Chapter 179
Elena’s POV
The silence that followed Glenda’s unceremonio exit was heavy,
For the shop staff, however, it was a different story. The boutique manager, a beta woman with gresting hair and trembling hands, looked as though she might faint. She was currently bowing so low to Deacon that her nose was practically touching the
carpet.
“Alpha… Your Highness…we are really sorry,” she stammered, her voice barely heard, “We did to the world force ber way in. We tried to stop her, but—
“You tried?” Deacon’s voice was low but cold. It didn’t even need to be loud to be terrifying
He didn’t look at her, but his eyes were still scanning the hallway where the guards had disappeared, enowing the threat was truly gone. “If my mate had been a regular she–wolf, or if she hadn’t been trained, that woman could have done serious damage with those claws. Trying‘ is not enough when it comes to the safety of the future Princess.*
The air in the room grew thin, and I could see the manager’s face draining of colour.
Feeling the tension, I reached out, placing a hand on Deacon’s forearm. The muscles beneath his suit jacket were rock bard
“Deacon,” I called out softly.
At my touch, the deadly aura surrounding him instantly receded. He turned to me, his expression softening
“It’s not their fault,” I told him, glancing at the terrified staff. “Glenda is desperate. A desperate woman who constantly ignores boundaries and protocols. Besides,” I added, a small, cold smile playing on my lips, “she didn’t lay a finger on me. I think she was the one who left with a bruise, not me.”
Deacon sighed, covering my hand with his. He brought my knuckles to his lips, kissing them briefly before turning back to the staff. “Clean this up. And ensure the security at the door is doubled until we leave.”
“Yes! Yes, of course, Your Highness!” The staff scrambled away like frightened mice, grateful for the dismissal
Zara walked over, picking up the fallen invitation from the floor. She looked shaken but relieved. “That woman is insane. Truly insane. I can’t believe she thought she could just waltz in here and destroy a royal wedding dress.”
“She didn’t want to destroy the dress, Zara,” I corrected, walking back to the mirror to check my reflection.
The wedding dress was fine, thank the Moon Goddess.
With a sigh, I continued, “She wanted to destroy the symbol. She thinks that if she tears the dress, she tears the marriage. It’s childish magical thinking ”
I smoothed the fabric over my hips. “But she’s gone now. Let’s not waste any more time on her.”
The drive back to the Palace was quiet, the purr of the luxury engine the only sound filling the space between us. I watched the city pass by through the tinted windows–the Capital was bustling, full of life and colour. It was a stark contrast to the grey, dreary pack lands of IronPaw that I used to call home.
I felt Deacon’s gaze on me before I turned to meet it.
“You’re quiet,” he observed.
“I’m thinking,” I admitted.
“About Glenda?”
“No,” I shook my head. “About the invitation.”
Chapter 179
+25 Bonus
Deacon leaned back, crossing his long legs. “You don’t have to go, Elena. I can send a representative. Bryson’s affairs are beneath us now.”
“I know,” I said, turning fully in my seat to face him. “But I want to go. I need to see it. I need to see him… settled ”
Deacon raised an eyebrow. “Settled? Is that what we’re calling a forced marriage decreed by the King?”
I let out a short, dry laugh. “The King doesn’t do anything without a reason. Why did he order this, Deacon? Really?”
Deacon’s expression turned serious. He ran a hand through his hair, a habit he had when discussing politics. “Bryson is incompetent, but the pack is strategically important. It borders the Rogue Lands in the North. Under Bryson’s recent… emotional leadership… the pack’s defences have weakened. The economy is suffering because he’s been too busy chasing Glenda or mourning you.”
He paused, his eyes darkening slightly. “The King cannot afford a weak border. So, he intervened. He found a bride from a powerful family. Lady Elara Valarius.”
“Valerius?” My eyes widened. I knew that name. “The family known for their military logistics? They are strict traditionalists.”
“Exactly,” Deacon nodded. “Lady Elara is not a soft wolf. She is older than Bryson, disciplined, and rich. She will whip the pack back into shape and control Bryson. The King is essentially putting a babysitter in charge of the Alpha.”
I sat back, processing this suddenly tragic yet so funny situation. It was brilliant, in a cruel sort of way. Bryson, who always wanted to be the big, powerful Alpha, was being handed a wife who would strip him of his actual authority while keeping him as a figurehead.
And Glenda… Glenda had no place in that equation. A woman like Lady Elara would chew Glenda up and spit her out before breakfast.
“So,” I mused, looking out the…
again. “It’s a business transaction.”
“Politics usually is,” Deacon murmured, reaching out to take my hand. “Unlike us.”
I squeezed his hand back, warmth spreading through my chest. “Unlike us.”
We were arranged marriage, but it’s evident that both of us were more than just that.
Two days later, the day of the wedding arrived.
Bryson’s wedding. This sure would be a show.