Chapter 21
POV: Leah Darkwood
“This is just the beginning, Leah. Don’t let your guards down. Do you understand?” Her mother spoke as she drank her champagne while they traveled to the King’s castle.
All of them were present inside their black Limousine car. Her father was just silently sitting beside her mother and smoking. While Aeron was just looking intently at them most especially at her.
She was excited for the announcement day to see who would be chosen in the top ten for the next Regina. For she already knew that she was part of it well, she made it sure, as well as her mother, who already spoke to Elder Courdamus.
They were discreet to the other candidates who passed the screening process, but she shrugged it all off. She will surely win in the end no matter what.
“Of course, Mom. You know, I wouldn’t lose not to anyone. Most especially, not to this one.” She assuredly answered.
“Trust, her, Lamina. She could do it.” His father uttered with so much confidence, making her smile widely.
“I know, dear. But she must make sure to win it. I just didn’t want to ruin everything that we planned.” Her mother told his father as she put down her wine glass and held her father’s hand.
Then, she looked at her with that knowing look.
“Well, whatever it takes, do everything to get the title.” Luna Lamina ordered her her voice laced with menace and cruelty as she narrowed her eyes into thin slits.
She knew that tone of hers very well. It only meant that her mother was giving her her blessing to do everything in her power, even taking one’s own life just to attain that spot, for it meant a lot to their pack most importantly to their clan.
And of course, to her.
For it all means immense power, great authority, and eternal position that could be written even in the history of all wolves borne.
“Don’t worry about it, Mom.” Leah swiftly answered as her wolf became thrilled in shedding another pile of blood on whoever gets in her way.
Because no one messes with her goal to be the next Queen no one even Tyra Amaris, whoever the heck she was.
***
POV: Tamara Davis / Tyra Amaris
On the other hand, a familiar scent satisfied her nostrils making her sniff more the moment they stepped in front of the castle. The foreign yet sweet smell made her heart pound so hard against her chest as her toes curled involuntarily. Her wolf became uneasy and wanted to inhale more. Her hands closed into a balled fist firmly as she tried to control her wolf’s restlessness.
It was the announcement day of whoever met the criteria to be in the top ten in the competition for being the next Luna Queen. Tamara sighed with mixed emotions.
The entire pathway was filled with silence as they continued their tracks towards the ballroom where the declaration would happen.
The guards stood like concrete statues with their blank faces in between them were potted plants.
The wall was decorated with various abstract paintings and brass wall sconced with shades.
A red carpet with its intricate design and golden linings filled the floor.
“Are you okay?” Shahara who was walking beside her, lowly whispered her voice was full of concern.
“Yep. I’m fine.” She answered assuring her and gave her a small smile.
Shahara nodded her head as she walked with so much grace.
She was wearing a white one-shoulder strappy dress that only reached her mid-thigh. She matched it with a white three-inched ankle strap stiletto. Her hair was braided in a bohemian style which emphasizes her sexy neck. She wasn’t wearing any make-up nor any jewelry making her simple yet sexy.
Tamara, on the other hand, was wearing a midnight blue halter dress with diamonds around its waist. She matched it with a black three-inched T-strap pointed heeled shoe. Her hair was braided in a side pony style tied in a black ribbon. Like Shahara, she wasn’t wearing any make-up or jewelry. She couldn’t wear her gift to her, though it didn’t match her look even though she wanted to always wear it.
“Are you okay, ladies?” Aunt Rania warmly looked sideways to check on her and Shahara.
“Yes, Mom. We’re fine.” Shahara answered as she rolled her eyes upwards. She doesn’t like whenever her parents treat her like she was still a little kid.
She just gave Aunt Rania a slight genuine smile.
“We’re fine, Aunt Rania. Don’t worry.” She sincerely answered.
Tamara looked at the kind woman who was walking in front of them together with her husband. She was wearing a forest green sundress and black two-inched pumps. Her hair was done in a messy bun, and she was just wearing a golden necklace, earrings, and bracelet that matched the color of her dress.
Uncle Lorenzo was wearing a forest green long-sleeved shirt that was folded until his elbows and was tucked inside his black slacks. They looked like cute teenage couple who wear matchy-matchy clothes. Tamara secretly smiled.
“Finally, the Vikesh Family and Miss Amaris from the Lunar Pack of the Western Side. Welcome,” a familiar muscular and tanned man met then in front of the large wooden door.
Yes.
She had already seen the man in a prison cell. He was a little different this time because he wasn’t wearing a stoic face but a gentle slight smile.
It was an awkward scene for her, though she managed to hide her gawkiness.
“Thank you, Shimuel. Are we on time?” Uncle Lorenzo asked as he gave a small chuckle.
“Just in time, Alpha Lorenzo. You may enter the ballroom now and I will escort Miss Tyra to where the other candidates are.” Shimuel answered as he directly took a swift glance at her, then back to Uncle Lorenzo.
Uncle Lorenzo cleared his throat and shared a swift look with Aunt Rania, who had this worried look on her face.
“Very well, then. Will you be okay, Tyra?” Uncle Lorenzo asked as he seriously looked at her.
Tamara nodded her head trying to ease their qualms towards her.
