Royal Outcast

Chapter 18

Seri’s POV

I found myself staring at the floor, my body enveloped snugly in a fluffy towel, water still cascading down my hair after having just emerged from the shower.

Mr. Dillon's statement bubbled to the surface of my mind, accompanied by a series of questions.

Caught in a web of confusion, my brows knitted together as my thoughts raced.

What did Mr. Dillon really mean by mentioning a former mate? Was he specifically referring to Princess Lia, or was it possible that Prince Lucas also had a previous relationship that I didn't ever hear of?

If the latter were the case, what kind of traumatic experiences had his highness endured that would lead him to act toward me in such a manner?

I was at a loss, struggling to comprehend the circumstances he might have faced that resulted in his treatment of me, which often left me feeling perplexed and uncertain.

Unless…

I slowly raised my gaze and looked at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

“Was his highness cheated on?” I blurted out, a chill running down my spine at the imagery of such betrayal amongst our kind.

In the werewolf community, infidelity is regarded as an unimaginable crime. It is a concept that, while not entirely unheard of, remains a rare and implausible occurrence.

A frown deepened as I mulled over this unsettling thought. Suddenly, something from my past bubbled to the forefront of my mind.

I remembered an old case from my pack that had been a topic of hushed conversations. I had been just a child back then, yet fragments of my parents' discussions and that event lingered in my memory like faded pictures.

They had spoken about a particular member of our pack who had engaged in a scandalous affair with a younger she-wolf who had only recently been accepted into our community.

The affair had gone undetected for several months until it finally came to light, and at that time, the original mate of the unfaithful pack member had chosen to turn a blind eye. She feared that if she rejected her mate upon discovering the truth, both she and their children would suffer without his support and protection.

I recalled that it was my mother who had stumbled upon the errant pair; she had inadvertently caught the member of our pack in the act of betrayal. It was her first conversation with the wife of the pack member that had led the distraught woman to finally break down in tears, revealing the extent of her heartache.

Afterward, my mother had taken the devastated wife to my father, seeking his guidance on how to handle the shocking situation.

My father’s reaction had been thunderous.

As the pack Alpha and a devoted husband, he held steadfastly to the belief that the mate bond was sacred and should be honored and respected above all.

Together with my mother and the original mate of the cheating pack member, they gathered irrefutable evidence of the pair's infidelity, leaving no stone unturned.

Before long, the unfaithful duo was apprehended and paraded before the entire pack, a spectacle that left no room for leniency.

The damning proof of their indiscretions was displayed for all to see, and in that moment, they were faced with the consequences of their actions.

The pair was forced into the center of the gathering while the male pack leaders formed a menacing circle around them, ready to unleash their wrath.

The male attempted to defend his mistress, but it was evident that his efforts were futile. He quickly found himself outmatched and mercilessly beaten—a fate that was inevitable, given that he was challenging the strongest wolves among us.

In the midst of the chaos, the mistress shockingly revealed that she was pregnant, possibly hoping to invoke some measure of compassion or mercy upon hearing that their affair had resulted in new life.

Sadly for her, it did not yield the desired effect.

Nonetheless, my father had chosen to show some semblance of mercy by instructing the male pack leaders to switch places with the unmated female fighters, allowing them their turn at punishing the pair.

Ultimately, both the male and female were beaten to the brink of death, and every precaution was taken to ensure that the mistress would suffer a miscarriage caused by the brutality.

It was undeniably cruel, yes, yet it was also a method of establishing firm boundaries for the pack members. Infidelity was more than just disapproved of in our community; it was deemed a sin that carried severe repercussions, essentially marking the offenders for life.

After their punishment, the unfaithful couple was exiled, and the events quickly faded into the fold of our pack's history.

That singular instance marked both the first and last perception of infidelity within our ranks. It became a lesson that would echo throughout time, ensuring such behavior would never occur again.

On the other hand, my parents took it upon themselves to ensure that the family of the cheating male received the assistance they so desperately needed.

The pack council offered the hurt female and her children the support and resources required to help them rebuild their lives after the devastation they had faced.

Even now, as a grown adult, I wrestled with my opinions regarding the handling of the situation involving the unfaithful pair.

However, I’ve come to realize that actions carry consequences, and the repercussions they faced were indeed the wrath of the pack, ensuring that such misconduct would never be tolerated again.

Suddenly, I was jolted back to reality by a gentle knock on the bathroom door.

“Lady Seri?”

“Yes?” I responded, my voice slightly muffled from behind the door.

“My lady, her majesty requests your presence in her office,” the voice announced, carrying a tone of authority.

I froze in place, my heart racing.

Her majesty wishes to see me? Alone?

“I understand. I will be out shortly,” I replied, attempting to keep my voice steady despite the sudden anxiety churning within me.

“Very well, my lady. I shall inform her majesty, that you are now preparing” came the prompt reply.

I listened intently as the footsteps faded away, and then cautiously peeked out from behind the door before making my way to the closet.

Rummaging through my options, I finally selected an elegant red, single-breasted long-fitted halter neck dress and paired it with minimalist white sandals.

After managing to slip into the dress, I flipped my wet hair and desperately tried to dry it just enough so I wouldn’t look completely disheveled. Hurrying to the mirror, I grabbed a brush and swiftly began to work through my damp curls.

With a few deft twists, I styled my hair into a messy bun atop my head. As I spun around to assess my appearance in the mirror, I wanted to ensure that I looked presentable enough for her majesty's discerning gaze.

