The Rejected Princess Elodie

CHAPTER 12

I woke up with the excitement of last night still buzzing through my body. I tried to hold back my smile, but it was impossible.

Zoe was happy, and that meant I was happy too. That was all that mattered.

"What's got you smiling so early in the morning?" Jessica's voice filled the room as she walked in, her own smile just as radiant.

She was the only person I felt comfortable seeing me without makeup, without the mask I usually wore. Through her eyes, I could see the beauty my face held, even when I struggled to see it myself.

"Let's just say I slept well." I winked at her, earning a laugh as she moved toward my dresser, sifting through my clothes. It looked like she had decided she would be picking my outfit for the day.

"Oh, I almost forgot," she added casually. "Williams stopped me on the way here. He said he wants to have breakfast with you."

My heart skipped a beat. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but the excitement that surged through me was hard to suppress.

"What? Why?" I asked, feigning indifference.

Jessica smirked. "Why don't you ask him yourself when you see him?" With that, she walked out of the room.

I sat there for a moment, trying to process her words. Williams wanted to have breakfast with me? I never thought I would hear those words, least of all from him.

But if he wanted to talk, then I would go, with my head held high.

Or at least, that's what I told myself.

The moment I stepped into the dining room, I froze. Williams was already there, sitting with the one person who seemed determined to make my life unbearable. He and Zelda were deep in conversation, their focus entirely on each other.

It felt like I was interrupting something.

Before they could notice me, I turned to leave, deciding I would rather eat later when the room wasn't so suffocating.

"What are you doing?"

His voice sent a shiver down my spine, forcing me to stop in my tracks.

I turned slowly to meet his gaze.

The girl beside him frowned at me, clearly irritated by my presence. I frowned back, refusing to let her get under my skin. Who did she think she was?

Deciding it was best to sit down and hear what Williams had to say, I took a seat, far away from them. I didn't want to hear whatever conversation they were having.

"Elodie Martin."

My name came from his lips, his voice laced with something I couldn't quite place. Even as he tried to hide it, there was a deep worry etched into his expression.

Had I walked in on something important?

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." My voice was steady, but I could feel the tension thickening in the air. "I'll eat later. I'm not hungry right now."

Without waiting for a response, I pushed back my chair and hurried out of the room. I didn't know why I was running, but my feet wouldn't stop moving.

Jessica was waiting for me outside, and the moment she saw me, a knowing smile spread across her face.

"I really like her," Zoe's voice chimed in my mind, full of warmth.

"Me too," I murmured, quickening my steps toward Jessica.

"Princess," she greeted me with a small bow before falling into step beside me. "Where are you off to?"

I shrugged. "I just want to get out of the house."

A thought crossed my mind, and despite everything, I found myself smiling.

"How about I go see the Alpha? I feel like visiting him."

Jessica nodded, and we made our way to his quarters.

Before we even reached the entrance, laughter rang through the air, loud, carefree, and all too familiar.

I frowned. I knew that laugh.

"What is she doing here?"

I sighed, forcing myself to ignore her presence as I stepped into the room.

As expected, she was already there, sitting comfortably with her legs crossed, looking right at home.

She must have heard my footsteps or sensed my presence because she turned to me with a dazzling smile.

"My beautiful sister," she cooed, her eyes sparkling as she stood and pulled me into a light hug.

I kept my hands at my sides, watching her closely from the corner of my eye. The moment she pulled away, I studied her face, searching for any hidden motives.

Ignoring her, I turned to Alpha Montgomery. "Good morning, Alpha," I greeted with a respectful bow. "I wanted to come see you today."

His face lit up with a smile as he reached for my hands. "Of course! I've told you before, you're always welcome here. I'm happy you came."

His warmth made me smile for the first time that day-a genuine, unguarded smile.

"How is your health?" I asked.

"As good as ever," he assured me. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Speaking of which, we need to start your Luna training. I'll make arrangements immediately."

I nodded, standing as he gave my hand one last reassuring squeeze.

He was always calm, always steady, a man who cared little for gossip or outside opinions. It made me wonder where Williams had gotten his cruelty from.

"Thank you, Alpha," I said sincerely.

As I turned to leave, I noticed Elsa rising as well.

Jessica and I walked in silence back to the house, but I could hear Elsa trailing behind us. She didn't say a word.

For some reason, that only made me smile more.

As I walked back to the house, my steps slowed the moment I spotted them.

Zelda was still seated at the table, and now Andrew had joined her and Williams. The three of them looked up as soon as I stepped inside.

Andrew's face immediately lit up with a warm smile, his enthusiasm evident as he waved at me. No matter how my day was going, his energy always managed to bring a small smile to my lips.

"Hey, good morning," I greeted, waving Jessica off before making my way to the table. I slid into the seat beside Andrew, my gaze carefully avoiding Williams.

I knew my silence was bothering him. The deep frown on his face was proof of that. But he didn't say a word.

"Hello, and good morning to you all."

Elsa's voice rang out as she walked into the room, loud and sharp as always. She made her way directly to Williams, ignoring Zelda as if she wasn't even there.

Zelda, however, didn't take it lightly. Her hand, which had been resting on Williams's, tightened its hold on his, as if to remind Elsa of her presence.

I felt a low growl rumble in my chest at the sight.

I hated seeing her hands on him.

Jealousy burned through me, but I sat stiffly, refusing to react. What could I even do? I had no right to be angry.

Still, that didn't make it any easier to watch.

"Come, I want to show you something."

Andrew's voice was low, just for me to hear.

I turned to him, grateful for the distraction, and gave him a small smile before standing as he did.

Williams's glare burned into both of us as we left, but Andrew and I ignored it entirely.

Once outside, the fresh air felt like a relief.

"I've seen you during your midnight runs," Andrew started, his voice calm. "It's good for your wolf. And yes, she's beautiful."

I stopped walking and turned to him.

How did he know that?

He chuckled, clearly reading the question on my face before I even asked.

"Yes, I've seen her before," he admitted. "One of the nights I went for a run too."

"But we never smelled you," I said, still confused. "How is that possible?"

He shrugged. "There are ways to hide your scent from other wolves, Princess. Especially in a pack as small as ours, where we have too many enemies."

I nodded, understanding.

"And that place you've been running in isn't safe," he continued. "There are enemies lurking around. I'll show you a better, safer field."

I didn't fully grasp what he meant, but I followed him in comfortable silence.

Andrew's steps were light, and his presence was peaceful. Unlike others, he didn't feel the need to fill every moment with unnecessary words.

After a few minutes, we stopped in front of a vast, open field.

It was beautiful. Cool, spacious, untouched. A place I had never seen before.

"This place is within our pack's borders," Andrew explained. "I made sure that no one runs here during the time you do. It's yours now. Safe, free, and big enough for you to stretch your legs properly."

Something in my chest tightened.

No one had ever been this considerate toward me before.

A tear slipped from my eye before I even realized it.

"Andrew..." I whispered, emotion thick in my voice. "Thank you."

His smile widened. "You know you're always welcome."

He meant it.

I could feel it in the way he spoke, in the kindness of his gaze.

I didn't know what I had done to deserve someone as good-hearted as him, but I was grateful.

And so was Zoe.

I could feel her joy bursting inside me, her excitement radiating through our bond at the thought of finally having a safe place to run.

Williams had never thought of this.

No, he was too selfish, too inconsiderate.

And yet, Andrew had.

That realization settled deep inside me.