12. Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
Destiny
Destiny Duvalle A Royal Pain: Prince Alexander Calls Pop Princess ‘Stuck Up Clout Chaser’
It seems international popstar Destiny Duvalle isn’t much impressed by royalty. The famous omega visited Avondale yesterday to perform for the monarchy, and one member of the royal family is clearly not a fan. Prince Alexander, heir to the throne and leader of Pack Stepanov, apparently had a nighttime run-in with Duvalle that ended with hard feelings on both sides. The prince was allegedly overheard describing Duvalle as shallow and unintelligent, a ‘stuck up clout chaser’ whose music is only suitable for rabid teenagers.
Sources close to the crown say Duvalle arrived at the castle during the early hours of yesterday morning. Her arrival coincided with Pack Stepanov’s return to the castle after a night of partying. Apparently, the prince wasn’t ready for the fun to end, and didn’t return immediately to his chambers. Prince Alexander was heard saying he “must’ve insulted her looks last night” as an explanation for an apparent snubbing from the famous omega, indicating that they’d indeed met during the night.
Prince Alexander’s unsavory exploits are well-documented, so his lack of clarity regarding how he might’ve offended Duvalle isn’t surprising. The prince visited several nightclubs prior to his encounter with Duvalle, where other guests claim he was visibly inebriated and “probably high on something.”
Duvalle, no stranger to wild parties herself, is also no stranger to relationships with royals. Two years ago, Celeb Web reported that the popstar had rejected a proposal from Prince Ammar, heir to the throne of Medora. When we reached out to Prince Ammar, he responded that he had no comment on the matter.
However, when asked if he would agree with Prince Alexander’s description of Duvalle, Prince Ammar said, “I have the highest respect for Prince Alexander and I believe he is a very good judge of character, particularly in this case.”
H ow had such a good day gone so suddenly and drastically downhill? Destiny couldn’t believe how nice it’d been watching movies and snuggling with Pack Stepanov. It had felt so easy and normal—a feeling Destiny wasn’t used to, and one she was surprised to realize she deeply craved. She’d relaxed and let her guard down for once.
And that had been her mistake.
Stupid, shallow, stuck-up clout chaser. That’s what Prince Alexander thought of her, apparently. And that bastard Prince Ammar! The nerve! Destiny thought they’d parted on good terms but obviously his fragile male ego hadn’t taken the rejection well, even though he’d pretended he understood. This is why she didn’t fuck with alphas outside of her heats. They were assholes. It was programmed into their DNA.
“It’s really awful timing to have a tiff with a foreign monarch,” her mother was saying. “With the inauguration gig almost secured, you’re under more scrutiny than usual and the White House won’t want to be connected to a fresh scandal.”
Destiny sighed and flopped down on the bed, resisting the childish urge to pull out her earbuds and throw them across the room. The evening had been a flurry of these kinds of phone calls and conversations. She’d been in meetings and on calls with the monarchy’s PR team, her PR team, her mother, and several concerned friends. She was exhausted, emotional, and so damn over it.
Destiny didn’t want to admit that the people she wanted to talk to the most were the ones she felt compelled to avoid. After the notifications interrupted her movie day with Pack Stepanov, Destiny had stormed angrily from the packhouse without another word to any of them. She’d managed not to be alone with them since, hiding out in her room as much as possible.
Not hiding. Decompressing. Perhaps nursing hurt feelings that had no business being so intense. Not when she barely knew these men.
Damn them and whatever they’d done to her emotional and physical regulation skills. She’d been slandered online plenty of times, and usually was pretty unbothered by it. In fact, compared to some of the things that had been written about her, this was pretty tame.
So why was she so upset about it?
“I will do my best to schedule my scandals more conveniently for you in future,” Destiny snapped, interrupting her mother’s rapid-fire commentary. The line went silent. Destiny winced, immediately wishing she could take the words back. “I’m sorry, mom. I didn’t mean that. It’s been a long day.”
What had gotten into her? Destiny never spoke to her parents that way. She was always patient and amenable. Perfect. Their golden girl.
Had it always been this exhausting?
“What’s going on, sweetheart?” Her mother’s voice had changed from the crisp, businesslike cadence Destiny had grown used to into something softer. It made Destiny feel suddenly young and homesick. “Did something happen with the prince?”
