Chapter 32
Valarie
A day later, things had barely calmed down.
The Kingdom was just as excited to have an Alpha female chosen as they’d been to receive the twelve contenders.
Edith had gone back to her pack quietly after the last night of the Hunt, Caroline had asked if she could stay and train with the Huntresses, and the others had slipped away quietly after the official announcement.
All except Morgan, who was noisily gathering the betas and servants she’d brought with her, preparing to return to the Blue Pack.
Sophia sniffed loudly and circled the gown again, the one my mother had made her, and John had delivered.
It was a surprise to find that thinking of him no longer caused an ache in my chest. I was able to gloss over the memory of him and move on easily enough to more important matters: tonight would be my last night here. A last ball to congratulate the new Alpha couple.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Sophia asked, picking non-existent lint off the dress.
I startled from my place on the couch and almost dropped the book I’d been reading.
“No,” I answered idly. “If you don’t need me, I’d rather not. I wanted to grab a few more things for Jason and some fabric for my mother.”
Sophia turned, grinning.
“You know I’d never deny your mother more fabric. Everything she creates is absolutely gorgeous. I’ll have to talk to Raquel about the possibility of bringing her here or commissioning some clothing from her if possible.” She turned to gaze thoughtfully at the gown again, picking at the skirt now.
I swung my legs over the couch and stood, tossing the book onto a nearby chair.
“I’m just going to write them a quick letter, to let them know I’ll be home in a day or two,” I said, heading toward my room.
If I was being honest, the main reason I didn’t want to accompany Sophia into the Kingdom was because she’d be going with Queen Raquel, Gabriel, and a small entourage to let the people of the Kingdom get a good eyeful of the new couple.
I just didn’t think I could stomach being around the two of them.
Gabriel belonged to her now, and I loved Sophia almost like a sister—I couldn’t hate her for it, but that didn’t mean I needed to stand by and watch, either.
Mom, Dad, and Jason, I wrote messily on a pad of paper I found in a desk drawer, I’ll be home in a day or two.
Hope the gifts found you well—I just need to grab a few more things, set Sophia up for the ball tonight, and then I’ll be heading home.
I’m sure you’ve already heard the good news, so I won’t bother repeating it here.
But Mom, all your dresses and outfits were a hit.
A few of the other princesses were obviously envious and not as well turned-out as ours.
Miss you all.
Love,
Val
Folding it up quickly and shoving it in my back pocket, I grabbed a tote bag and headed for the door, letting my hair down.
Sophia was talking to two maids who had been assigned to her by Queen Raquel. She didn’t even notice when I slipped out, and relief swept through me. I was worried she’d ask me to stay on with her at the Kingdom.
But she knew me well enough to know I’d be uneasy here in the long run. I belonged back with our pack—I was an Autumn wolf, and would always be one, needing to be close to the forest.
The hallways were peppered with staff and guests happily chatting with one another in excited tones.
It made me feel even more isolated as I slipped through a pair of French doors that led outside, where, exactly, I wasn’t sure, but I knew which direction I needed to go in to get to the city streets and the post office.
“Excuse me,” I muttered, maneuvering through a small crowd of people who were obviously there to get a good look at the palace. They must be visiting from one of the other packs, here for the Hunt, or the end of it at least.
“Have you seen her?” one of the women said, voice high. “I haven’t seen her yet—I heard she’s a blonde. Can you believe that?”
Walking quickly toward one of the main streets, I rolled my eyes. Not even married to him yet and they were already picking her apart a little bit. Oh well. Sophia was the kind of woman who could handle it well. Her mother had made sure of that.
It took me less than ten minutes to find the post office and I didn’t even pause to feel sad about the last time I’d been here and seen John.
I was slightly irritated at the fact that I’d probably run into him once I got home and have to be reminded once more of happy couples.
I couldn’t imagine being part of a happy couple. Not any time soon, at least.
Looking probably just as tired as I felt, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The woman at the counter glanced up at me and asked, looking back down at her work, “What can I do for you, dear?”
