The Rejected Princess Elodie

CHAPTER 15

The pack had been eerily quiet since the Alpha left. It felt as if the entire territory had turned into a graveyard overnight. No one spoke loudly, no one laughed, and the air was thick with tension. Fear lingered in every corner, creeping into our bones as we waited for news.

The worst part was not knowing what would happen next.

“I don’t know why we’re all so scared,” Jessica said one morning as we stood in the kitchen. She tried to sound reassuring, but the tightness in her voice betrayed her worry. “He’ll be back before we know it.”

I wanted to believe her.

But the silence stretched on, and the weight of uncertainty pressed down harder.

I focused on preparing breakfast, my hands moving methodically as I chopped and stirred. I wasn’t cooking for myself.

I was cooking for Liam.

Before anyone could judge me, I had my reasons. He had barely spoken in two days since his father left. I knew he was planning something, probably his escape, but for now, he stayed. For now, he was still here, the only person capable of protecting us.

And I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

“What does he like to eat?” I had asked one of the chefs earlier.

When she told me, I set to work, determined to make it as perfect as possible.

I should’ve been like everyone else, focusing on my survival, and staying out of his way. But I couldn’t. That wasn’t who I was.

He needed to know he wasn’t alone.

The scent of the meal filled the kitchen, rich and warm, offering a small comfort amidst the suffocating tension. Once I finished, I handed it to Jessica.

“Come with me.”

We made our way to Liam’s office, my heart pounding with every step. When we reached the door, I knocked lightly.

A muffled voice came from inside before the door creaked open. Andrew stood there, his expression softening when he saw me. He offered a small smile, and I returned it before stepping inside.

Liam didn’t even look up. His focus remained on the papers spread across his desk. “What are you doing here?” His voice was flat, disinterested.

I swallowed, keeping my tone steady. “I was in the kitchen earlier and decided to make something for you. I thought you might like it.”

He finally set his papers down, lifting his gaze to meet mine.

A sharp, cold glare.

I took an instinctive step back.

“Did I ask you for anything?” His voice was like ice, sharp, cutting, and utterly devoid of warmth.

I flinched but quickly composed myself. I hadn’t expected him to welcome the gesture with open arms, but I hadn’t expected outright hostility either.

“I was just trying to be nice,” I said, forcing a small smile. “There’s no need to be so harsh.”

His eyebrow lifted slightly, and I immediately regretted saying that.

“Just leave it there,” he muttered, dismissing me. “I’ll decide what to do with it.”

He bent his head, already returning to his work.

I glanced at Andrew, who gave me a pitiful nod.

I sighed, knowing there was no point in pushing further.

Then, the door swung open.

Zelda strode inside like she owned the place, her lips curving into a knowing smile. She didn’t spare me a glance as she walked straight to Liam.

Without hesitation, she perched herself on his lap, her arms draping around his shoulders as she gazed up at him.

“You’ve been working too hard,” she purred, her voice soft and intimate. “You should rest.”

I held my breath, my chest tightening as I waited for his reaction.

He didn’t push her away. He didn’t even tense.

He just looked at her.

Something inside me twisted painfully.

I followed Zelda’s gaze as it flickered toward the food I had brought.

“Something smells heavenly,” she mused, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on the plate. “Ah.”

She moved toward it with obvious delight.

That was my breaking point.

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked out.

Jessica was waiting outside. She had been excited earlier, but the second she saw my face, her expression fell.

She didn’t need to ask. She already knew.

“Let’s just go back to my room,” I muttered, and she nodded, following silently.

Not even a minute after I entered my room, my sister barged in.

I had been avoiding her for days, but she had decided that today was the day she would corner me.

“Who let you in here?” I snapped, crossing my arms.

Jessica stepped forward, her body tensed. “Should I throw her out?”

I shook my head. “No need.”

My sister pouted. “You’ve been so mean to me. I didn’t even do anything.”

I scoffed. I knew her too well to fall for her innocent act. “Cut to the point, or get out.”

A slow smile spread across her lips as she took a seat, making herself comfortable. Her gaze flickered to Jessica, who still looked ready to murder her.

I sighed and waved Jessica off. Once she left, I turned back to my sister. “Alright. What do you want?”

She took a deep breath before speaking. “Let’s talk about Zelda.”

I stiffened.

“And what about her?” I asked, wary of where this was going.

My sister huffed as if I was the one being difficult. “She’s going to steal your man. Are you just going to sit there and let it happen?”

I stared at her, my mind racing.

She leaned forward, her voice lowering. “He’s your husband, Elodie. People are already whispering about it. If you don’t do something soon, she’ll push you out completely. She’ll take your place as Luna.”

The words struck deeper than I wanted to admit.

But what could I do?

I stared at Elsa for the longest time before laughter burst out of me, harsh and bitter.

“Really? This is coming from the same person who’s trying to do the same thing?”

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

“And you’re telling me this because…?” I leaned forward, my voice steady. “Let’s be honest, Elsa. That’s exactly why you’re here. You want to take what belongs to me. But let me make one thing clear, neither you nor Zelda are my enemies, and I am certainly not yours.”

She scoffed, folding her arms. “I always knew you were stupid. It’s been obvious since the day we were little, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

I ignored her, refusing to let her get under my skin. She wasn’t my problem, and I wasn’t about to make her one.

“I should have been the one married to him, not you.” She lifted her chin. “Just because I stepped aside doesn’t mean…”

I cut her off before she could spin another tired excuse. “When are you going to grow up and stop acting like someone had her husband stolen? You, my dear Elsa, ran away because you didn’t want to get married. So why do you keep making it seem like I stole him from you?”

She opened her mouth, but I didn’t let her speak.

“You made that choice, not me. Even when I was terrified, I was bold enough to accept the scraps they threw at me, not knowing what lay ahead. You choose to run away, Elsa. I didn’t.”

I exhaled sharply, realizing I had said too much. But I was done pretending her bitterness didn’t bother me.

Her expression flickered with something unreadable, but she quickly masked it with indifference. “I don’t have to say all of this,” she muttered. “I came here to help you, to get rid of that b***h, but instead, you’re treating me like the enemy.”

I nearly laughed again. “You’ve never helped me a day in your life. So don’t stand there and act like you’re doing me a favor now.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Have it your way. But when she takes everything from you, don’t come crying to me.”

I was done with this conversation. “Leave.”

She scoffed but didn’t move.

I stood, pointing at the door. “I said, leave. And don’t come back here with nonsense I don’t care about.”

She rose to her feet, her eyes dark with anger. “You act like you’re so perfect, but all that makeup can’t hide your ugly face.”

Of course. The scar. Elsa never missed a chance to remind me of it.

I inhaled deeply, keeping my expression unreadable. “Thank you for your input. Now get out.”

She sighed dramatically, raking her gaze over me one last time before finally walking out.

As soon as the door shut behind her, I let out a breath. There was already too much happening, I didn’t need a sulking sister to add to my problems.

The door swung open again, and Jessica stepped inside, her expression dark. “What the hell did she want?”

I shrugged, sinking onto the bed. “Nothing worth my time.”

Jessica’s face suddenly lit up with excitement. “Well, I have good news.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

She grinned. “The plates just came back from Liam’s office. He finished everything, every single bite!”

She bounced slightly, thrilled by the idea, but my stomach twisted.

I already knew who had eaten it.

Before I could respond, a sudden, piercing scream shattered the air.

Jessica and I froze.

Fear coiled in my chest, spreading like wildfire. That scream only meant one thing.

Danger.

Without a second thought, I bolted from the room, my heart pounding as I raced toward the source of the sound.