“No!” Destiny answered quickly, before swallowing hard and trying again. “Maybe? I don’t know. It’s fine. My hormones have been all out of whack since I’ve been here. I must be nearing my heat.”
Her mother hummed thoughtfully. When she spoke again, her voice was gentle. “You don’t have to tell me what’s going on, but you can if you want. Whatever it is, we can figure it out, honey. You don’t sound like yourself.”
Destiny laughed hollowly. Would her mother even recognize the real her if she dropped her guard and stopped playing the perfect daughter? Hell, would Destiny recognize herself?
“What if myself is more like this, mom?” she said, blurting the words before she could talk herself out of it. “What if I’m tired and cranky and not in the mood to do a private performance for a princess or the president?”
Her mother was quiet for a moment. Destiny’s heart leapt to her throat. She shouldn’t have said that. She should’ve waited until she was home and had some time to think through how to approach this conversation. She should’ve planned it out, figured out how to soften it.
“Then I’d call their event coordinator and tell him you’re no longer available,” her mother replied. “And you’d come home and rest or go to a fancy spa or stay and fight with the Avondalian prince or whatever you needed to do to be happy.”
This time, Destiny couldn’t choke back her sob. “Y–You wouldn’t be disappointed?”
“Oh, honey no.” Her mother sounded simultaneously concerned and mortified. “Is that what you think? Sweetheart, I love being a part of your career because music has always made you happy. But the best part of my job is spending time with you.”
Destiny swallowed against the lump forming in her throat. “Really? But if I don’t work, you don’t either. And then there’s all the travel you’d miss. I know you and Pops and Dad and BD love trekking around the world with me.”
“Pfft,” her mother dismissed her concern with a huff, before continuing in an earnest tone. “Honey, I am so grateful for the lifestyle your talent has allowed us to live, but if you never do another gig, you will still be my pride and joy, Desibug. I’m sorry if I’ve made you think I care more about your career than your happiness. You’re my baby girl. I want nothing but joy for you. If performing isn’t bringing you joy right now, then we shut it down.”
Destiny was outright crying now. She wasn’t prepared for the flood of relief that followed her mother’s words. She hadn’t realized how heavy a burden she’d been carrying. It felt so good to put it down—to be herself without fear of disappointing the people she cared about most.
“Oh, honey. I’m going to text Sasha and tell her to come and hug you so hard for me! Have you been worried about how I’d react? Oh my god, have you been feeling this way for a while?” Her mother’s voice was stricken. “Destiny, I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart. And lowkey pissed that you didn’t feel like you could tell me sooner. Emotions are so weird.”
Destiny snorted a laugh through her tears. “Yeah. Emotions are really weird.”
Her mother was quiet for another long moment, but it was a pleasant silence. Destiny didn’t feel the need to fill it with worries about her parents’ expectations. It was incredibly freeing.
“You’ve never been one for tears and mood swings, even around your heat. Which, by the way, should still be at least a month away, and you’ve been pretty regular all tour. Of course, that could change…under certain circumstances.” Her mother was trying and failing to sound casual. It made Destiny smile. “I know that you’ve always thought there was something wrong with you because you never reacted much to alphas, that you weren’t omega enough, or some such nonsense. But I know my girl. You’re perfect and always have been. You’re just on the demisexuality spectrum. You need connection before you can get your groove on.”
Destiny covered her face with her hand. “Mother, how do you even know what demisexuality is when you still say things like ‘get your groove on’? Please don’t say that to anyone else.”
“Hush, child. You know what I’m trying to say.” Her mother laughed, then her voice went soft again. “Take care of you , Desibug. You’ve done more than enough for the rest of us. Do what feels right to you . Your instincts won’t lead you wrong. And your dads and I will always support you one hundred percent, no matter what. You could literally murder that prince, and we’d just get some bail money together.”
Destiny hadn’t felt so light in ages. She heaved a heavy sigh, letting her shoulders fall. “Thank you, mom. I love you.”
“I love you too, Bug,” Her mother replied. “And please don’t murder the Avondalian prince. We might have a hard time getting you out of that one, and then I’d have to get arrested to come be with you and then who’d take care of your dads?”
