13
Remi’s POV
I needed air. The suffocating weight of the royal banquet had pressed down on me all evening, the hum of endless chatter only amplifying the tension I felt in my chest. There was too much going on–Eros, Daisy, Laurent claiming me as his mate, and now the prince. It was overwhelming, and I just needed to step away for a moment, to collect myself before I lost control.
The cool night air hit me like a balm as I stepped out of the gathering hall, the soft rustling of the leaves in the royal garden a welcome contrast to the noise inside. I walked aimlessly, my thoughts a tangled mess, trying to make sense of everything that had happened in the past few hours. It was all too much. The accusations, the confrontations… and the undeniable pull of Laurent’s claim.
I found a quiet corner of the garden, where the moonlight filtered through the trees, casting a gentle glow over the path. Leaning against a stone pillar, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The cool breeze was soothing. helping to calm the storm in my mind.
“Are you alright?”
The voice cut through my thoughts like a blade. My eyes snapped open, and I turned to see the crown prince, Raegan, standing a few feet away. His expression was a mixture of concern and curiosity, and I froze for a moment,
unsure of how to respond. The prince, of all people, had found me here?
I quickly wiped at my eyes, realizing with surprise that tears had slipped down my face during the turmoil of the evening. I hadn’t even noticed. “I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just needed a moment alone.”
Prince Raegan didn’t seem convinced. His gaze lingered on me, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny. I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling self–conscious. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice gentle. “You don’t look
fine.”
I shrugged, trying to brush off his concern. “It’s just… a lot. But it’s nothing.*
He didn’t look convinced, but to my relief, he didn’t press the issue. Instead, his eyes flickered down to my wrist, where I had absentmindedly wiped away the tears. The sleeve of my dress had slipped down in the process, and the mark on my arm, the one that had been a part of me since birth, was now exposed.
“Is that a birthmark?” Raegan asked, his voice full of quiet curiosity.
I looked down, momentarily distracted by the mark. It was a simple, swirling crescent pattern, dark against my pale skin.
I nodded, not sure what else to say. “Yeah. I’ve had it since I was born.”
Raegan’s eyes lingered on it, his brow furrowing slightly. “Hmm, interesting,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “Then,
mind telling me which family are you from?”
I felt the familiar prickle of irritation rise in me. There were so many questions about my past, about my history, about the mark, and I was tired of answering them. It wasn’t like I had answers to give. “I don’t know,” I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. “I never met my biological parents. And this… It’s just a mark.”
Raegan’s gaze softened, but before he could say anything else, a voice interrupted us from the shadows.
“Prince, you are called for a speech,” said the man. Upon hearing that, the prince had no choice but to walk away from me just giving me a nod after the weird encounter
I thought that was it, until I heard a familiar voice.
Sporo Daughter of the Alpha
Raegan who was already walking away.
“What do you want, Bianca?” I asked, my voice laced with barely–contained annoyance.
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she took a step closer, her eyes never leaving me. “I saw you talking to the prince. What was that all about? Trying to get attention? Trying to climb your way into a better position than the one you’ve been dealt?”
I clenched my fists, the urge to lash out growing stronger with each word that left her mouth. I wasn’t in the mood for her games, not tonight.
“I wasn’t talking to him like that,” I said, my voice a little sharper than I intended. “And you’re not in a position to be judging anyone
Her lips curled into a cruel smile. “Oh, but I am in a position to judge, aren’t I? You think anyone here believes you belong with Laurent?”
I didn’t have to look at her for long to know that this was going nowhere. Bianca was petty, cruel, and above all, she loved to watch me squirm.
“You’re just a packless nobody,” Bianca continued, her voice dripping with venom “You think Laurent cares about you? He’s only doing this to make me jealous. You’ve been abandoned by your Alpha before. Do you really think anyone would want you?”
Before I could respond, she reached out, yanking on my hair. The sharp pull made me gasp, and I stumbled back, trying to free myself from her grip. A few strands of my hair were left in her hand, and she held them up with a
satisfied smirk.
“I thought you were supposed to be stronger than this,” she taunted, tossing the strands of my hair away like
they were nothing.
“You’re pathetic,” she spat, stepping back. “I’m done with you.”
And just like that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in the cold night, my breath coming in sharp, shallow gasps.
It didn’t take long for Laurent to find me. He appeared just moments after Bianca’s departure, his eyes immediately locking onto my disheveled form.
“What happened?” His voice was tight with restrained fury as he took a step closer, his gaze sweeping over me. taking in every detail.
I shook my head, not wanting to drag him into this. “It’s nothing.” I lied. “Just Bianca being Bianca.” Laurent’s jaw tightened, and I saw the dark storm of anger swirling in his eyes. He stepped forward, placing his hand gently on my arm. “This isn’t nothing. She touched you. She hurt you.”
I gave him a tired look. “It’s fine. I can handle her.”
But Laurent wasn’t having it. His wolf rumbled low in his chest, and his lips curled in a snarl. “No. I won’t tolerate this. I’ll go straight to the royal family and tell them about her behavior. Bianca will face the consequences of her actions. You’re carrying my heir, Remi. You don’t deserve to be treated like this.”
My heart swelled with something I couldn’t quite name. No one had ever stood up for me like this before–not in
the way Laurent was.