoot his way.

"This wing houses the royal archives" he tells them, voice flat and clearly uninterested.

Some of the women gasp dramatically like it's the most beautiful thing they've ever seen, even though it's basically just a dusty staircase that leads up to huge rooms of even dustier books.

He resists the urge to roll his eyes.

He takes them through a few more hallways, showing them antiques, a little bit of Moonveil's wealth, voice flat enough that after a while, the Chamberlain offers to take over, voice loud and eager as he tries to impress the guests.

Darian however, continues to motion them ahead, the route imprinted in his mind, as he leads them out through the open courtyards, showing them fountains and the training yards, while the chamberlain gives them curt stories of Moonveil's history.

Darian plays his role perfectly, the perfect son, King to be...strong alpha...

But his mind is elsewhere..

Still thinking of her.

Isabella Ravelle.

And her name...how is that possible?

That name shouldn't even exist.

They continue toward the enormous garden, the Prince still lost in thoughts until one of the Nobles calls out to him again.

"Excuse me, your Highness"

Darian blinks, fighting the urge to scowl as he's pulled back from his thoughts. Wasn't this the whole reason for letting the chamberlain take over?

He schools his expression before turning over to face them.

"Your Highness..." Noble Astor starts, a cunning smile spread across his face. He is the leader of one of the smaller clans close to the Moonveil borders. They are a small werewolf village, but they have a good business alliance with neighboring human cities, which had its own.... advantages.

But it made some of the other werewolves clans resent them for it. Calling them 'greedy', and 'a traitor' to their own kind.

Moonveil however, though one of the oldest werewolf clans had a more... open mind. His father never minded working with humans at all, while he worked his way to build alliances with big human cities, before his illness hit.

This is why his mother added the Astor's oldest Omega daughter to his list of potential mates, aiming to continue the alliance his father was hoping to build.

Not only them, but some human families were invited too. Some from major neighboring cities, and Omegas from good families too.

The human community didn't seem to mind the invites at all. If anything, it seems they are even more desperate to get the attractive Prince's attention with the kind of exposing and thin clothes they wear.

They argue it's only fair, since the Omegas already have the advantage of their pheromones.

Noble Astor continues, "I was thinking.." he looks around at the other nobles. "We were thinking that we'll let the Chamberlain continue the tour with us, while you have a private chat with our daughters."

Darian glares at him, but the man continues, undeterred.

"This could be a good opportunity for you to bond with your potential mates," his eyes hold a mischievous glint as he turns to the others. "Don't you agree?"

There's a wave of agreements on nods, and though Darian hates that he's being forced into a tight corner like this, but he has no choice. If he refuses and word gets to his mother, she would definitely go out of her way to lecture him for hours.

Walking for a few hours with these women doesn't seem so bad in comparison.

He sighs and nods curtly, eyes straight as the Chamberlain quietly leads their escorts away, leaving the Alpha prince alone with the five young women.

Three Omegas.

Two humans.

He continues the tour round the garden, trying not to let his thoughts drift as he reaches the shrubs where he found Isabella last night.

"And these flowers...." He continues, softly touching the bright purple petals, "Are one of my father's favorites. He used to come here often.."

Darian's heart squeezes at the memory.

His father was a good man. A great king, he looked up to him before he turned unrecognizable after his sickness.

There is a long minutes of silence. The women shooting him sympathetic looks which he absolutely despises.

He clears his throat and walks away, leading them toward another part of the garden, the group falling into a quieter rhythm as they walk.

Then one of the Omegas, Noble Astor's daughter, quickly walks forward, pace fast, reaching behind Darian.

He smells her first before she opens her mouth. Sweet and calm, maybe something other Alphas would love.

But definitely not Darian.

He cocks a brow, turning to face her fully, ignoring the looks of jealousy from the other ladies who think she's managed to catch his attention.

The girl is beautiful no doubt.

Golden brown skin, dark hair neatly in an extravagant bun, dark irises steady and observant. She carries herself with the quiet confidence of someone raised to understand her worth.

She inclines her head respectfully, unlike her father, exposing her scent gland in a subtle submissive gesture.

"My apologies, My lord." Her voice is soft and gentle. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to be closer to you." She bats her lashes, letting her scent drift around them.

Darian wolf actually...repels the scent. Something that has never happened before.

He might not like a scent, but his wolf has never reacted so violently like this before. So much that it takes a lot of effort for him not to push her away.

He just gently shifts away from her, hoping she would get the hint.

She doesn't. Instead, she walks closer again, releasing more of her pheromones.

He rolls his nose in annoyance, shooting her a gaze that makes the other women fall silent too.

Still, she doesn't let up, leaning even closer.

Darian bites his tongue, patience wearing thin. "Can you shift away?" He tries not to let his voice come out as a growl.

She blinks, clearly not used to being rejected. "What?!"

"You don't need to try this hard to be noticed," he repeats, ignoring the snickers behind them and her shocked face.

He turns away, only to stop in his tracks when his gaze lands on them.

On her.

Isabella, here with the head maid. Stella, or what was her name again ?

Her hair as always has a few loose strands falling down the nape of her neck, brows furrowed in concentration as the older woman whispered instructions to her.

His wolf reacts almost simultaneously, happily, leaping in delight.

He has to flex his fingers to keep himself calm.

But it's not only him that notices her. The other women do too, especially Noble Astor's daughter who catches the way his gaze stays pinned on her.

She frowns, walking forward, hitting a small stone with purpose, voice loud as she falls into Darian who has no choice but to hold her up as she almost hits the ground.

The commotion makes both maid's heads snap up at the same time, and Belle's gaze lands squarely on the Prince Darian..

...with a beautiful lady in his arms.

Their eyes meet...