Shattered

CHAPTER 3. Her mate.

At his words, everything turned silent again, except for the commotion that was beginning to happen.

I couldn't raise my head to peak at it, even if I could, I was a princess.

For a long time, I stilled as I saw my father even rush down from his seat. Whoever it was, I didn't know. My head was already filled with tunes of questions that I couldn't seem to get the answers to. Moments ago, my arrival was announced only to receive a thundering slap minutes later. Chaos, yes, my heart was in chaos.

Not only was I left on the ground, but from the corners of my eyes, I found Lucinda hurrying up like she… perceived something. Her reactions brought me up on my feet as I wanted to know what games they'd play.

"L.. Lucinda..?" Queen Valerie called but Lucinda didn't stop. In her eyes, for that period our eyes met, I could tell she felt sorry for me but it was only a flash as it soon disappeared. It.. it could have been my illusions, right.? She shouldn't have looked at me that way, right.?

It wasn't any longer a heartache, I could tell my head already was heavy. I tried not to think it through, telling myself it wouldn't change even if it was her mate.

"Vi.. let's go," Quinton called with worry as I sighed breathlessly. Like before, I again found a savior at the end of my humiliation. After I was accused and even about to receive judgment from my own Alpha father. W..why..? Would this redemption even last?

"Yes, Quinton." I exhaled, exhausted of the scene I just took part in. Coming gracefully won't always be like sneaking out in the end but I was grateful that whatever caused the commotion started right on time.

We already walked past glaring eyes but still, they weren't directed at me. Quinton's figure still moving forward as if it would stop them from hauling insults at me. My knuckles turned white as I clenched tightly.

I felt like I was choking down on my facade, the facade I put on to look like I wasn't a bit affected. That facade would melt down the moment I stepped into my dark tower again, far from prying eyes. The very space I take my time to bawl at my bad luck that seemed like a curse.

My breathing wasn't any different, it itched and for a moment, all I just wanted to do was let the emotions flow. To let it all out from the depth of my heavenly burdened mind and chest. Arriving only a few feet before the majestic door of the hall, Lucinda's voice stopped me on my wit.

"M.. mate..?" It was a simple word that felt like thousands of needles pricked the soles of my feet, making me stop abruptly. "M..mate!!" Now their voices became two, both exclaiming.

“Help me, lord. What is happening..!?” I almost shouted it out for all to hear but resisted the urge immediately, reciting it in my head instead

My eyes widened as I finally turned back, the commotion had already quieted down and their glares returned. My legs felt energetic again as I turned to finally set my eyes on Lucinda and the man that I was yet to know. Mate? Is Lucinda's mate? It turned out I wasn't the only one surprised. My father, stepmother, and even the entire creation of the Moon goddess that was present in the hall were shocked too.

The man that has shoulder-length silky black blonde hair or in whatever arrangements my brain wasn't ready to identify, was also confused. What is happening..? Somehow, I couldn't help the smile that broke out of my lips. No, it was a perfect grin or even a smirk. It was happening fast and I was already dizzy; how it came to this at the end felt like a happy ever after only it was only the beginning.

Heads turned to look at me, and then turn to Lucinda whose mouth was agape, forgetting her royal manners. And back again like before, they turned at me. What..? I'm also confused! I wanted to voice out.

"Her charms must have faded..!" Somebody from the crowd stated a matter of factly that the entire were humans in the hall nodded in agreement. The person must have said it loud, knowing I wasn't even a bit of a wolf. I was yet to turn when my commemoration would be in a year. I don't have their sense of smell, the same way I would have to strain my ears before I listen to any of their words when they'd just do it effortlessly. I have no wolf scent and even killed my mother at birth. It was to humiliate me further…

"Pathetic, she was even about sneaking out." Another said out loud but something in me just wanted to laugh out but instead, my grin broadened. They don't understand after all, that the person that hurts more is Lucinda and her mother. The two that thought it would go their way till the very end, pinning it on me. They must have been humiliated that she found her mate just when they were about to judge me again. How rude of her mate to step in at this time. Tsk!!

"A..are you sure he's the one? She might have paid another." Queen Valerie's voice resonated even higher than I ever heard her yell before. Igniting further murmurs and whispers from the crowd.

"-- yes," I heard most say in chorus.

"Enough!" My father ordered once again. "Should we not honor Alpha Damon instead of showing him our facade..?" His question boomed and my chest clenched. He's not doing it for me but for the guest who I suspect was the cause of the commotion..? Who's he? I tried searching for his foreign face but couldn't as my father's words cut off my train of thought.

"Escort the second princess out." He sighed and before I knew it, the gigantic door was pushed open.