Chapter 31

Chapter 31

In the dead of night, the horse Alpha King Phoenix and I were riding galloped swiftly. The night air lashed against me, but I could barely feel it amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling in my chest. The tears I shed earlier have dried, chilled by the cold wind, yet my heart still aches with the revelations I've uncovered tonight.

The most agonizing truth is that despite knowing everything, my heart still longs for Troy. Even with the anger burning inside me, I can't bring myself to fully despise him.

Though it was late at night, I could see the long hanging bridge that links Tyreese to the Werewolves' Kingdom. The Werewolves Kingdom is made up of five large kingdoms, each ruled by the powerful clans of the Alpha King. The five kingdoms—North Snow Kingdom, Rema Kingdom, Urzua Kingdom, San Isidro Kingdom, and Agama Kingdom—are traditionally enemies for various reasons. Despite the fragile peace that has lingered for some time, the deep-seated hatred between them remains unresolved, much like the brutal murder of my parents, believed to have been carried out by Troy and his father, the former Alpha King Terrence Evans.

Former Alpha King Terrence Evans passed away from an illness, and months after his death, Troy ascended to the throne. I remember hearing that when the prime suspect in my parents' murder had died.

As my brother pulled the reins, the horse slowed its pace, preparing to cross the hanging bridge. His soldiers followed suit. I clung tightly to my brother, the silence between us unbroken since our earlier encounter. I hadn’t expected to see him tonight, though I knew he was searching for me—I’d seen his men, which was why I fled Troy's house.

"Are you angry with me?" I asked quietly as the horse trotted slowly forward.

"We'll talk when we get home," he said coldly. I sighed and nodded, even though he couldn't see me with his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I knew he was angry with me. During the month I was away from the palace, I came to understand that everything Alpha King Phoenix did was to keep me safe. He was afraid that the people who murdered our parents might come after me too, so he forbade me from leaving the kingdom. He kept me locked in the palace to protect me. But I wish he could see that I'm an adult now. I’m capable of taking care of myself. I can even defend myself.

Once we crossed the hanging bridge, Alpha King Phoenix’s horse picked up speed again.

As we reached the gates of Urzua Kingdom, my eyes were immediately drawn to the large gate. It was made of cement and steel, with the word 'Urzua' molded into it. The kingdom remained unchanged, just as I remembered. This was the kingdom I once admired, the one I promised my parents I would cherish and protect, and I vowed to help Alpha King Phoenix take care of it. But I feel like I've broken that promise because, in the end, I chose to run away, abandoning my responsibilities as the princess of Urzua.

“Open the gate! His Majesty, the Alpha King, and Her Royal Highness, Princess are here!” one of our soldiers announced. The guards at the gate rushed out to greet us, bowing deeply when they saw Alpha King Phoenix and me.

The gate swung open quickly, and we rode inside. It was still late at night, so the roads leading to the palace were nearly empty. As soon as we arrived at the palace, my ladies-in-waiting rushed to my side, their faces filled with worry. Especially Mariel, who has always been the closest to me.

"We'll take care of him, Your Majesty," Mariel assured Alpha King Phoenix. My brother turned to look at me, his gaze cold and distant.

"We'll talk tomorrow. For now, you should rest," he said before walking away. I took a deep breath and let Mariel guide me to my room. As my ladies-in-waiting fussed over me, I felt detached from everything around me. But once I was alone in the bathroom, soaking in the bathtub, I couldn’t hold back the sobs I had been suppressing. I rested my forehead on my knees, crying quietly, my chest heavy with sorrow.

I couldn’t help but wonder—if I hadn’t run away, would I have still met Troy? Or were we destined to meet that way? But I can’t accept it. It feels like I’m betraying my parents because... I have feelings for Troy! Is this my punishment for being so stubborn? Why does everything have to be so complicated? Or did Troy plan this all along, making me fall for him so I’d forget my hatred?

I was so exhausted and heartbroken that I felt numb even after my bath. I slipped into my usual royal nightgown and lay down on the soft mattress of my bed. Mariel had already left, leaving me alone in my room again. I looked around, and nothing had changed. The room was still the same, with its elegant white and silver walls. It was much larger than Troy’s house in Tyreese, and my bed was far more comfortable than the small sofa at his place. This room was the kind of luxury anyone would dream of. But somehow... something in the corner of my heart feels like this isn’t the place I’m searching for. It doesn’t feel like home anymore. And maybe... home isn’t a place at all. Maybe the home I’m looking for is... a person.