Destiny chuckled, feeling better than she had since the article posted. “You are so extra.”
“I know,” her mother replied proudly. “And you know how the media is. The prince was careless with his words, but I’m sure he feels terrible about all of this. Give him some grace. You two seemed to be starting to get along.”
Destiny scowled. “You and Sasha gossip like hens.”
A mewing sound interrupted her before she could finish scolding her busybody of a mother. Destiny sat up in bed. The sound grew louder, and it seemed to be coming from just outside her door. She got up and padded across the room.
“If you’d just tell me the juicy stuff I wouldn’t have to resort to bribing Sasha for details,” her mother protested without the slightest hint of remorse. “Don’t murder Prince Alexander. He’s pretty cute. Now that Prince Ammar, I will cut his bitch ass.”
Destiny laughed again, shaking her head. She’d reached her door and the source of the insistent mewing. Ivan the cat pushed his way into her room, weaving between her legs, and meowing his displeasure about being kept waiting. Destiny shook her head again as the cat hopped onto the bed, making himself at home.
“I’m going to make Sasha block your number. Good night, mom. I love you.”
The following morning saw the castle bustling and busy. There hadn’t been any additional snowfall, so the city had managed to clear the roads and festival sites. The day would begin with an assortment of activities for Avondale’s citizens, several of which would take place at the castle. Then the festival would officially kick off with the tree lighting competition at sunset.
Though Destiny hadn’t intended to take part in the other events, the PR teams had decided it would be best for her to be seen publicly with the royal family as much as possible. That stupid clickbait article hadn’t painted either Destiny or Prince Alexander in a particularly positive light, and the festival presented an opportunity to change the narrative.
Destiny felt an unexpected bout of nerves as she prepared for the day. After the intimate hours she’d spent with Pack Stepanov, followed by the disastrous article and subsequent PR strategizing, and then the conversation with her mother, she wasn’t sure how she felt about Alexander, Hunter, and Greyson. Should she take the article as a sign to step back and be more careful of them, or should she listen to her mother and her hormones and see where things went?
Now that Destiny knew her parents would support her no matter what she wanted to do next, what did she want?
She was still contemplating the question when someone knocked on her door. She opened it to find Mina, looking a bit harried despite still wearing her customary megawatt smile.
“Good morning, Miss Duvalle! Queen Raina asks if you would do her the honor of joining her for breakfast this morning?” the royal assistant said, glancing between Destiny and the tablet in her hand, which she tapped on rapidly even as she talked. “It will be just the two of you.”
Destiny felt another stab of anxiety. Why would the queen want to speak with her privately? Maybe she wanted to discuss the day’s festivities. That was probably it.
The queen definitely wouldn’t want to discuss Destiny’s relationship with the prince and his pack. Right?
“That would be lovely,” she replied, forcing herself to sound calm and gracious. “When and where?”
“I can escort you if you’re ready. The queen is waiting in her library,” Mina said.
And so, Destiny soon found herself outside the French doors to the queen’s private library. Mina left quickly, obviously off to manage the day’s events, leaving Destiny and Damon alone. Now that the castle was teeming with people again, her bodyguard hovered nearby, a protective shadow.
She left Damon outside the doors when the queen invited her in. Destiny found her settled in a comfortable-looking chair next to a roaring fireplace. Her shiny blonde hair was piled atop her head, her crown glittering from where it nestled, perfectly centered in her updo. She wore a beautiful blue gown that brought out her piercing sapphire eyes, which were fixed on Destiny with undisguised interest.
“Come and sit with me, dear,” Queen Raina commanded, gesturing to an identical chair next to hers, separated only by a small table holding assorted breakfast items. “You’ve already met my other guests, I hear.”
As Destiny moved toward the seat, she noticed two familiar balls of fur curled up in a plush cat bed near the fire. She stooped and rubbed their heads, earning purrs from Ivan and a pleased chirp from Aly. The queen watched her every move, a smile playing about the corners of her mouth.
“So, you truly are the reason I haven’t seen much of the twins lately,” Queen Raina said as Destiny took her seat. “Normally, one of them is always underfoot.”
