Adriel POV
The Kingdom was alive, music filling the air, and children dashing around energetically, their enthusiasm being infectious. The aroma of fresh rose flowers plucked from the air makes the ceremony of mating a day not forgotten in a while.
I stood at the rear of the dining hall, warmly welcoming all the werewolves to the hall; everyone was thrilled they were going to finally mate with their mate except me.
Amelia looked at me, sending telegrams with her eyes.
"Finally, I get to leave this hellhole," I thought to myself as I made my way through the door, but I was met with a sobbing oma and angry Emily. What have I done?
"You witch, I knew it the moment that your parents died" Madam Emily spat, her words cutting the air like a razor
I bowed immediately. "I don't know what you are talking about," I stammered. Confusion raged inside me.
Oma stood behind Madam Emily, holding a torn-up dress, her face a mix of suffering and betrayal. Her voice was shaking as she spoke. "I treated you like a sister, Adriel. But you did this to me."
She collapsed to the ground, cradling the demolished material in her arms, crying as though her heart was breaking.
"I still don't know what you're talking about...." I began to say when there was a searing slap on my face. I could feel the burning on my cheek where I had been slapped and I stumbled backward, tears blurring my vision.
Madam Emily clutched me by the collar, yanking at my dress and buttons came off, spinning on the ground.
"You don't think I wouldn't do anything to you" she hissed, yanking even harder, her hold exposing my bare shoulder. I made a frantic step back away from her, making my heels scrape the floor with a sickening sound.
"I don't know what is going on!" I screamed, attempting to muffle my quivering voice but I did not let her silence me.
"Thinking we would never find out that you put sleeping pills in oma's meal just to make her miss the mating ceremony and tear her dress so she would be late?"
Madam Emily accused, her face glaring at me with disgust.
"Stealing a mate who was already promised to someone else," her lips curled in revulsion. "How low can you go?"
I gasped. "No, no! I would never do such a dreadful thing for a mate" My voice broke.
Oma's eyes blazed. "Shut your filthy mouth, Adriel, you knew about the dress 'cause you were the last one to see it on me when you brought my supper," Oma bellowed, throwing the torn dress on the floor.
"I never pulled any pills in your food or tore your dress; somebody is framing me," I shouted as tears still refused to subside.
Madam Emily snarled "You are not going to the mating ceremony until you mend her dress"
"Yes, Madam," I answered, taking a crime that I had not committed.
You're going to help Oma get ready for the ceremony before you even think about heading back into the dining hall again". She ordered as she strutted away, leaving Oma in her wake.
I could feel the chill of hatred coming from her. Her walk towards me was slow, like she savored my fear. She approached me. "You think I would allow you to be present at that mating ritual" she taunted
"Nobody is going to mate with you so I am making it easier and better for them. People like you are destined to be mateless for the rest of their lives"
Her tone was dripping with venom
I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and tried to find my voice. "I wasn't looking for a mate," I whispered, hardly able to get the words out. "I was just. helping."
Oma sneered. "Help," you said. Adriel I have given you plenty of time to leave the palace before me that you will not have any fun doing so"
Pushing me on the floor she strode in the direction of the opposite side of the hall. I knew Oma would do anything to get under my skin and make me miserable. Without wasting any time, I ran to the castle gate.
As I stumbled toward the castle door, plans for flight fogged in my brain, a gentle but insistent voice cut through my stupor.
I fell to the floor immediately, cold stone bruising my cheek
"Get up, child," the queen breathed.
"There is no need for such formality, especially tonight." Her voice held a softness that soothed my frazzled nerves, but the trembling of my frame would not cease.
I slowly stood up, looking at the floor, not wanting to know what she saw there. "Forgive me, your Majesty. I did not know that it was you," I murmured softly.
The queen's face eased instantly. "Oh, my child." she whispered, her sympathy reaching deep within me. She glanced over at the king, who sat silently but watchfully. "I am so sorry you lost your mother."
Her sincere voice broke something within me. The weight of it all—my parents, the accusations—crashed down suddenly. I rubbed my eyes, fighting to maintain my poise.
Do you know your bloodline? Your lineage?" the queen asked, her voice gentle, but there was something beneath it—an urgency I could not understand.
"My bloodline?" I repeated, confused. "I do not know, my queen. I'm only a pack member here."
The queen's eyes came to rest on me, her gaze scanning mine as if looking for something hidden. Before she could go on, the king stepped forward, his presence commanding.
Why is your dress torn, child? The mating ceremony is being prepared for, and you shouldn't appear the way you look.
" Her tone was harsh, but not unkind. She waved to a maid who was holding a beautiful dress.
The queen smiled softly and looked away as she took the dress from the maid and handed it to me. was going to wear this tonight," she said, her tone full of surprising sweetness, "but you need it more than I do."
I shook my head, retreating. "No, my Luna. I could not possibly take such a favor," I stuttered, amazed by the gift.