The next day, my ladies-in-waiting dressed me in a gown I hadn’t worn in nearly a month. It was an evergreen dress with a princess cut, an off-shoulder neckline, and a tiered skirt. Mariel styled my hair, pulling it up in a way that highlighted my complexion and jawline. I could feel Mariel’s eyes on me as she worked.

"Is something wrong?" I asked her. She shook her head and smiled at me.

"I’m just relieved that you’re back safe, Your Highness," Mariel said with a sigh of relief. Before I ran away from the palace, I only confided in Mariel because I trusted her, but I knew my brother must have questioned her intensely when my brother was searching for me.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, Mariel. I know my brother was harsh with you, and—”

"Don’t worry, Your Highness! I didn’t tell the Alpha king anything!” she quickly reassured me with a nod and a smile. This is why I trust her so much. She’s been looking after me since I was a child. We’re nearly the same age, but she’s always taken on the role of a mother to me.

"Thank you," I said, truly grateful.

After breakfast, I headed straight to the Alpha King’s office. I knocked three times before entering and found my brother seated in his chair, with Beta Cyrus standing behind him.

"Take a seat," Alpha King Phoenix instructed. I sat down in the chair across from him, meeting his gaze. He studied me as if assessing the changes in me during the month I was gone.

"Do you regret it?" His first question caught me off guard. His eyes were cold, and I couldn’t read the rest of his expression. I looked away, knowing he was referring to my running away.

"Did you find freedom when you left the kingdom?" he asked next. I bit my lower lip and lowered my eyes, feeling my heart break a little more.

"Do you understand the consequences of your actions, Elisaria?" he pressed.

"Go on, then. I won’t argue, Brother. I’ll accept any punishment," I replied, fully aware of the wrong I had done.

"You know you were wrong, but you don’t regret it, do you?" he asked coldly. I heard the sound of his chair moving, signaling that he had stood up.

"Why? Is it because of that man, Troy Archer Evans? Tell me the truth, Elisaria… did you fall into his trap?" He stopped in front of me, his words cutting deep. No matter how much I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t. He was right.

"This is what you get for being stubborn, Elisaria! You know very well that the suspect in our parents' death is that man and his father! And yet, did you believe whatever lies he told you? This is why I won’t let you leave the kingdom! You’re reckless and careless!” I could feel his frustration with me.

But… is it really wrong to want a little freedom? Is it so wrong to want to love, even just once?

"And damn it... I can smell his presence on you. I want you to reject the mate bond, Elisaria," he demanded.

"You know I can’t reject him unless he agrees—"

"Then find a way, Elisaria! That man is no good for you! What will happen if we prove they killed our parents? We’ll be a laughingstock among the other kingdoms! We both know that man is cunning and manipulative! He doesn’t love you, Elisaria. That’s the truth! Don’t you know why that guy was at Tyreese? It’s because his throne is in danger! His cousin, Zander Evans, is planning a revolution against him! There’s a strong chance Zander will take the throne, especially since even the councils and packs of Rema Kingdom are losing faith in Troy—especially since he doesn’t have a mate or a successor! That’s why he’s so desperate to find a mate; he believes in the prophecy! He needs you, Elisaria, but he doesn’t want you," Alpha King Phoenix said firmly.

Tears welled up in my eyes as his words hit me. I started to doubt everything and felt my hope slipping away. The pain I felt last night only deepened. I felt suffocated, anxious, and scared. All I wanted was to... rest and forget everything.

"Reject him, Eli—"

"Your Majesty!" We were both startled as the door suddenly flew open and a guard rushed in.

"What is it?" my brother asked. The guard bowed.

"Forgive me for interrupting your meeting with the princess, but there's an emergency at the kingdom's gate!" the man reported urgently. I frowned, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest.

"What kind of emergency?" my brother asked, his tone sharp with alertness.

"T-The Alpha King of Rema Kingdom... he's at the gate with his troops. He’s threatening to bring chaos to our kingdom if we don't allow him to enter!" the man said, clearly worried.

My eyes widened in shock. What on earth is Troy doing?! But I was even more surprised when my brother spoke.

"Let him in," he ordered.