As they both sat down after greeting their father and their sister, they sat down to their respective seat. Claude, I mean the Alpha King, sat in the middle which his seat was embellished with gold.
I even saw Storm approaching Casey and stood beside her like he was her royal knight. It was as if they weren’t husband and wife after all…
This was all surprising for me.
I mindlessly walked to the stage when it was my turn to be pinning a medal by the Alpha King himself. I tried my best to put up a stoic expression.
There was a twinge of pain again as soon as I was in front of him. When he looked at me, there was his icy stare like he was looking down on me. I suddenly felt so small when the way he emitted his aura. I took a deep breathe and bowed my head.
“Your Majesty.” I want to pinch myself for I didn’t falter for addressing him that.
He nodded as he stepped forward to approach me. My heart suddenly hammered in my chest, gulping. All of a sudden, I felt suffocated just by having his presence. He had changed so much for the year I hadn’t seen him. The last time I saw him was he ordered me to watch him leaving.
“By the power vested on me, I, Claudian Alexander IV, the Alpha King of Waevalon Kingdom, hereby give to you the military rank of general. You, Rachelle Simon of Dark Soul Pack, are the first female general has been recorded for the history. In a short span of time, from being a battle commander, you have managed to be a general. Serve your life with me and together, we will protect our people of Waevalon Kingdom.”
He pinned me the gold-plated medal on my left chest of my uniform. My breath hitched just as how closed we were right now. I managed to see his long eyelashes and how flawless his skin was. His hands that almost touching my breasts was sending shivers down my spine. I caught my breathe from that.
All of a sudden, I felt something kindled inside me when our eyes met.
‘Mate.’
My eyes widened when I heard the whisper of my wolf. His eyes widened as well. He must have the same interaction from his wolf as well. At the same time, I finally able to smell his scent. The smell of mint and after rain was raging through my nostrils which surprised me.
I already rejected him. I shouldn’t suppose to smell his scent! What was happening?
Panicking, I immediately bowed my head and thanked him. As I was going downstairs, I saw how he was disoriented as well. Our eyes met again with distortion written in our eyes.
I looked away and hastily went back to my post. The ceremony ended in peace.
My comrades approached me then congratulated me after the ceremony ended. I hugged Colette and Benedict after they congratulated me.
“I’m so glad you are part of our household!” Benedict said while his arm was draping around Colette’s shoulders.
“Still feel like a dream,” I stated but happy that I managed to have another rank meaning I had contributed well in the palace. My service was highly appreciated after I earned enough merits to be promoted.
“General Rachelle.”
I immediately turned to see General Cairo approaching us. He had a big smile on his lips and opened his arms then clasped inside his arms.
“Congratulations. I’m so proud of you.” He distanced himself and placed his hand on top of my head.
He admired me! That made me happy! I nodded and thanked him. I couldn’t believe he congratulated me. He was really amazing for me!
“General Rachelle.”
I froze to my standpoint upon hearing Luna Casey-Crown Princess Cassandra Victoria’s voice behind me. I pivoted around and saw that she wasn’t alone. She was also with His Majesty, the Alpha King of Waevalon Kingdom.
We immediately bowed at their sudden presence. I was too surprised that they would even approach us at this point.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness,” we all said in unison.
“Please. No need for that.” She marched towards me and took my hand. She has a worried expression written on her face. “I’m still your Luna, Rachelle.”
I was about to open to at least defend myself when her brother spoke.
“Congratulations again, General Rachelle. You deserve it.”
‘Mate.’
My heart jumped from his acknowledgment to me as I felt shivered down my spine, hearing the voice of my wolf again. I hadn’t heard much about her but she reacted every time he is near. I looked at his eyes with a hint of hostility written on them. I paid no heed about it, gulping and bowed my head.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I am flattered from your compliment,” I said formally and didn’t smile, feeling a surge of pain tickled in my heart.
I felt betrayed for I didn’t know who he was. He said before that he only wanted me to stick with his alias name. His name wasn’t Claude Hawkworth after all. He needed to lie so no one would know that he was the newly crowned Alpha King.
“Come to the banquet later, Rachelle,” invited by my Luna or Her Highness.
I turned to General Cairo, Benedict, and Colette. I already promised them that we would have celebration and we would go to the town plaza to grab some food to eat.
They gave me a nod and a reassurance smile. Like they were telling me that I should come with them which I found it absurd.
“We will take our leave, Alpha King Claudian, Crown Princess Cassandra.” It was General Cairo who said those words politely.
I watched them leaving as General Cairo gave me an assurance smile. I smiled back at him. When I returned my gaze back to the Alpha King, I caught him looking at me with his forehead knitted. His eyes were blazing with fire right now. He scoffed then he was the one who marched away.
“Shall we?” Luna Casey said as she took my hand so we could walk together.
I just noticed that we were walking on a free handful of people. Now I know why no one approached them. The royal knights and guards were keeping away the nobles and commoners to approach the Alpha King and the Crown Princess.
“Um…” How do I start? “I-I didn’t know you are a Crown Princess. S-Storm never told me.” Finally, I was able to voice it out while we were on our way to the…
I gasped and widened my eyes as we were on our way to the antechamber. That was surprising right now. They were able to pull me to the place where I could finally see the whole royal family portraits.