“I just need to mail a letter,” I sighed, pulling it out of my back pocket.
She grinned and pushed her glasses up her nose.
“Ahh, letting someone know the happy news, hmm? I’ve mailed so many letters already today. Although I’d be surprised if every corner of all twelve territories didn’t know by now!”
I tried to muster up a smile but couldn’t do much. The woman pulled open a drawer, found an envelope the right size, sealed the letter inside, and then gestured to a display on the wall.
“Do you have any preference of stamps?” she asked, “or do you just want to go with the standard Alpha silhouette?”
The silhouette she was talking about was of Gabriel, of course. His sharp nose and eyes all colored in different tones of blue. Glowering, I glanced at the other options quickly.
“That one will be fine,” I bit out, pointing at a small stamp with a realistic representation of an old, old tree on it. The woman raised her brows but didn’t comment, opening another drawer to find the right stamp and then finishing up the envelope.
“You can write the address right here,” she said, handing me a pen, “and this is your total.”
I paid her with loose change I found in the bottom of the tote and then headed out to find a fabric shop.
They couldn’t be far off; the post office was only a few streets away from the more touristy areas of the Kingdom, and I ran into the canal, following the length of it toward the shops.
There were two that I found immediately.
One was clearly overpriced, and I made a face before turning toward the other.
They had a sale rack outside despite the chill, and giving it a once over, I grabbed a few bolts I knew my mother would like.
Then I dipped inside to find her something she wouldn’t normally buy; a different sort of fabric, a price higher than she’d normally bother considering.
There were only three other people in the shop, and they all kept to themselves.
Not one word about the new Alpha female who’d been chosen.
It allowed me to relax just slightly, and I decided on an intricate lace, some interesting buttons of a metal design I’d never seen (that would probably interest Jason as much as my mother) and some zippers I knew she must be low on.
I had just thanked the girl working the register when voice rose outside the shop. All of us inside craned our necks to see what was going on, the two women nearest the door peering out through the window.
One of them turned around, excitement lighting up her face. “It’s the King and his new mate!”
I bit back a groan and, instead, inhaled deep through my nose.
“Making the rounds, I guess,” the cashier muttered, seeming disinterested.
She’d already rung me up and I couldn’t just awkwardly linger in the store now, so I started for the door, stepping outside, and staying close to the shops.
Just two streets away, I could see a small crowd gathering around Gabriel and Sophia, who rode horses.
Of course.
They had to make an impression, after all, and this was one way to do it. Most wolves didn’t ride horses.
As they came closer into view, I could see now that Sophia was wearing a pair of riding pants I didn’t recognize and a blouse with a large bow at the neck that I’d packed for her. She was beaming, her hair down and natural-looking, although I was sure the maids had brushed it to death.
She rode the paint horse I recognized from the obstacle course—of course. It must be some kind of bridal gift.
I felt bile rise as they turned a corner and followed along the canal, Sophia greeting everyone warmly, Gabriel at her side on a dark horse.
The horse itself was a mare and kept her ears pinned back at all times. I almost grinned at that but stopped myself.
“He looks so handsome,” a teenage girl nearby giggled. I glared at her but couldn’t help glancing at Gabriel quickly.
He looked… tired.
My gaze lingered on his face. Of course, he was still frustratingly handsome. But now he looked pale in a malnourished sort of way, his skin slightly waxy, hair lying down a little too flat.
He still sat the horse perfectly, with an erect back and a pelvis that rocked easily with its gait. But the smile he wore didn’t reach his eyes.
Cutting my gaze away, I realized that Queen Raquel was in a small, delicate looking carriage behind them drawn by a delicate looking horse. Her hair was down as well—apparently, they were going for the casual, we’re just like everyone else look today.
Raquel was smiling and waving as well but she kept looking at Gabriel’s straight back with a mother’s worry.
They were close enough now that Sophia would see me soon. I gathered the tote into my arms and turned, ducking down a side street and walking quickly back to the palace, the sudden urge to pack my things almost overwhelming.