#CHAPTER 2: Winning The Princess’s Heart

THIRD PERSON POV

 “You three are my crowning legacy.”

This is what Dante Ashford, Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack, would always tell his exceptional sons.

As young pups, Alexander, Kai, and Ronan grew up with the understanding that they all were capable of absolute greatness. But only one of them would be able to inherit their father’s pack as Alpha. Those who don’t have to leave the pack to create their own.

Under their father’s strict tutelage, the triplets gained acceptance to Moonhaven Royal Academy, the most prestigious school in the entire kingdom. The race to inherit their father’s title commenced, unleashing a fierce competition between the triplets to determine the most worthy to succeed.

With just one year left before graduation, the triplets have only one thing on their minds: finish with highest honors. Because he who proves himself the most accomplished out of the Ashford heirs would then surely be set to become the next Alpha of Shadowfang.

And then, mere days before the start of their third year, Alpha Dante had important news to share:

The mysterious Princess Elizabeth Lancaster—daughter of His Royal Majesty, Alpha King Lancaster—would be attending school alongside the boys. One of them could marry the Princess in the next summer and, one day, become the Alpha King.

Becoming Alpha of their own pack was no longer enough—becoming Alpha King was the new dream.

They were ready and determined.

But the Alpha King relayed a message that changed the situation.

There was to be no official introduction of Princess Elizabeth to the student body. From the moment she steps foot on campus, her royal identity would be concealed from the rest of the world. No one will know who she is.

The reason behind this? She had taken on a lover. A Gamma that the King strongly disapproves of. However, she finally accepted a deal that would have her select one of the triplets, as long as they could prove their love for her without knowing her true identity.

“Sounds like a challenge,” their father had hummed thoughtfully. “Are you certain you three are capable of winning the heart of Princess Elizabeth?”

Alexander, Kai, and Ronan were undeterred, and accepted without hesitation.

It didn’t matter if she had a lover. A Gamma nobody could never compete with Alphas.

In the short time of orientation, the triplets utilized every resource at their disposal to uncover every piece of information they could find about the incoming freshmen.

In the end, only two student profiles stood out.

Lizzie Beaumont.

Beth Miller.

The two profiles were clearly prepared at the last minute and haven’t been fully filled in yet, meaning these two girls enrolled temporarily, won’t be able to attend the orientation for now and may only be able to join the final welcoming party.

Besides, both names shared an uncanny resemblance with the name of the Princess. If there was anyone among the incoming freshmen who was most likely to be Princess Elizabeth in disguise, it would be one of these two girls.

So, they would have to test both of them.

It’d only be a matter of time before the true Princess breaks.

So, when Alexander finds himself suddenly standing in front of this mysterious ‘Lizzie’ in the Moonhaven entrance hall, he knows what he has to do.

“We already knew the Princess was planning to infiltrate the school,” he says, watching Lizzie’s expression twitch. “And, out of all the hundreds of thousands of newly enrolled freshmen here, only one has failed to attend orientation and has absolutely nothing in her student file.”

He trails off, leaving her to fill in the blanks.

It doesn’t surprise him, however, when she maintains her composure, instead choosing to just stare at him.

He looms closer to her.

“Admit it,” he drawls, staring into her green-gold eyes. “You’re Princess Elizabeth, and we’ve got you right where we want you.”

ELIZABETH’S POV

I froze, completely in shock at the words coming from Alexander's mouth.

This can’t actually be happening. How would they have complete access to student files and know about my plan straight from the get-go?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I toss my shock on the back burner, “but that's an invasion of my privacy.”

Kai’s brows raise. “What’s with the hostility?” He asks with a growing grin. “Is there some sort of secret you don’t want us to uncover?”

"No, " l accuse, "This school protects its students' privacy and status to keep lower-rank students from being discriminated against, but what you three did is breaking the rules.”

“If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about.”

I say nothing, searching for a way to end the conversation before this begins to attract any more unwanted attention. The longer it continues, the more dangerous my situation will become.