I heard her sigh so I looked at her. “My brother, Claude and I wanted to have a normal life just like you and Storm do. This is a wish from Father and Mother as well so they implemented that only higher officials both from the court and the military could only see their children. And that was us. Claude, me, and Iris.” I was expecting an answer of this but still, I couldn’t help but to get surprised from the revelation. “I believe you have met our dearest sister, Iris. She entered in the military because she adores and admires you so much.”
“What?” Gasping, I couldn’t help giving her a shocked look.
Her Highness chuckled. “Father disapproved it at first but when he heard that Iris has taken a like of you, he changed his mind and let her be in military incognito.”
“Now, I… understand. B-But she looks timid, clumsy, and shy when I first met her.” I remembered my first encounter with her when she was a private.
She giggled. “Of course, she is. She prefers books and to stay in the room but when she heard about you from me and from Father, she always looked forward to see and meet you in person.” She sighed in relief. “Time flies though. She is still a baby werewolf for us but looking at her a while ago how bold and brazen she looked at makes me think Father really made a right decision for her. Isn’t that right, brother?” She turned her head on the front where the Alpha King was distancing himself but he wasn’t too far from us.
“Indeed.” I caught my breathe as his raspy voice roared through my whole system.
My wolf was jumping in joy just by the sight of him and she growled whenever she heard his voice. I shut her off. After a year of giving me a cold shoulder, she would suddenly whisper that the Alpha King is our mate? I already rejected him for his betrayal!
My jaw dropped in awe as we entered in the antechamber. As what Commander Bricks said, there was two-way grand staircase with the painting of the royal family. We climbed up there but I stayed in the middle as I finally got to see it. I caught my breathe as I saw Claude’s teenage form. Even Casey’s. They had the same look of their mother’s while Iris, on a very young age, was sitting on the lap of the Grand Alpha King with Casey. Claude was beside of his mother.
They all had smiles, looking so perfect. My eyes glued to the late Luna Queen, Beatrice Capell. I knotted my forehead, looking at her familiarity. Like I had met her somewhere else.
I suddenly felt dizzy and the moment I closed my eyes, unfamiliar voices echoed in my mind.
(To put it simply, you want to make a pact?)
(Yes. This pact will surge when the time is right.)
(Even if I die as what you said, I want to protect the heir of our throne. I want to protect my son.)
(She will help your son.)
(She?)
(Yes, she is-)
“Rachelle!”
I snapped back, catching my breathe, eyes widened as I gazed up to see the worried faces of the Alpha King and the Crown Princess. My mind moved on its accord as I mindlessly touched my cheeks which they were already wet from my tears.
“What… What happened?” I looked around and I realized I was kneeling on the floor. I shivered when Claude wiped my tears as I was catching my breath like I had gone running several lapses.
“Let’s take her to my room, brother.” I heard Casey say.
Disoriented, I felt Claude lifting me on his arms and he made me leaned on his shoulder. I closed my eyes, cluthing on his collar while trying to gasp what is happening. After a moment, I felt a soft mattress on my bottom.
“Call a servant to bring us a water to drink. Hurry!”
“Y-Yes, brother.” Not long after, we heard footsteps and the door of the room opened. “I have called a servant. Rachelle, take a drink.” I nodded and did what she said while she was caressing my back. I slowly calmed down the moment the water soothes my throat and thanked her.
“Tell us what happened, Rachelle,” Claude said with a low stern tone that sunken my emotions
I looked at him, trying to grasp the thought. “I… I heard voices.”
“Voices?”
I closed my eyes, trying to remember what it triggered. I shut my eyes open then looked at him. “Voices, yes.” I nodded. “W-When I looked at the painting of your mother, there were two voices I heard.”
“What? What did you hear?”
“A pact. A bond. Something like that.” I tried to close my eyes to remember the details I heard but it just made my headache worse.
“Pact? Bond? What?” There was an impatient tone on his voice.
“Brother, stop pushing it. She is trying to remember it.”
I heard his scoff but I bowed my head in embarrassment. “M-My apologies, Your Majesty. I-I can’t r-recall it anymore.” When I looked up to meet his eyes, there was a stern look on it but not as stern as what he showed earlier in the advancement ceremony.
He diverted his gaze. “I am leaving. I had matters to attend to. Make sure you two will show up in the banquet.” He turned his head to the servant who brought a tray of glass pitcher of water and a glass. “Don’t leave your eyes on them,” he ordered.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I jumped on my seat when he harshly closed the door. I looked at Casey apologetically. “I…”
Casey gave me a soft gaze as she held my hand. “I know what happened to the two of you.” My eyes widened from what she said. But I shouldn’t be surprised, right? Probably, he already told her that I rejected him. “I am not mad. Maybe, my brother could have done something wrong that made you said that decision. I respect you that.”
I only looked at her and didn’t say anything. I had no reason to tell. She might be already knew so no need to tell her the other side of the story.
“I just hope you will manage to get away from his wrath. I pray to the moon goddess that my brother won’t dare to hurt you.”