The Perfect Daugthers Revenge

Chapter 6: The Enemy At The Gate

The journey to Golden Dawn should have felt like victory.

Instead, it felt like I was marching into a trap.

The carriage rolled steadily through the dense forest while forty of Nightshade's finest warriors surrounded it in perfect formation. Beta Jeremiah rode beside my black stallion, unusually quiet.

That alone told me he was thinking too much.

"So..." he finally muttered.

I sighed.

"Just say it."

"You found your mate."

I shot him a warning look.

"Lower your voice."

His grin disappeared.

"You look terrible."

"I feel worse."

Jeremiah scratched the back of his neck.

"I never thought I'd see the day the Moon Goddess gave you another chance."

"It isn't another chance."

"It feels like betrayal."

Silence settled between us.

Indra growled softly.

She's close.

Too close.

I clenched the reins tighter.

"Don't start."

Our wolf ignored me.

She didn't reject us.

She walked away because she's afraid.

You felt it.

"I also felt her threaten to sever the bond."

Indra laughed.

Empty words.

She couldn't even look away from us.

I hated that he was right.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw fiery ginger hair dancing beneath the moonlight.

Emerald eyes filled with hatred...

And pain.

Not fear.

Pain.

As though she carried wounds just as deep as mine.

"Derek."

Jeremiah's serious voice pulled me back.

"What if she truly doesn't want this?"

"I'll respect her decision."

"And if the Goddess refuses to let either of you go?"

I had no answer.

Because deep down...

I didn't know.

Hours later...

The towering walls of Golden Dawn came into view.

Massive white stone walls shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.

Golden banners fluttered proudly above every tower.

The gates slowly creaked open.

Rows of warriors stood waiting.

Perfectly disciplined.

Perfectly still.

Too perfect.

A welcoming committee.

Or an execution squad.

My instincts couldn't decide.

At the centre stood Queen Eleanor.

Her smile was flawless.

"My dear Alpha Derek."

She spread her arms gracefully.

"Welcome to Golden Dawn."

I climbed down from my horse.

"Queen Eleanor."

She extended her hand.

I kissed the back of it politely.

"The honour is mine."

A lie.

Every instinct screamed that this woman reeked of danger.

Then...

I smelled it.

Night-blooming jasmine.

Warm embers.

My entire body froze.

She's here.

Indra practically purred.

Mate...

My gaze slowly lifted.

Standing several metres behind Eleanor...

Dressed in a flowing emerald gown...

Was her.

Aria.

She looked every bit the princess the kingdom believed her to be.

Elegant.

Untouchable.

Yet her emerald eyes betrayed her.

The moment they met mine...

The mate bond exploded.

Heat crashed through my chest.

Her breathing hitched.

Her fingers trembled ever so slightly before she hid them behind her back.

No one else noticed.

But I did.

Because I felt the exact same thing.

For one endless heartbeat...

The world disappeared.

Until

"My daughter."

Eleanor's voice sliced through the silence.

"I believe you've already met."

Aria's expression became unreadable.

She stepped forward.

Bowed politely.

"Welcome to Golden Dawn, Alpha Derek."

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

She was acting.

Just like me.

I returned the bow.

"Thank you, Lady Aria."

The title made her eyes flicker.

Disappointment?

Relief?

I couldn't tell.

"You'll be staying in the eastern wing."

"I appreciate your hospitality."

"Our home is your home."

Indra scoffed.

Liar.

Every smile Eleanor gave felt rehearsed.

Every movement is calculated.

She wasn't welcoming guests.

She was studying prey.

As we walked toward the palace, I noticed something strange.

The servants.

Every single one avoided Eleanor's gaze.

None smiled.

None spoke unless spoken to.

Fear.

Not respect.

Interesting.

Jeremiah quietly moved beside me.

"You noticed?"

"I did."

"This place feels wrong."

Before I could answer...

A sharp scream echoed through the palace courtyard.

Everyone turned.

An elderly servant had collapsed while carrying a tray.

The porcelain shattered across the marble floor.

The old man immediately dropped to his knees.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty!"

His hands shook violently.

Eleanor's smile disappeared.

"You've ruined imported crystal."

"I'm sorry!"

"So very sorry!"

She lifted one elegant finger.

"Guards."

Two warriors immediately seized the old servant.

"No!"

He struggled desperately.

"Please!"

"I've served this family for thirty years!"

Eleanor didn't even look at him.

"Twenty lashes."

"And dismiss him."

The courtyard fell silent.

Even the birds stopped singing.

Rage surged through me.

For breaking a tray?

Indra snarled.

Monster.

Before I could stop myself...

I stepped forward.

"I'll pay for the crystal."

Every head turned toward me.

Eleanor blinked.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said I'll compensate your treasury."

The old servant stared at me with tear-filled eyes.

"So there's no need for punishment."

The Queen studied me for several long seconds.

Then...

She smiled.

"As expected of the great Alpha Derek."

She waved her hand casually.

"Release him."

The guards obeyed immediately.

The old servant collapsed, sobbing with relief.

"Thank you... thank you, Alpha..."

Eleanor looked at me with renewed interest.

"I see the rumours were true."

"What rumours?"

"That your greatest weakness..."

She smiled sweetly.

"...is your kindness."

Our eyes locked.

For the first time since arriving...

I realised something terrifying.

She wasn't simply testing me.

She was measuring exactly how to break me.

From the palace balcony above, Aria watched everything unfold.

And for the first time in years...

A tiny spark of hope flickered inside her heart.

Perhaps...

The man fate had chosen wasn't the monster she'd expected.