“I suppose this will have to do,” I muttered to myself, feeling a rush of urgency before dashing toward the door.

The helpers stood waiting outside, their expressions brightening as they caught sight of me emerging.

“Hello there! Did I take too long? Do you think her majesty will be upset?” I asked, a hint of concern creeping into my voice.

The helpers responded with soft giggles, soothing my nerves just a bit.

“No, my lady. The helper who went to inform her majesty hasn’t even returned yet. In fact, you prepared quite quickly,” one of them assured me.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as the weight lifted from my shoulders.

“If that’s the case, shall we make our way to her majesty? I certainly wouldn’t want to keep her waiting,” I stated, feeling an urgency to be on my way.

The helpers nodded in unison, guiding me toward her majesty's office with quiet confidence.

I felt a flurry of anxiety and anticipation swirling inside me, particularly since I hadn’t foreseen being personally summoned by her majesty. Declining the invitation was simply not an option.

Part of my apprehension was rooted in the nagging suspicion that she wanted to discuss the earlier confrontation between the prince and princess.

And even though Mr. Dillon had assured me that I was not at fault, I couldn’t help but think that my presence had been a significant factor in their altercation.

Thus, it wouldn’t surprise me if her majesty shared a similar sentiment.

After all, I had unwittingly brought discord into their home, and if she saw fit to chastise or punish me for it, I would accept my fate with humility.

It was a lesson learned, a harsh reminder that I needed to always ask permission to my mate before taking independent action to avoid trouble and unintended consequences for everyone involved.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at another door. The helper at the front raised her hand and knocked firmly.

“Good evening, your majesty. Lady Seri is here as you requested,” she announced with poise.

“Come in,” a commanding yet graceful voice called from within.

The helpers opened the double doors, and I shot them a grateful smile as they gestured for me to step inside.

Taking a deep breath, I crossed the threshold.

“Seri,” her majesty greeted me warmly, an inviting tone softening her authoritative posture. I instinctively lowered myself into a respectful bow.

“Good evening, your majesty. I was informed that you wished to see me,” I replied, keeping my voice polite and composed.

“Yes, dear, I did. Please raise your head, Seri,” she instructed with a kindness that instantly calmed my nerves.

I complied, raising my gaze to meet her majesty's eyes, carefully ensuring I maintained the appropriate level of respect so as not to offend her in any way.

“I trust you have some inkling as to why I've called for you, dear” she began. I nodded gently, acknowledging her statement with utmost sincerity.

“I do have a hunch, your majesty, but just to be certain, is it regarding this morning’s incident?” I asked, trying to tread carefully as I spoke.

Her majesty sighed softly and nodded, her expression shifting to one of understanding.

“It is,” she confirmed, her voice steady but soft.

Biting my lower lip, I bowed once more, lowering my gaze out of humility as I knelt before her.

“I sincerely apologize, your majesty. I believe it was my fault that his highness and her highness had an argument. I was too unaware and careless, and it led to their confrontation,” I admitted, my heart aching with guilt.

“It was never my intention to create discord, but I acknowledge my misstep, and I am prepared to accept any punishment I deserve for the trouble I have caused,” I stated earnestly, my conviction unwavering.

Then, silence enveloped the room like a heavy curtain.

Anxiousness gnawed at my insides as I bit my lower lip, a sense of unshakable apprehension looming in the air.

“Seri…” her majesty murmured gently, her voice breaking the stillness.

“Seri, please look at me,” she urged, lightly holding my chin to guide my gaze upward.

As our eyes locked, I immediately recognized the concern and compassion etched on her face.

“Seri, I didn’t summon you here so you could shoulder the blame for the actions of Lucas and Liana,” she said softly, her words wrapping around me like a soothing balm.

“Lucas and Liana are both adults, older than you, in fact. Yet, it appears to me that you demonstrate significantly more poise and maturity than they do,” she remarked with a sigh, as if she was trying to convey understanding from a place of maternal concern.

“What transpired earlier was not your fault, dear. I am genuinely baffled that you even believe it to be,” she continued, her voice filled with kindness and sincerity.

I pressed my lips together, absorbing her words and allowing her wisdom to sink in.

“My children are indeed troubled wolves. While their behavior may stem from the burdens of their past traumas, it doesn’t excuse their actions,” she explained gently, providing a broader context to the situation.

Her majesty cupped my face tenderly, holding my look steady as she gave me an assuring smile.

“I brought you here today not to reprimand or punish you. In fact, I wanted to speak with you and express my heartfelt apologies for the turmoil that Lucas and Liana put you through earlier. I can only imagine how distressing it must have been to be thrust into the spotlight like that. Additionally, I want to assure you that I intend to have the twins apologize to you in due course,” she informed me, her tone unwavering yet kind.

As her majesty’s firm yet gentle tone resonated within me, my heart ached, and I felt a warm tear slip down my cheek, surprising me with its suddenness.

“Oh…” I murmured softly, overwhelmed by her empathy.

I suddenly felt a weight off my shoulder and I pursed my lips as my eyes watered.

I felt so anxious and nervous that my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.

“Oh sweetheart…” her majesty said tenderly, reaching out to gently wipe my tear away.

"You were terrified, weren't you?" she asked softly and as I looked at her while tears streamed down my face, I slowly nodded.

Her majesty sighed and she gently pulled me in a hug before caressing the back of my head.

"You've been through so much already, haven't you, dear child?" she whispered softly and I just buried my face in her majesty chest instead of answering.

I have. I really have.