Destiny smiled. “They’re very sweet. My lifestyle isn’t well-suited to having pets, but Ivan has shown me what I’m missing out on. He takes up a lot more space in bed than you’d expect, but he’s an excellent cuddle buddy.”
Queen Raina raised her eyebrows. “Ivanushka slept with you? Interesting.”
The queen studied Destiny intently, but it wasn’t an unpleasant scrutiny. There was something warm about the older woman, as if she were smiling with her whole body, even when her expression was neutral. Destiny liked her a lot.
“I think he knew I was a little upset yesterday and wanted to comfort me,” she shrugged. “He really is sweet. I don’t know why Prince Alexander is so scared of him.”
Queen Raina laughed. “Because Ivanushka is only loyal to the queen, and prone to dislike most everyone else. I’m glad he comforted you yesterday. It seems my son has not behaved as admirably during your visit.”
Destiny’s cheeks warmed. She didn’t know how much the queen knew about her interactions with the prince, and she didn’t want to badmouth him to his mother. Besides, he’d been much more pleasant during their movie day. Far less annoying that she’d expected.
“Prince Alexander and I may be too much alike,” Destiny said honestly. “It put us at odds initially, but I think we’re finding our stride. We might even be friends by the time the snow clears.”
Queen Raina hummed thoughtfully as she poured them each a cup of tea, before selecting a few items from the lavish spread between them. Destiny followed suit, helping herself to a tasty-looking pancake the queen called a Blini. It was no match for Hunter’s steamed buns, but it was pretty good.
The memory of her intimate breakfast with Hunter and Greyson made Destiny flush. She’d never done anything like that before. The way they’d touched her, talked to her, taken care of her—it was easily the best date she’d ever had. She wondered if they’d have any time alone together now that the festival was beginning. Her heart raced at the thought.
“So, the reporters say you turned down Remy Rhodes,” Queen Raina remarked, startling Destiny from her thoughts. “He’s…how do you Americans say it? Quite the dreamboat?”
Destiny laughed in surprise. “You know who Remy Rhodes is?”
Queen Raina looked mildly affronted. “I know Avondale seems like some little backwater country, but we do get streaming services. I love Waverly Hills . That Queen Valerie is very entertaining.”
“Of course! I didn’t mean to offend.” Destiny blushed, but the queen waved away her apology. Destiny smiled fondly, thinking of the Rhodes Pack. “Remy is a dreamboat and a great guy. I didn’t turn him down. Pack Rhodes never made me an offer.”
Queen Raina watched her with ice blue eyes so like Natalya’s. And like Alexander’s, though his sparkled with charming mischief whenever he looked at Destiny. She pushed the thought away.
“But you would have refused them if they’d offered. You knew they weren’t for you.” It wasn’t a question, so Destiny didn’t respond. Queen Raina’s eyes twinkled with amusement, and now they were exactly like Xander’s. “I’ve found that it’s quite easy to recognize what we don’t want, but it’s much harder to figure out what we do, and even harder to recognize what we really need.”
Destiny met the queen’s gaze, tilting her head curiously. What was it with moms? How had this stranger seen right through her perfect facade to the questions and emotions bubbling beneath?
“Life is strange that way,” Destiny agreed, trying to keep her tone light. “Things change so quickly. It’s hard to keep up sometimes—to tune out all the noise and listen to our instincts.”
Queen Raina nodded, looking pleased with Destiny’s response. “I couldn’t agree more. I do hope the snowstorm has afforded you some time to rest and reflect.”
They ate in companionable quiet for a bit, commenting on little nothings and sharing observations on the exploits of Aly and Ivan, who suddenly got a case of the zoomies and began chasing each other around the library. Destiny was surprised by how easy it was to talk to the queen. She had her son’s warmth and humor, without his more irritating tendencies.
“Get to know Avondale today,” Queen Raina told Destiny as she saw her out of the library after breakfast. “I think you’ll find both the place and the people to be quite wonderful.”
“I’m sure I will,” Destiny agreed. “Thank you, your majesty.”
To her astonishment, Queen Raina wrapped her in a warm hug, then pulled away and patted her cheek affectionately. “Thank you , my dear. You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here. Now, just follow the sound of children. The fun is starting.”
Then the queen closed the library doors, leaving Destiny to ponder their conversation as she headed off to face the day.