Chapter 2: The Royal Palace 

    (Vera POV)

“Vera Nightsahde! You got selected for the Luna Survival Games for this year, and you will represent our Shadow Vale Pack. It is really an honor for our pack to take part in the royal games,” Luna Candice announced proudly, and I sneered with disdain. Her lips twitched for a second, but she quickly fixed her happy luna mask before anyone could notice. 

“The car will take you to the Royal Palace, and here is your invitation.” She handed me that invitation, which was really unique. It was made of royal blue velvet and a golden color. I accepted the notification without a word and headed towards the car. They gave me a few pieces of clothing and shoes, along with some other necessities, because I was now representing their pack.

I was nothing to them from the start. I was just an abandoned pup who got accepted into this pack due to Luna Candice’s generosity. I have to serve this pack for over 12 years to pay back their generosity, but they thought it wasn’t enough, so they are sending me to a death arena named Luna Survival Games. 

I don’t know much about them, but I have heard about it a lot. It is the deadliest game in werewolf history. Where almost 15 to 20 Lunas from different packs take part in fighting for the Luna Queen position. They have to pass several rounds of tests to prove their capability, and in the end, only three survivors got the prize.

The first one got the Luna Queen position, and the second and third ones got high-power positions in the werewolf council, so they think all the bloodshed is worth the power. Rumors said all the contestants who got eliminated never came back because elimination means death in these games. 

I felt a shudder of fear run down my spine after thinking about all this. I never wanted to take part in all these games, nor did I want to become the Luna Queen, because, unlike all the others, I have no hunger for power and money like them. All I want from the start is to have a small family with whom I can live a happy life, but this simple goal has become an ultimate luxury for a Hybrid outcast like me. 

A few tears rolled down my cheeks, and I quickly wiped them away. No one cares about my tears here and now; I have to fight with all my might just to stay alive. Huh! Life isn’t fair at all. I sobbed hard a few times, but the driver didn’t dare to turn his face to check on me.

I couldn’t even run away from here because they had already cuffed my ankles and wrists with silver cuffs. Well! I guess they knew about my plans of running away from this damn*d pack, that’s why they did this. Bloody f*ckers!!!

“No need to waste your energy on crying, Little girl. The world always rewards the predators, not the prey. So, either learn to be a predator, or you will become prey without any effort,” The driver added his two pennies, and I scoffed at him under my breath before closing my eyes. 

I was so stressed about the games that I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, so I drifted into a deep slumber after a few minutes. Well! I can enjoy the last few moments of my peace before entering the Royal Palace. 

***********

“We are here, Vera! Wake up!” I jolted awake after hearing the driver’s voice and took a deep breath when I saw the Royal Palace gates from afar. His voice scared the sh*t out of me. I put my hand on my heart to calm it down a bit. 

“Thanks for waking me up like this,” I said in a dry tone. 

“You are welcome.” His answer was also stiff. Two big golden-brown gates opened, and I saw the magnificent palace in front of me. Several groups of guards were present in front of me, and my mouth dropped open after witnessing the protocols of the palace. 

“Close your mouth, or you will catch a fly,” the driver taunted after opening the door of my side. He quickly uncuffed me, and I rubbed my wrists, which turned red with silver. But due to my fae blood, I wasn’t much affected by silver, but it still hurt like a b*tch. I stepped out of the car, and he was already collecting my luggage. 

“Here is your luggage. Now you have to continue your journey on your own. You will show your invitation letter on the main door on the left side, and they will give you every detail, okay?” He asked, and I gave him a curt nod, and he patted my head with a fatherly smile. 

“Don’t worry, Vera. You are stronger than you thought, and you came here to fulfill your destiny, not just to play this game but to win it.” For a time, I saw his face with a sincere look. I thought he wanted to pull my leg with all this, but he was all serious with a no-nonsense look etched on his face. 

“But everyone hates me and avoids me like I am cursed. How can I win this game against all the best candidates from different packs?” I asked him in a serious tone. 

“Because you have something they didn’t,” He answered with sincerity. 

“What?” 

“Hybrid blood in your veins. They didn’t hate you because you are different. They avoid you and hate you because you are more powerful than they are. You can easily challenge an alpha with your power and strip off his title, that’s why,” He answered and turned on his heels to leave. I was still wrapping my head around his words when our car disappeared on the road ahead. 

After a few more minutes, I finally moved from my place and headed towards the door. I showed them my invitation, and they handed me a small box with a booklet and opened the door for me. 

“Line up and charge,” I heard a deep, authoritative voice, and I turned to see his face, but as soon as I saw it, my face paled with fear and my hands started trembling.