41
I stood nervously at the edge of the battleground, my eyes darting between the warriors preparing for the duel. My heart pounded in my chest, a steady rhythm of dread and anticipation.
Murmurs rippled through the gathered council members. Some looked confused, while others seemed entertained. The royal beta had just announced the duel between Elias Redwood and Joshua Grant, the new
Shadowfang Alpha.
The beta’s voice rang out clearly the duel would decide the fate of pack law. If Joshua won, the rule forbidding alpha daughters from leaving their packs would be abolished. If Elias won, the rule would stay, and Joshua would be locked in the dungeons for a year as punishment for his defiance.
My heart clenched as I recalled my conversation with Joshua earlier that day.
“This isn’t a good idea, Joshua,” I had said, pacing the room. “It’s not that I doubt your strength, but he’s the Alpha King He’ll do anything to win–not just because of the law but because of his pride.”
Joshua had chuckled, leaning against the table. “Are you still seeing me as the boy next door? I’ve changed, Mauve. I’ve fought battles, taken down alphas–some didn’t even make it out alive. Their strength became mine. Don’t you trust your husband? Your mate?”
I had stopped pacing, turning to face him. “I do trust you. Completely. But this isn’t about trust. I don’t want you getting hurt because of me. When I married you, I promised myself I’d make you happy. But right now, everything
feels like the opposite of happiness.”
Joshua’s smirk softened. “Mau–Mau, I’ve been happy since the moment I met you. And after I take down that arrogant king, we’ll finally have peace.”
Before I could argue, he had pulled me close, his lips brushing against mine. The kiss was full of warmth. When he pulled away, his gaze dropped to my collarbone. “After today, I’ll mark you officially.” He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before walking out.
Now, standing at the edge of the battleground, my heart pounded as I watched the two alphas take their places. The duel began. A tense silence fell over the battleground as the two alphas circled each other, their gazes locked like predators assessing their prey. Their movements were slow and deliberate
Joshua’s expression was sharp, his usual playfulness stripped away, leaving only the hardened warrior beneath. I had never seen him like this before, and it sent an uneasy chill through me. He wasn’t just my childhood friend anymore. He was an alpha ready to fight for his cause–ready to kill if necessary.
Elias, on the other hand, remained unreadable. His face was cold indifference, but I knew better. His blank stare wasn’t emptiness–it was calculation. He was waiting, watching, planning his first strike before the battle even truly began.
The crowd roared, their chants overwhelmingly in favor of the Alpha King. The air crackled with anticipation. One wrong move and blood would spill.
Then, in a blink, they lunged.
From my hidden spot, I tensed as I felt someone sit beside me. Turning, my breath caught. It was Magnolia.
I blinked in shock. “Magnolia..?”
She gave a small smile. “How are you, Mauve?”
“I–I’m okay,” I stammered, reaching out to touch her hand, then her cheek. “You’re alive. You look so much better.”
“That’s because of you,” Magnolia said gently. “Thank you, dear sister.”
The word “sister” made my eyes well up. “I always wanted a sister,” I admitted. “Turns out, I had one all along.” We both chuckled through our tears. Magnolia nodded. “Me too.”
“I wish we hadn’t been separated,” I whispered. “We could’ve grown up together, played, and argued over silly things. Maybe you could’ve brushed my hair, and I could’ve brushed yours.”
A sad silence stretched between us. I wiped at my tears. “I’m so sorry, Magnolia. If I had been stronger, none of this would’ve happened. Elias and Joshua wouldn’t be fighting right now. We should’ve been a family.”
Magnolia squeezed my hand. “Don’t blame yourself, Mauve. You saved me. You saved Elias. Everything happening now has a purpose. Trust me, okay?”
Magnolia’s kindness moved me, and I nodded. Despite everything, she held no resentment. I couldn’t understand how someone could be so forgiving.
Then Magnolia’s eyes dropped to my stomach. “The pups are Elias’s, aren’t they?”