Chapter 61: Sacrifice

**Elliot’s Point of view**


I am amazed. Derek's wolf is huge and he does have a crown-shaped mark on his forehead. It's clear that he's an Alpha because of his black fur but it is dotted with golden tufts, a sign of royalty.
He looks at all of us with a slight disdain before slowly approaching Alice with obvious desire.
He buries his snout in her neck and inhales deeply. I grit my teeth, restraining myself from jumping on him.
He pulls back slightly and before he can sink his head into her shoulder, she speaks again.
"Why did you try to murder Elliot?"
He sighs heavily and tries again to approach.
"Twice."
He blinks and tilts his head to the side.
"The assassin who broke into his house, it was you who sent him, wasn't it? And his poisoning?"
The wolf huffs and Derek transforms, his Beta bringing him a pair of shorts which he quickly puts on.
"You're right, it was me who sent an assassin. I wanted to make it look like the Blues ordered his murder. You would have killed each other and I would have taken the rest. But I had a timing problem and he didn't attack at the right time. When I heard that someone had tried to kill you, I made it look like I had narrowly escaped too. This gave us even more coverage by making it look like someone was after the three of us. But I assure you I never tried to hurt you Alice."
She swallows and continues in a small voice. "Not the right timing?"
He shakes his head. "Appropriating me your territories would only have drawn attention. I had to get rid of Benjamin first. The night of the ball I broke into the bookstore and when you scattered, I took the opportunity to poison his drink. But the next day I learned that it was Elliot who was dying and you rushed to his bedside. That's when I realized who he was to you." He says angrily.
She is not impressed. "So you only tried to kill him once?" She turns to me. "I understand better now."
The fact that she's talking to me doesn't sit well with Derek at all, who growls fiercely.
"What are you talking about?"
"Elliot ingested two different poisons. He drank all the drinks and therefore the poison meant for Prince Benjamin."
"Two poisons? Someone else tried to kill Benjamin?"
She shakes her head. "No. The second one was for me."
He frowns, obviously angry. "Who?"
"The same person who tried to run me over."
"Who?"
She tilts her head to the side. "Don't you have an idea?" 
He thinks again and grunts, starting to pace.
"Rose." He says with a grunt.
"I don't blame her. Many lose it when they get rejected by their mate."
"SHE'S NOT MY MATE!" He suddenly yells, startling everyone.
Seeing Alice's reaction, his face softens and he goes over to her to stroke her cheek.
"She's not my mate." He repeats gently.
She sighs. "Derek, you know that's not true."
"No." He says firmly. "You're my mate. You always have been."
She backs away slightly, which seems to make him angry.
"What does your wolf say?" She asks.
He grits his teeth and looks away.
She gently takes his hand and I grit my teeth. "You see. If you want to be King, you need to be strong. You need your fated mate. I'm sure Rose still wants you."
"But I don't want Rose. I want you. But the Moon Goddess gave you to him!" He says, pointing angrily at me.
"That's right and I trust the Moon Goddess." She says in a soothing tone.
"Well, I don't! Because of Her, my great grandfather didn't get the mark of the King! She's the reason for all this! But that has changed. I have the mark too, I can have the throne back that is rightfully mine!"
She shakes her head. "Derek, I'm sorry but you don't have the mark."
What? What is she talking about? 
"You have a crown-shaped spot but it's not the real mark. It looks like a rectangle with 3 spikes sticking up, like a crown yes, but it's not the same as King Matthew and Prince Benjamin."
Everyone in the room is whispering, and now that I think about it, the real mark has a lot more detail. Derek's seems almost crude in comparison.
Alice continues. "Remember Miss Gibson's class on the heredity of wolf color? This is our answer. I'm sorry Derek, but that stain is just a genetic appearance, not a divine mark."
He pretends he didn't hear and claps his hands, and servants rush out. He sits back down on his throne and looks at us coldly.
Alice slowly steps forward. "Derek..."
"I am the King."
The servants then return carrying something heavy. Another throne I understand, which they place next to Derek's.
"For you, my Queen."
Alice looks horrified. "Derek. I don't want to be Queen. I'm not your mate. If we were going to be together, it would be."
"We can choose to be together."
Alice murmurs softly. "Derek, I'm sorry but I don't want to be with you."
He scolds softly. "It's because of him, isn't it?" He spits as he looks at me.
I proudly lift my chin. "We're together." I say with aplomb.
He growls and stands up angrily. "Liar! You didn't mark each other and even though I can smell you on her, I know you didn't do anything."
I purse my lips. "That doesn't change anything."
"Reject her." He orders me in his Alpha tone, which makes me laugh.
"It's out of the question. We've fought too hard to give up now."
He raises his head and turns to Alice. He beckons her over and whispers something to her that even I can't hear despite my great hearing.
She backs away, mad with rage. "You call that a choice?! It's out of the question!"
He nods. "Fine." He waves to his family but immediately Alice lowers his hand and his family freezes. She keeps holding his hand and I hate that.
She cries and it's unbearable. 
"What did he tell you?" I ask, concerned.
She slowly turns to me, her eyes blank.
"Do you promise me?" She asks, crying.
"I promise." Derek nods.
She closes her eyes and breathes in and out deeply several times.
What's happening? Leo begins to stir, sensing that something is wrong.
She opens her eyes, looks into mine and tilts her head to the side.
I keep my eyes on her and frown. What is she trying to tell me?
Derek immediately stands up and approaches her from behind.
*"I love you."* She whispers sadly into my head without taking her eyes off me.
And in less than a second, Derek untangles her hair and marks her.