Fiona
The doors opened to reveal a high, high ceiling painted with elaborate scenes of werewolves in battle. Sparkling chandeliers hung low every fifty feet casting an amber light throughout the room. A table seating at least fifty ran the length of the room. The scent of wildflowers perfumed the air. Alexander and I entered the Great Hall.
Alexander propelled me forward into the room with grace and confidence. There were others already gathering in small groups. I recognized Scarlet, her rude steward, and several of the noble women from the tea party now accompanied by their husbands. Alexander settled into one of the small circles of couples. Kayden and Nina went to grab drinks. I wondered which one of these men was the King and which could be the half-brother, Lucas.
Scarlet locked eyes with me and wasted no time. She marched over and slapped me across the face in front of everyone with her butler trailing behind.
“You stole my necklace,” cried Scarlet.
Alexander stepped in front of me. I touched my lip, tasting blood. I straightened, anger hot in my veins.
We all knew she would do something tonight, but I hadn’t seen this coming. I pushed Alexander out of my way, glaring at her. She would not see me cower.
I was a Luna. The nobles gasped but didn’t move. The tension in the room was thick and heavy.
“I tried to find my diamond necklace to wear tonight, and it was gone. My servant Susan found it in her room. She needs to be arrested.”
Scarlet twisted around to plead at a tall man in a group with only men. His hair was shaggy like Alexander’s and black as the darkest storm with silver streaks. His eyes were a rich amber, and he was well built, but his features were not as sharp as Alexander’s, having seen the passing of time.
Alexander also locked on to this man, and I knew it must be the King.
The King moved toward Scarlet, then passed to take my face in his hand, turning my head to the side. Blood from my lip marked his hand.
“You have hurt this delicate creature, my dear,” he said as if it was a compliment, but I could see from his eyes it wasn’t. I pulled my face free from his hand. Instantly, I did not like the King.
“Father, you can’t believe this nonsense,” said Alexander. “How would Fiona even get into your room with the guards? How would she even know how to get there?”
Scarlet whined. “She could have had a servant take her to our room or maybe one of the nobles that don’t like me.”
“She still could not get past the guards even if she did. So call them in and question them,” asked Alexander. The situation was unlike any I had seen before and in the royal family.
The King waved his hand dismissively. “There is no need to call them in. She could have used one of the many hidden passageways to bypass them.”
Alexander was shocked by his father’s words. So much for him being reasonable.
I was done letting others speak for me. “And where might I find that information? I don’t believe that is common knowledge shared on the internet.”
Scarlet’s eyes narrowed, and the butler next to her cried out.
“She cannot speak to royalty like that. There has been no Marking Ceremony.” The butler tried to smack me, and Alexander caught his hand and kicked him hard in the gut, knocking him back onto the floor, where he lay gasping for breath.
The nobles backed up a few steps. A spark of fear flashed in Scarlet’s eyes. Things were not going as she had hoped.
“You try to touch her again, and I will kill you. You have no rights here,” Alexander growled to the man. I touched his arm softly, reminding him I was fine, and he relaxed.
“Why would I need to steal a necklace?” I said, curious as to what others might say.
The King turned and placed a hand in one pocket while holding a drink with the other.
“You did come from the Red Moon pack. That is reason enough to steal. I thought my son was smarter than to want any werewolf from the Red Moon pack. They are trash.”
It was a blow that hit hard in my chest. The Red Moon pack was the fruit of my grandfather’s hard work, but now it was so easily dismissed by others. Anger began to smolder in my heart.
I glanced at Alexander, who wore a blank expression, yet I saw him clench his jaw.
I would always be from the Red Moon pack and the daughter from a remote place who doesn’t have the grace to be presentable.
I fisted my hands and put on my cold and indifferent mask. I lifted my chin, pulled out my phone from my handbag, found the video, and walked to the noblewoman with green eyes from the tea party.
I showed her the video. Then she showed her husband. They blinked at me, then the Queen. I took the phone to the next noble couple and showed them and continued to do this until everyone in the circle had seen the video. I stared at the King while doing this and then at Scarlet. Nina and Kayden stood next to Alexander, now wearing expressions of fear. All eyes were on me.
“What is she doing? What is she showing them? Give that phone to me,” said Scarlet rushing over to take it. I didn’t let her see the video until I handed it to the King with a bow. “I have copies of the video, so erasing it will do nothing.”
When the Queen saw it, she bit her lip and appeared on the verge of panicking.
The King snapped his fingers, and in walked a guard. “Bring my wife’s maid, Susan.”
Murmuring broke out among the nobles, and the King growled at them. They all quieted.
Susan entered moments later, accompanied by the soldier. She looked scared.
“Show her the video,” the King said. I did.
She began to cry. “I didn’t want to do it. The Queen paid me to plant the necklace. She said it was her insurance to make Fiona do what she wanted.”
The King shook his head, disappointed. Scarlet rushed to him, dropping to her knees and complaining to the Alpha King.
“If Alexander hadn’t returned to the palace with all his soldiers taking over the West Wing with a future wife in tow, I wouldn’t have to do such things. He should not be here. They both should be punished for making fools of us.”
Scarlet cried out desperately in front of the king, who seemed to be quite bothered by her wailing. He ordered Scarlet to stand up, then scolded her half-heartedly.
After that, he turned to Alexander.
‘Your mother indeed made a mistake, but she’s not entirely wrong. You’ve indeed neglected your manners, and you’ll be punished for it as well.’
I furrowed my brow, realizing that not only was Alexander being marginalized by his stepmother, but his own biological father had also been neglecting him, allowing him to be bullied.
‘Your Majesty…’ I wanted to step forward and argue with Alexander’s father, but Alexander stopped me and shook his head.
A voice came from a nearby table. A man tall and lean staggered toward the group resembling Scarlet. This must be Lucas; I was not impressed in the least.
“Punish? Well, let’s beat him. Right here. I will start,” slurred the young man, pulling up his pants. The King snapped his fingers, and the young man exited the room two guards at his sides.
