Chapter 42
POV: Leah Darkwood
She saw her reflection from her mirror, and she let out a wicked smile she looked like her mother.
“Don’t you want to try another outfit again?” His brother, Aeron, mockingly commented as he graced her with his presence.
He might have seen how chaotic her room was.
Her dresses were scattered in her bed and her shoes were on the floor. She didn’t care, though. She was sure that their omegas would clean those mess for her, anyway, so why would she bother herself.
Besides, this day was the day for the final round.
Her destiny would already be fulfilled.
She was just so excited to be the next Regina the Luna Queen.
Her vicious smile never vanished from her lips.
“Finally. Your dreams are coming true.” Aeron teased her and she just rolled her eyes at her younger brother.
Who would have thought, right?
The man she ever wanted since they were still kids, she would eventually marry.
She longingly stared at herself in the mirror for one last time for one, she didn’t want to be late; and two, she didn’t want her mother to snap at her on this glorious day.
Leah was wearing a long dark heather gray off-shoulder gown that flowed freely until her ankles. It matched her gray eyes. She loved the glimmering crystals intricately sewed onto the upper part of her gown. She paired it with a dirty white five-inched stiletto while her hair was tied into a messy bun.
She was wearing her mother’s sapphire jewelry set. Her face was contoured with make-up giving her a fiercer look.
“Shall we?” His brother escorted her to the car where their parents were waiting for her.
She could hear her mother’s voice from a distance. She was definitely happy.
Why not?
It was a sure win for her.
Maia Landers wouldn’t stand a chance at her. Besides, her parents had already taken care of her, so she didn’t need to worry.
A wicked smile escaped from her lips.
“Leah, darling… are you excited?” Her mother ecstatically inquired.
“Of course, Mom. This is our day. Finally…” She knowingly told her.
Lamina raised her wine glass as she nodded her head at her.
She must be very proud of herself and just purely overjoyed.
Leah let out a deep sigh as she stared out the window after refusing Aeron’s offered wine.
Her heart was truly jumping with so much joy that her wolf was being restless inside her.
And her mind, suddenly traveled at the mere memory, she longed to have… until now.
***Flashback…
“Who is he, father?” She carefully asked as she stood near the study room where his mother was smilingly talking to the young man in front of her.
“Leah, haven’t I told you to stay in your room. If your mother has seen, you…” Her father warningly stated making her shudder with fear.
Her mother was merciless when it came to giving them discipline. She didn’t want to be hanged or imprisoned again… or, worst, being sent to the Southern Side.
She instantly went to her room but continued to her balcony.
Her young heart had been captured by those cold pitch-black eyes. There’s something in them that she couldn’t comprehend, but it had reached her heart.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Aeron irritatingly asked her with his sharp eyes.
Leah rolled her eyes with equal annoyance.
“Just read your books, Aeron, and don’t bother me.” She angrily spat.
Aeron scoffed and stood up from the recliner chair.
“You’re the one who’s bothering me.” He coldly replied as he walked towards his own room.
Their balcony was connected, and they could go towards each own room. It was the first time that she found it annoying, though.
Leah stood at the railings of the balcony waiting for the young man to come out. She felt the cold breeze brushing her long straight deep ask blonde hair.
She didn’t know why she was captivated by his cold stares.
Apparently, it wasn’t the first time she ever saw that. She was surrounded by men hunters, sentinels, salutaries… name it.
But it was the very first time that someone caught her attention… romantically.
She waited for a few more minutes before the young man finally went out of their mansion. He was taller and more muscular than an average man. His hair was jet-black, and it was messy to look at.
Her heart suddenly beat erratically as their eyes met for a matter of seconds.
From that day onwards, she had been admiring him from afar.
Hades Pierce.
The heir of the Royal Bloods.
The prince that had that intense alluring aura.
The next to be King.
“Do you like him?” Her mother wickedly asked.
She was so scared that she might have scolded her if she knew her feelings towards the young prince.
“Tell me, Leah, do you like Prince Hades?” Lamina repeatedly asked.
She just knew that tone of hers. She was now losing her patience with her and if that happened, she didn’t know what she’d be gonna do to her, this time.
Leah slowly nodded her head and bowed down.
She had already readied herself for her mother’s wrath, but a joyous laugh followed instead.
Leah confusedly moved her eyes upwards to look at her mother, who was still laughing her heart’s out.
“Very good, Leah. You really knew what I wanted. Now, if your like Prince Hades, you must work hard starting today. You must prepare yourself to be the next Queen. You must be the next Queen. His Queen.” Her mother’s words made her heart flutter.
She finally agreed with her for the first time!
From that very day, she promised herself to do her very best to be the next Queen whether by hook or by crook.
“Don’t worry, Leah… I will make sure that you will be the Queen.” Her mother’s words resonated inside her head like a mantra making her more determined to be the King’s mate…
***End of Flashback…
And now, she was just one step to be the next Regina.
She had been working hard for this day to come. She had done everything just to be fitted to be the Queen.
Her eyes sparkled with joy the moment she saw the castle getting nearer. Her parents were saying cheers with her brother, Aeron because their plans finally succeeded.
“Congratulations, Leah…” Her brother sweetly smiled at her, and she reciprocated it with a sweeter one.
“You grace, we’re here.” Merelos carefully announced as he went into the side of the car and opened the door for them.
She was like she had never felt this way.
Her heart was excitedly beating inside her chest. She didn’t know that this happiness could ache a bit.
She took a step where some of the other packs were waiting for them.
