Chapter 14

Giselle's POV

The drive to the palace was both tiring and exhausting, coupled with the fact that Cole hadn't said a word to me since we began the journey. As time moved slowly I was left with my own thoughts of the future and what was to come. It was going to be really hard raising a child without my mother or any close relatives with me.

I wanted to ask Cole about his other family members but something held me back and I decided to wait until we reached the palace. The silence of the car and the tension in the air was getting to me so I decided to take a short nap before we arrived.

A few hours later Cole nudged me gently in the shoulders to wake me up and I saw that we'd arrived at the entrance of his pack. I must have been so tired I'd fallen asleep for quite a while.

"Why did you stop here?. Aren't we going inside the pack anymore?,"I asked inquisitively, wondering why he stopped the car when we hadn't arrived at the royal palace yet.

Cole looked at me sternly with a hard expression on his face and a shiver ran down my spine.

"Before we continue into the pack I want to warn you about something. The royal court is not as glamorous and wonderful as the members of the pack make it out to be. They is always going to be someone who will backstab and betray you"

I watched Cole's expression closely and saw he was very serious about what he was saying. I didn't expect the palace to be very welcoming of me either since Cole and I met under special circumstances but I was suddenly filled with dread at his words. It felt like I had traded one prison with my father to another one in the palace. If the palace wasn't safe then where could I raise my child in peace then?.

"You'll have to be very careful and know that not everyone likes you. Now that you're with my child you'll be even more of a target but don't worry I have successfully made preparations in advance to your sleeping quarters. Only loyal servants who have been with me for a long time will serve you but you have to be careful of my stepmother and her people. Unfortunately she controls the remaining half of the palace," Cole continued sternly.

I tried to shrug off the feeling of dread as I listened to Cole reassurances. It didn't matter anymore since I couldn't change it, I would make the best out of it. I was going to get married to one of the strongest alpha's in the pack and a lot of women would kill for that position. I was going to trust him Instead.

"Thank you Cole and I completely understand everything you're saying. I promise to be careful," I reassured.

A strange expression crossed his face but it changed quickly before I could read it.

"You don't have to thank me. I will protect you in the royal court for as long as we're married and our child is born safely and then we can go our separate ways and you won't need to worry anymore"

My heart fell at his next words. He was still hung up on us getting a divorce after the child was born. I'd almost forgotten that. What would become of me once Cole divorce me?.

Would there be a pack that would take me in after all of this is over?. I knew I couldn't go back to my pack anymore if I wanted to. Different thoughts crossed my mind as I silently brood them over while Cole starts the car and we begin our journey.

My thoughts drifted to the child in my belly. I was half afraid that after the divorce Cole wouldn't let me see my child again. He definitely had the power to do that if he wanted to, but then again it wouldn't be reasonable to take a child come along with me when I haven't even figured out a place to stay yet. I sighed in frustration as I tried to push the bad thoughts away. I will think about them later when I'm more settled in.

The car continued to move steadily through impressive buildings and I leaned towards the window to glance at a glimpse of the pack. I looked in awe at the houses and gardens as we passed by. The Royal pack was on another level than I expected as we passed by luxurious houses and stores.

Soon the car pulled up at the entrance of a large golden gate and after confirmation from Cole it was slowly pulled open and a magnificent drive way appeared in front of me. The car passed through the middle of the driveway with beautiful trees and flowers decorated on either side of the driveway before the car pulled up in front of a magnificent structure. The mansion gleamed with gold and rows of servants were lined up at the entrance to welcome us in.

The whole place took me by surprise and the royal court felt like a paradise to me. I walked gingerly out of the car following closely behind Cole. A female maid dressed in a black maids uniform quickly walked up to me and bowed before taking my suitcase from the car.

I suddenly felt out of place and shabby looking compared to the smartly dressed servants. I probably should have worn something better or at least formal clothing before coming here.

Cole pulled me to the entrance of the house and stood in between the rows of servants who had their heads bowed in submission at his approach. He rested his hands on the small of my back.

"Everyone this is Giselle, my future wife and Luna. Make her feel welcome and attend to all her needs. If there is anything she needs make all the necessary preparations for her"

He turned towards me and signaled to the previous maid that had stepped forward earlier. "Cynthia will take you to your room so try to sleep for a few hours okay"

I looked up in surprise. "How did you know I haven't been sleeping well"

"I can feel your tiredness even as we speak and besides I know the situation with your father and the unborn child. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for you. Try to get some rest, you'll need it. I will see you later," Cole said before walking off and leaving me alone with so many strangers.

I bounced on my feet nervously not knowing what to do. All the servants were still lined up waiting for my orders. I took in a deep breath and squared my shoulders. I would soon be Cole's wife and I needed to show them I was not weak.

I signaled fir Cynthia to lead the way and she took me into the royal house. We passed different rooms on our way and Cynthia tried to give me a tour of the house but it was so big I could barely remember it.

As we approached a sharp turn leading to a large staircase a large man dressed in what I later figured out was the royal house uniform for workers walked up to us with a stern expression on his face. He looked haughty and proud all though he was a servant so I assumed he was a high ranking one.

He looked at me in disregard, taking in my shabby clothes and wrinkled his nose as if he'd smelt something foul and I instantly disliked him.

"Who is this and what's she doing here?. I thought I told you not to let just anyone into the royal palace," he scolded Cynthia harshly.

"She's Giselle Cole's fiance. She is going to be stay here as part of the royal family"

"She's not part of the royal family until after she marries Cole and goes through the marking ceremony. Not anyone can be a part of the royal family," he uttered smugly, looking at me with contempt. Fury burned inside me and I wanted to give him a piece of my mind when Cynthia suddenly interrupted me.

"Cole gave orders for her to rest. He'll be angry if his orders are not followed. Excuse me," Cynthia said hurriedly all but dragging me away towards the staircase.

"Who's that and what gives him the audacity to talk to me like that," I asked angrily.

"He is Butler Simon, Tiffany's loyal servant. He wants Drew, Tiffany's son, to become king. You have to be very careful around him. You should never underestimate him at all," she warned.

"Is Tiffany Giselle step mother?"

"Yes she is and you have to be careful around her. Let me give you a piece of advice. This palace is a battlefield so you have to be very careful"

I nodded and she continued to lead me towards the room.