Enemies of the kingdom

SILVER

I froze, my eyes went wide with shock and horror, and for a brief moment, I forgot how to breathe. To think, to gather my hazy thoughts, I just stared at the men—the Alphas who were my mates.

Mates?

I almost laughed at my ill fate.

Perfect!! Good job, Moon Goddess. Wasn't Kael's rejection enough? Did it so please you to see me being spat on?

I fisted the dress I wore, then snatched my gaze away from them and back to the elder who had kept talking, explaining how they would protect me to the end of days.

Throughout his speech, I felt their gaze boring a hole in my skin.

None held warmth, just pure unadulterated need, the shock from the truth, and secret desires to…

I paused.

I was reading too much into this. I was letting myself get swayed by this.

I shook my head inwardly.

I wasn't that foolish to fall for this—twice in three days.

The wound from Kael's rejection was still fresh, open, and stinging with every painful memory.

“I'm so glad you are finally home,” he smiled, his eyes filled with sadness. I nodded as we both turned our gaze to the men who were standing. All jumped to their feet, their heads now bowed down.

“Why were you on your knees?” I whispered as they raised their heads up. The moment their gaze met mine, warmth flooded my skin. I trampled the feeling, my face blanked. I refused to fall for this again.

Not ever again.

“Princess, you didn't grant us the permission to stand.” I threw my gaze back to the elder, who nodded with a smile, pride glinting in his eyes.

“I chose the right ones.”

“We pledge our loyalty to you, Princess. As long as we are alive, we will protect you.”

A warm smile tugged at my lips before I pulled myself out of whatever trance I was falling into from this.

“You may stand,” I spoke, and they obeyed. Their towering height made the room feel like a closed box.

I swallowed hard, fiddling with my chubby fingers, then I paused, feeling the fat of my skin.

Disgust wrenched my gut. My eyes turned to my hands, then back to the men.

Sooner or later, they would swap this bond, and truthfully, I didn't care. The least I could do was build the kingdom to what Father and Mother would have wanted—to be the daughter they were proud of, the ruler the pack really needed.

I stood, hands placed by my side.

“I would really love for you and the four Alphas to have a nice chat, but you seem rushed,” the elder interjected. “Have your rest, Princess, then you all will have brief words. This would help you navigate the life in the palace easier.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, please don't, Princess.” He let out a huge sigh, his eyes lowered. “This is your rightful place; this is what the Alphas and Luna would have wanted.” He sighed even more deeply. “I will take my leave.” He nodded at me, bowed, and left, but not without whispering to the four men.

The door shut with a low thud that echoed through the dense air. Their gaze lingered on me, and I suddenly felt too small in my own skin.

I wanted to leave, to rush through this and hide away in my room, to postpone their rejection. But I knew better than to play this game again. So I stood, head held high—at least I tried—while I waited for who would speak up first.

I dragged my gaze to the third Alpha. He had this cold and reserved look; he felt like someone who isn't afraid to spill blood. So I waited for Alpha Elias's name to give his first response.

I waited and waited for what felt like an hour before Cassian spoke, dragging his gaze to me. Then he spoke.

“I will escort you back to your chambers. The elders were right; you haven't fully recovered.” I blinked, once then twice, sweeping my gaze through them.

They weren't rejecting me?

I didn't push further. I left while he followed, and I could feel eyes boring a hole through my back.