Of course, they needed to build an alliance with their pack.
She mentally smirked at that thought.
The final round would be at the Great Hall and all of the packs would be present.
She felt ecstatic.
All of the pack would eventually know who she was the only Luna Queen.
When they finally went towards the Great Hall, it was stunningly decorated. The venue was covered with shades of white and black like it had been decorated for her.
The chandeliers were gleaming on the high ceiling.
“This is the way for the Dark Wood Pack.” Dillion coldly said as he ushered them in front of the huge makeshift stage. She saw the Night Walker Pack just beside their table on the left, while the table on the right was still empty.
Her brow suddenly twitched as worry attacked her nerves.
“Hey, are you okay?” Aeron worriedly asked.
He might have seen her sudden indifference.
No, Leah.
She was already dead.
She wouldn’t dare come here.
Of course. She was already gone.
She just repeatedly telling that to herself.
Leah pasted a forced smile and nodded her head.
“I’m fine, Aeron.” She gave him an assurance, but his gaze steadied on her for a few more seconds before he let out a deep sigh.
No one could ruin her big day.
No one.
She sat on the chair just beside her mother. And her eyes roamed around and found Maia Landers with her stoic expression. She viciously smiled. Elder Mondar might have been so ambitious with power and authority, but he was also a turncoat person. Besides, he would never dare to turn against our pack.
Leah was about to stand up and move towards Maia to mock her, but she heard Arlan loudly clearing his throat.
She instantly stopped and her eyes moved towards the stage.
He was just in time. She might kill her time by teasing Maia Landers, but she might be saved by the bell, huh?
Leah proudly smiled while waiting for Arlan to speak.
“Good evening, everyone.” His voice was deep and cold.
She could really tell that the Kingsman was getting a bit of his aura and behavior.
“Today was a momentous evening. The final round of the competition for the next Regina will be announced today. But before anything else, I would like everyone to please rise as I call… Prince Raven Pierce and our very own… King Hades Pierce!” Arlan loudly announced as they clapped their hands as their eyes moved towards the huge staircase.
But only the King graced them with their presence.
She didn’t care, though. As long as the king was there, she would surely be happy and contented. He was becoming more charismatic and mysteriously appealing in her eyes.
The king went towards his golden throne while everyone wasn’t surprised that his brother wasn’t in the room.
Arlan cleared his throat as he held the golden envelope in his hands.
“As we all know, we are here for the final round, and on behalf of Prince Raven, he had left me with this procedure that would determine the last round.” Arlan seriously told them.
Her eyes moved toward Arlan.
Even though this round was already on her, she also needed to focus.
Besides, she was quite curious of what the final round would be like.
Arlan cleared his throat and moved closer to the podium where the microphone was and stared viciously at everyone.
“For the final battle, the theme was chosen by our late father himself.” He coldly stated making everyone gasp.
“He once told us that you always choose to marry the one you love… the one you are comfortable with… the one you wanted to be with… for the rest of your lives. If anyone has a doubt about this, then, speak now, because whatever the result of the competition today, any contradictions wouldn’t be tolerated nor heard.” Arlan stopped his words and waited for anyone to speak.
She even looked around and found her mother pursing her lips with a sad and annoying expression painted on her face.
Then, her eyes met hers and she instantly looked away and poured herself a drink.
Leah was just too curious of her sudden reaction.
“Now, since no one ever spoke of any contradictions, the final round will now begin. The theme for this round is Compatibility Test.” Arlan announced, and everyone started to whisper.
Her mouth went agape as she heard what the theme was.
A compatibility test?
She smugly smiled as she stared at Maia, who was sadly bowing her head down.
The moon might really be on their side now.
“Each of the candidates will be holding the King’s hand for ten seconds. The king’s eyes should turn into a lighter shade, and so as the candidate. If that happens, then, the next Luna Queen will be decided.” Arlan ended up reading the paper he was holding.
“Now, may I call in the candidate from the Night Walker Pack, Miss Maia Landers.” Arlan seriously called her.
Maia was looking at their pack with hesitation in her face.
She wickedly smirked at her, and her eyes widened in fear. She just wanted to laugh so hard at that and she did!
For she didn’t even touch the King’s hand, she already trembled in so much fear and intimidation.
She shakingly shook her head and Arlan let out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry, Night Walker Pack but Maia Landers failed the compatibility test.” Arlan disappointedly announced causing her left brow to shot upwards.
“Next is Miss Leah Darkwood from the Darkwood Pack.” Arlan seriously called her.
Everyone clapped their hands and she just let out a smug smile on her lips.
She slowly moved towards the King.
Finally, she had this chance to hold the King… and she was sure that she would have him forever now.
Leah slowly held his hand. It was hard, but it sent volts of electrifying sensations into every bit of her vein.
Her gray eyes automatically turned into a lighter shade as she waited for the King’s eyes to turn the same. But it was all pitch-black… in fact it was turning into a darker one. She felt his aura darkened and she had never felt this horrified in her life.
“I would never love you… I loathed you and your roots, Leah Darkwood.” His voice was low and that only the both of them could hear it.
It was piercing her heart and it made her difficult to breathe.
Then, the king harshly withdrew his hand from her.
She felt like her heart had been poorly dumped and broken into pieces.
Then, everyone went shocked as the double doors suddenly turned wide opened, creating a loud banging sound.
“Am I late for the competition?”
That particular voice resonated throughout the entire hall making everyone filled with appalling silence.
“No…” She lowly whispered as her eyes began to moisten with tears.