13
That same night...
"Dear Mother, dear Father..." She wrote, her pen scratching against the paper. "I have found my mate, the Alpha of this pack. His name is Steele, and he has chosen me as his love, his partner. I'm sure you know him since you met with him,"
"I cannot come home, not yet. But I promise you, I will return, stronger and wiser than before. I will make you proud, when the time is right, I'll be back soon." She continued. She sealed the letter with a kiss, a final act, and sent it on its way.
As she drifted off to sleep that night, her dreams was willed with images of her Alpha, of the life they could build together and she knew that she had made the right decision.
She had chosen him, she had chosen to fight, and no matter what the future held, she knew that she would never regret that choice. If things goes smoothly, that is.
Alexia awoke the next morning to a soft knock on the door. She quickly sat up, her eyes bleary with sleep. She didn't plan to wake up this early..
"Come in." She called, her voice hoarse from the sleep. She rubbed at her eyes..
"Princess Alexia." A servant entered, with a bundle of fabric in her arms.
"The Alpha sent this for you. He requests your presence in the hall for breakfast."
She received the gown from the maid and ran her hand over it before looking back up at her.
"Thank you. You may go." She dismissed her.
As the servant left the room, Alexia unfolded the fabric, her breath hanging in her throat.
It was a gown with its the fabric soft and the neckline low and alluring. It was a gown fit for a princess, fit for the mate of an Alpha.
Her cheeks turned crimson red.
After a long bathe, she dressed quickly, pulling on the gown, her hands an evidence of her terrible nervousness. As she looked at herself in the mirror, her face flushed red again.
She reached the dinning hall and then, she saw him, the Alpha, already seated, his arms crossed over his chest.
"How did you sleep, my princess? Were you comfortable?" He asked and she nodded almost immediately. "I slept well."
Before any other word could be exchanged, Luna Celeste appeared at the dinning table. Alexia instantly began to draw back but Alpha Steele heid her back. "No, don't."
The Alpha led Alexia to the table, his hand resting protectively on the small of her back and the former Luna followed, her eyes a storming with hatred..
They took their seats and servants came and went, serving plates of fruit and pastries, cups of tea and wine, followed by the royal meals then left.
While Alexia picked at her food, her appetite gone, Steele's own wasn't. He ate but without looking away from her. The more he does that, the tighter Luna Celeste gritted her teeth..
Alexia pushed her plate away. her stomach churched and blood boiled when she saw the Luna look absolutely delight.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. I'm not feeling well. If you'll excuse me, I'll retire to my chambers." She quickly explained..
The Alpha watched her, his eyes searching her face for signs of illness.
"Of course," Steele became visibly upset. "Rest, and regain your strength. I will join you after the meal is finished."
Alexia left the table, she made her way through the palace, her hands crossed firmly behind her back..
Was she really strong enough to face the former Luna, to withstand her hatred and disdain?
She stepped outside where the warm sunlight was to caress her skin. She didn't mind. There, standing on the lawn, was the Alpha's Beta, Kade, his arms crossed over his chest, as he looked around, vividly bored to the core.
"Princess," He was shocked to see her outside when she should be at the hall having breakfast. "Are you well?"
When she didn't speak and just sighed, Kade knew what was wrong.
"You mustn't let the former Luna's words hurt you. She seem bitter, and cruel, and jealous but cannot hurt you unless you let her. She wouldn't even... She might not like you but she would not cross the line."
"But how can I face her?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear. "How can I stand up to her, when she has such power over me?"
"Whatever happens, I hope you don't leave like before. The trouble he went through is unexplainable. Alpha has been searching for you for six long years," He continued. "He has combed almost all packs, seeking you out. He has risked his life, his reputation, his pack, all for you."
Alexia gasped, her eyelashes dilating with disbelief..
"He did all that...for me?" she stammered, stumbling on her words..
"Yes, princess." Kade nodded, smiling.
"For six long years, the Alpha has been a man possessed. He has traveled to the farthest reaches of the werewolf packs, to the most dangerous and remote locations. He has faced the harshest of climates, the fiercest of enemies, all for the sake of finding you. He has never forgotten you. Not for a moment. Your face has been burned into his mind, your scent etched to his senses since the time he found. You know what? He would have done anything, princess.
"And all for the sake of finding you. He knew, in his heart of hearts, that you were still out there, that you were alive and well, and that one day he would find you."
Alexia walked in silence, her thoughts are q tangle of confusion and doubt of Kade's statement. Was it really true that the Alpha had searched for her for six long years? That he had risked his life, his sanity, all for her?
She shook her head, unable to believe it. It was too much, too big, too impossible. Someone like him wouldn't risk so much for her. And yet, as she entered his chamber, she found it empty.
Alexia turned around, headed for her room. She turned the knob and stepped inside, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
She met the room dark, the curtains drawn, the air still and stood for a moment, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. Then, she moved, her feet leading her towards the bed, to sink her body into the soft, cool sheets.
She pulled the covers up to her chin, her eyes closing, the silence of the room wrapping around her like a cocoon as she waited for sleep take over her.
As Alexia drifted off into sleep, her body relaxing against the neatly laid pillow, her mind quiet against the rhythm of her heart, a low, insistent growl rose up from her stomach, rumbling through her body like a distant thunderstorm.
Her eyes snapped open. Her body tensing, her sudden hunger catching her off guard. Right, she barely at anything at the dinning..
She sat up, the blanket slipping to her waist, and looked around the room, confused of what to do.
Alexia hesitated, only for stomach to growl louder.
She slipped out of bed, her feet moving silently across the floor, the carpet soft and quiet beneath her feet like she wanted.
No one- most especially Steele- should know she's awake late in search of food.
She reached the door, her hand hovering above the knob. She opened the door, peeking out into the hallway, her eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement or a person.
At the end of the hall was a single servant, her arms full of laundry, her head bowed in concentration as she hummed a song along the way.
"Excuse me," she called and when the servant looked straight at her, she continued, "I wonder if you could help me."
"Princess," The maid rushed over and bowed ever so slightly. "I did not expect to see you out of your chambers. Is there something I can do for you?"
It was rare for a low ranked omega like them, the maids; to speak with the royal bloods. Whichever ones of them happen to be chance would feel special for the rest of their lives..
Alexia took a step forward, frantic.
"I'm feeling a bit peckish," She leaned closely to the Omega's ear. "Could you fetch me something to eat? Nothing too heavy, just a small snack.
"Of course, princess. I'll bring you something to eat immediately." She turned and disappeared down the hallway, jumping into the air along her way.
Alexia waited, her stomach growling the more she anticipated her return.
"I brought you a plate of fruit and cheese, princess." The omega grinned. "Is there anything else I can get you?"
"No, thank you," She shook her head. What was in her hand were more than enough to pass the night with. "This is perfect. Thank you for your help."
The servant nodded, waiting until the princess had left for her room before going to tell the rest of her night's accomplishment.
Alexia made her way to the bed, the tray heavy in her hands, and then, she sat down on the bed, the tray resting in her lap, her eyes fixed on the food before her.
She tore into the food like a wild animal, her teeth sinking into the flesh of the fruit, her lips smearing with juice and pulp.
"Oh goodness, I could have died of hunger" She muttered with a mouthful in her mouth.