Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Alice
The door slammed shut behind me with the finality of a death sentence. I stood frozen, every muscle locked tight. My wolf howled in my chest, shredding herself raw over her mate's distrust.
Cedric had left with Victoria in his arms.
He never looked back. Just like last time. Just like every damn time. He'd always choose her.
"Damn it..." I whispered through clenched teeth, biting my lip until I tasted copper. My nails dug crescents into my palms. The sting spread through my hands, but it couldn't touch the real pain—the feeling of my heart being ripped apart.
I was such a fool.
When he'd demanded to know why I'd tried to run, when he'd said "You're my mate, everything about you concerns me"—for one stupid moment, I thought he actually cared.
But the second Victoria opened her mouth, he believed every word! Didn't even question it. Didn't give me a chance to explain. Just locked me up!
"Cedric, you bastard!" The curse tore from my throat, bouncing off the empty walls. "You call me vicious? Can't you see through that bitch's act? You blind asshole! Stay fooled by her for the rest of your life!"
I kicked the door hard. Even that couldn't touch the rage burning through me.
I was a goddamn joke. For a second there, I'd actually softened because of what he said. Actually thought he gave a shit—
Damn Cedric! Damn Victoria!
Rapid footsteps sounded outside.
"Your Majesty!" Amy's voice, thick with panic. "Your Majesty! Are you all right?"
"The King's orders!" A guard barked. "No one enters until the Queen apologizes!"
"Please, just let me see her! She needs me..." Amy's voice cracked.
"Get lost! Or we'll make you!"
I took a breath. "Amy, go. Don't worry about me."
"But Your Majesty—" She was already crying.
"That's an order." I softened my tone. "Amy, go rest, okay? I'm fine. Really."
Silence. Then Amy's muffled sobs and retreating footsteps.
The room went dead quiet again. I slid down to the floor, arms wrapped around my knees.
That's when it hit me—how pathetic I was.
I'd already died once. Lived through that whole nightmare.
Yet this time, when he'd demanded to know why I was leaving him, some stupid part of me had hoped. Actually hoped he loved me.
My wolf whimpered weakly in my chest. She was hurting too. Our mate had never chosen us. Not once.
I laughed bitterly. That heart that loved Cedric finally shattered completely.
I wiped the tears from my eyes. I couldn't drown in this.
Had to plan. Once I got pregnant, I'd leave immediately.
To survive what was coming, I'd need them to think I was dead.
Had to map escape routes. Gather enough gold. Prepare—
My thoughts tangled. Exhaustion crashed over me like a wave. I don't know when I closed my eyes. My consciousness sank into darkness.
Fire burned.
Orange flames devoured everything. Heat slammed into me, stealing my breath.
"Mama..." A weak voice.
I looked down. A tiny figure lay in my arms. A beautiful child with Cedric's same dark blue eyes.
"Baby!" I tried to hold him tighter, but his body turned transparent.
"Mama, it hurts..." His little hand clutched my dress. His voice faded.
"No! Don't!" I screamed until my throat tore. "Please, don't leave me!"
But he vanished anyway. Dissolved like smoke. The flames grew, surrounded me, consumed me.
"Ah!"
I jolted awake, gasping. Cold sweat soaked through my clothes.
Just a dream. Just a dream. But my hands still shook. The terror of losing my child nearly drowned me. No. I couldn't let this happen again. Never!
The door flew open. Blinding morning light flooded the room. I threw up a hand against the glare.
"Your Majesty!" Amy burst in, arms full of stuff, talking a mile a minute. "Quick! Get up!"
She dumped a dark blue gown and accessories all over the bed, then yanked me upright.
"Amy?" I blinked at her, brain still foggy. "What's happening?"
"It's the Hunting Contest today! The Alpha sent word—you have to attend! I'm here to dress you! You can leave this room!" The joy in Amy's voice was unmistakable.
The Hunting Contest? I frowned. The annual werewolf event where all nobility and royals gathered to hunt in the forest and prove their strength.
The winner could invite anyone to dance. A public declaration of affection.
Last time, Cedric won. But he didn't ask me to dance. Because Victoria had gotten sick again. So he'd left me without hesitation.
I became the joke of the evening.
"I'm not going." My voice went cold. I lay back down. "He said I should reflect in this room. So I'll stay right here. I'm not going anywhere."
"But Your Majesty—"
"Amy, I said I'm not going." I closed my eyes.
"Your Majesty!" Amy's voice took on a wheedling tone. "Even if you don't care about the King's orders, please have mercy on your poor servant's life!"
I opened my eyes. Her expression was dramatically desperate.
"The King said—" she lowered her voice with obvious mockery—"if I don't bring you today, he'll have my head! Your Majesty, can you really watch your most loyal, devoted Amy get punished?"
I couldn't help but laugh, despite the ice in my chest.
"Fine." I sighed and sat up. "I'll go."
Amy lit up immediately and started wrestling me into clothes.
"Your Majesty," she chattered while lacing my belt, eyes sparkling, "I heard this year's Hunting Contest is completely different! Prince Adrian from the neighboring kingdom came with his delegation!"
"Prince Adrian?" I repeated.
"Yes!" Amy's cheeks flushed pink, voice full of girlish excitement. "They say he's amazing! Handsome, powerful—every noble lady wants to marry him!"
Prince Adrian...
