THE ALPHA'S DESTINY

CHAPTER VIII : THE JEALOUS RIVAL

📖 CHAPTER VIII

THE JEALOUS RIVAL

The next day, I decided to explore the palace gardens. It was so peaceful and the flowers smelled wonderful.

I was walking and admiring the roses when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw the woman from last night—Lady Vanessa.

She walked towards me with a smirk on her face. She looked me up and down with judging eyes.

"So... you are the girl who stole the King's attention," she said, her voice sharp. "I must say... you look quite plain. I didn't know the King had such cheap taste."

I felt hurt, but I remembered what Lance said. I stood straight and tried to be brave.

"I am not here to fight with you, Lady Vanessa. I just want to live peacefully," I said calmly.

"Peacefully?" she laughed sarcastically. "Honey, you are in the palace now. This is a world of power and status. You are just a dirty village girl. You don't belong here. Soon enough, Lance will realize that you are useless and he will throw you away."

Her words stung, but I refused to cry. "The King loves me. And I love him. That is all that matters."

"Love?" she scoffed. "You are naive. Love doesn't rule here. Power does. And you have none."

Suddenly, a cold wind blew. The air became heavy and tense.

"Is that so?"

A deep, angry voice echoed from behind. We both turned around and saw Lance standing there, his face dark and full of fury.

"L-Lance..." Vanessa stuttered, her face turning pale. "I... I was just talking to her..."

"Silence!" Lance roared, walking towards us. He stood in front of me, shielding me from her.

"How dare you speak to her like that?!" his voice was shaking with anger. "Elana is my Mate! She is the future Queen! She is worth a thousand times more than you and your entire family! You are nothing compared to her!"

Vanessa fell on her knees, trembling. "P-Please forgive me, Your Highness! I didn't mean it!"

"You have disrespected my Queen," Lance said coldly. "For your crime, you are banished from the Palace. You will never step foot here again. Leave now before I change my mind!"

Vanessa cried and ran away, humiliated.

As soon as she was gone, Lance turned to me immediately. His angry expression softened and he cupped my face gently.

"Are you okay, my love? Did she hurt you?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm okay, Lance," I smiled. "Thank you for defending me."

"I will always defend you," he said seriously. "And I will never let anyone hurt you or say bad things about you. You are mine, and I will protect you with my life."