“I’m not convinced,” Ronan suddenly interjects from his chair, drawing the attention of his elder triplets and myself, “I think she’s more likely to be an Omega who doesn’t want to be targeted because of her background. Princess Elizabeth wouldn’t be that boorish.”

His words accidentally handed me the perfect excuse.

“It’s none of your business if I’m an Omega or not,” I put on a nervous look, as though he’d guessed right. “And if you don’t mind, I’d rather you three not go around blabbing it to the entire school.”

Before Alexander or Kai can say anything, Ronan emits an irritated sigh.

“This is getting fucking boring,” he says, waving a bored, dismissive hand. “Go. We have more important things to focus on.”

I don’t need him to tell me twice.

I leave without a moment’s hesitation, hurrying down the halls with my bags in tow.

In the ten minutes that I’ve been undercover in Moonhaven Academy, I’ve only reaffirmed exactly what I already knew about Alexander, Kai, and Ronan Ashford. They’re nothing but a bunch of power-hungry, superficial bullies who would do absolutely anything to achieve their goals.

And it took no time for me to confirm that I want nothing to do with them.

Alphas like them don’t care about lower-ranking wolves. If they continue to believe I’m an Omega, they’ll lose interest and forget about me.

But… there’s one thing Alexander mentioned that weighs heavily on my mind.

How did they know I was going to infiltrate the school?

Once I reach the elevator in the main dormitory, I put down my luggage and pull out the paper that lists all of my important student information. I scan the list, before eventually landing on:

STUDENT RESIDENCY: Mona Hall. Floor 4. Room 402.

As soon as the elevator opens, I enter with my luggage. A few other students join me, talking amongst themselves after they select their desired floors.

When it’s my turn, I press the button for the fourth floor and back away in silence.

“It looks like she’s going to the fourth floor,” one of the students mutters, catching my attention.

“That’s kind of weird, guys… right?”

“Should she be doing that?” another quietly questions.

I frown, confused. What in the world is so strange about the fourth floor?

When I reach the fourth floor of Mona Hall, I notice that only three rooms seem to be occupied here, and the names written on each of these placards make my stomach drop.

Alexander, Kai, Ronan Ashford.

Flustered, I run over to #402—my designated room—only to realize that it’s located directly next to the one belonging to Alexander.

This must be father’s doing. I’m aware of how eager he is to make this marriage happen. Why else would I be assigned to this room, out of all other rooms?

I need to talk to him.

I immediately pull out my phone and dial the number to my father’s office.

The phone starts to ring—

“What are you doing on this floor?”

My heart practically bursts out of my chest upon realizing I’m no longer alone. Unfortunately, I recognize this very unwelcome voice, and it’s someone I did not expect to see and had no desire to see for the rest of the day.

Whirling around, I yet again come face to face with Alexander, staring at me, bewildered.

Moon Goddess, why are you doing this to me?

Alexander wastes no time in approaching me, now wearing a look of pure determination. “I asked you what you’re doing on this floor, in this dormitory.”

My throat suddenly feels dry and scratchy, but I swallow hard and stand straight. “My room is here. But I’m sure it’s some sort of boarding mistake—”

All of a sudden, he snatches the paper out of my hand and begins to read it over.

I gasp, and try to reach around him to reclaim the paper. “Give that back!”

And then, much to my growing unease, he chuckles, making me stiffen.

“In the three years that we’ve attended this school,” he says, his tone remaining neutral, “not a single student has ever resided on the same floor as us. Principal Evergrove himself was made very aware of this arrangement. So…”

Alexander leans in closer, with mere inches now between us, focusing intently on me.

“Why is it that you, of all people, are the first to break it? What makes you so special?”

Reluctantly, I lower my hands. “I’m not special. I promise you that.”

It’s at this moment when the line finally decides to connect, and my father’s Beta, Landon’s voice speaks on the other end, as clear as day.

“Princess?”