“Uhm, don’t worry, I’ll be fine, Uncle.” She assured them and gave them a small sincere smile.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?” Shahara whispered intuitively.
She sincerely nodded her head, making Shahara let out a deep sigh.
“Alright, then. I believe Tyra, here, is safe with you. I don’t want any scratch from her. You know what I mean, Shimuel.” Uncle Lorenzo had a smile on his face, but his voice was filled with warning and danger, making Shimuel swallow hard and abruptly nodded his head.
“Yes, Alpha Lorenzo. Don’t worry, I’ll make her safe and sound.” Shimuel answered, assuring them.
“Great, then.” Uncle Lorenzo seriously uttered before looking at her and nodding his head, then opening the large wooden doors and waiting for his wife, who moved towards where she was standing.
“You will be okay, alright?” Aunt Rania held her cold hands and gave a concerned smile.
Tamara smiled at her and nodded her head at her, too, before she finally joined her husband towards the open door.
Shahara gave her a genuine smile and a fighting hand that made her slightly chuckle before she entered the room with her parents.
The moment the door was closed, Tamara let out her breath and looked at Shimuel who was intently looking at her, too.
She felt conscious and awkward under his gaze.
“Don’t worry, I’m good. I wouldn’t hurt you nor do tricks on you. I’m Shimuel and King’s third in command. You are safe with me.” The man friendly stated, making her look at his dark amber eyes.
“Follow me, Miss Tyra.” He approachably told her before turning his back on her and starting walking towards another hallway.
She languidly followed him until they reached a room more of a backstage for her.
It had no other decorations or things other than the huge boxes which were neatly arranged in one corner of the room.
Then, she could hear someone talking, but suddenly, her senses heightened making her wolf at bay.
The addicting scent is accentuated at this area that creates a tingling sensation in her whole being. She clenched her jaw and her balled fist firmly as she tried to stop her intensifying emotions.
Shimuel, on the other hand, didn’t notice her escalating reaction, though and she was grateful for that.
“Arlan the second in command would call your name, Miss Tyra, and you need to go out there.” Shimuel pointed at a door with a black curtain.
Tamara just nodded her head, for she was more attentive to composing herself rather than listening to his instructions.
“Then, he would give you instructions and hand signals when you were already at the stage. So, you don’t need to worry.” Shimuel explained to her with assurance.
Tamara just nodded her head and Shimuel just shrugged his shoulders.
“Great, then. I needed to leave you here because I need to go back to my post. Would that be okay?” Shimuel kindly asked her.
“Uhm, S-sure. I-I will be fine.” She anxiously answered.
What else could she do?
She needed to follow whatever instructions they asked her to do even if she didn’t know how to, or even if she was on the verge of keeping her wolf at bay.
Then, she remembered as she looked around the room.
“Uhm, could I ask you why I am the only one here?” She asked unsurely, before the man turned his back on her.
Shimuel’s brows furrowed.
“What do you mean?” Shimuel confusedly asked.
“I mean, where are the other candidates?” Tamara queried with uncertainty and clear confusion visibly written on her face.
“Haven’t you known? You were chosen to be in the top ten of the competition for the new Queen. You will be called last, Miss Tamara Davis. The other candidates who passed the assessment were already on stage.” Shimuel answered her with an unconcealed surprise on his face.
Tamara’s mouth went ajar, and her eyes bulged because of shock.
She was part of the top ten?!
She made it?!
And wait…
“D-did you call me T-tamara Davis?” She unbelievably asked him still her mouth agape.
Shimuel gave her a gentle smile.
“Everyone will know that now, Miss.” He lightly answered before turning his back on her and walking away.
Shimuel left her there, dumbfounded, and glued to the floor.
Her legs wobbled and her heart was thrashing fast, making her chest tinge with a bit of pain. She was slightly disoriented by the sudden news.
Shahara didn’t inform her or did they already know about it?
Or were they also dazed like her?
She could feel a grateful smile pasted on her lips.
Tamara let out a deep sigh as she moved towards the black curtain her senses were at full blast, but she retained her composure. Her restless wolf was celebrating with her, making her fan her face with her hand.
This was her steppingstone to achieving justice. She’ll make sure she doesn’t blow it away.
“And lastly, from the Lunar Pack of the Western Side, let’s all welcome her for being in the top ten, Miss Tamara Davis!”
A loud voice boomed inside the entire hall making everyone silent.
She wore her blank and stoic look, and confidently took a step towards the stage, then stopped at the designated place, where the man may be the one named Arlan signaled her to be.
Her heart was beating at a faster pace, and she pressed her both quivering lips together to ease her trembling body.
She held her head upwards with so much authority, poise, and confidence as she saw the shocked expression from the audience.
But she doesn’t have time to mind them.
For her gaze was stuck to those dark orbs making her eyes turn into lightened brown eyes.
Her breath stopped for a second before its beat quickened. She could feel the tickling sensation inside her stomach, making her toes curled involuntarily. She bit her lower lip to stop it from quivering.
A dark smirk appeared from his lips, making her breath heavily.
The addicting smell intensified.
Alpha King Hades Pierce was sitting on his golden throne a few meters away from her.
He was the only one who made her feel that way.
Now, she had another reason to fight in this competition.