Cindy’s POV
Mom left after she taught Aunt Lorena how to maintain the barrier. I had no idea about it, and even if my aunt was a strong witch, she never felt it at all. I guess my mother is really good, just like what my aunt said. My worry about everything has started to fade even if Mom confirms how strong our enemies are. I don’t care about that anymore. With her, my aunt, Alder, and our friends and pack members with me, I fear nothing. I believe that we will be able to defeat them since we uphold the core values and the main reason for our existence. The Moon goddess will never let her children suffer at the hands of her own child who went astray.
“Lorena, are you sure about this?” Alder asked. We went to see her because mom had told her to be ready. She was worried that after she went after her aunt, they would go back and try to get into the palace territory through their portal.
“Yes, I had to eat a lot. What Isabel wanted me to do would drain my energy. Thankfully, I had a lot of power at bay, so I didn’t have a problem sustaining the barrier. But my body will take its toll, so I have to replenish my energy with food regularly.” she replied, and I smiled. “Are you that happy?” she asked, and I nodded, which made her roll her eyes at me.
“Thank you for doing this,” Alder said,
“How many times are you going to thank me? I already told you I am doing this for my niece. I made a promise to her father that I was going to take care of her no matter what.”
“Still, you are doing this more for me, the palace, and the entire kingdom,” he replied,
“Don’t make it sound too noble. I’m just merely sustaining what Isabel had already done herself. If anything, she was the one who was saving us.” Aunt Lorena replied in a low voice. “She even went to the enemy’s to check on them while all I could do was this. Yet, I continue receiving your gratitude.”
“Everyone tries their best to be of help. I am not saying that they were doing less, but I want you to know that what you are doing right now is really great.” I said and hugged her,
“Promise me that you’re going to save yourself when everything gets worse. Don’t let what your mom and dad did go to waste to save you,” she said. I don’t know if she meant anything by what she said.
“I plan on staying with Alder for as long as I can because I can’t imagine him with another woman. He is mine and mine alone.” I replied with a smile on my face so she would be less worried. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want them to feel that way for me. “Now, eat and restore your energy. I will be back here later to bring you more.” I said and left with Alder. Aunt Lorena decided to stay in her room as she maintained the barrier. She didn’t want to get interrupted since it was something new for her. She was worried that any unnecessary actions or movements would cause her to lose her focus.
We were on our way to the king’s office when Alder grabbed my hand and pulled me down the stairs. “The training is over, and we need to congratulate all our trainees.” I almost forgot about that. How long has it been since we started it? I don’t remember, and I had been too busy with all palace duties and attending to the pack’s issues.
Everyone was in line when we reached the training ground. Lance and Charles look proud of how our trainees have changed since they came here. Their physical changes were extremely good, and I myself couldn’t believe that it happened right before my eyes and didn’t notice it until now.
“Now, let’s hear a few words from King Alder,” Lance said and looked our way as my mate walked in front. He was dominating in every way, and no one would know that he was the king because of the power that was excreting in his body.
“I would like to congratulate you on a job well done. I personally saw you as soon as you came here until today, and I would like to congratulate your trainers, who now look very proud because of your individual results.” He said, “Physically, you indeed jumped to a new level, and after we checked your written exams, I am prouder. You all did well in critical thinking and abstract thinking. It only means that you have learned a lot from your single sparring up to team sparring. Your pack will definitely look at you differently. Once again, congratulations!” everyone clapped their hands, and they were given a chance to get acquainted and familiarized with each other for future needs. We want them to develop an alliance that will support them when they need it. A little party was held before they left the palace the next day.
In the morning, we gathered in the palace parking lot where the buses that would send them back to their packs were. Lance and Charles look like their father, who is still proud of their achievements. “Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, Your Highness,” Beta Lyndon of the Blue Moon Pack said. He is Alpha Neil’s beta. I smiled at him and said,
“You are most welcome. your pack is waiting for your return, and they are excited to learn from you.”
“Make sure to support your alpha and grow not just in number and size but with family as well,” Alder added.
“Yes, his highness. We will take our leave now.” Then he turned his back to us and got on the bus. When we thought that everyone had left, we decided to get back to the palace but were stopped by the ever-idiot, Vlad. I don’t know why he was doing this, actually, but he had to stop.
“I’m really sorry, Clover. I regret rejecting you. I want you back in my life,” he said. I am done with him, and I can not ever tolerate him anymore.
“This is the last time that I am going to tell you this, Vlad. I don’t love you, and I am not going back to you. I am happy with my second chance, mate, and I want you to be responsible for your decision. You marked Monique, so you had better take care of her. You have to feel ashamed of what you did; your pack believed in you, but you threw it away.” I said, “If you ever come to me again saying such things, I don’t think that I can still consider my position to tolerate you.”
“Why, because he’s the king?” he asked,
“No, because he is my mate and because I love him.” I replied, “Since you decided to be left behind, I’m afraid that you will have to go back to the Raven Claw Pack by yourself.” I added and left. Alder, Lance, and Charles were still there, and I didn’t know whether they made any sense to him or not. I don’t care anymore.
I went to the palace and went to see Aunt Lorena in her room. I was ready to tease her as soon as I opened her bedroom door, but what I saw stopped me from doing so.