I searched my memories. Right. Last time, he'd competed too. Nearly beat Cedric.
He was a prince from the neighboring kingdom. Supposedly honorable, beloved by his people. But I'd never met him. After Cedric abandoned me for Victoria, I'd left early, too heartbroken to stay.
Amy's nimble fingers pinned up my hair and fastened the elaborate gown. When she finished, I stood before the mirror. That black birthmark still covered most of my face, hideous and terrifying.
Only I knew it was almost gone. If I hadn't lived through that nightmare, I'd be thrilled...
Didn't matter. I'd be leaving soon. Once the mark faded, my face would look completely different. No one would recognize me.
"Let's go." I headed for the door.
Amy hurried after me, chattering about Prince Adrian rumors. I didn't listen. One thought consumed me—finish this damn contest, then get back to planning my escape.
The hunt grounds lay at the forest's edge outside the palace. A massive viewing platform had been erected. When I arrived, the competition had already started. Beast roars and battle sounds echoed from the trees.
The stands were packed with nobles in fancy clothes, wine glasses in hand, chatting while waiting for competitors to return with their kills.
I found the Queen's seat and sat. Prime position—center stage, best view. I'd barely settled when perfume hit me.
"Alice." Victoria's gentle voice.
I looked up. She wore a moon-white gown. Her face still looked pale, but her spirits had clearly improved. Those green eyes gazed at me tenderly now.
My parents hovered behind her, fussing over her protectively.
"Father. Mother." My tone was ice.
Father didn't even glance at me. Mother gave a cold nod.
Victoria sat beside me. I saw the resentment flash in her eyes. Of course. I was sitting in the position Victoria craved most. Naturally, she'd be bitter.
"Sister," she said softly, voice full of concern, "did you sleep well last night?"
"Thanks to you, wonderfully." My response was arctic.
Jealous hatred flickered in her eyes before melting back into gentleness.
"Alice, I know you're still angry with me," she sighed, "but I really didn't mean to take your room. It was Cedric... he was so concerned about me, I couldn't refuse..."
A shy blush colored her cheeks.
"Cedric has always been especially attentive to me." She dropped her voice like sharing a secret. "But don't worry, we're completely innocent. It's just that he does treat me a bit differently."
My fists clenched beneath my skirt. This damn woman! Was she showing off? Flaunting Cedric's attention right in my face?
"Don't worry," Victoria continued, satisfaction glinting in her eyes. "I'll try not to let Cedric focus on me too much. After all, you're the Luna in name."
In name.
The words stabbed like knives. I slowly turned to face her fake expression, a cold smile pulling at my lips. Then I leaned close, voice low enough only she could hear.
"Victoria," I said each word precisely, "these cheap tricks are all you've got."
Her expression crumbled.
"As long as I'm alive," I continued, voice cutting like frost, "I'll always be Queen. I'll always sit in the position you want most. And you? You'll always be a rat in the shadows. Living in the gutter forever."
Victoria's face went white. Those green eyes immediately welled with tears.
"Alice!" She raised her voice suddenly, tears streaming down. "I know you're Queen, but I was just concerned about you! How can you humiliate me like this?"
Everyone turned to look.
"What's going on?" Father frowned.
"Nothing." Victoria bit her lip, tears pooling. "I said something wrong and upset my sister."
"Alice!" Mother snapped. "Your sister cares about you, and this is how you treat her? Apologize to Victoria immediately!"
A noblewoman chimed in, "Some people can't get the King's affection, so they take it out on others."
"Look at that birthmark. Absolutely revolting."
"How is an ugly thing like that our Queen?"
Whispers slithered from all directions like poisonous snakes. I took a deep breath, nails cutting into my palms. Don't react. Don't let these trash get to you. I stood, gathered my skirts, and walked away from the stands.
"Your Majesty!" Amy called after me. "The contest isn't over!"
"No point watching anymore." I didn't look back. "Amy, don't follow. I need to be alone."
I walked faster.
I needed quiet. Needed to escape those grating voices. I kept going until the mockery faded. Until I reached a relatively peaceful clearing in the woods.
Far enough from the stands, but I could still hear distant beast roars from the forest. I leaned against a tree, closed my eyes, and breathed.
Suddenly—an ear-splitting roar. A wave of rancid stench.
My eyes snapped open. A massive black bear charged straight at me through the trees. Its eyes burned red. Saliva dripped from its jaws. Clearly rabid. One of the Hunt beasts—somehow it had gotten out here!
I bolted. But the heavy skirts slowed me down. The bear was faster than I'd imagined. Its massive paws shook the ground. That nauseating stench closed in.
I gritted my teeth and ran. Just had to reach the patrol guards. Then I'd be safe. Branches tore at my skin, leaving fine bloody scratches. Sharp stinging pain covered my limbs, but it was nothing compared to the terror of death at my back.
My voluminous skirt caught on branches. I yanked hard. Fabric ripped with a sharp tear. My speed faltered for half a beat.
That single second of delay—hot, fetid wind slammed into my back. The bear's roar deafened me. Heavy panting right behind me. Any second now it would tear through my spine.
Death's shadow swallowed me. One thought consumed me—I couldn't die here. Not before I had my baby. Not before I escaped and changed my fate!
My bones cracked. I tried to shift, to fight this bear. But in that moment, a louder wolf howl sounded behind me. Fury wrapped in that cry.
Cedric's voice!