Chapter Seventy-five

****Dear Secret Holder,
I apologize for leaving you yesterday. I was called away by my mother to discuss some things.
Yesterday was my father's funeral. It was packed with people of all kinds. I had not known the extent of my father's influence until yesterday. Several Alphas came forward to pay their respects to my father and so did several vampire kings and even the rumoured Lord of the underworld.
Rowan was one of them. He had come like the others to pay his respects to a great king.
Since Kent, I had not seen another beautiful creature but Rowan was even more beautiful and in a handsome type of way. I finally understood why Camille became silly when she was in the presence of a boy she liked.
When Rowan had stepped forward to say some words of condolences to me, I became at once soft and very silly. I swear I could hear butterflies fluttering in my stomach, a concept I had told Camille several times was very silly.
“My condolences,” he had said and guess what? I had replied him with “Sorry”
I still laugh at myself when I recall that moment.
Unfortunately, he had to leave immediately after and I had no time to correct my error.
He must think now that I am one of those silly-eyed girls that flutter around him and sing praises of his good looks. After all, he has quite the reputation among women.

****Dear Secret Holder,
I ran into Rowan while riding this morning. I must say that he is quite the rider. Not only did he catch up to me, he beat me. That has never happened to me before. Long story short, when our horses were standing side by side he mentioned that he had heard a rumour that should anyone beat me at horse riding, I would marry said person. I told him he had heard wrong. The correct version was that anyone who bested me at wrestling could have my hand in marriage. He then challenged me to a wrestling match.
I cannot believe it, but I think Rowan is interested in me.

The next few entries were of Mother's growing affection for Rowan and how their love blossomed. It was weird to read of their love and all that and it was confusing for me because the diary held me in suspense. How did Alpha George come into the picture? This particular diary entry puts me out of my suspense.

****Dear Secret Holder,
It has been decided that Napoleon would be king. He made quite a compelling argument before the court and like I have always said, he is a good politician. I tried not to let it bother me since I was now Luna of the Blood Moon pack. Besides, I have my own troubles here. There are rumors that George, Rowan’s half-brother, is trying to overthrow his brother's throne. Rowan does not believe the rumors but I suspect there is more to it. Rowan is just too much of an angel to doubt anyone.

****Dear Secret Holder,
The past couple of days have been disturbing and confusing. Rowan is missing and George is now Alpha of the pack. My brother was here today also and some physician declared that I had lost my mind. They are all trying to convince me that Rowan never existed. They are wrong of course and it is not the rumors that begin to make sense. George is a sorcerer of some sort and he has bewitched the minds of the people into believing Rowan never existed. How he managed to do that is beyond me. He cannot deceive me anyway. I know Rowan is out there somewhere and I and his baby growing inside of me would be waiting for him.

****Dear Secret Holder,
I have been locked up in the very palace where I was once a queen. It is surreal, I do not know what is happening and sometimes I begin to doubt my own sanity. However, when I read my past entries I know that Rowan is very real and when I felt my baby kick today I know that I have not creamed up Rowan.
Another piece of evidence that I had not dreamed up my life up until now is Camille. She has been subjected to being a mere cook and stripped of her noble status. She says Napoleon has banished her from our pack. I am relieved she is by my side but I would rather she had not been affected by this madness.

****Dear Secret Holder,
Will you let my princess know this story one day? I fear that I might not be alive to see her. I have seen her face. She came to me in my dreams last night. She is my spitting image but still bears the semblance of her father. I have told Camille that her name will be Regina.

My baby girl, if you read this diary someday it means you are in Napoleon's palace because I have given my secret holder to your grandmother who has come secretly to see me. On the next page is a drawing of your father. I believe that he is still alive and you must find him and bring down that evil man named George. There is also a map of the palace. There is a secret tunnel that will get you out if need be. You must run to save your life, child. You are a special child and if you have children, they are special too. George will try to use you for his sacrifice, you must not let that happen.
Run child!
I love you now and always.

Tears streamed down my cheeks in torrents as I read the last words. I turned the page and I saw my father. I could understand now why my mother had fallen for him and why grandmother had said Charlotte looked like him. In fact, now that I saw his face it was like looking at the male version of my sweet Charlotte.