Calla's pov
"You're from Luminary Pack too?"
Apex's voice, deep and husky, cut through the quiet meeting hall. Elara and I had barely settled in. We walked the same path back to this room, where the Lycan Prince now sat, flanked by his sisters and a few old men. No raven rested on his shoulder this time. I'd passed my bow to Alpha Aedric's Beta and sank into the offered chair.
Elara still looked stunned that I could handle a weapon with such precision.
Gladys was here, too. He was staring at me, a mix of confusion and awe in his eyes.
I swallowed hard and lifted my gaze to meet Apex's piercing stare. Before I could form a response, he asked again.
"Have you received the invitation?"
Alpha Aedric chuckled lightly from his seat nearby. "No, Your Highness. Luminary Pack hasn't gotten any invitation yet. Perhaps it's still in process?"
"Aura Pack has gotten an invitation," Gladys added quickly. He leaned forward. "Does that mean the host I represent should handle the coronation? She won each round of the trials."
Apex didn't look at him. He simply nodded, turning slightly to his Beta. "Luminary Pack should be invited. And the host should come from their pack. It was mentioned she hosted festivals in Sterling Pack as well. I am impressed."
The hall went silent.
I felt Derata's heartbeat hammering right beside me. She reached under the table and squeezed my hand. Her grip trembled with gratitude and sheer excitement.
The meeting ended as abruptly as it began. Apex rose, every movement deliberate, radiating a frightening power. He started toward the door but paused mid-step. His formidable gaze swung back to me.
"You'll be there tomorrow? At the coronation?"
I froze. I hadn't planned on attending. Devlin was supposed to represent Sterling Pack.
"Yes, Your Highness. She will come," Derata said quickly. Her voice was bright and eager. She spoke before I could protest.
Apex inclined his head slightly. "Good work out there. I am impressed."
Then he was gone, disappearing as silently as a shadow.
A smile threatened to break across my face. Why did it feel so much lighter now that Apex had acknowledged my skills? I turned to Derata, my eyes wide, ready to scold her for speaking for me.
A light giggle drifted from ahead.
One of the princesses stood up. She approached us smiling, her hand extended. I rose, taking it respectfully. She pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles.
"Linnea. That's my name," she said softly, her smile warm. "You handled it well out there. I'm impressed. Not many have your skills."
I swallowed, unprepared for the praise. I never knew they watched, too.
"The preparations for the coronation start tomorrow night. Will you come with the host?" she asked.
I lowered my gaze, ready to decline politely. Derata stepped forward, practically glowing with excitement.
"Of course, Princess Linnea. She will definitely come."
"Then we'll be expecting you," Linnea said. Her presence left a strange, calming warmth behind her. The second princess rose silently and left without a word. Her quiet exit left a strange, lingering weight in the hall.
Wow.
That's when I heard the sobbing. I turned to see Elara. Tears streamed down her face. I nearly rolled my eyes. It looked fake.
"Elara…" Gladys called out, but she bolted from the hall. He set his jaw and followed her, with Jasper right behind him.
I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.
"Callie, thank you," Alpha Aedric said. His gratitude was clear in his eyes. I returned a faint, respectful smile.
We walked out together. Alpha Aedric and his Beta entered their carriage. Soon they were gone. Derata and I made our way to ours when Elara suddenly appeared.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" she demanded, glaring at me.
I remained silent. We had hardly spoken before, and I had no desire to start now. I turned to climb into the carriage, but she grabbed my wrist. It was a bold, reckless move.
I froze. Physical contact. Slowly, I looked at her hand, then up into her face. For a split second, a dark thought flashed through my mind: Snap her neck. Get it over with.
"You did that on purpose," she repeated. Her breath was hot with fury. "You lied. Said she hosted festivals in Sterling Pack just to win Apex over. And where did you learn such skills?"
I didn't respond. I pulled my wrist free and started to turn when Gladys stepped up behind her.
"Elara, let's go home."
"No! Why should I? She lied, and it cost me everything!"
My gaze darted to Gladys.
"What lie did I tell?" I asked calmly.
She glared at me, venom dripping from her words. "Sterling Pack? A peasant like Derata has no business there, much less hosting a festival!"
I swallowed, speaking about her parents.
Derata stepped forward, but I gently gripped her wrist, holding her back.
"It's not a lie," I said and turned toward the carriage.
Elara threw her final insult like a dagger. "Only the Moon Goddess knows what you did with him at the memorial hall last night." She turned to Gladys, her voice trembling with malice. "She's a whore. She must've slept with him "
I went cold. The word echoed in my mind, sharp and vicious. I looked at Gladys, seeing the way he swallowed hard. He stepped back and climbed into the carriage silently.
He left. Without a word.
Dareta's fists clenched tight. "That vicious bitch." She gritted. "She's the one parading with your mate and she's talking about being a whore, like it isn't written on her forehead."
I was silent.
I heard everything but I had no response.
Gladys hadn't said anything. He only walked away. Five years of being mated to him, sterile for him and he couldn't say anything?
He let it slide?
Derata squeezed my hands gently. "She's just jealous, nothing more." I nodded like I understood but I didn't. Elara would have to explain.