Chapter 2: The Switch (II)

POV: Lyra Ashbourne

My heart came to a stop.

I lost my ability to breathe for a short while.

After Alpha Kael uttered my sister's name, all of the eyes in the big hall looked at me. I couldn't believe what I had just heard, and I stood there, unable to think of anything else.

He had chosen me.

No…

He had picked Selene.

My name was not the name that had escaped his lips, but my sister's.

The other noble daughters looked at each other in a shocked manner, and a loud murmur went around the hall.

“It is impossible, I can't believe it.”

“Selene Ashbourne?”

“I thought that Lady Rosalie would be picked.”

“Or Lady Evelyn.”

Before anyone could say another word, an elegant woman climbed down the front row. Her looks were beginning to diminish with the years, but with her authority, the entire hall fell silent again.

I knew right away who she was.

The Dowager Luna.

Alpha Kael’s mother.

She glanced at her son and her face showed plainly that she was in disbelief.

“Kael,” she said gently, but there was a hint of disappointment in her calm tone. “This is a hasty decision, isn’t  it?”

Alpha Kael looked at her.

“It is not.”

A frown of dismay crossed the Dowager Luna's face.

“In this hall are daughters of noble blood standing. Young women from noble families with good names.”

Her eyes slowly focused on me.

“This girl isn't a standout nor influential.”

All the words hit me like a ton of bricks on my chest.

She wasn’t shouting.

She didn’t need to.

Her voice, so placating, was worse than anger ever.

“Another candidate would be better suited for you, I believe,” she went on.

The silence was so complete I could hear my own heart beat.

Alpha Kael was completely unperturbed.

“Thank you, Mother, but my decision is final.”

The Dowager Luna's face grew grim. “You don't want to think about it differently?”

“Final.” Came my reply.

She observed him for a few long seconds.

She knew that the mind wouldn't move, so she slowly turned away.

“I see.”

In her eyes there was a sense of disappointment.

Perhaps even frustration.

She said nothing more, though.

“The selection is over.” A man's deep voice rang through the hall.

The other candidates are sent away the second alpha Kael walked out of the room.

No explanation followed.

No celebration.

No ceremony.

He just ignored them and walked towards the large doors, his guards trailing behind him.

Within moments…

He was gone.

The stillness that lay there was a little uncomfortable.

The ladies gradually started to file out of the hall, some of them chatting amongst themselves.

There were some curious eyes.

Others with jealousy.

Some in open disgust.

I was standing where I was, not sure if I should go.

Then footsteps approached.

I looked up.

The Dowager Luna had stopped in front of me.

I wanted to believe she meant to congratulate me, for a second.

Rather, she glared at me with eyes that made my stomach clench.

“Selene Ashbourne.”

“Yes… Your Grace.” I bowed.

“You may have won the selection contest.” She started. “But understand something. I don't like you. You might have gotten Kael's attention today, but not my acceptance.”

She took one small step closer. “You are not going to be my son's concubine for a long time and I will make sure of that.”

The words hit me harder than I had thought.

Not because I wanted her approval.

But, she hated me before she even knew me.

She didn't wait for me to answer and went around me and out of the hall.

I stood there for a few more seconds and then walked softly out.

The grounds of the palace were as grand as ever.

The large building was surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Servants ran about from place to place.

Pompey's men were at the guard of honor by all the doorways.

Everything looked perfect.

But I was totally out-of-sorts.

I was brought back to the carriage by which I had come by a palace servant.

The trip to the house seemed much longer than it used to be.

When I entered the house I heard loud voices.

“He chose her!”

“Our family has come up!

“This changes everything!”

I slowly walked into the sitting room.

In the middle of the room was my father with a glass of wine.

He wore a large smile on his face.

Mother sat with Selene, who had put on a beautiful silk dress, even though her ankle was hurt.

When they saw me come no one asked me how I was.

I did not receive any congratulations.

Instead…

Father laughed happily.

“Selene!” he exclaimed. “You did it!”

Selene beamed with pride like she was inside the palace hall. “But I knew Alpha Kael would see my value.”

Mother delicately took her daughter's hand in her own. “You've always been meant for greatness, I just knew it.”

I quietly stood near the doorway.

No one was looking at me.

It was as though I had never left the house.

Father took a drink of wine. Once you have entered the palace, all things change.

He started to count on his fingers. Our business will thrive, we will be protected by the king and our family will have influence.

Mother smiled. “And the treasures of the palace…”

Father chuckled. “There are so many treasure-troves inside those walls.”

Selene nodded her head. “If a few things just wouldn't be there, from time to time, no one would know.”

Mother nodded thoughtfully. “That's right. This bracelet now. This painting next week. Maybe some fancy jewels later.”

Father laughed louder. “The Alpha's favorite girl wouldn't be blamed for it.”

Selene smiled. “Then we'll be the most wealthy family in the territory.”

I was shocked to see them. They weren't talking about my future. They did not even talk about Selene's future. They were devising a plan to rob the royal palace.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door. Everyone immediately fell silent. There was a knock at the door once more. Father frowned.

“Let me see who that is.”

He went to the front door and opened it. A number of guards of the palace were standing outside.

The chief of their guides was dressed in polished armor and was armed with the palace crest across his chest.

He bowed respectfully. His Alpha Majesty is asking his chosen concubine to come into the palace right away, the Alpha has sent us.”

Father turned to Mother.  Mother immediately took my wrist.

“Come with me.”

Before I could react, she took me up the stairs. We went into Selene's bedroom, and Mother quickly closed the door.

When I walked into the building, Selene glared at me. She scolded me with a finger pointing. “Don't take anything the wrong way, as soon as my ankle is better, we're back home.”

Mother approached a wooden cabinet close to the wall. She opened one of the small drawers which are in the inside. She looked around for a while, then she took out a small glass bottle.

She turned and looked at me. “Eat this, a sleeping potion.”

I examined the bottle. Mother whispered. Upon coming to the palace, they should take a chance to pour it into the Alpha's wine, but he should not touch them.

I hesitated. This wasn't right in my gut. Drugging the Alpha… It was dangerous. If it were found by anyone… The consequences would be unimaginable.

Within an hour I was sitting in another royal carriage!

On our arrival servants were awaiting us and were very prompt in their reception.

One of the maids replied politely, “His Alpha Majesty is waiting.”

She took me through several beautifully furnished hallways until we reached outside two big, wooden doors.

The private rooms of the Alpha.

She bent her head and then she went out silently.

I swallowed hard.

Slowly… I pushed the doors open. The room was empty. I looked at the door.

No one was there. This was my chance.

I took the little bottle out of my sleeve with shaking hands. I opened it with great care. I poured all the water into one of the cups of silver.

The clear liquid disappeared into the dark red wine without leaving a trace.

I picked up the cup and carefully set it back down to its original position.

As I put it out…

Behind me, I heard a voice, deep and masculine.

“What are you doing?”