Chapter 3

3

The next day, I wore the silver gown to the Supreme Alpha's banquet in the Crystal Palace.

The first people I saw were Alaric and Elara.

She was wearing a flaming red dress, looking incredibly provocative. She followed Alaric as he socialized with the other high-ranking Alphas.

They looked like a perfect couple.

When Alaric saw me in my gown, he froze. Then, he pushed Elara toward me.

"Lyra, do you remember her? This is Elara. She's been helping me with the rogue wolf situation."

Elara stepped forward and gave me a mocking bow. She was smiling, but her eyes were full of venom.

"It's been a while, Lyra. How are those old wounds from the vampire dungeons? Have they healed yet?"

"If you're feeling better, you should hurry up and get married. I'm dying to see you as a bride."

I looked at her coldly.

"Sure. But you're just a common wolf. You wouldn't be invited to a high-society wedding. Maybe you can be a flower girl. That red dress is flashy enough."

Her face twisted for a second before she forced another smile.

"You're so funny, Lyra."

She picked up a glass of tea from a nearby table and shoved it into my hand.

"I'm so happy to see you today. I can't handle alcohol, so let's toast with tea. To your health."

I didn't want to deal with her. I turned to walk away.

But the next second, she suddenly coughed up blood and stumbled back.

I instinctively reached out to help her, but she threw herself onto the floor, sobbing loudly.

"Lyra! I just wanted to toast with you... Why did you poison my tea?!"

"Just because you lost your wolf's essence and can't hunt with Alaric, you want to kill me..."

Alaric rushed over and shoved me aside. He frantically checked on Elara.

He looked at me with pure rage. "Lyra! I didn't know you were this petty!"

"Elara was only trying to help me. Your mind is so twisted that you tried to murder her!"

The other Alphas and guests noticed the commotion and gathered around.

Hearing Alaric's words, they began to point their fingers at me.

"I heard the women of the Frost-Fire Pack were desperate, but this is pathetic."

"Yeah, Alaric was willing to take her back after what those vampires did to her. She should be grateful, not murderous!"

Listening to their insults, I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and explained.

"She poured that tea herself. I never touched it!"

But the blood Elara was coughing up made my explanation seem weak.

Alaric grew even angrier.

"Would she poison herself? Lyra, if you don't get on your knees and apologize to Elara right now, you are banned from my sight forever!"

I refused to move.

Alaric kicked the back of my knees, forcing me down in front of Elara. He grabbed my hair and forced me to look at her.

In that moment, I saw the triumphant spark in Elara's eyes.

"Bow to her!"

As soon as he said it, a deep, powerful voice boomed through the hall.

"What do you think you're doing!"

Silas Blackwood entered the room, drawing everyone's attention.

Alaric didn't stop. He used his strength to push my head down, laughing nervously at Silas.

"Alpha, this is just a disobedient servant of mine. She hurt someone. I'll punish her and get her out of your way!"

I tried to look up, but Alaric held me down. I could only make muffled, desperate sounds.

Hearing me, Silas stepped forward and shoved Alaric away with incredible force. He pulled me up from the floor.

I was covered in dirt, my hair was a mess, and my forehead was bleeding from hitting the floor. I looked completely broken.

Silas's expression turned terrifyingly dark.

"Who did this?"

Alaric bowed quickly, looking at me with disgust.

"It's just that stupid servant I mentioned. I'll take her away right now..."

"Shut up!"

Silas cut him off with a roar.

His eyes were cold as ice.

"Alaric Vance, you have a lot of nerve to lay a finger on the future Queen of the Lycans!"

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