Chapter 6

Reina’s POV

The helicopter landed on the vast fields of what looked like a medieval palace with modern luxury, lawned grass, rare and beautiful flowers but what stood most outstanding was the sky rising castle that stood at the edge of the vast fields. 

From what I could see, servants and maids in their black and white uniform lined in two rows, heads bowed like they were waiting for the arrival of some important personality. 

I turned to Julian. “Who are they waiting to—?” I stammered as I met with his gaze, his overwhelming aura pulled me into another distraction but I forced myself to ignore it. 

“They are waiting for you, your royal highness.” He said with a curt bow. I raised my hand to raise his head up but his eyes locked with mine, so was my hand. 

“I mean—“ I stammered. 

“I was just—“ I slowly turned, looking outside. “I’m not used to all these.” I muttered within me. Being a nun, I’ve been used to a secluded, humble and conservative life. I don’t like show-ups but it seems my new life was about to be the exact opposite. 

When the helicopter finally landed, Julian pressed a button on the side of the door, opening it. He stepped out, stretching his hand while helping me get down it. 

We were directly opposite where the servants and maids stood, my heart beat miserable, my eyes turned. I grabbed Julian’s arm firmly. Then he leaned towards me. “We are outside, your highness. You don’t need to cling much to me.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

It sounded like a promise, an assurance from the man my heart was beating for, the man my wolf couldn’t do without. I mumbled a “yes,” taking the lead forward despite how hard it was. The servants on the left and the maids on the right bowed. The grand entrance to the palace stood there right in front of me. I would stop when I walked past them as I didn’t know where I was going.

“Welcome, your royal highness. We heard you were coming back and we are at your service.” They chorused. I stood in awe, staring at them, my lips slightly apart. 

Am I sure I would be able to cope with this kind of life?

I simply nodded, muttering a “Thank you.”

“Your highness,” Julian called from behind, gesturing to me to continue inside. I’d merely stepped foot on the edges of the door when the guards in their full regalia dropped to their knees.

“No! No! No!!”

Julian stepped forward. “It's a royal tradition, your royal highness, regardless of your status as a nun.”

I felt so uncomfortable to watch this going on, like I was being worshipped but there was nothing I could do. 

Barely walking in, a tall, muscular middle aged man accompanied by knights in black with swords rushed towards me, I froze, stumbling back in shock and falling in Julian’s chest, my ass colliding with his bulge. 

“Goshhh!” I heard him mutter, making things worse. I took a deep breath. 

“My daughter? This is you? After so many years?” 

My stomach jumped with nerves as I watched the man every werewolf including myself have always revered as the Alpha king cry out loud, dropping on his knees before me. I turned to Julian but he was bowing, hand placed to the right side of his chest in courtesy of the king. I felt nervous and alone, afraid along the way. 

Are they really sure I’m royal by birth? 

The king rose up, pulling me into a deep hug even when I wasn’t ready. He grabbed my hands, began to pull up the sleeves of my habit in search. “I want to see the birthmark—“ he stammered. 

“Your birthmark.” 

I stood still, uncomfortable. Worse still, the king pulled me into a more crashing hug but all I felt was betrayal, sadness and confusion. I’d spent all my life believing I had no family and promising to dedicate the rest of my life to God and the moon goddess but now, something else came up. I’m the Alpha princess and I need to succeed him on the throne after his reign. 

I folded my lips, biting my lower lip as the king grabbed my wrist, leading me away. “The royal court has been summoned. Come with me, I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone.” He said but all I did was turn back to Julian, his face looked distant, his body language as well. 

More confusion. 

At some point, he paused and nodded at me while the king and his knights walking behind us led us on. I unconsciously hit the king’s hand. 

“What’s that, my princess?” He asked but I couldn’t say a word. Fear won’t let me. I could only point at Julian. 

“He—“

“He—“ 

The king chuckled. “It’s safe over here. That’s where he stops for today.” 

“But he’s the only one I trust, the only one I know here—“ My eyes had already begun to spill tears which I tried hard to hold. 

“Come on, dear. You don’t have to be worried. I’m your dad but—“ 

There was a pause, suspense. 

“Why do you seem so trusting of a hot, sexy bodyguard to your dad and the royal court here who adore you?”

His question hit deep that I began to wonder if I’d said anything in my nervous moment which I wasn’t supposed to say. My chest heaved in and out, I shook my head, lips tight. 

The king led me on but still the thought of Julian would not leave. As I stepped on the podium of the royal court where the king and the royals were seated, everyone stood on their feet. Eyes scorched at me like they were going to swallow me whole, I kept my head low most of the time.

“Hello, royal men and women, nobles, knights and staff. Today is a very memorable day in my life.” He began, my mind wasn’t even with what he said. I imagined what would be my fate here and how Julian would treat me afterwards. He’d already begun acting cold. 

I couldn’t tell myself about my future. 

“Today I present to you our princess who had been presumed dead, Sister Reina, now our next Alpha King, Alpha Princess Reina Valen.”

A loud applause erupted, nearly getting me deaf. The rest of what he said never pulled through my ears, till he gave me the privilege to speak, gesturing me to the mic. I forced a nervous smile. 

“Hello everyone, sorry for not observing the protocol, it’s my first time. I hope to do better next time.” I gulped in saliva, putting up a shy smile. “I really want to express my sincere gratitude today upon discovering I have a family, birth and otherwise who love me so much to all come out this way to welcome me.” I nodded again. 

“We will get to know each other with time.”

A royal brunch took over next, entertainment by the palace muses and comedians, each all coming out to welcome me. 

I was later escorted back to my apartment by three maids and two servants, heart thumping. My heart paused seeing Julian by the door. 

“Ahhh—“ I let out a gasp. 

He bowed upon seeing me. “Your highness, you’re back.” 

I said nothing, battling with shock. “Will you always remain here?” I wanted him so badly to follow me but seeing him now by my apartment, I felt beyond traumatic with desire and shyness. 

“I’m saddled to follow you everywhere you go. You will be seeing my face often but I might not be with you for long, I can’t tell.” These words strike like a two-edged sword. 

“I don’t think I can survive in this palace without you.” I whispered.

“You’re a nun. You might be assigned a female escort.”

My eyes flashed, breath stopped. I couldn’t imagine this. 

“What if I say so?”